In business and in life, it’s often smarter to swim with the current than to fight against it. You don’t have to understand every twist and turn of the river—you just need to move with it. And that’s exactly how we approach real estate investing.
The market is constantly shifting, and if you dig your heels in and try to resist, you risk getting left behind. Take short-term rentals, for example. A few years ago, Airbnbs were gold. Everyone and their cousin was buying a property, throwing some furniture in, snapping a few photos, and raking in the cash.
But things have changed.
Across the country, many Airbnb hosts are finding it tougher and tougher to stay profitable. In Amarillo, we’re seeing the same trend. There’s more competition, more regulation, and guests are more selective than ever.
What’s interesting, though, is which properties are still doing well.
We’ve noticed two types of short-term rentals that continue to perform:
- Experience-based properties – Think quirky stays, themed interiors, unique amenities, or anything that feels like more than just a place to sleep.
- Compact units with corporate appeal – Clean, simple, functional two-bedroom homes that serve traveling professionals.
But anything in between—like your average 3 or 4-bedroom suburban house—is struggling. Families aren’t traveling like they used to, and larger groups are either looking for something special or turning to hotels for convenience.
So what are we doing?
We’re adapting. We’re converting one of our underperforming 4-bedroom Airbnb homes into two 2-bedroom units. Same square footage, better configuration. This way, we can appeal to corporate travelers and extend our booking potential.
We’re not trying to outsmart the market—we’re just responding to what it’s telling us.
And that’s really the key to staying successful in real estate: don’t overcomplicate it. Watch the trends, pay attention to what’s working, and be willing to shift. The goal isn’t to control the current—it’s to move with it.
If you have a vacation rental that’s not performing the way it used to, and you’re tired of trying to make it work, give us a call. We buy homes in Amarillo, and we can take the headache off your hands—fast, simple, and stress-free.
Let’s keep it simple. Swim with the current.