Houghton Lake Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in Michigan, United States
Is Airbnb profitable in Houghton Lake in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Houghton Lake, Michigan, United States to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Houghton Lake, based on AirROI data from November 2024 to October 2025, reveals key trends in the niche market of 39 active listings.
Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Houghton Lake, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Houghton Lake Airbnb data is crucial. Leveraging the low regulation environment is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.
Key Houghton Lake Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview
Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Houghton Lake (2025)
Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Houghton Lake is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Seasonality significantly impacts earnings. Our analysis, based on data from the past 12 months, shows that the peak revenue month for STRs in Houghton Lake is typically July, while April often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Houghton Lake across different performance tiers:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $3,811+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $2,235 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
- Typical properties (Median) generate around $1,253 per month, representing the average market performance.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $668, often with potential for optimization.
Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Houghton Lake
Houghton Lake Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)
Maximize your bookings by understanding the Houghton Lake STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Julysees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while March experiences the lowest (low season). Effective strategies, like adjusting minimum stays or offering promotions, can boost occupancy during slower periods. Here's how different property tiers perform in Houghton Lake:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 57%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 43% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
- Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 26%.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 14% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.
Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Houghton Lake
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Houghton Lake (2025)
Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Houghton Lake involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Houghton Lake typically peaks in July and dips lowest during April. Leveraging Airbnb dynamic pricing tools or strategies based on this seasonality can significantly boost revenue. Here's a look at the typical nightly rates achieved:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) command rates of $281+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $195 or more.
- Typical properties (Median) charge around $153 per night.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $122 per night.
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Houghton Lake
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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Houghton Lake (2025)
Peak Season (July, August, June)
- Revenue averages $3,484 per month
- Occupancy rates average 48.6%
- Daily rates average $206
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $1,381 per month
- Occupancy maintains around 25.1%
- Daily rates hold near $170
Low Season (March, April, December)
- Revenue drops to average $1,050 per month
- Occupancy decreases to average 23.6%
- Daily rates adjust to average $153
Seasonality Insights for Houghton Lake
- The Airbnb seasonality in Houghton Lake shows highly seasonal trends requiring careful strategy. While the sections above show seasonal averages, it's also insightful to look at the extremes:
- During the high season, the absolute peak month showcases Houghton Lake's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $4,295, occupancy reaching a high of 58.7%, and ADRs peaking at $212.
- Conversely, the slowest single month of the year, typically falling within the low season, marks the market's lowest point. In this month, revenue might dip to $808, occupancy could drop to 21.3%, and ADRs may adjust down to $150.
- Understanding both the seasonal averages and these monthly peaks and troughs in revenue, occupancy, and ADR is crucial for maximizing your Airbnb profit potential in Houghton Lake.
Seasonal Strategies for Maximizing Profit
- Peak Season: Maximize revenue through premium pricing and potentially longer minimum stays. Ensure high availability.
- Low Season: Offer competitive pricing, special promotions (e.g., extended stay discounts), and flexible cancellation policies. Target off-season travelers like remote workers or budget-conscious guests.
- Shoulder Seasons: Implement dynamic pricing that balances peak and low rates. Target weekend travelers or specific events. Offer slightly more flexible terms than peak season.
- Regularly analyze your own performance against these Houghton Lake seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.
Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Houghton Lake (2025)
Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Houghton Lake? This section highlights key areas, outlining why they are attractive for hosts and guests, along with notable local attractions. Consider these locations based on your target guest profile and investment strategy.
| Neighborhood / Area | Why Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal) | Key Attractions & Landmarks |
|---|---|---|
| Houghton Lake Central | The heart of Houghton Lake with access to shops, restaurants, and recreational activities. Ideal for tourists looking for convenience and proximity to local attractions. | Houghton Lake, Lil' Tots Park, Houghton Lake Playfield, Houghton Lake Plaza, Local dining options |
| North Shore Drive | A scenic area along the northern shoreline of Houghton Lake, popular for its stunning views and outdoor activities. Great for families and nature enthusiasts. | North Shore State Park, Houghton Lake Boat Launch, beach access, campgrounds, nature trails |
| South Lake Drive | This area offers a serene getaway with quiet beaches and relaxation opportunities. Perfect for those wanting a peaceful retreat. | South Shore Park, Lake-level fishing spots, Picnic areas, Local shops, Kayaking and water sports |
| East Houghton Lake | An area known for its accessibility to multiple outdoor activities like fishing and boating. Attracts visitors throughout the year, especially in summer. | East Houghton Lake Park, Fishing docks, Boat rentals, Nearby restaurants, Scenic views |
| West Houghton Lake | A community that caters to water sports and summer activities, making it appealing for those looking for a fun getaway. | Watersports rentals, Boat launch areas, Family campgrounds, Local eateries, Picnic spots |
| Trevor City Lane | A picturesque spot known for summer homes and lakefront properties. Ideal for vacationers looking for a relaxing experience. | Lakefront properties, Fishing spots, Access to bike trails, Scenic vistas, Quiet atmosphere |
| Northern Recreational Area | A dedicated recreational area for boating and fishing, popular with individuals and families who want to connect with nature. | Boat access, Fishing piers, Kayak rentals, Picnic areas, Camping sites |
| Downtown Houghton Lake | The cultural hub of Houghton Lake featuring local shops, cafes, and community events. A vibrant spot for tourists seeking local flavor. | Local shops, Cafes and eateries, Community events, Art galleries, Seasonal festivals |
Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Houghton Lake (2025)
While Houghton Lake, Michigan, United States currently shows low STR regulations, specific Airbnb license requirements might still exist or change. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Houghton Lake to ensure full compliance before hosting.
(Source: AirROI data, 2025, finding no licensed listings among those analyzed)
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Houghton Lake (2025)
Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Houghton Lakebased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.
Large 3BR 3 Bath Waterfront Gem with Amazing Views
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Family-Friendly Cottage on the Lake
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Lakefront living at its best!
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
THE LOOKOUT on Houghton Lake
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Lake Front Cabin with sandy beach!
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Cozy Red Barn Acres of Houghton Lake!
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.
Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in Houghton Lake (2025)
Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Houghton Lake based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashlee | 3 | $62,878 | 146 | 4.97/5.0 |
| Calvin | 1 | $49,764 | 38 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Noah | 1 | $46,758 | 39 | 4.97/5.0 |
| Kristina | 1 | $43,738 | 20 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Rosann | 1 | $43,007 | 119 | 4.81/5.0 |
| Kelly | 1 | $25,093 | 19 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Kevin | 1 | $23,566 | 36 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Nathan | 1 | $22,418 | 23 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Karter Ann | 4 | $21,428 | 54 | 4.73/5.0 |
| Nicole | 1 | $19,669 | 37 | 4.97/5.0 |
Analyzing the strategies of top hosts, such as their property selection, pricing, and guest communication, can offer valuable lessons for optimizing your own Airbnb operations in Houghton Lake.
Dive Deeper: Advanced Houghton Lake STR Market Data (2025)
Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Houghton Lake. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.
Explore Advanced MetricsHoughton Lake Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Market Composition Insights for Houghton Lake
- The Houghton Lake Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 89.7% of the 39 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
- Looking at the property type distribution in Houghton Lake, House properties are the most common (53.8%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
- Houses represent a significant 53.8% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
- The presence of 10.3% Hotel/Boutique listings indicates integration with traditional hospitality.
- Smaller segments like unique stays (combined 2.6%) offer potential for unique stay experiences.
Houghton Lake Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution
Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms
Room Capacity Insights for Houghton Lake
- The dominant room capacity in Houghton Lake is 2 bedrooms listings, making up 33.3% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for couples or solo travelers.
- Together, 2 bedrooms and 3 bedrooms properties represent 58.9% of the active Airbnb listings in Houghton Lake, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
- A significant 33.3% of listings offer 3+ bedrooms, catering to larger groups and families seeking more space in Houghton Lake.
Houghton Lake Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)
Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity
Guest Capacity Insights for Houghton Lake
- The most common guest capacity trend in Houghton Lake vacation rentals is listings accommodating 8+ guests (30.8%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely larger groups.
- Properties designed for 8+ guests and 6 guests dominate the Houghton Lake STR market, accounting for 53.9% of listings.
- 61.6% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Houghton Lake.
- On average, properties in Houghton Lake are equipped to host 5.8 guests.
Houghton Lake Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Booking Pattern Insights for Houghton Lake
- The most common availability pattern in Houghton Lake falls within the 271-366 days range, representing 61.5% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
- Approximately 100.0% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
- For booked days, the 31-90 days range is most frequent in Houghton Lake (48.7%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
Houghton Lake Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis
Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement
1 Night
9 listings
23.1% of total
2 Nights
14 listings
35.9% of total
4-6 Nights
2 listings
5.1% of total
30+ Nights
14 listings
35.9% of total
Key Insights
- The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Houghton Lake is 2 Nights, adopted by 35.9% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
- A significant segment (35.9%) caters to monthly stays (30+ nights) in Houghton Lake, pointing to opportunities in the extended-stay market.
Recommendations
- Align with the market by considering a 2 Nights minimum stay, as 35.9% of Houghton Lake hosts use this setting.
- If feasible, allowing 1-night stays, especially midweek or during low season, could capture last-minute bookings, as only 23.1% currently do.
- Explore offering discounts for stays of 30+ nights to attract the 35.9% of the market seeking extended stays.
- Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Houghton Lake.
Houghton Lake Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)
Limited
1 listings
2.6% of total
Flexible
6 listings
15.4% of total
Moderate
13 listings
33.3% of total
Firm
17 listings
43.6% of total
Strict
2 listings
5.1% of total
Cancellation Policy Insights for Houghton Lake
- The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Houghton Lake is Firm, used by 43.6% of listings.
- There's a relatively balanced mix between guest-friendly (48.7%) and stricter (48.7%) policies, offering choices for different guest needs.
- Strict cancellation policies are quite rare (5.1%), potentially making listings with this policy less competitive unless justified by high demand or property type.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adopting a Firm policy to align with the 43.6% market standard in Houghton Lake.
- Using a Strict policy might deter some guests, as only 5.1% of listings use it. Evaluate if potential revenue protection outweighs possible lower booking rates.
- Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Houghton Lake.
Houghton Lake STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)
Average Booking Lead Time by Month
Booking Lead Time Insights for Houghton Lake
- The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Houghton Lake is 55 days.
- Guests book furthest in advance for stays during July (average 85 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
- The shortest booking windows occur for stays in April (average 14 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
- Seasonally, Summer (76 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Winter (28 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Use the overall average lead time (55 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Houghton Lake.
- For July stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 85 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
- During April, focus on last-minute booking availability and promotions, as guests book with very short notice (14 days avg.).
- Target marketing efforts for the Summer season well in advance (at least 76 days) to capture early planners.
- Monitor your own booking lead times against these Houghton Lake averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.
Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Houghton Lake (2025)
Amenity Prevalence
Amenity Insights for Houghton Lake
- Essential amenities in Houghton Lake that guests expect include: Free parking on premises, TV, Smoke alarm, Hot water, Bed linens. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
- Popular amenities like Fire extinguisher, Carbon monoxide alarm, Coffee maker are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Houghton Lake: Free parking on premises, TV, Smoke alarm, Hot water, Bed linens.
- Prioritize adding missing essentials: Bed linens.
- Consider adding popular differentiators like Fire extinguisher or Carbon monoxide alarm to increase appeal.
- Highlight unique or less common amenities you offer (e.g., hot tub, dedicated workspace, EV charger) in your listing description and photos.
- Regularly check competitor amenities in Houghton Lake to stay competitive.
Houghton Lake Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)
Guest Profile Summary for Houghton Lake
- The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Houghton Lake consists of primarily domestic travelers (99%), often arriving from nearby Michigan, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Spanish.
- Domestic travelers account for 99.3% of guests.
- Key international markets include United States (99.3%) and Canada (0.7%).
- Top languages spoken are English (88.5%) followed by Spanish (3.8%).
- A significant demographic segment is the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group, representing 50% of guests.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Target domestic marketing efforts towards travelers from Michigan and Royal Oak.
- Tailor amenities and listing descriptions to appeal to the dominant Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) demographic (e.g., highlight fast WiFi, smart home features, local guides).
- Highlight unique local experiences or amenities relevant to the primary guest profile.
- Consider seasonal promotions aligned with peak travel times for key origin markets.
Nearby Short-Term Rental Market Comparison
How does the Houghton Lake Airbnb market stack up against its neighbors? Compare key performance metrics like average monthly revenue, ADR, and occupancy rates in surrounding areas to understand the broader regional STR landscape.
| Market | Active Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Avg. Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friendship Township | 13 | $6,315 | $464.73 | 55% |
| Greilickville | 39 | $6,111 | $508.95 | 49% |
| Grattan Township | 16 | $5,401 | $356.21 | 58% |
| Blair Township | 55 | $5,050 | $493.51 | 45% |
| Livingston Township | 11 | $4,999 | $344.40 | 53% |
| Walloon Lake | 24 | $4,969 | $458.25 | 40% |
| City of Frankenmuth | 31 | $4,950 | $329.45 | 50% |
| Bingham Township | 28 | $4,763 | $486.60 | 45% |
| West Traverse Township | 35 | $4,559 | $542.40 | 39% |
| Leelanau Township | 50 | $4,469 | $414.23 | 47% |