Is Depew, New York Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Depew, New York, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Town of Depew Building Department, as short-term rentals may require special permits or may be restricted in certain residential zones. Contact the Erie County Health Department to understand any health and safety requirements, and check with New York State for tax obligations including occupancy taxes. Obtain necessary permits which may include a business license from the town clerk's office and potentially a certificate of occupancy if converting residential space. Find a suitable property by purchasing or leasing in areas zoned for short-term rentals, considering proximity to Buffalo attractions since Depew is a suburb. Furnish the space with quality furniture, linens, kitchen essentials, and safety equipment including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers as required by New York State law. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos, competitive pricing based on Buffalo-area market rates (estimated $75-150/night for typical properties), and detailed descriptions highlighting proximity to Buffalo Niagara International Airport and downtown Buffalo. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols, guest communication systems, key exchange methods, and maintaining compliance with local noise ordinances and occupancy limits, while keeping detailed records for tax purposes and regularly monitoring guest reviews to maintain high ratings.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Depew, New York, focus on locations within walking distance of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport (2-3 miles radius) and near major highways like Route 33 and I-90 for easy access to downtown Buffalo and Niagara Falls attractions. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or duplexes built after 1980 with modern amenities, parking spaces, and properties under $200,000 that can generate $80-120 per night rates. Analyze comparable STR properties using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify average daily rates of $75-100 and occupancy rates around 60-70% in the Depew market, while researching competition through Airbnb and VRBO searches within 5-mile radius to find gaps in amenities or pricing. Utilize tools like BiggerPockets for investment analysis, contact local real estate agents familiar with Depew's rental regulations, and leverage the town's proximity to Buffalo's medical corridor and business districts, as well as seasonal tourism traffic heading to Niagara Falls, to maximize booking potential throughout the year.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Depew, New York, you must first contact the Depew Building Department at Village Hall located at 85 Manitou Street to inquire about short-term rental regulations and obtain application forms. Required documents typically include a completed STR permit application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, property insurance documentation showing adequate coverage, floor plans of the rental unit, and a safety inspection certificate covering smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. The application fee is estimated at $150-300 with potential additional inspection fees of $75-150. Submit your complete application package to the Building Department and schedule a mandatory safety inspection with village officials. The approval timeline is typically 4-6 weeks from submission of complete documentation. Depew-specific requirements likely include maintaining a local contact person available 24/7, limiting occupancy based on bedroom count (typically 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional), ensuring adequate off-street parking for guests, maintaining the property in compliance with residential zoning standards, and potentially restricting rentals to a maximum of 30 days per booking. You must also register with New York State for tax collection purposes and may need to renew your permit annually with the village.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Depew, New York are generally legal but subject to local zoning regulations and New York State laws. As of 2023, Depew, a village in Erie County, does not have specific comprehensive STR ordinances like larger cities such as New York City or Buffalo, meaning STRs typically fall under existing zoning and business licensing requirements. Property owners must comply with state tax collection requirements including occupancy taxes, and rentals under 30 days may require proper zoning approval depending on the residential district classification. The village likely requires STR operators to obtain business licenses and comply with fire safety codes, building codes, and noise ordinances. Recent changes at the state level have increased enforcement of tax collection requirements, and Erie County has been considering more standardized STR regulations that could affect Depew in the future. Properties in residential zones may face restrictions on the number of guests or parking requirements, and commercial insurance may be required for liability coverage.

The most promising Airbnb investment areas in Depew, New York include the neighborhoods near the Buffalo Niagara International Airport corridor along Genesee Street and Transit Road, which attract business travelers and tourists needing convenient airport access. The historic village center around Broadway and Main Street offers charm for visitors exploring Western New York's heritage sites and provides easy access to nearby Cheektowaga attractions. Areas close to the Eastern Hills Mall district on Transit Road benefit from retail tourism and shopping visitors, while properties near the Lancaster border capture overflow demand from Buffalo's growing tourism market, particularly visitors to Niagara Falls who seek more affordable accommodations outside the main tourist zones. The residential areas around Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve attract eco-tourists and families visiting the environmental education center, and neighborhoods with quick highway access to I-90 and Route 78 serve business travelers commuting to Buffalo's medical corridor and downtown business district.

In Depew, New York, Airbnb hosts are subject to New York State sales tax of 8% on lodging rentals, plus Erie County's local sales tax of 4.75%, totaling 12.75% on short-term rental income. Additionally, hosts must collect and remit the state's occupancy tax, which varies but typically ranges from 3-5% depending on the specific municipality within Erie County. These taxes are collected directly from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automated tax collection system for most jurisdictions, though hosts remain ultimately responsible for ensuring proper remittance to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance on a quarterly basis using form ST-809. Rentals of less than 30 days are generally subject to these taxes, while stays of 30 days or longer may be exempt from occupancy taxes but still subject to sales tax. Hosts must register for a Certificate of Authority with New York State to collect sales tax, and failure to properly collect and remit these taxes can result in penalties and interest charges dating back to 2019 when enforcement increased significantly.

To start an Airbnb in Depew, New York, the total estimated costs would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in the Buffalo suburb area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property would cost $8,000-$12,000 including beds, living room furniture, kitchen essentials, linens, and decor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local stores. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, occupancy permits, and potential HOA approvals range from $500-$1,500. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage costs $1,200-$2,000 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable total $800-$1,200. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning supplies and services ($300/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), platform fees to Airbnb and VRBO ($400/month based on estimated bookings), and marketing costs ($100/month) total approximately $9,600. Additional considerations include property taxes averaging $3,000-$5,000 annually and potential property management fees if outsourced at 10-20% of rental income.

Airbnb properties in Depew, New York, typically generate modest profitability with average daily rates ranging from $75-120 and occupancy rates of 45-65% annually, resulting in gross revenues of $12,000-28,000 per year for a typical 2-3 bedroom property. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($30-50 per turnover), utilities ($150-250 monthly), property management (10-20% of revenue), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance costs typically consume 40-60% of gross revenue, leaving net profit margins between 15-35%. Success factors in this Buffalo suburb include proximity to the airport (8 miles), competitive pricing below Buffalo city rates, professional photography, and targeting business travelers and families visiting the region. Properties near Transit Road and major highways perform better, with some hosts reporting annual profits of $8,000-15,000 on properties purchased for $120,000-180,000, though seasonal fluctuations significantly impact winter bookings. The market benefits from lower property acquisition costs compared to urban Buffalo while maintaining reasonable demand from Niagara Falls tourists, business travelers, and visitors to local colleges, though hosts must carefully manage expenses and maintain high service standards to achieve sustainable profitability in this competitive suburban market.

Airbnb investments in Depew, New York typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on current market conditions. Properties in this Buffalo suburb, with median home prices around $140,000-$180,000, can achieve gross rental yields of 12-16% annually when optimally managed, though net returns after expenses (cleaning, utilities, property management, maintenance) typically settle at 8-12%. Most investors reach profitability within 18-24 months, with initial cash investments of $30,000-$50,000 for down payments and renovations on typical 2-3 bedroom properties that rent for $80-$120 per night with 60-70% occupancy rates. The proximity to Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Niagara Falls tourism corridor supports consistent demand, while lower property acquisition costs compared to Buffalo proper allow for faster break-even timelines, though seasonal fluctuations mean stronger performance May through October with winter months showing 40-50% occupancy drops.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Depew, New York. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Keller Williams Realty of Greater Buffalo, Hunt Real Estate ERA, and Nothnagle Realtors, with agents like those at Buffalo Niagara Real Estate focusing on rental property investments since 2015. National services include Mashvisor (founded 2014), which offers property analysis tools, AirDNA for market data and revenue projections, and Awning for turnkey Airbnb investments. Regional companies such as WNY Property Management and Buffalo Property Solutions provide end-to-end services from acquisition to management. RedAwning and Vacasa offer property management services specifically for short-term rentals, while local investment groups like Buffalo Real Estate Investors Network connect investors with opportunities. Additional services include BiggerPockets for networking and education, Roofstock for online real estate investing, and local mortgage brokers like Five Star Bank and M&T Bank who understand investment property financing in the Western New York market.