Know if a listing is a
good STR investment

How does STRInvest calculate short-term rental investment returns?

STRInvest uses a four-input methodology to estimate cap rate and cash-on-cash return. The nightly rate is set at the P45 (45th percentile) of comparable active Airbnb listings in the same zip code with the same bedroom count — a conservative market rate that accounts for the fact that most new listings don't command top-tier prices immediately.

Occupancy is assumed at 68% — the national average annual occupancy for short-term rentals according to AirDNA's 2024 market data. Expense ratio is set to 35% of gross revenue, covering property management, cleaning, maintenance, insurance, and supplies. The mortgage payment uses a 30-year amortization at prevailing interest rates, calculated from the listed purchase price and a 20% down payment assumption.

All four inputs are adjustable. Change your down payment percentage, target occupancy rate, local expense ratio, or interest rate in the extension panel and the cap rate, cash-on-cash return, and monthly cash flow figures update instantly — without re-fetching Airbnb data.

How does STRInvest compare to AirDNA for STR investment research?

AirDNA is a standalone market data platform starting at ~$40/month that provides historical revenue analytics, occupancy trends, and seasonality data for STR markets. It requires a separate account, subscription, and workflow outside of your property search. STRInvest is a Chrome extension that brings key STR metrics directly onto the Zillow or Redfin listing page you're already viewing — no switching tabs, no separate subscription required.