Is De Valls Bluff, Arkansas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Prairie County Planning Commission and De Valls Bluff city hall, as this small town may have specific ordinances regarding short-term rentals that require registration or permits. Contact the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration to obtain a sales tax permit since you'll need to collect and remit state sales tax on rental income, and check with Prairie County for any required business licenses. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with the area's historic homes near the Arkansas River or properties with easy access to Highway 70, ensuring the location complies with any residential zoning restrictions for commercial use. Furnish the property with essential amenities including reliable internet, air conditioning, heating, quality bedding, kitchen appliances, and local touches that highlight the area's railroad history and proximity to the White River National Wildlife Refuge. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos showcasing unique features, competitive pricing based on similar properties in nearby Stuttgart or Brinkley, and detailed descriptions emphasizing outdoor recreation opportunities and the town's historic charm. Manage your property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication, coordinating key exchanges or installing smart locks, and ensuring compliance with Arkansas innkeeper laws and any local noise ordinances while building relationships with local service providers for maintenance and emergency situations.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas, focus on locations near the Arkansas River, White River National Wildlife Refuge, and historic downtown areas where outdoor enthusiasts and hunters frequent, particularly during waterfowl season from November through January. Target 2-3 bedroom properties with rustic charm, modern amenities like WiFi and updated kitchens, boat parking or garage space, and outdoor areas suitable for equipment storage, as the area attracts fishing and hunting guests willing to pay $80-150 per night. Analyze pricing by researching comparable properties on Airbnb and VRBO within a 30-mile radius including Stuttgart and Clarendon, noting seasonal demand spikes during rice harvest and hunting seasons when rates can increase 40-60%. Competition research should focus on the limited existing STR inventory, with most properties being basic cabins or hunting lodges, creating opportunities for well-appointed properties that offer superior amenities. Utilize tools like AirDNA for market analysis, contact Prairie County economic development office for tourism data, monitor Arkansas Game and Fish Commission hunting season schedules, and connect with local real estate agents familiar with recreational properties to identify undervalued homes near water access points or within 15 minutes of prime hunting areas.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas, you will need to contact the De Valls Bluff City Hall at 870-998-2233 or visit them at 111 Court Street to inquire about short-term rental regulations, as this small city may not have established formal STR permitting processes yet. You will likely need to provide 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 typically include a state tax ID number, fire safety inspection certificate, and compliance with zoning requirements for your property location. Application fees are estimated at $50-150 for the initial permit plus $25-75 for annual renewals, with additional inspection fees of approximately $75-100. The timeline for approval is typically 30-45 days from submission of a complete application, though this may vary depending on inspection scheduling and any required corrections. Specific De Valls Bluff requirements likely include maintaining guest registries, posting emergency contact information, ensuring adequate parking, and complying with noise ordinances, though you should verify current regulations directly with city officials as requirements may have been updated since 2023.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas are generally legal under state law, as Arkansas does not prohibit STRs at the state level and allows local municipalities to regulate them. De Valls Bluff, a small city in Prairie County with approximately 1,600 residents, does not appear to have enacted specific STR ordinances or restrictions as of 2023-2024, meaning STRs likely operate under basic business licensing requirements and must comply with standard zoning regulations. Property owners should obtain appropriate business licenses from the city and ensure compliance with residential zoning laws, though there are no known prohibited areas specifically for STRs within the city limits. The city has not implemented recent legal changes regarding STR regulations, and given its small size and rural nature, STR activity is likely minimal compared to larger Arkansas cities like Fayetteville or Hot Springs that have enacted more comprehensive STR regulations. Property owners should verify current licensing requirements with De Valls Bluff city hall and ensure compliance with state tax obligations for rental income.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas are concentrated around the historic downtown district near the Arkansas River waterfront, particularly properties within walking distance of the DeValls Bluff Prairie Monument and the historic railroad depot area. This downtown core attracts visitors interested in Civil War history, as the town served as a strategic river port during the 1860s, and benefits from travelers exploring the Arkansas River Trail system. The residential neighborhoods along Highway 70 and near the White River National Wildlife Refuge entrance also present strong investment opportunities due to their proximity to outdoor recreation activities including fishing, hunting, and birdwatching that draw seasonal tourists from Little Rock and Memphis. Properties near the annual Prairie Grove Festival grounds and close to the agricultural research facilities benefit from periodic business travel and agricultural tourism. The area around Lake Dumond offers potential for vacation rental properties targeting fishing enthusiasts and families seeking weekend getaways, while locations with easy access to Interstate 40 (approximately 15 miles south) capture overflow demand from travelers seeking more affordable accommodations than those found in larger cities like Little Rock, which is about 45 minutes away.

In De Valls Bluff, Arkansas, Airbnb properties are subject to Arkansas state sales tax of 6.5% on lodging accommodations, which applies to stays of less than 30 consecutive days. Prairie County imposes an additional 2% county lodging tax, bringing the total occupancy tax rate to approximately 8.5%. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automatic tax collection system, which began in Arkansas around 2018. Airbnb remits these taxes quarterly to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration and applicable local authorities on behalf of hosts. However, hosts remain responsible for registering with the state and ensuring compliance, particularly if they have multiple properties or if Airbnb's collection doesn't cover all applicable local taxes. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from these occupancy taxes as they're considered residential rather than transient lodging. Some hosts may also need to obtain a sales tax permit and collect additional local taxes depending on specific municipal requirements in De Valls Bluff, though the city's additional lodging taxes are minimal compared to larger Arkansas municipalities.

Starting an Airbnb in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas requires an estimated total investment of $85,000-$95,000. Property purchase costs approximately $65,000 based on the median home price in this small Arkansas Delta 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, welcome materials, and basic renovations costs $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and potential zoning approvals total $300-$800 depending on local Prairie County requirements. Insurance for short-term rental coverage adds $1,200-$1,800 annually. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable cost $500-$800. First six months of operating expenses including utilities ($600/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), marketing ($150/month), and property management software ($50/month) total approximately $6,600, bringing the complete startup investment to the $85,000-$95,000 range for launching a successful Airbnb operation in this rural Arkansas community.

Airbnb properties in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas show modest profitability potential with average nightly rates ranging from $45-75 for typical 2-3 bedroom homes, generating approximately $8,000-15,000 in annual revenue assuming 40-50% occupancy rates. Operating expenses typically consume 60-70% of gross revenue, including property management fees (15-25%), cleaning costs ($25-40 per turnover), utilities ($150-200 monthly), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance reserves (5-10% of revenue). Net profit margins generally range from 15-25% for well-managed properties, with successful hosts in rural Arkansas markets like De Valls Bluff focusing on unique property features such as waterfront access along the White River, hunting lodge themes, or historic home character to differentiate from limited local competition. Properties targeting fishing enthusiasts and hunters during peak seasons (fall/spring) can achieve higher occupancy rates of 60-70%, while those offering family-friendly amenities for lake activities see steady summer bookings, with the most profitable properties being those priced competitively at $50-65 nightly while maintaining low operational overhead through owner management and strategic partnerships with local cleaning services.

Airbnb investments in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas are expected to generate modest returns due to the small rural market size and limited tourism infrastructure, with annual ROI typically ranging from 4-8% and cash-on-cash returns of 6-12% depending on property acquisition costs and renovation needs. Properties in this market, with median home prices around $45,000-$75,000, can achieve profitability within 18-24 months if targeting niche markets such as fishing enthusiasts visiting the Arkansas River, hunters during seasonal periods, and travelers seeking affordable rural accommodations between Little Rock and Memphis. Average daily rates of $65-$85 with occupancy rates of 35-45% annually can generate gross rental income of $8,000-$14,000 per year, though investors should account for higher marketing costs and seasonal demand fluctuations typical of rural Arkansas markets, with peak performance during spring and fall months when outdoor activities drive visitor traffic to the region.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas, providing comprehensive market analysis and investment metrics. AirDNA offers detailed market data and revenue projections for the De Valls Bluff area, while Mashvisor provides investment property analysis tools specifically for short-term rentals. Locally, Arkansas Real Estate Investors Group connects investors with properties in smaller Arkansas markets, and Little Rock-based firms like Coldwell Banker RPM and RE/MAX Real Estate Partners have agents experienced in investment properties who serve the De Valls Bluff area. BiggerPockets marketplace and forums connect investors with local wholesalers and agents familiar with Arkansas markets. Awning provides turnkey Airbnb property management services that can help investors in De Valls Bluff maximize their rental income, while companies like RedAwning and AvantStay offer property management solutions for short-term rentals in emerging Arkansas markets. Local property management companies such as Arkansas Property Management Solutions and Delta Property Services can assist with ongoing operations once properties are acquired.