Airbnb Investing in Today's Market 2026

May 5, 2026

Airbnb Investing in Today’s Market: What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why

Lessons from Ashley Class

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Life, Christina sits down with Ashley Class — an Airbnb expert, investor, and operator who has built and managed a large portfolio of short-term rentals by learning in real time and adapting quickly.

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube below or listen to the podcast here

Ashley’s journey didn’t start with a polished plan.

It started with a property that wouldn’t sell.

“I was either going to take a massive loss… or figure something else out.”

That pivot — from flip to short-term rental — became the foundation for a business that scaled far beyond what she originally imagined.

What followed wasn’t luck. It was strategy, flexibility, and a willingness to learn through action.

A Background Built on Real Estate — and Real Experience

Ashley grew up around real estate, watching her father fix and flip properties while teaching the importance of long-term wealth.

But her own path into short-term rentals wasn’t intentional.

After moving to Charlotte, she bought her first home and began renting out rooms to traveling professionals to help cover expenses. That experience introduced her to the hospitality side of real estate — something she quickly realized she enjoyed.

When one of her flips sat on the market, she made a decision that changed everything: she turned it into an Airbnb.

That first move unlocked a new way of thinking.

“I started with one… six months later I had nine… and within a year I had a hundred.”

What looks like rapid growth on the surface was actually built on clear decision-making, market awareness, and systems.

Strategy First — Always

One of the strongest themes in this conversation is simple, but critical:

Strategy comes before everything.

Before design. Before furniture. Before even buying the property.

Ashley emphasizes that investors need to define:

• Who they’re serving

• How long guests will stay

• What kind of experience they’re offering

• What their income goals are

“Figure out your whole strategy… not just Airbnb, but your demographic. That’s going to change how you design it.”

For Ashley, that meant focusing on comfort over aesthetics.

Instead of designing for social media, she designed for real people — families, interns, and longer-term guests who valued livability.

That decision created consistency in bookings and a more predictable income stream.

It’s a reminder we talk about often at Branch: the best investments are built on clarity, not trends.

The Truth About Short-Term Rentals: This Isn’t Passive

Short-term rentals are often marketed as passive income.

Ashley is clear — that’s not reality.

“It is a big myth. I don’t think I’ve had my phone off in nine years.”

Running an Airbnb is much closer to running a hotel than owning a traditional rental.

It requires:

• Fast communication

• Ongoing maintenance

• Guest management

• Pricing adjustments

• Marketing and positioning

With platform expectations and automation systems in place, response time matters — often within hours.

Ashley uses systems and automation to help manage this, but the responsibility is still there.

For investors who want to be hands-off, the solution isn’t avoiding the work — it’s building the right team to handle it.

What Actually Makes an Airbnb Perform

A common mistake Ashley sees is investors overspending on design that looks good — but doesn’t perform.

The highest-performing properties aren’t always the most “Instagrammable.”

They’re the most comfortable.

“I will invest more in a couch or a bed… because I want them to stay longer.”

Her focus stays on what actually impacts the guest experience:

• Comfortable beds and seating

• Functional layouts

• Blackout curtains

• Noise control

• Thoughtful essentials

She also ties every decision back to the numbers.

“You should not be spending more than three months of your estimated rent on furnishing.”

That discipline is what keeps a short-term rental from becoming an expensive mistake.

The Market Has Changed — And Investors Need to Adapt

During COVID, short-term rentals surged.

Demand was high, and many investors entered the space quickly — often without strong systems or quality standards.

Today, the market looks different.

More competition. Higher expectations. Less room for error.

“The market has changed… and a lot of investors are still stuck in that time.”

The investors who are succeeding now are the ones who are:

• Adjusting pricing strategically

• Maintaining high-quality properties

• Understanding their niche

• Staying flexible

This is where experience and mentorship matter — knowing when to pivot and how to respond to shifts in the market.

Practical Advice for Getting Started

For anyone considering their first short-term rental, Ashley keeps it grounded:

Start with clarity and surround yourself with the right people.

“Work smarter, not harder… and align yourself with smart people.”

That means building a team that supports your strategy:

• Investor-friendly real estate agents

• Cleaning and maintenance teams

• Property managers or co-hosts

• Contractors and handymen

She also emphasizes thinking through worst-case scenarios — making sure the property can still perform even if the initial plan changes.

Flexibility isn’t optional in this space. It’s required.

Mindset: Flexibility Over Perfection

Ashley’s entire journey is built on one key mindset:

Adaptability.

Her first deal didn’t go according to plan — and instead of forcing it, she pivoted.

That same approach shows up in how she operates today.

“Every Airbnb is different… you have to be very flexible.”

In real estate, the investors who succeed long-term aren’t the ones who get everything perfect.

They’re the ones who adjust, learn, and keep moving forward.

5-Minute Fast Fire

Q: What is the best performing type of short-term rental right now?

“The more bodies, the better… hot tubs and experience-based stays are doing really well.”

Q: What’s the most overrated Airbnb feature?

“Neon lights… they don’t matter if the fundamentals aren’t there.”

Q: Self-managing or co-host?

“It really depends… if you want to sleep, you might want a co-host.”

Q: What’s one number every investor should track?

“Occupancy rate… if it’s under 50%, switch it.”

Q: Cabin, beach, or city stay?

“Beach to stay… city to manage.”

Final Thoughts

Ashley brings it back to what matters most:

Have a strategy. Build your team. Stay flexible.

Short-term rentals can absolutely create wealth — but only when approached with intention and discipline.

At Branch Wealth Partners, that’s exactly what we help investors do every day: align strategy with the market, connect with the right people, and build something sustainable.

Because real estate isn’t about chasing what’s trending.

It’s about making smart decisions — and executing them well.

What Next?

This is the shift many investors are waiting for — not more information, but structure and accountability around their next step.

That’s why we created the Branch Framework — not as another course, but as a mentor-led system designed to help you move from learning to doing.

Inside the system, you’ll get:

✔ A clear roadmap to define your numbers and your buy box

✔ Real deal reviews and practical guidance

✔ Tools that remove emotion from your decisions

✔ Accountability that turns intention into movement

✔ A community of investors who are actually moving

This isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about stewardship — using the tools in front of you and taking the next faithful, informed step.