Is Cherryvale, Kansas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Cherryvale, Kansas, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Cherryvale City Hall, as Montgomery County and the city may require business licenses or special permits for short-term rentals, though regulations are typically less restrictive than major cities. Contact the city clerk's office at (620) 336-2424 to verify if you need a business license, occupancy permit, or sales tax registration with the Kansas Department of Revenue. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings through companies like Coldwell Banker or RE/MAX in the Coffeyville-Independence area, focusing on homes near downtown Cherryvale or close to attractions like the Big Hill Lake recreation area, with properties typically ranging from $40,000-$80,000. Furnish the property with essential amenities including comfortable beds, linens, towels, kitchen supplies, WiFi, and local guidebooks highlighting nearby attractions like the Dalton Gang Hideout and Liberty Park. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos, competitive pricing around $60-90 per night based on local market rates, and emphasize proximity to outdoor activities and small-town charm. Manage your property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication, coordinating with local cleaning services in the Cherryvale area, and ensuring compliance with Kansas state tax requirements for short-term rental income reporting.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Cherryvale, Kansas, focus on properties within walking distance of the downtown historic district and near major attractions like the Big Brutus mining shovel museum, as this small town of approximately 2,100 residents attracts visitors interested in local history and mining heritage. Target 2-3 bedroom single-family homes or historic properties built in the early 1900s with original character features, full kitchens, and parking, as these appeal to families and groups exploring the area's Route 66 connections and nearby Elk City Lake recreational activities. Conduct pricing analysis by researching comparable nightly rates in surrounding towns like Independence ($75-120/night) and Coffeyville ($80-130/night), then position your property competitively at $70-110/night depending on amenities and seasonality. Research competition using Airbnb and VRBO searches within a 20-mile radius, noting that limited inventory in Cherryvale creates opportunity but also indicates smaller demand, so analyze occupancy patterns of existing listings in Montgomery County. Utilize tools like AirDNA for market data, STR Helper for performance tracking, and local resources including the Cherryvale Chamber of Commerce for event calendars and tourism insights, while monitoring seasonal trends around summer lake activities and fall hunting seasons that drive visitor traffic to southeastern Kansas.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Cherryvale, Kansas, contact the Cherryvale City Hall at 316-336-2213 or visit their office at 220 East 4th Street to inquire about short-term rental regulations, as the city likely requires a business license and may have specific STR ordinances. You will typically need to submit 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, and contact information for a local property manager if you live more than 50 miles away. Required documents may also include a fire safety inspection certificate, occupancy permit, and signed affidavit acknowledging compliance with noise and parking ordinances. The application fee is estimated at $50-150 for the initial business license plus potential inspection fees of $75-100, with annual renewal fees around $25-75. The approval timeline typically takes 2-4 weeks after submitting a complete application, depending on required inspections and city processing times. Cherryvale-specific requirements likely include maximum occupancy limits based on bedrooms and square footage, designated parking spaces for guests, 24-hour local contact information posted in the rental, compliance with residential zoning restrictions, and adherence to noise ordinances with quiet hours typically from 10 PM to 7 AM.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Cherryvale, Kansas are generally legal as the city does not have specific municipal ordinances prohibiting them as of 2024. However, STR operators must comply with Kansas state regulations and local zoning requirements, which typically restrict commercial activities in residential zones. Properties used as STRs must meet basic safety and health standards, obtain proper business licenses, and comply with tax collection requirements including Kansas sales tax and local lodging taxes. The city follows standard residential zoning rules, so STRs in single-family residential areas may face restrictions if they create nuisance issues or violate occupancy limits. Recent trends in Kansas show increasing municipal regulation of STRs, with some cities implementing registration requirements, safety inspections, and noise ordinances, though Cherryvale has not enacted comprehensive STR-specific legislation. Property owners should verify current zoning compliance and business licensing requirements with the city clerk's office, as regulations can change and enforcement may vary based on neighborhood complaints or commercial activity levels.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Cherryvale, Kansas would be the historic downtown district near Main Street, which attracts visitors interested in the town's mining heritage and antique shopping, and neighborhoods close to the Cherryvale City Lake and recreational areas that draw fishing and outdoor enthusiasts year-round. Properties near the industrial corridor along Highway 169 would appeal to business travelers visiting local manufacturing facilities and oil industry operations. The residential areas around Cherryvale High School and community center offer family-friendly accommodations for visitors attending sporting events, graduations, and local festivals like the annual Cherry Festival. Additionally, homes within walking distance of the Cherryvale Historical Museum and vintage downtown buildings provide authentic small-town experiences for tourists exploring southeastern Kansas's coal mining history and Route 66 connections, while proximity to larger cities like Independence (20 minutes) and Coffeyville (15 minutes) makes these properties attractive for overflow accommodation during regional events and conferences.

Airbnb properties in Cherryvale, Kansas are subject to Kansas state transient guest tax of 6% on lodging stays of less than 28 consecutive days, which is collected by the Kansas Department of Revenue and must be remitted monthly by hosts who exceed $1,000 in annual rental income. Montgomery County, where Cherryvale is located, does not impose additional county-level lodging taxes as of 2023. The city of Cherryvale does not currently have a municipal transient guest tax or occupancy tax ordinance in place. Hosts must register with the Kansas Department of Revenue, collect the 6% tax from guests, and file monthly returns by the 25th of the following month, with payments due at the same time. Exemptions include stays of 28 days or longer, rentals to permanent residents, and properties rented for less than $1,000 annually. Airbnb may collect and remit these taxes automatically for hosts in Kansas through their platform's tax collection service, but hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance and should verify that taxes are being properly collected and remitted.

Starting an Airbnb in Cherryvale, Kansas requires approximately $85,000-$95,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $65,000 based on the median home price in this small Kansas town as of 2023. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property with quality furniture, appliances, linens, and decor runs $8,000-$12,000. Initial setup including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations costs $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and inspection fees total $500-$800 in Kansas. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage costs $1,200-$1,800 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable run $300-$500. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), property management software ($50/month), and marketing ($100/month) total approximately $6,300.

Airbnb properties in Cherryvale, Kansas typically generate modest returns due to the small market size and limited tourist demand in this rural community of approximately 2,100 residents. Average nightly rates range from $45-75 for entire homes, with occupancy rates around 35-45% annually, resulting in gross revenues of $6,000-12,000 per year for typical 2-3 bedroom properties. Operating expenses including utilities, cleaning, maintenance, insurance, and Airbnb fees typically consume 40-50% of gross revenue, while property taxes and mortgage payments further reduce profitability. Net profit margins generally fall between 15-25% of gross revenue, translating to annual profits of $1,500-3,500 for most properties. Success factors include proximity to local attractions like the Cherryvale Museum, competitive pricing below $70/night, exceptional cleanliness standards, and targeting business travelers or visitors to nearby Coffeyville. Properties within walking distance of downtown or featuring unique amenities like outdoor spaces perform better, though the limited market size means most hosts treat this as supplemental income rather than a primary business venture, with break-even typically achieved within 2-3 years for debt-free properties.

Based on Cherryvale, Kansas 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 occupancy rates. Properties in this rural Kansas market averaging $80,000-120,000 purchase price can expect gross rental yields of 12-18% annually, though after expenses including utilities, cleaning, maintenance, and platform fees, net returns settle around 8-12%. Cash-on-cash returns of 6-10% are achievable with 20-25% down payments, while investors typically reach profitability within 18-24 months given the lower property costs but also lower nightly rates of $60-90 compared to urban markets. The timeframe to full investment recovery generally spans 8-12 years, with seasonal fluctuations affecting occupancy rates that average 45-65% annually in this small Kansas community market.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Cherryvale, Kansas. Local real estate agents like Coldwell Banker in nearby Coffeyville and Keller Williams Realty in Independence serve the Montgomery County area and can assist with Airbnb investment properties. National services include AirDNA for market analysis, Mashvisor for investment property analytics, and BiggerPockets for connecting with local investors and agents. RE/MAX and Century 21 have regional offices that cover rural Kansas markets including Cherryvale. Specialized Airbnb consulting companies like RedAwning, Awning, and HostGPO provide market analysis and property management services for investors. Local property management companies such as Kansas Property Solutions and Heartland Property Management can handle day-to-day operations. National platforms like Roofstock and Fundrise also facilitate real estate investments in smaller Kansas markets, while local banks like First National Bank of Kansas and Community National Bank provide financing options for investment properties in the Cherryvale area.