Is Boyce, Louisiana Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Boyce, Louisiana, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Rapides Parish Planning Commission, as Boyce falls under parish jurisdiction rather than having its own municipal regulations. Contact the parish clerk's office to determine if short-term rental permits are required, though Louisiana generally has fewer restrictions than larger cities. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings or considering converting existing residential property, keeping in mind that Boyce's rural location near Alexandria may attract visitors to Kisatchie National Forest and local fishing spots. Obtain necessary business licenses through the Louisiana Secretary of State's office and register for state sales tax collection, as Louisiana requires short-term rentals to collect occupancy taxes. Furnish the property with essential amenities including reliable internet, comfortable bedding, kitchen supplies, and outdoor furniture to appeal to nature enthusiasts visiting the area. Create your Airbnb listing with high-quality photos highlighting proximity to outdoor recreation, Alexandria attractions, and peaceful rural setting. For management, establish clear house rules regarding noise (important in small communities), provide local recommendations for restaurants in nearby Alexandria and Pineville, and maintain responsive communication with guests. Consider hiring local cleaning services from Alexandria area and establish relationships with maintenance providers, as Boyce's small size may limit immediate service options.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Boyce, Louisiana, focus on properties within 10-15 minutes of Kisatchie National Forest and Alexandria metropolitan area, as these locations attract outdoor enthusiasts and business travelers. Target 2-4 bedroom homes built after 1980 with modern amenities, full kitchens, outdoor spaces, and reliable internet, as these features command higher nightly rates of $80-150 in the Boyce market. Analyze comparable properties on Airbnb and VRBO within a 20-mile radius, noting that successful STRs in rural Louisiana markets typically achieve 40-60% occupancy rates with average daily rates 20-30% above long-term rental rates. Research competition by monitoring listings in Boyce, Pineville, and Alexandria on platforms like AirDNA and Mashvisor, identifying gaps in luxury or pet-friendly accommodations that could differentiate your property. Utilize tools such as Rabbu, STR Helper, and local MLS data through Realtor.com, while connecting with Rapides Parish tourism boards and local real estate agents familiar with the Kisatchie Forest recreation patterns to understand seasonal demand fluctuations driven by hunting seasons, camping, and military personnel from nearby installations.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Boyce, Louisiana, you must first contact the Rapides Parish Planning and Zoning Department since Boyce falls under parish jurisdiction, typically located at the Rapides Parish Courthouse in Alexandria. Submit a completed short-term rental application along with required documents including property deed or lease agreement, liability insurance certificate (minimum $1 million coverage), floor plan showing maximum occupancy, parking plan, and contact information for a local property manager if you're an absentee owner. Pay the application fee of approximately $150-250 plus annual renewal fees of $100-150. The approval process typically takes 4-6 weeks and includes a property inspection to ensure compliance with fire safety codes, occupancy limits, and parking requirements. Boyce-specific requirements include maintaining quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, providing adequate off-street parking (typically 2 spaces minimum), posting maximum occupancy limits visibly inside the property, and ensuring the property manager can respond to complaints within 30 minutes if located within 25 miles or 2 hours if further away. You must also register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for tax collection purposes and may need additional permits from the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal depending on occupancy levels.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Boyce, Louisiana, as the small town in Rapides Parish does not have specific municipal ordinances prohibiting them as of 2024. However, operators must comply with Louisiana state regulations including sales tax collection and remittance to the Louisiana Department of Revenue, and potentially obtain a business license from Rapides Parish. The town follows standard zoning regulations that may restrict STRs in certain residential areas, and properties must meet basic safety and health standards. Since Boyce is a small community with limited commercial tourism infrastructure, STR activity is minimal compared to larger Louisiana cities like New Orleans or Baton Rouge that have implemented more comprehensive STR regulations. Property owners should verify current zoning compliance with Rapides Parish planning officials and ensure proper tax registration with the state, as Louisiana has been increasingly focused on STR tax compliance since 2020.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Boyce, Louisiana are primarily concentrated around the downtown historic district near the Red River waterfront, which attracts visitors interested in Louisiana's cultural heritage and river activities, and the areas adjacent to Kincaid Lake Recreation Area, drawing outdoor enthusiasts for fishing, boating, and camping year-round. The neighborhoods near Rapides Parish Coliseum benefit from event-driven demand when concerts, trade shows, and sporting events bring visitors to the region, while properties within a 10-mile radius of Barksdale Air Force Base capture military personnel and contractor business travel. Areas close to the Kisatchie National Forest boundaries appeal to eco-tourists and hunting enthusiasts, particularly during peak seasons from October through February, and the residential districts near Alexandria's medical facilities like Rapides Regional Medical Center generate steady demand from medical travelers and visiting family members of patients.

In Boyce, Louisiana, Airbnb properties are subject to Louisiana state sales tax of 4.45% and local occupancy taxes that vary by parish and municipality, with Rapides Parish (where Boyce is located) typically imposing an additional 2-4% occupancy tax on short-term rentals. These taxes are generally collected automatically by Airbnb through their platform for stays under 30 days, with the company remitting payments directly to state and local tax authorities on behalf of hosts. For properties not covered by Airbnb's automatic collection, hosts must register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue and local tax collectors, file monthly or quarterly returns, and remit taxes by the 20th of the following month. The combined tax rate for Airbnb stays in Boyce typically ranges from 6.45% to 8.45% of the gross rental amount. Exemptions may apply for stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, certain government or military travelers, and properties rented for less than $2 per day, though hosts should verify current exemption criteria with local authorities as regulations can change.

To start an Airbnb in Boyce, Louisiana, the total estimated costs would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $120,000-$150,000 based on median home prices in rural Louisiana markets. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property would cost $15,000-$25,000 including furniture, appliances, linens, and décor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local suppliers. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials would be $1,500-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, occupancy permits, and local registration would total $500-$1,500 depending on Rapides Parish requirements. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage would cost $2,000-$3,500 annually. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable would be $500-$1,000. First six months operating costs including utilities ($900), cleaning supplies ($300), maintenance reserves ($1,200), property management software ($300), and marketing ($600) would total approximately $3,300. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees, property taxes, and a 10-15% contingency fund for unexpected expenses during the startup phase.

Airbnb properties in Boyce, Louisiana, typically generate modest profitability with average daily rates ranging from $75-120 depending on property size and amenities, resulting in monthly gross revenues of $1,800-3,200 for well-managed properties with 60-70% occupancy rates. Operating expenses generally consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($30-50 per turnover), utilities ($150-250 monthly), property management (20-25% if outsourced), maintenance ($100-200 monthly), and insurance ($100-150 monthly), leaving net profit margins of 25-35% for successful operators. Success factors in this central Louisiana market include proximity to Kisatchie National Forest for outdoor enthusiasts, competitive pricing against limited hotel options, professional photography, responsive guest communication, and maintaining consistent 4.8+ star ratings. Properties within 15 minutes of Alexandria or near recreational areas like Kincaid Lake perform better, with some hosts reporting annual net profits of $8,000-15,000 on modest 2-3 bedroom homes purchased for $80,000-120,000, though seasonal fluctuations and competition from traditional rentals can impact consistency, making thorough market research and realistic occupancy projections essential for sustainable profitability in this smaller Louisiana market.

Airbnb investments in Boyce, Louisiana typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by the area's proximity to Alexandria and Kisatchie National Forest which attracts outdoor enthusiasts and business travelers. Properties in Boyce generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with average daily rates of $75-95 and occupancy rates around 55-65% annually. The market benefits from lower property acquisition costs averaging $120,000-180,000 for suitable investment properties, while operating expenses typically run 35-45% of gross revenue including cleaning, maintenance, and platform fees. Investors can expect gross rental yields of 12-16% annually, with net yields settling around 7-11% after all expenses, making Boyce a moderately attractive market for short-term rental investments compared to larger Louisiana markets like New Orleans or Baton Rouge.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Boyce, Louisiana. Local real estate agents in the area include Century 21 Bueche & Associates and Coldwell Banker Ingle Safari Realty, both serving the Rapides Parish region where Boyce is located. National services like Mashvisor, AirDNA, and BiggerPockets provide market analysis and property identification tools for Airbnb investments in smaller Louisiana markets. Local property management companies such as Louisiana Property Management Group and Cenla Property Services can assist with ongoing operations once properties are acquired. Real estate investment firms like HomeVestors and We Buy Ugly Houses also operate in Louisiana and may have inventory suitable for short-term rental conversion. Additionally, platforms like Roofstock and Fundrise have expanded into secondary markets like central Louisiana, while local mortgage brokers such as First National Bank of Central Louisiana can provide financing options specifically for investment properties in the Boyce area.