STR Data Lab™ by AirDNA What 2026 Will Look Like for STRs
The short-term rental market is entering a new phase — one where stability, not volatility, is driving the biggest changes. In this fireside chat from the Data & Revenue Management Conference, Jamie Lane joins Simon Lehmann and Pedro Borges to break down the real signals behind 2025’s “steady state” and what it means for hosts and managers heading into 2026. This isn’t a hype-filled projection; it’s a data-backed look at supply slowdowns, shifting guest behavior, and how professionalization continues to reshape the competitive landscape.
From the K-shaped performance split between luxury and mid-market listings to the growing influence of OTA ranking systems, the conversation highlights why outperforming your market now depends less on macro tailwinds — and more on operational sharpness. Jamie and Pedro dig into pricing challenges, the emerging STR-to-midterm pivot in major cities, and how rising owner expenses like taxes and insurance are reshaping what “profitability” even means. If you want a grounded, unfiltered view of where the industry is actually heading, this episode delivers it.
For STR operators planning their next move, this is essential listening. You don’t want to miss this episode!
Key Takeaways
Stability requires strategy: With occupancy flat and supply growth at historic lows, 2025–2026 will be a competition for share, not an automatic lift.
Quality gaps matter: Listings with sub-4.7 ratings are shrinking fastest as OTAs elevate top-tier properties and push weaker performers to page two and beyond.
Profitability is the real KPI: Rising insurance and property taxes mean managers must understand — and communicate — homeowner-level financial realities.
Luxury grows, mid-market squeezes: The K-shaped recovery continues, rewarding high-end supply while challenging budget and mid-tier operators.
Midterm strategies surge: Regulatory pressure and seasonality are accelerating the blend of STR and midterm stays, especially in cities like NYC, Denver, and LA.
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Connect with Jamie on social media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane
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Connect with Scott on social media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagescott
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Connect with AirDNA on social media:
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Episode 160