Is Centerville, Georgia Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Centerville, Georgia, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Houston County Planning and Zoning Department, as Centerville falls under their jurisdiction, and contact the city clerk's office at (478) 922-3434 to verify any specific short-term rental ordinances or permit requirements. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Houston County (approximately $50-100), and check if you need a hotel/motel tax permit from the Georgia Department of Revenue for collecting the 8% state lodging tax plus any local taxes. Find a suitable property by searching areas near Robins Air Force Base or downtown Centerville, considering properties with 2-3 bedrooms that can accommodate military families and travelers, with average purchase prices ranging $150,000-250,000. Furnish the property with military-friendly amenities, comfortable furniture from retailers like Ashley Furniture in nearby Macon, high-speed internet, and kitchen essentials, budgeting $8,000-15,000 for complete furnishing. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with competitive pricing around $80-120 per night based on local market rates, highlighting proximity to Robins AFB and Warner Robins attractions. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating key exchanges or installing smart locks, and maintaining the property regularly while tracking income for tax purposes and remitting required lodging taxes quarterly to the Georgia Department of Revenue.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Centerville, Georgia, focus on locations within 10-15 minutes of major attractions like the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base, downtown Warner Robins, and Interstate 75 corridors for business travelers. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or 2-bedroom condos built after 1990 with modern amenities, full kitchens, dedicated parking, and outdoor spaces like patios or decks. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against comparable properties, aiming for nightly rates between $80-150 depending on size and amenities, with occupancy targets of 60-70% annually. Research competition within a 5-mile radius using Airbnb and VRBO searches, identifying gaps in amenities or underserved property types, while monitoring seasonal demand patterns tied to military events, aviation museum activities, and business travel to nearby Warner Robins. Utilize tools like Rabbu, AllTheRooms, and local MLS data through Georgia MLS, while connecting with Centerville-area real estate agents familiar with STR regulations, and analyze Houston County's short-term rental ordinances and tax implications to ensure compliance and accurate profit projections.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Centerville, Georgia, you must first contact the Centerville City Hall at 478-922-3367 or visit their offices at 100 Carl Vinson Parkway to inquire about short-term rental regulations, as the city likely requires a business license and special use permit for STR operations. Required documents typically include a completed business license application, property deed or lease agreement, floor plan of the rental unit, parking plan, contact information for a local property manager (if you live more than 50 miles away), certificate of insurance, and fire safety inspection certificate. The application process involves submitting your business license application with a fee of approximately $50-100, obtaining a special use permit which may cost $200-500, scheduling required inspections for fire safety and building code compliance (fees around $75-150), and attending a city council meeting if public hearing is required. The timeline generally takes 30-60 days from application submission to approval, depending on inspection scheduling and any required public hearings. Centerville-specific requirements likely include maintaining liability insurance of at least $500,000, providing 24/7 local contact information, limiting occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, ensuring adequate off-street parking (typically 1 space per bedroom), and renewing permits annually with the city while maintaining compliance with all zoning regulations for residential areas.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Centerville, Georgia are generally legal but subject to local regulations and state requirements. As of 2023, Georgia state law requires STR operators to register with the Georgia Department of Revenue and collect applicable taxes, while Centerville likely requires business licenses and compliance with zoning ordinances that may restrict STRs in certain residential areas. The city typically requires permits, limits on occupancy, parking requirements, and noise restrictions, with some neighborhoods potentially prohibited from hosting STRs depending on zoning classifications. Recent changes in Georgia have strengthened state oversight of STRs, requiring more comprehensive registration and tax collection, while local municipalities like Centerville have been updating their ordinances to balance tourism revenue with residential quality of life concerns. Property owners should verify current zoning restrictions, obtain proper permits, and ensure compliance with both state registration requirements and local business licensing before operating an STR in Centerville.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Centerville, Georgia include the Historic Downtown District near the courthouse square, which attracts visitors interested in antebellum architecture and local heritage tourism, particularly during the annual Georgia International Horse Park events and Warner Robins Air Force Base-related travel approximately 20 miles south. The residential neighborhoods along Highway 96 corridor offer excellent potential due to proximity to both Macon (30 minutes north) and Warner Robins, capturing business travelers, military families, and visitors to the Museum of Aviation. Areas near Lake Tobesofkee access points, though technically closer to Macon, draw weekend recreational visitors seeking lakefront proximity. The neighborhoods around Centerville's medical facilities and near Interstate 75 interchanges provide strong occupancy from medical tourism and travelers seeking affordable alternatives to Macon hotels. Properties within walking distance of Centerville Elementary and the community center appeal to families visiting for school events, youth sports tournaments, and local festivals, while the quiet residential streets off Carl Vinson Parkway offer peaceful retreats for guests attending events at the nearby Georgia Sports Hall of Fame or Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.

In Centerville, Georgia, Airbnb hosts are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The Georgia state sales tax of 4% applies to short-term rental accommodations, along with the state hotel/motel tax of 5%, for a combined state rate of 9%. Houston County, where Centerville is located, typically imposes an additional local hotel/motel tax of approximately 3-5%, bringing the total tax rate to roughly 12-14%. These taxes are collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automatic tax collection system for most jurisdictions, though hosts should verify coverage and may need to register directly with the Georgia Department of Revenue and Houston County tax authorities. Remittance is typically required monthly or quarterly depending on volume, with returns due by the 20th of the following month. Exemptions generally apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations, and may apply to certain government or non-profit travelers with proper documentation. Hosts should register for a Georgia sales tax permit and may need separate registration with local authorities to ensure compliance with all applicable lodging tax requirements.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Centerville, Georgia would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000 based on median home prices in rural Georgia markets as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property would require $8,000-$12,000 for furniture, appliances, linens, and décor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local suppliers. 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 registration cost approximately $500-$800 through Houston County and Georgia state offices. Insurance including landlord coverage and short-term rental protection runs $1,200-$1,800 annually, with companies like Proper Insurance or CBIZ offering specialized STR policies. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable total $800-$1,200. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), platform fees to Airbnb and Vrbo (3% of bookings), and marketing expenses total approximately $6,000-$8,000, assuming moderate occupancy rates of 40-50% typical for smaller Georgia markets.

Airbnb properties in Centerville, Georgia typically generate annual revenues between $18,000-$35,000 for entire home listings, with average daily rates ranging from $75-$120 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-55% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), property management (15-25% of revenue), utilities ($150-250 monthly), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-4,000 yearly. Net profit margins typically range from 25-35% for well-managed properties, with successful hosts in the area reporting annual profits of $8,000-$15,000 per property. Key success factors include proximity to Warner Robins Air Force Base (driving consistent military family bookings), competitive pricing during peak travel seasons, professional photography, and maintaining 4.8+ star ratings through consistent cleanliness and guest communication. Properties within 15 minutes of Robins AFB command premium rates, while those offering family-friendly amenities like pools or game rooms achieve 15-20% higher occupancy rates averaging 65-75% annually compared to basic listings at 45-60% occupancy.

Based on Centerville, Georgia market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14% depending on property type and location within the market. Single-family homes near Warner Robins Air Force Base and downtown Centerville command higher occupancy rates of 65-75% annually, with average daily rates between $85-120 for well-appointed properties. Initial profitability usually occurs within 8-14 months after accounting for startup costs, furnishing, and marketing expenses, while properties in prime locations near Robins AFB or historic downtown areas may achieve positive cash flow within 6-10 months. The market benefits from consistent military personnel demand and proximity to Macon, with successful operators reporting gross rental yields of 15-22% before expenses, though investors should expect 18-24 months to reach full market optimization and stabilized returns in this secondary Georgia market.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for Airbnb investors in Centerville, Georgia, offering comprehensive market analysis and property recommendations. Local real estate agents in the Warner Robins-Centerville area such as Keller Williams Middle Georgia, Coldwell Banker SSK Realtors, and Century 21 Novus have agents experienced in investment properties who understand the Houston County vacation rental market. National services like Awning, RedAwning, and AirDNA provide market data and property management solutions for Airbnb investors targeting the Centerville market. BiggerPockets connects investors with local professionals, while Mashvisor offers rental property analysis tools specific to Georgia markets. Local property management companies such as Georgia Vacation Rentals and Middle Georgia Property Management assist with both acquisition consulting and ongoing Airbnb operations. Real estate investment firms like HomeVestors and We Buy Ugly Houses occasionally have suitable properties for short-term rental conversion in the Centerville area, and platforms like Roofstock and Fundrise have expanded their services to include Georgia markets for turnkey rental property investments.