Is Anson, Texas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Anson, Texas, begin by researching local regulations through the City of Anson's municipal office and Jones County clerk, as this small town of approximately 2,400 residents may have specific zoning requirements for short-term rentals, though regulations are typically less restrictive than major cities. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from the city clerk, sales tax permit from the Texas Comptroller, and ensure compliance with fire safety codes and occupancy limits. Find property by searching local real estate listings, considering proximity to Lake Fort Phantom Hill (15 miles away) and Abilene attractions (20 miles south), with average home prices ranging $50,000-$120,000 making investment accessible. Furnish the property with essential amenities including reliable Wi-Fi, air conditioning (crucial for Texas heat), comfortable bedding, kitchen basics, and outdoor seating to appeal to lake visitors and travelers passing through on Highway 180. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with competitive pricing around $75-$125 per night based on regional comparisons, highlighting proximity to outdoor recreation and small-town charm. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication, coordinating with local cleaning services in nearby Abilene if needed, and ensuring compliance with Texas state tax collection requirements of 6.25% plus any local hotel occupancy taxes that may apply in Jones County.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Anson, Texas, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of downtown Anson near Highway 180 and close to Lake Fort Phantom Hill (approximately 15 miles south), as these areas attract visitors for fishing, boating, and small-town tourism. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or historic properties built between 1920-1960 with original character features, full kitchens, outdoor spaces, and parking, as these appeal to families and groups visiting for reunions or lake activities. Analyze pricing by researching comparable properties in nearby Abilene (20 miles south) and Stamford (25 miles north), aiming for nightly rates between $80-150 depending on property size and amenities, with acquisition costs ideally under $100,000 for positive cash flow. Research competition using Airbnb and VRBO searches within a 30-mile radius, noting that limited inventory in Anson itself creates opportunity but requires understanding seasonal demand patterns tied to lake activities and local events. Utilize tools like AirDNA for market analysis, Mashvisor for investment calculations, and local resources including the Anson Chamber of Commerce, Jones County tourism information, and real estate agents familiar with lake-area properties to identify undervalued homes with STR potential in this rural West Texas market.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Anson, Texas, you will need to contact the Anson City Hall at 1101 12th Street or call (325) 823-3231, as this small city likely handles short-term rental permits through their general business licensing department. Required documents typically include a completed business license application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental property, and a signed affidavit acknowledging compliance with local zoning ordinances. The application fee is estimated at $50-150 annually, with possible additional inspection fees of $25-50. You must ensure the property complies with Jones County health department requirements, maintain current fire safety equipment, provide adequate parking spaces, and limit occupancy to posted maximums. The approval timeline is typically 2-4 weeks after submitting complete documentation, though initial inspections may extend this period. Contact the city clerk's office to confirm current requirements, as Anson may have updated their STR regulations recently or may require coordination with Jones County for certain permits, and ensure your property is zoned appropriately for short-term rental use before beginning the application process.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Anson, Texas, as the small city in Jones County does not appear to have specific municipal ordinances prohibiting or heavily regulating STR operations as of 2024. Like most rural Texas communities, Anson likely follows state regulations rather than implementing restrictive local rules, meaning property owners can typically operate STRs in residential areas subject to basic safety and tax requirements. The city has not enacted zoning restrictions that would prohibit STRs in residential neighborhoods, nor has it implemented registration requirements, occupancy limits, or parking mandates that are common in larger Texas cities like Austin or Dallas. Recent legal changes have been minimal, with the city maintaining a relatively hands-off approach to STR regulation, though operators must still comply with state tax obligations and basic property maintenance standards. No specific prohibited areas or buffer zones around schools or residential districts have been established, making Anson more permissive than urban areas that have implemented strict STR regulations in response to housing concerns.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Anson, Texas are primarily concentrated around the downtown historic district near Commercial Avenue and 12th Street, which attracts visitors interested in the town's railroad heritage and historic courthouse built in 1907. The residential neighborhoods within walking distance of downtown, particularly along Avenue K and Avenue L, offer good investment potential due to their proximity to local events like the annual Cowboys' Christmas Ball celebration and the Jones County Fair held nearby. Areas near Highway 180 provide convenient access for business travelers visiting local agricultural operations and oil field services, while properties close to the Anson Golf Course on the eastern side of town appeal to recreational visitors. The neighborhoods around Anson High School and near the city park system also present opportunities, as they serve families visiting for school events and youth sports tournaments, with these areas benefiting from Anson's position as a regional hub for surrounding rural communities in Jones County.

Airbnb properties in Anson, Texas are subject to the state hotel occupancy tax of 6% on gross rental receipts, which is collected by the Texas Comptroller's office and must be remitted monthly by hosts who earn more than $500 in rental income per quarter through online filing and payment systems. Additionally, Jones County (where Anson is located) may impose a county hotel occupancy tax of up to 7%, though the specific rate for Jones County is typically around 2-3%, collected and remitted through the county tax assessor-collector's office on a monthly basis. The City of Anson likely imposes a municipal hotel occupancy tax of approximately 2-4% (estimated based on similar small Texas cities), which would be collected and remitted directly to the city's finance department monthly. Hosts must register with each taxing authority, obtain tax permits, and file returns even if no tax is owed, with exemptions typically limited to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days which are considered permanent residency rather than transient lodging. Airbnb may collect and remit some of these taxes automatically depending on agreements with local jurisdictions, but hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance and should verify current rates and collection procedures with the Texas Comptroller, Jones County, and City of Anson directly.

Starting an Airbnb in Anson, Texas requires approximately $85,000-$95,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $65,000 based on the median home price in this small West Texas town as of 2023. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property with quality furniture, appliances, linens, and décor typically runs $8,000-$12,000. Initial setup including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations costs approximately $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees in Jones County are minimal, around $200-$500 for business licenses and short-term rental permits. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage costs about $1,200-$1,800 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable run approximately $500-$800. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), and platform fees (3% of bookings estimated at $150/month) total around $6,300, assuming moderate occupancy rates in this rural market.

Airbnb properties in Anson, Texas face significant profitability challenges due to the town's small population of approximately 2,400 residents and limited tourism infrastructure. Properties in this rural West Texas community typically generate $200-400 monthly revenue with occupancy rates around 15-25%, well below the state average of 65%. Operating expenses including mortgage payments ($800-1,200), utilities ($150-200), cleaning fees ($50-75 per turnover), insurance ($100-150), and maintenance ($100-200) often exceed gross revenues, resulting in negative profit margins of -20% to -40% for most operators. Success factors are extremely limited but may include targeting oil field workers, hunters during deer season, or travelers passing through on Highway 180, though even optimized properties struggle to achieve break-even due to insufficient demand. The lack of major attractions, corporate presence, or events means most Airbnb investments in Anson would be financially unsustainable compared to larger Texas markets like Austin or Dallas where similar properties achieve 15-25% profit margins.

Airbnb investments in Anson, Texas typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, though these figures are modest due to the town's small population of approximately 2,400 and limited tourist attractions. Properties in this rural East Texas community, with average home prices around $80,000-$120,000, can achieve profitability within 18-24 months when targeting niche markets such as hunters, fishermen visiting nearby lakes, or travelers seeking affordable rural accommodations between Dallas and Abilene. Occupancy rates generally hover around 35-45% annually, with peak seasons during hunting months (October-January) and summer lake activities, while average daily rates typically range from $65-$95 depending on property size and amenities, making Anson a lower-risk but also lower-reward market compared to major Texas metropolitan areas.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including Anson, Texas. For local expertise in the Anson area, investors can work with real estate agents from Coldwell Banker First Group and RE/MAX who have experience with investment properties in rural Texas markets. Century 21 agents in nearby Abilene (approximately 20 miles from Anson) also serve the Jones County area and understand vacation rental potential. National services like Awning, RedAwning, and Mashvisor provide market analysis and property identification tools for small Texas towns. Local property management companies such as Texas Hill Country Property Management and regional firms like Vacasa can assist with both acquisition advice and ongoing management. Real estate investment groups like BiggerPockets have members active in Texas markets who share insights about rural short-term rental opportunities. Additionally, LoopNet and commercial real estate brokers from Marcus & Millichap occasionally handle investment properties in smaller Texas markets that could be converted to profitable Airbnb rentals.