Find Your Next STR Investment with Better Data
VaultSTR's ranked recommendations
1st
Arrived Homes — Best Overall
The most accessible way to invest in short-term rentals without buying a whole property. SEC-qualified shares starting at $100 give you fractional ownership with quarterly dividends. No property management headaches — Arrived handles everything.
2nd
Rabbu — Best for Active Investors
If you are buying properties yourself, Rabbu's deal sourcing and revenue projection tools are invaluable. Free market analysis tools plus connections to STR-specialized lenders and agents.
3rd
Fundrise — Best for Diversification
Not STR-specific, but Fundrise's eREITs include short-term rental properties in their portfolio mix. Starting at just $10, it is the easiest way to add real estate exposure without concentrating risk in a single property or market.
Top picks compared — find your fit
STR investing platforms combine market analytics, property search, and underwriting tools to help you identify, evaluate, and acquire vacation rental properties — faster and with more confidence.
//01
The difference between a great STR investment and a mediocre one is almost always driven by the quality of upfront market research and deal underwriting. Purpose-built STR investment platforms give you the data, tools, and sometimes the hands-on guidance needed to find properties in markets that can actually support the returns you are projecting.
//02
Finding an STR-viable property requires layering multiple data sources: market-level analytics (occupancy rates, ADR, seasonality), property-level projections (what will this specific unit earn?), and regulatory intelligence (is STR legal here?). Platforms built for this use case aggregate these layers in one place.
//03
Some platforms go beyond data and offer turnkey acquisition services — helping you identify, underwrite, purchase, and manage a property with minimal hands-on involvement. These services work best for investors who prioritize capital deployment over deal-hunting.
The criteria behind every VaultSTR ranking
//01
Revenue projection accuracy
How accurate are revenue projections for new STR listings? Validate projections against actuals from local operators when possible.
//02
Market selection tools
Filters by occupancy, ADR, cap rate, and regulatory status to narrow thousands of markets to a shortlist that fits your investment criteria.
//03
Regulatory intelligence
STR legality data by city and parcel — the most important data point that general real estate platforms don't cover.
//04
Property search integration
MLS access or off-market inventory — can you find actual properties to buy, not just market data?
//05
Acquisition support
Agent networks, financing referrals, and turnkey services that help you close deals, not just evaluate them.
//06
Ongoing portfolio management tools
Once you own the property, does the platform help you optimize performance? The best platforms serve you before and after acquisition.
Common questions answered
Run a conservative underwriting analysis using actual market data from AirDNA or Rabbu. Model three scenarios: a 55% occupancy bear case, a 65–70% base case, and a 75%+ bull case. Make sure the bear case still covers your debt service and operating expenses.
Not entirely. STR platforms provide the market data and deal analysis layer; you still need a local agent who understands the STR market in your target area to handle negotiations and due diligence.
Critically important. Cities across the US have enacted STR regulations ranging from permit requirements to outright bans on non-owner-occupied rentals. Always verify the regulatory environment for a specific address before purchasing.
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