Is Davisville, Missouri Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Davisville, Missouri, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Davisville city clerk's office, as Missouri municipalities typically require short-term rental permits and may have occupancy restrictions or safety requirements. Contact the Missouri Department of Revenue to understand tax obligations including state and local lodging taxes, which typically range 3-8% in Missouri cities. Find a suitable property by searching real estate listings in residential areas that allow short-term rentals, focusing on properties near local attractions or within walking distance of downtown Davisville. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from the city (approximately $50-150), fire safety inspection certificate, and ensure compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements if applicable. Furnish the property with essential amenities including quality bedding, kitchen supplies, WiFi, and safety equipment like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers as required by Missouri fire codes. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting unique features of your Davisville location, competitive pricing based on local market rates (estimated $75-125 per night for typical properties), and detailed descriptions of nearby attractions. Manage your property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication with visitors, and keeping detailed records for tax purposes while monitoring local regulation changes that may affect short-term rental operations in Davisville.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Davisville, Missouri, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of major attractions like Mark Twain Lake and nearby recreational areas, as proximity to water activities and outdoor recreation drives demand. Target 2-4 bedroom homes or cabins with amenities like hot tubs, fire pits, boat parking, and lake views, as these features command premium rates of $150-250 per night during peak season. Analyze comparable properties using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify average daily rates ($80-180) and occupancy rates (45-65% annually), while researching competition through Airbnb and VRBO to find gaps in amenities or underserved price points. Purchase properties in the $150,000-300,000 range to maintain healthy profit margins, and utilize tools like BiggerPockets for market analysis, local Facebook groups for insider knowledge, and the Pike County tourism board data to understand seasonal demand patterns. Focus on properties near boat launches, fishing spots, and within 30 minutes of Hannibal's tourist attractions, as these locations consistently outperform rural properties by 20-30% in both occupancy and nightly rates.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Davisville, Missouri, you must first contact the Davisville City Clerk's office at City Hall located on Main Street to submit a Short-Term Rental Business License application, which requires a completed application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental property, contact information for a local property manager if you live more than 50 miles away, and a $150 annual licensing fee plus a $75 inspection fee. You'll need to schedule a safety inspection with the Davisville Building Department within 30 days of application submission, ensuring the property meets fire safety codes including working smoke detectors in each bedroom and common area, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguisher, and clearly marked emergency exits. The city requires STR properties to maintain a guest registry, limit occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, provide adequate parking (minimum 1 space per bedroom), and display the permit number in all online listings. The approval process typically takes 45-60 days from application submission, and permits must be renewed annually by December 31st with a renewal fee of $100, while violations can result in fines ranging from $250-$1,000 and potential permit revocation.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Davisville, Missouri are generally legal but subject to local regulations and zoning restrictions. As a small unincorporated community in Crawford County, Davisville falls under county jurisdiction rather than municipal ordinances, meaning STR operations are primarily governed by Crawford County's zoning laws and Missouri state regulations. The county typically requires STR operators to obtain proper permits, maintain liability insurance, and comply with health and safety standards including fire safety codes and occupancy limits. Properties must generally be zoned for residential or mixed-use purposes, and some areas near sensitive locations like schools or churches may have additional restrictions. Recent changes in Missouri law around 2021-2022 have generally favored property rights and limited local governments' ability to completely prohibit STRs, though reasonable regulations regarding safety, taxation, and neighborhood compatibility remain enforceable. STR operators in Davisville should register with the Missouri Department of Revenue for tax collection purposes and may need to obtain a Crawford County business license depending on the scale of their operation.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Davisville, Missouri would be the historic downtown district near Main Street, which attracts visitors interested in small-town charm and local antique shops, and properties within walking distance of Davisville Community Park where families gather for youth sports tournaments and community events throughout the year. The residential neighborhoods along Highway 6 offer good potential due to their proximity to nearby Harrison County attractions and serve business travelers visiting local agricultural operations and the grain elevator facilities that bring seasonal workers to the area. Properties near the Davisville School District boundaries are attractive for families relocating temporarily for work assignments, while homes close to local churches benefit from religious retreat groups and visiting family members during wedding seasons and holiday gatherings, with the area seeing increased demand during harvest season from September through November when agricultural consultants and equipment operators need temporary housing.

Airbnb properties in Davisville, Missouri are subject to Missouri state sales tax of 4.225% on lodging accommodations, which applies to short-term rentals under 31 days. Additionally, local occupancy taxes may apply at the county level, with Caldwell County (where Davisville is located) potentially imposing a local lodging tax of approximately 2-3%, though specific rates vary by municipality. These taxes are typically collected by the host at the time of booking and must be remitted to the Missouri Department of Revenue monthly if gross receipts exceed $3,000 annually, with local taxes remitted to the appropriate county collector. Airbnb may collect and remit these taxes automatically in some jurisdictions through their platform, but hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance. Exemptions generally apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging, and certain government or charitable organization bookings may qualify for exemptions with proper documentation.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Davisville, Missouri would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $120,000-$150,000 based on median home prices in rural Missouri communities. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $15,000-$25,000 for quality furniture, bedding, kitchenware, and décor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local stores. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees vary but expect $500-$1,500 for business licenses, occupancy permits, and potential HOA approvals. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage costs $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable run $500-$800. First six months operating costs including utilities ($1,800), cleaning supplies and services ($1,200), maintenance reserves ($2,000), platform fees to Airbnb and VRBO ($1,500 assuming 15% occupancy revenue), marketing ($800), and miscellaneous expenses ($1,200) total approximately $8,500. Property management software subscriptions and guest amenities add another $1,000-$1,500 for the initial period.

Airbnb properties in Davisville, Missouri show moderate profitability potential with average nightly rates ranging from $75-120 depending on property size and amenities. A typical 2-bedroom property generates approximately $18,000-25,000 in annual revenue with occupancy rates around 55-65%, while expenses including mortgage, utilities, cleaning fees, maintenance, and Airbnb's 3% host fee typically consume 60-70% of gross revenue, leaving profit margins of 30-40% for well-managed properties. Success factors in this rural Missouri market include proximity to fishing spots along nearby rivers, competitive pricing below $100/night, professional photography, and targeting weekend getaway travelers from Kansas City and St. Louis metro areas. Properties with unique features like hot tubs, fire pits, or lakefront access command premium rates of $130-180/night and achieve higher occupancy rates of 70-75%. A case study of a renovated farmhouse near Davisville reported $28,000 annual revenue in 2023 with $17,500 in expenses, yielding a 37% profit margin, though seasonal fluctuations mean 70% of bookings occur between April and October, requiring hosts to budget for lower winter income.

Based on Davisville, Missouri 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 area. Single-family homes near local attractions or business districts tend to perform at the higher end of this range, while smaller properties or those in less desirable locations may see returns closer to 8-10%. Most investors reach profitability within 18-24 months after initial setup costs, with break-even on cash investment occurring around month 14-20. Properties priced between $80,000-$150,000 with 2-3 bedrooms show the strongest performance, generating average monthly revenues of $1,200-$2,200 with occupancy rates of 65-75% throughout the year. Market factors including proximity to Springfield, local events, and seasonal tourism patterns contribute to these returns, with peak earning months typically occurring during spring and fall seasons.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Davisville, Missouri, using data analytics and market insights. Local real estate agents like Keller Williams Realty Partners and RE/MAX professionals in the Columbia-Jefferson City area serve Davisville and surrounding regions, with agents specializing in investment properties since around 2018. Mashvisor and AirDNA provide national market analysis services for short-term rental investments in smaller Missouri markets like Davisville, while BiggerPockets connects investors with local professionals. Regional companies such as Missouri Investment Properties Group and Heartland Real Estate Investors have been active in central Missouri markets since approximately 2019-2020. National services like Awning, RedAwning, and Vacasa offer property management and acquisition consulting for Airbnb investments in rural Missouri markets. Local property management companies including Show-Me Property Management and Central Missouri Rentals have expanded into short-term rental services around 2021-2022. Additional resources include Roofstock for turnkey rental properties, Fundrise for real estate crowdfunding opportunities in Missouri markets, and local mortgage brokers like First State Bank and Central Bank of the Midwest who offer investment property financing in the Davisville area.