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 occupancy limits. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from the city (estimated $25-50), sales tax permit from Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, and ensure compliance with fire safety codes and building inspections. Find a suitable property in residential areas like downtown Blytheville or near Arkansas Northeastern College, considering properties priced between $40,000-80,000 for purchase or $400-700 monthly for rental arbitrage. Furnish the space with essential amenities including Wi-Fi, basic furniture, linens, kitchen supplies, and local touches highlighting Blytheville's agricultural heritage and proximity to the Mississippi River, budgeting approximately $3,000-5,000 for a complete setup. List your property on Airbnb and VRBO with professional photos showcasing the space and highlighting nearby attractions like the Ritz Civic Center and Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge, pricing competitively at $45-75 per night based on local market rates. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating key exchanges or installing smart locks, maintaining the property regularly, and collecting Arkansas state sales tax of 6.5% plus any applicable local taxes, while building relationships with local cleaning services and maintenance contractors to ensure smooth operations.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Blytheville, Arkansas, focus on locations near the Mississippi River waterfront, downtown historic district, and proximity to major employers like Nucor Steel (established 1992) and the Arkansas Aeroplex. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or historic properties built between 1920-1960 with original architectural details, full kitchens, parking, and outdoor spaces that can accommodate 4-8 guests. Analyze pricing by researching comparable Airbnb listings in the $75-150 nightly range, considering Blytheville's median home values around $85,000-120,000, and calculate potential 12-15% annual returns based on 60-70% occupancy rates. Research competition using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify the approximately 15-25 active STR properties in the market, focusing on gaps in luxury or themed accommodations. Utilize tools like Zillow and Realtor.com for property searches, STR Helper for permit requirements, the City of Blytheville planning department for zoning verification, and local Facebook groups like "Blytheville Buy Sell Trade" for market insights, while considering seasonal demand from business travelers, Mississippi County events, and outdoor recreation visitors to nearby Big Lake and the Mississippi River.

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 to inquire about short-term rental regulations and obtain the necessary application forms. Required documents typically include a completed business license application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental property, and a signed affidavit acknowledging compliance with all city ordinances and safety codes. You'll need to pay an estimated business license fee of $50-100 annually plus any applicable inspection fees of approximately $75-150. Submit your complete application package to the City Clerk's office and schedule a required safety inspection with the Building Inspector to verify smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and proper egress windows in sleeping areas. The approval timeline is typically 2-4 weeks after submission of complete documentation and successful inspection. Blytheville-specific requirements likely include maintaining the property as your primary residence or obtaining additional commercial zoning approval, limiting occupancy to no more than 8 guests, providing adequate off-street parking for guests, maintaining quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, and displaying your permit number in all online listings and advertisements.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Blytheville, Arkansas are generally legal but operate under state regulations rather than specific municipal ordinances. Arkansas state law allows STRs with basic requirements including registration, tax collection, and safety standards compliance. Blytheville, as a smaller municipality in Mississippi County, has not enacted comprehensive STR-specific regulations as of recent years, meaning operators primarily follow state guidelines which require collecting and remitting state and local taxes, maintaining basic safety standards, and registering with appropriate authorities. There are no known prohibited residential areas within Blytheville city limits specifically for STRs, though standard zoning laws apply. The city has not implemented recent significant legal changes regarding STRs, leaving the regulatory framework relatively permissive compared to larger Arkansas cities like Little Rock or Fayetteville which have enacted stricter local controls. Property owners should verify current zoning compliance and ensure proper business licensing through the city, while also meeting Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration requirements for tax collection and any applicable health and safety standards.

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 agricultural and manufacturing companies like Nucor Steel. The Airport Road corridor offers potential due to its proximity to Arkansas International Airport and easy highway access for travelers passing through on Interstate 55. The residential areas near Arkansas Northeastern College provide opportunities for visiting families, prospective students, and academic conference attendees. The neighborhoods around Blytheville Country Club and Walker Park appeal to visitors attending local events, golf tournaments, and those seeking recreational activities near Armorel and the St. Francis River area. Properties near the medical district around Great River Medical Center can capture medical tourism and visiting healthcare professionals, while areas close to major employers like Verso Paper Mill (historically) and current agricultural processing facilities attract business travelers and contractors working on industrial projects.

In Blytheville, Arkansas, Airbnb hosts are subject to Arkansas state sales tax of 6.5% on lodging rentals, plus a state tourism tax of 2% specifically for accommodations under 30 days, bringing the total state obligation to 8.5%. Mississippi County may impose an additional local sales tax of up to 3%, though the specific rate for Blytheville area varies by jurisdiction. The City of Blytheville typically imposes a local lodging tax of approximately 2-3% on short-term rentals. These taxes are generally collected from guests at the time of booking if using Airbnb's tax collection service, which automatically remits state and some local taxes to Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, though hosts remain responsible for verifying all local tax compliance and may need to register separately with city and county authorities for direct remittance of certain local taxes. Monthly or quarterly remittance is typically required depending on volume, with returns due by the 20th of the following month. Rentals exceeding 30 consecutive days to the same guest are generally exempt from tourism taxes but may still be subject to regular sales tax, and some jurisdictions provide exemptions for rentals to displaced persons during emergencies.

To start an Airbnb in Blytheville, Arkansas, expect total costs around $85,000-$95,000. Property purchase costs approximately $65,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property runs $8,000-$12,000 including beds, living room furniture, kitchen essentials, linens, and basic appliances. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and tax registrations cost $300-$500. Insurance for short-term rental coverage adds $1,200-$1,800 annually. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable run $400-$600. First six months operating costs including utilities ($180/month), cleaning supplies ($50/month), maintenance reserves ($100/month), property management software ($30/month), and marketing ($50/month) total approximately $2,460. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees and emergency repair funds of $1,000-$2,000.

Airbnb properties in Blytheville, Arkansas typically generate modest returns with average daily rates ranging from $45-75 due to the city's small market size of approximately 15,000 residents and limited tourism infrastructure. Properties in this market generally achieve 35-50% occupancy rates annually, resulting in gross revenues of $8,000-18,000 per year for typical 2-3 bedroom homes. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($25-35 per turnover), utilities ($150-200 monthly), insurance ($1,200-1,800 annually), and maintenance typically consume 40-60% of gross revenue. Net profit margins hover around 15-25% for well-managed properties, with successful hosts focusing on competitive pricing, proximity to the Mississippi River recreational areas, and catering to business travelers visiting local manufacturing facilities like Nucor Steel. Properties near the downtown historic district or within 10 minutes of Interstate 55 tend to perform better, with some hosts reporting annual net profits of $3,000-6,000 on properties with acquisition costs under $80,000, making the investment viable primarily for local investors seeking supplemental income rather than institutional real estate investment strategies.

Airbnb investments in Blytheville, Arkansas typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, based on average property acquisition costs of $45,000-$75,000 and monthly rental income of $800-$1,400 for 2-3 bedroom properties. The market benefits from proximity to Arkansas State University (30 miles) and Mississippi River commerce, with occupancy rates averaging 55-65% annually. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months, factoring in renovation costs of $15,000-$25,000 for most properties. Properties near downtown or the historic district command premium rates of $65-$85 per night, while suburban locations average $45-$65 nightly, with seasonal variations during university events and river tourism periods driving higher occupancy in spring and fall months.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Blytheville, Arkansas, providing market analysis and property recommendations. Local real estate agents in Blytheville who specialize in investment properties include Coldwell Banker Legacy Realty, Century 21 Wright Real Estate, and RE/MAX Professionals, with agents like those at Blytheville Realty Company having knowledge of the local rental market dynamics. National services that assist Airbnb investors in smaller markets like Blytheville include BiggerPockets for networking and deal analysis, Mashvisor for rental property analytics, and AirDNA for short-term rental market data and performance metrics. RedAwning and Awning provide property management and optimization services for short-term rentals, while companies like Roofstock and Fundrise offer investment platforms that may include properties suitable for Airbnb conversion in Arkansas markets. Local property management companies such as Arkansas Property Management Group and regional firms can provide on-ground support for investors looking to operate Airbnb properties remotely in the Blytheville area.