Is Blytheville, Arkansas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Blytheville, Arkansas, begin by researching local regulations through the Blytheville City Hall and Mississippi County offices, as Arkansas generally allows short-term rentals but municipalities may have specific zoning requirements and business license mandates. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Blytheville City Hall (estimated $50-100), ensure your property meets fire safety codes, and verify zoning compliance for short-term rentals in residential areas. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate markets where average home prices range $60,000-120,000, focusing on areas near downtown Blytheville or near Arkansas Northeastern College for consistent demand. Furnish the property with essential amenities including reliable Wi-Fi, comfortable bedding, kitchen appliances, and local touches highlighting Blytheville's agricultural heritage and proximity to the Mississippi River. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos, competitive pricing around $60-90 per night based on local market rates, and highlight nearby attractions like the Ritz Civic Center and historic downtown area. Manage your property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication, coordinating with local cleaning services (typically $40-60 per turnover), and ensuring compliance with Arkansas state tax requirements including collecting and remitting appropriate lodging taxes to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.

For identifying profitable short-term rental properties in Blytheville, Arkansas, focus on locations near the Arkansas Aeroplex industrial complex, downtown historic district, and properties within 15 minutes of major employers like Nucor Steel and International Paper. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or duplexes built after 1980 with modern amenities, full kitchens, reliable WiFi capability, and parking, as business travelers and visiting families comprise the primary market. Pricing analysis should benchmark against the limited hotel options like Hampton Inn and local motels, typically allowing STR rates of $80-120 per night for quality properties compared to $70-90 hotel rates. Competition research reveals minimal STR inventory on Airbnb and VRBO, creating opportunity but also indicating limited proven demand, so analyze occupancy rates of existing listings and monitor seasonal patterns tied to industrial activity and Mississippi River commerce. Utilize AirDNA for market data, STR Helper for performance tracking, and local resources including the Blytheville Chamber of Commerce for economic development insights, while connecting with local property management companies and real estate agents familiar with the industrial workforce housing needs that drive most overnight stays in this Mississippi County market.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Blytheville, Arkansas, you must first contact the Blytheville City Clerk's office at City Hall located at 225 West Main Street or call (870) 762-2310 to inquire about short-term rental regulations and obtain application forms. 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, contact information for a local property manager if you're not local, and a signed affidavit acknowledging compliance with city ordinances. The application fee is estimated at $50-100 for the business license plus approximately $25-50 for permit processing. Submit your completed application with all required documents and fees to the City Clerk's office, after which the city will conduct a property inspection to ensure compliance with fire safety, building codes, and zoning requirements. The approval timeline is typically 2-4 weeks from submission of a complete application. Blytheville-specific requirements likely include maintaining the property in accordance with residential building codes, providing adequate parking spaces, ensuring proper waste management, displaying the permit number in rental listings, and maintaining a guest registry. You must also comply with Arkansas state tax requirements by registering with the Department of Finance and Administration for sales tax collection on rental income.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Blytheville, Arkansas, as the city has not enacted specific prohibitions against vacation rental properties. However, STR operators must comply with standard business licensing requirements and zoning regulations that may restrict commercial activities in certain residential areas. The city requires STR properties to obtain proper business licenses and adhere to health and safety codes, fire safety standards, and occupancy limits. Recent years have seen increased scrutiny of STRs in Arkansas municipalities, with some cities like Little Rock and Fayetteville implementing stricter regulations around 2020-2022, but Blytheville has maintained a relatively permissive approach while ensuring basic compliance with existing municipal codes. Property owners should verify current zoning restrictions in their specific neighborhoods, as some residential zones may limit commercial activities, and ensure they meet all tax obligations including local lodging taxes that may apply to short-term rental income.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Blytheville, Arkansas include the Historic Downtown District near Main Street, which attracts visitors interested in the city's rich blues heritage and proximity to the Mississippi River Blues Trail, plus business travelers visiting local manufacturing facilities like Nucor Steel. The area around Arkansas Northeastern College draws parents visiting students and conference attendees, while properties near the Blytheville Municipal Airport cater to corporate travelers and pilots. The residential neighborhoods around Chickasawba Park offer family-friendly accommodations for visitors attending youth sports tournaments and outdoor enthusiasts exploring the nearby Mississippi River recreational areas. Additionally, the corridor along Highway 61 provides convenient access for travelers heading to Memphis (60 miles south) or exploring the Arkansas Delta region, making it attractive for extended stays and regional business travelers visiting the area's agricultural and manufacturing businesses.

In Blytheville, Arkansas, Airbnb hosts are subject to Arkansas state sales tax of 6.5% on lodging rentals, which applies to stays of less than 30 consecutive days, and this tax is typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests and remitted to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration on behalf of hosts through their tax collection service that began around 2018. Additionally, hosts may be subject to Blytheville city sales tax of approximately 2-3%, though collection and remittance procedures for local taxes vary and hosts should verify current requirements with the Blytheville city clerk's office, as some municipalities require separate registration and direct remittance by hosts. Mississippi County may also impose a local lodging tax of 1-2%, and hosts operating more than occasionally may need to obtain a sales tax permit and file monthly or quarterly returns depending on volume. Exemptions typically include stays of 30 days or longer which are considered residential rather than transient lodging, and some jurisdictions may exempt rentals under certain dollar thresholds, though hosts should confirm current exemption criteria with local tax authorities as regulations and collection agreements between Airbnb and local jurisdictions continue to evolve.

To start an Airbnb in Blytheville, Arkansas, expect total costs around $85,000-$95,000. Property purchase costs approximately $65,000 based on the median home price in this rural Arkansas market as of 2023. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property runs $8,000-$12,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and basic appliances. Initial setup costs $1,500-$2,500 covering professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations or cleaning. Permits and fees total $300-$800 including business license, short-term rental permit, and potential HOA approvals. Insurance adds $1,200-$1,800 annually for landlord and short-term rental coverage. Utilities average $150-$200 monthly for electricity, water, internet, and cable. First six months operating costs include $900-$1,200 for utilities, $600-$900 for cleaning services, $300-$500 for supplies and maintenance, $200-$400 for Airbnb platform fees, and $500-$800 for marketing and miscellaneous expenses, totaling approximately $2,500-$3,800 for the initial operating period.

Airbnb properties in Blytheville, Arkansas typically generate modest returns with average nightly rates ranging from $45-75 due to the city's smaller market size and limited tourism infrastructure. Properties in this northeast Arkansas city of approximately 13,000 residents face challenges including low occupancy rates averaging 35-45% annually, primarily driven by business travelers to local manufacturing facilities like Nucor Steel and visitors to nearby attractions such as the Mississippi River levee system. Revenue for a typical 2-3 bedroom property averages $8,000-15,000 annually, while expenses including mortgage, utilities, cleaning, maintenance, and Airbnb fees typically consume 60-75% of gross revenue, resulting in net profit margins of 25-40% or roughly $2,000-6,000 per year. Success factors in this market include competitive pricing below $60/night, proximity to Highway 61 and Interstate 55 for business travelers, and targeting extended stays for workers on temporary assignments at local industrial facilities. Properties near the historic downtown area or with unique features like river views tend to perform better, though the limited tourist base means most successful hosts rely on repeat business travelers rather than leisure guests, making Blytheville a challenging but potentially viable market for investors with realistic expectations and strong local market knowledge.

Based on Blytheville, Arkansas market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 15-22% for well-positioned properties. The local market benefits from proximity to steel manufacturing facilities like Nucor Corporation and agricultural businesses, creating steady demand from business travelers and contractors. Properties purchased in the $80,000-$120,000 range can expect average daily rates of $75-$95, with occupancy rates around 65-75% annually. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months, factoring in renovation costs of $15,000-$25,000 for typical properties. The timeframe to break-even on initial investment averages 6-8 years, with properties near the downtown area or close to major employers like Verso Corporation performing on the higher end of these ranges due to consistent business travel demand and limited hotel inventory in the region.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors, including opportunities in Blytheville, Arkansas. In the local market, Blytheville real estate agents like those at Century 21 Prestige and Coldwell Banker Elite can assist with Airbnb investment properties, while Arkansas-based firms such as Natural State Property Group focus on investment real estate throughout the state. National services include Mashvisor, which provides Airbnb analytics and property search tools, BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing, and Roofstock which occasionally features Arkansas rental properties. AirDNA offers market data and revenue projections for Blytheville's short-term rental market, while companies like RedAwning and Awning provide property management services for Airbnb investors. Local property management companies such as Delta Property Management and Arkansas Valley Property Services can handle day-to-day operations, and national platforms like Vacasa and AvantStay offer comprehensive Airbnb management solutions for investors purchasing properties in the Blytheville area.