Your Florida Airbnb Isn’t Renting—Is It Time to Cash Out?

The tourists are still coming to Florida. The problem is that they have more places to stay, and they are becoming more selective about where they spend their money.

As a Realtor® serving Davenport and communities throughout Polk County, I hear the frustration from vacation-rental owners: “Florida tourism is breaking records, so why is my Airbnb sitting empty?”

That is the right question.

Florida welcomed a record 143.33 million visitors in 2025, according to VISIT FLORIDA. Another 39.88 million visitors arrived during the first quarter of 2026. Tourism remains strong, but strong tourism does not guarantee that every vacation rental will remain profitable. Review Florida’s latest tourism statistics.

The vacation-rental market has changed. Owners are no longer competing only against other houses. They are competing against hotels, large resorts, professionally managed vacation homes and newly constructed resort communities.

The easy-money stage is over. Now the property must perform like a serious business.

Why isn’t my Florida Airbnb renting?

A Florida vacation rental may receive fewer profitable bookings because of:

• Greater competition from vacation rentals, hotels and resorts
• Guests expecting more amenities and a better experience
• Lower-priced competing listings
• Seasonal changes in visitor demand
• Weak photography or outdated furnishings
• Poor reviews or slow host responses
• High cleaning and service fees
• Distance from major attractions
• Incorrect nightly pricing
• Rising insurance, HOA and operating expenses

The property might still receive reservations. The bigger question is whether those bookings produce enough net income to justify keeping it.

What is happening in Davenport’s vacation-rental market?

AirDNA’s July 2026 market data estimated that Davenport short-term rentals averaged:

• 56% annual occupancy
• $213 average daily rate
• $119 in revenue per available night
• $38,100 in average annual gross revenue

The important number is not just occupancy. Davenport’s average daily rate was down 19.3% year over year, while revenue per available night was down 14.1%. View Davenport’s current short-term-rental data.

In plain language, an owner may be receiving bookings but accepting less money per night to compete.

Market-wide averages also hide major differences between communities, bedroom counts, amenities, and management quality. Your property must be evaluated against comparable vacation rentals, not the entire city average.

Gross revenue is not profit

That estimated $38,100 is gross revenue. Before an owner celebrates it, the following expenses must be subtracted:

• Mortgage payments
• Property taxes
• Insurance
• HOA and CDD fees
• Utilities, internet and television
• Property-management and platform fees
• Cleaning and turnover costs
• Pool and lawn service
• Furniture and linen replacement
• Repairs and maintenance
• Licensing and applicable taxes
• Vacancy between reservations

Gross revenue may look attractive online. Net cash flow tells the truth.

Hotels and resorts are fighting for the same guests

Vacation-rental owners are not simply competing against the house next door. Hotels and resorts may offer:

• Loyalty-program discounts and promotional packages
• Free breakfast and housekeeping
• Resort pools and fitness centers
• Concierge services and transportation to attractions
• On-site restaurants
• Flexible cancellation policies
• Professional customer service

Florida’s average hotel occupancy was 68.1% in 2025, with an average daily room rate of $193.69, according to VISIT FLORIDA’s research summary. See Florida’s lodging research.

That does not mean every hotel is lowering its room rate. It means vacation rentals are competing against the hotel’s total value—room price, packages, rewards and included amenities.

A vacation home charging $200 per night may initially look less expensive. Once the guest adds cleaning fees, platform charges and deposits, a resort package can suddenly appear more competitive.

Travelers are comparing the complete experience

Large vacation homes remain attractive to groups that want multiple bedrooms, a private kitchen, laundry, a screened pool, a game room and more privacy.

But a basic four-bedroom house with builder-grade furniture is no longer automatically a winning vacation rental. Guests compare:

• Total price after fees
• Reviews and professional photographs
• Distance from attractions
• Bedroom themes and furnishings
• Pool, spa and game-room features
• Cleanliness, internet and in-home technology
• Cancellation rules and host responsiveness

The competition is one click away.

Should you improve, convert or sell your Airbnb?

As a Realtor® with more than 30 years of construction experience, I do not believe every struggling vacation rental should immediately be sold. First, I want to see the numbers and the property’s physical condition.

1. Improve the vacation rental

This may make sense when the location is strong but the property, amenities, marketing or guest experience is weak. Potential improvements include professional photography, dynamic pricing, updated furniture, better mattresses and linens, themed bedrooms, a game-room conversion, improved outdoor lighting, pool heating and faster guest communication.

Do not spend $25,000 upgrading a property based on emotion. Estimate how much additional revenue those improvements could realistically generate.

2. Hire better management

Poor pricing, slow communication, inconsistent cleaning and weak guest service can damage an otherwise competitive property. Compare your manager’s results with similar properties and study every fee before making a change.

3. Convert to a mid-term or long-term rental

Some vacation homes may work as furnished mid-term rentals for traveling professionals or relocating households. Others may perform better as traditional annual rentals.

Before converting, verify HOA rental restrictions, local zoning and licensing, realistic market rent, expected vacancy, utility responsibility, management costs and insurance changes.

A long-term rental may generate less gross revenue while providing more predictable occupancy and fewer turnovers. Lower gross revenue does not automatically mean lower risk, so run the complete calculation.

4. Sell while you still control the decision

Selling may deserve serious consideration when:

• The property consistently loses money
• You regularly use personal funds to cover expenses
• Insurance and HOA costs keep rising
• Major repairs or an expensive refresh are approaching
• Long-term rent will not cover the carrying costs
• You no longer want to operate a hospitality business
• Your equity could be used more effectively elsewhere

The decision should not be driven by panic. It should be driven by math.

The best time to evaluate a sale is before financial pressure forces you to accept a bad offer.

Ten numbers every vacation-rental owner should know

1. Gross revenue during the last 12 months
2. True net income after every expense
3. Average occupancy
4. Average nightly rate
5. Total management and platform fees
6. Repairs needed during the next 24 months
7. Potential long-term or mid-term rent
8. Current market value
9. Estimated equity after selling expenses and debt
10. The cost of continuing to hold the property

If you cannot answer those questions, you do not yet know whether you own an investment or an expensive vacation home.

My honest opinion as a Polk County Realtor®

I am not going to tell every vacation-rental owner to sell. That would be irresponsible.

Florida continues to attract millions of visitors, and well-positioned vacation rentals can still produce income. But today’s owner must compete on price, presentation, amenities, management and guest experience.

The days of buying almost any house near the attractions, adding inexpensive furniture and expecting automatic bookings are fading.

If your property is no longer producing the return you expected, now is the time to review your options—not after months of negative cash flow have consumed your reserves.

Honesty is reality. Sometimes the right move is improving the property. Sometimes it is changing the rental strategy. And sometimes it is cashing out while you still control the decision.

Frequently asked questions

Are Florida Airbnbs still profitable?

Some are profitable, but performance varies by location, property type, financing, amenities, operating costs and management. Market averages cannot determine whether one specific property is profitable.

Why is my Davenport Airbnb not getting bookings?

Possible causes include pricing, seasonality, poor presentation, limited amenities, weak reviews, excessive fees, distance from attractions or stronger competing listings.

Should I sell my Florida Airbnb?

Consider evaluating a sale if the property produces persistent negative cash flow, requires major repairs or has equity that could be used more effectively. Review its income, expenses, rental alternatives and current market value before deciding.

Can I convert my Airbnb into a long-term rental?

Possibly, but first verify HOA rules, zoning, licensing, insurance requirements and achievable market rent.

Are hotels hurting Airbnb owners?

Hotels and resorts compete for the same travelers with packages, rewards and included amenities. Vacation homes can still compete by offering privacy, kitchens, multiple bedrooms and more space for larger groups.

How can I determine what my vacation rental is worth?

A Realtor® should review recent comparable sales, active competition, property condition, community rules and income potential. Automated estimates alone may overlook factors that materially affect value.

Is your vacation rental still working for you?

If you own an Airbnb or vacation property in Davenport or Polk County, I can help you compare your options: continue operating it, improve its market position, convert it to another rental strategy or sell and protect your remaining equity.

Call Nelson Perez at 954-418-2463 or visit HonestyIsRealty.com to schedule a confidential real estate consultation.

Serving Davenport, Lakeland, Haines City, Lake Wales and all of Polk County.

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Market statistics were reviewed on August 30, 2026. Market averages are informational and do not predict the performance or value of a specific property. This article is not financial, tax or legal advice. Verify community restrictions, licensing and tax requirements with the appropriate professionals and authorities.