Is Bondurant, Iowa Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Bondurant, Iowa, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the City of Bondurant Planning Department, as the city may require short-term rental permits or business licenses, and check with Polk County for any additional requirements since Bondurant is located there. Contact the city clerk's office at (515) 967-2418 to obtain necessary permits, which typically include a business license and may require a special use permit for short-term rentals, costing approximately $50-200 in fees. Find a suitable property by searching residential areas near Highway 65 or downtown Bondurant, ensuring it's zoned for residential use and allows short-term rentals, with average property prices ranging from $150,000-300,000 for single-family homes. Furnish the property with essential amenities including Wi-Fi, cable TV, full kitchen appliances, linens, towels, and basic toiletries, budgeting around $5,000-15,000 for complete furnishing depending on property size. List your property on Airbnb and VRBO platforms with professional photos highlighting proximity to Des Moines (20 minutes away), local attractions like the Bondurant Community Center, and easy highway access, setting competitive rates around $75-125 per night based on local market analysis. 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 ensuring compliance with Iowa state tax requirements by collecting and remitting appropriate lodging taxes to the Iowa Department of Revenue.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Bondurant, Iowa, focus on locations within 15-20 minutes of Des Moines metro area attractions, near recreational areas like Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt or close to corporate centers and the Des Moines International Airport for business travelers. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or larger properties built after 1990 with modern amenities, full kitchens, outdoor spaces, and parking, as families and groups visiting the Des Moines area often seek spacious accommodations. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to evaluate average daily rates of $80-120 for comparable properties, aiming for 60-70% occupancy rates to achieve 12-15% annual returns. Research competition by analyzing existing STRs within a 10-mile radius on Airbnb and VRBO, noting that Bondurant has limited STR inventory compared to urban Des Moines, creating opportunity for well-positioned properties. Utilize tools like Rabbu and STR Helper for market analysis, check Polk County regulations for STR compliance, and leverage local real estate platforms like Iowa Realty and RE/MAX to identify properties under $200,000 that can generate positive cash flow after mortgage, utilities, cleaning, and management costs of approximately 40-50% of gross revenue.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Bondurant, Iowa, contact the Bondurant City Hall at 200 2nd Street NE or call (515) 967-2418 to begin the application process, as the city likely requires short-term rental registration under their zoning ordinances. Submit a completed STR application form along with required documents including proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental unit, contact information for a local property manager if you're not local, and a copy of your Iowa sales tax permit. Pay the estimated application fee of $150-250 plus an annual renewal fee of approximately $100-150, and ensure compliance with Bondurant's specific requirements which typically include maximum occupancy limits based on bedrooms, adequate parking spaces, noise ordinance compliance, and adherence to residential zoning restrictions. The approval timeline generally takes 30-45 days after submitting a complete application, during which the city may conduct a property inspection to verify safety compliance including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and proper egress windows, and you must also register with the Iowa Department of Revenue for sales tax collection purposes before beginning operations.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Bondurant, Iowa, as the city has not enacted specific prohibitions against them as of 2024. However, STR operators must comply with standard zoning regulations and may need to obtain business licenses or permits from the city. The primary restrictions typically involve ensuring properties meet residential zoning requirements and adhering to noise ordinances and occupancy limits. Bondurant follows Iowa state law regarding rental properties, which generally allows short-term rentals unless specifically prohibited by local ordinance. Property owners should verify current zoning compliance and may need to register their rental business with the city, though Bondurant has not implemented the comprehensive STR regulations seen in larger Iowa cities like Des Moines or Iowa City. Recent years have seen increased scrutiny of STRs statewide, but Bondurant has maintained a relatively permissive approach while ensuring basic safety and zoning compliance.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Bondurant, Iowa are primarily concentrated around the downtown core near Main Street and Highway 65 corridor, which offers proximity to local businesses and easy highway access for travelers heading to Des Moines metro area. The residential neighborhoods near Bondurant Community School District, particularly around NE 56th Street and NE 14th Street, attract families visiting for school events, youth sports tournaments, and graduations. The areas close to Copper Creek Lake Park and the recreational facilities draw outdoor enthusiasts and families seeking weekend getaways for fishing, camping, and water activities. Properties near the DART (Des Moines Area Regional Transit) bus routes along Highway 65 are attractive for business travelers who need convenient access to Des Moines while staying in a quieter, more affordable location. The newer residential developments on the north side of town near NE Trilein Drive appeal to visitors attending events at nearby venues or those seeking modern amenities while maintaining small-town charm, with additional demand coming from people visiting Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in nearby Altoona.

Airbnb properties in Bondurant, Iowa are subject to Iowa state lodging tax of 7% on gross receipts from rental accommodations, which applies to stays of less than 31 consecutive days. The state tax is collected by the accommodation provider and remitted monthly to the Iowa Department of Revenue by the 20th of the following month if monthly collections exceed $25, otherwise quarterly remittance is permitted. Polk County, where Bondurant is located, imposes an additional 7% hotel/motel tax on transient accommodations, bringing the total lodging tax rate to approximately 14%. Local collection and remittance for the county tax follows similar procedures to the state tax, with operators required to register with Polk County and file returns monthly or quarterly depending on volume. Properties rented for 31 days or longer are typically exempt from these transient occupancy taxes, and some jurisdictions may provide exemptions for certain types of accommodations or stays related to medical treatment, though specific exemptions should be verified with local tax authorities as of 2024.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Bondurant, Iowa is approximately $285,000-$320,000. Property purchase costs around $250,000 based on the median home price in this Des Moines suburb as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 3-bedroom property requires $15,000-$20,000 for quality furniture, bedding, kitchenware, and decor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local furniture stores. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and inspection fees cost approximately $500-$1,000 depending on Bondurant's municipal requirements. Insurance including landlord coverage and short-term rental rider adds $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable cost $500-$800. First six months operating costs including utilities ($900/month), cleaning services ($100 per turnover), maintenance, supplies, platform fees to Airbnb and VRBO (3% each), and marketing total approximately $8,000-$12,000. Property taxes and ongoing insurance should also be factored at roughly $3,000-$4,000 for the initial six-month period.

Airbnb properties in Bondurant, Iowa typically generate modest profitability with average nightly rates ranging from $75-120 for entire homes, resulting in monthly revenues of $1,800-3,600 for properties with 60-70% occupancy rates. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), utilities ($150-250 monthly), insurance ($100-200 monthly), property management (15-25% of revenue), and maintenance costs typically consume 40-55% of gross revenue, leaving net profit margins between 25-40% for well-managed properties. Success factors in this Des Moines suburb include proximity to the Iowa Speedway which drives demand during racing events, competitive pricing against local hotels like Hampton Inn & Suites, and targeting business travelers visiting nearby companies such as Hy-Vee corporate headquarters. Properties within 10 miles of downtown Des Moines or near recreational areas like Saylorville Lake tend to perform better, with some hosts reporting annual profits of $8,000-15,000 on properties valued at $200,000-300,000, though seasonal fluctuations and Iowa's harsh winters can significantly impact occupancy rates from December through February.

Based on Bondurant, Iowa market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property acquisition costs and financing structure. Properties in Bondurant, located near Des Moines metro area, generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months due to steady demand from business travelers visiting nearby companies like Principal Financial Group and Wells Fargo operations, plus recreational visitors to nearby Saylorville Lake. Average nightly rates range $75-120 with occupancy rates of 60-70% annually, generating gross rental yields of 10-14% before expenses. Initial investment recovery typically occurs within 8-10 years, with properties purchased in the $150,000-250,000 range showing strongest performance metrics due to optimal balance of acquisition costs and rental income potential in this emerging short-term rental market.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Bondurant, Iowa, using data analytics and market insights. Local real estate agents like Coldwell Banker Mid-America Group and RE/MAX Real Estate Center in nearby Des Moines serve the Bondurant area and can assist with Airbnb investment properties. Mashvisor, a national real estate investment platform founded in 2014, provides Airbnb rental analysis and property recommendations for Iowa markets including Bondurant. AirDNA offers short-term rental market data and analytics for the Des Moines metropolitan area which includes Bondurant. Local property management companies like Iowa Rental Management and Des Moines Property Management can help investors manage their Airbnb properties in Bondurant. BiggerPockets, established in 2004, connects real estate investors and provides resources for short-term rental investments in smaller Iowa markets. Awning, a national vacation rental management company, offers services in Iowa including market analysis for potential Airbnb investments. Local real estate investment groups in the Des Moines area, such as the Central Iowa Real Estate Investors Association, provide networking and education opportunities for Airbnb investors looking at Bondurant properties.