Every August, my phone starts ringing with a very specific type of buyer.
They're not just looking for "an Airbnb."
They're trying to buy the right property before the end of the year.
Sometimes it's because they sold a business. Sometimes it's because they had an unusually profitable year. Sometimes they're working with a CPA who has identified an opportunity to offset taxable income through real estate ownership and depreciation.
Whatever the reason, one thing is always true:
They don't have time to waste on the wrong properties.
As someone who specializes almost exclusively in short-term rental acquisitions around Austin and the Hill Country, I spend a lot of time helping investors identify properties that actually make sense—not just on paper, but operationally and financially.
Not Every Airbnb Makes a Good Tax Play
A surprising number of investors assume they can simply buy any furnished Airbnb and immediately unlock significant tax benefits.
Unfortunately, it isn't that simple.
The property's projected income, purchase price allocation, renovation plans, furnishing budget, operating strategy, and how you'll personally use the property can all affect the overall tax picture.
That's why one of my first recommendations is always the same:
Bring your CPA into the conversation early.
Your CPA determines whether a particular strategy fits your situation. My job is helping you find properties that support that strategy.
Why Investors Are Buying Before Year-End
While every tax situation is different, purchasing before December 31 may allow buyers to begin depreciating qualifying assets during the current tax year rather than waiting until the following year.
For many investors, that timing can make a significant difference.
Depending on the property, buyers may also explore:
Cost segregation studies
Bonus depreciation opportunities (subject to current tax law)
Accelerated depreciation of furnishings and improvements
Strategic renovation timing
Income offset planning with their CPA
The key is planning ahead—not trying to close on December 30.
Austin Still Offers Strong Long-Term Fundamentals
Tax benefits should never be the only reason to buy an investment property.
Fortunately, Austin continues to offer many of the fundamentals sophisticated investors are looking for:
Strong population growth
A diversified economy
Major employers including Amazon, Apple, Tesla, Samsung, Oracle, Meta, and Google
Consistent tourism
Formula 1, SXSW, ACL Festival, UT athletics, weddings, and corporate travel
Multiple municipalities with different short-term rental regulations
Some investors focus on downtown luxury properties.
Others prefer waterfront homes, Hill Country retreats, or neighborhoods with year-round demand.
There isn't one perfect investment.
There is only the property that best fits your investment goals.
The Biggest Mistake I See Investors Make
Most buyers hire a great Realtor.
The problem?
That Realtor often doesn't specialize in short-term rentals.
Buying an STR requires a completely different level of due diligence.
Before we ever tour a property, we're already asking questions like:
Which jurisdiction is it located in?
What are the local STR regulations?
Are there HOA restrictions?
What do the deed restrictions say?
What does the competitive Airbnb market look like?
What nightly rates are realistic?
What occupancy should we expect?
How much will operations actually cost?
What improvements would increase revenue?
Does the floor plan support large groups?
Is this property likely to outperform competing listings?
Those answers often determine whether we tour the property at all.
I've talked more than one client out of buying a property because the numbers—or the regulations—didn't support it.
What My Acquisition Process Looks Like
Rather than simply unlocking doors, I help buyers evaluate opportunities the way an investor would.
Our process typically includes:
Preliminary underwriting before scheduling tours
Revenue analysis using local comparable properties
Regulatory research by jurisdiction
HOA and deed restriction review
Operational expense analysis
Improvement recommendations
Cost segregation considerations to discuss with your CPA
Introductions to lenders, STR managers, designers, photographers, and local vendors
The goal isn't just buying a property.
It's buying the right one.
If You're Trying to Close Before December...
The best properties rarely stay available once serious investors begin shopping for tax planning purposes.
If you're hoping to purchase before year-end, the time to begin underwriting properties is now—not during the holiday rush.
We'll identify opportunities that align with your investment goals, evaluate their revenue potential, and help you understand the operational realities before you make an offer.
Your CPA can advise on the tax strategy.
I'll help you find the property worth applying that strategy to.
Let's Build Your Short-Term Rental Portfolio
Whether you're purchasing your first Airbnb or adding another luxury vacation rental to your portfolio, I'd love to help.
I've spent more than a decade in the short-term rental industry—as an investor, operator, and broker—and I work with buyers throughout Austin, the Texas Hill Country, and surrounding markets.
If you're exploring an acquisition before year-end, let's start the conversation now. The earlier we begin, the more opportunities we'll have to find a property that works both operationally and financially.
