Is Forsyth, Missouri Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Forsyth, Missouri, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Forsyth City Hall (417-546-2741) as the city may require business licenses or special permits for short-term rentals, though Missouri generally has fewer restrictions than larger cities. Contact Taney County offices to verify any county-level requirements and check if your property is zoned for commercial or residential use that allows short-term rentals. Find a suitable property in Forsyth's residential areas or near Table Rock Lake, which is popular with tourists, ensuring it meets safety codes and has adequate parking. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Forsyth City Hall (estimated cost $25-100), sales tax permit from Missouri Department of Revenue for collecting lodging taxes, and ensure compliance with fire safety and building codes. Purchase comprehensive insurance that covers short-term rentals, as standard homeowner's policies typically exclude commercial activities. Furnish the property with quality furniture, linens, kitchen essentials, and amenities that appeal to lake visitors and tourists exploring the Branson area nearby. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting lake access or proximity to attractions, set competitive pricing based on similar properties in the Forsyth/Table Rock Lake area (typically $75-150/night), and write detailed descriptions of local attractions. Manage the property by establishing check-in procedures, hiring local cleaning services, maintaining responsive communication with guests, and potentially partnering with local property management companies if you're not local to the area.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Forsyth, Missouri, focus on locations within 1-2 miles of Table Rock Lake and Branson attractions, particularly properties with lake views or easy water access. Target 2-4 bedroom homes or cabins built after 1990 with amenities like hot tubs, fire pits, boat docks, and outdoor entertainment spaces that appeal to vacationing families and groups. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against similar properties, aiming for $150-300 per night depending on size and amenities, with occupancy rates of 60-75% during peak season (May-October). Research competition by studying listings within a 5-mile radius on Airbnb and VRBO, noting their pricing, amenities, and guest reviews to identify market gaps. Utilize tools like Rabbu and AllTheRooms for market analysis, partner with local property management companies familiar with Taney County regulations, and leverage STR Helper for performance tracking. Consider properties near popular fishing spots, marinas, and the Branson entertainment district, while ensuring compliance with local zoning laws and HOA restrictions that may limit short-term rentals in certain subdivisions around the lake.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Forsyth, Missouri, you must first contact the Forsyth City Hall at 16244 US Highway 160 or call (417) 546-2741 to inquire about their specific short-term rental ordinance requirements, as the city implemented regulations around 2019-2020. You'll need to submit an application form along with a business license application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental unit, and a $100-150 application fee plus annual renewal fees of approximately $75-100. The required documents typically include a completed STR permit application, zoning compliance verification, fire safety inspection certificate, and contact information for a local property manager if you're not residing within 50 miles of Forsyth. The approval process generally takes 30-45 days after submission of complete documentation, and you must comply with Forsyth's specific requirements including maximum occupancy limits of 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, adequate parking provisions, and posting of house rules and emergency contact information prominently within the rental unit. Annual inspections may be required, and you must maintain current business license and sales tax permits through the Missouri Department of Revenue.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Forsyth, Missouri, as the city has not enacted specific prohibitions against vacation rentals, though operators must comply with standard business licensing requirements and zoning regulations that typically allow such uses in residential areas with proper permits. The city requires STR operators to obtain a business license and ensure compliance with health and safety codes, fire regulations, and occupancy limits, while properties must meet standard rental housing standards. Forsyth does not appear to have implemented recent restrictive ordinances like some larger Missouri cities, though operators should verify current zoning compliance as residential areas may have limitations on commercial activities. The legal framework primarily relies on existing business and zoning laws rather than STR-specific regulations, meaning properties in residential zones can typically operate as short-term rentals provided they maintain residential character and comply with noise ordinances and parking requirements. Recent changes in Missouri have generally favored property rights for STR operations, with state-level discussions supporting local property owners' abilities to rent their homes short-term, though individual municipalities retain authority to regulate through zoning and business licensing processes.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Forsyth, Missouri are primarily concentrated around the Branson West corridor and Bull Shoals Lake waterfront properties, as these locations capitalize on the massive tourism spillover from nearby Branson's entertainment district while offering more affordable accommodation options. The Highway 160 corridor between Forsyth and Branson attracts visitors seeking budget-friendly stays within 15 minutes of Silver Dollar City theme park, Branson's theaters, and Table Rock Lake activities. Waterfront properties along Bull Shoals Lake and the White River are particularly lucrative due to fishing tourism, boating enthusiasts, and families seeking lakeside retreats, especially during peak seasons from April through October. The downtown Forsyth area near the courthouse square offers potential for business travelers and visitors to the Taney County government facilities, though this represents a smaller market segment. Properties within walking distance of Shadow Rock Park and the Forsyth boat launch command premium rates during fishing tournaments and summer recreation seasons, while homes with lake views or direct water access can achieve 20-30% higher nightly rates than standard properties in the area.

Airbnb properties in Forsyth, Missouri are subject to Missouri state sales tax of 4.225% and Taney County sales tax of approximately 2.5%, totaling around 6.725% on lodging rentals. The City of Forsyth may impose an additional local lodging tax of 1-3% depending on municipal ordinances. These taxes are typically collected by the host at the time of booking and must be remitted monthly to the Missouri Department of Revenue for state taxes and quarterly to Taney County for local taxes. Hosts must register for a Missouri sales tax license and file returns even if no tax is owed during a reporting period. Properties rented for more than 31 consecutive days to the same guest are generally exempt from lodging taxes, and some jurisdictions may exempt rentals under a certain dollar threshold per month, typically around $2,000. Airbnb may collect and remit these taxes automatically in some cases through voluntary collection agreements with tax authorities, but hosts remain ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance and should verify their specific obligations with local tax offices.

To start an Airbnb in Forsyth, Missouri, expect total costs around $180,000-$220,000. Property purchase will be the largest expense at approximately $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023. Furnishing costs typically range $8,000-$15,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom property including furniture, bedding, kitchenware, and electronics. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials run $500-$1,500. Permits and fees vary but budget $200-$800 for business licenses and potential short-term rental permits required by Taney County. Insurance costs increase 10-20% above standard homeowner's insurance, adding roughly $100-$200 monthly or $600-$1,200 annually. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable total approximately $500-$1,000. First six months operating costs including utilities ($150-$250/month), cleaning supplies ($50-$100/month), maintenance reserves ($100-$200/month), and platform fees (3% of bookings) will run $2,000-$4,000 assuming moderate occupancy rates of 40-60% typical for the Branson-area tourism market.

Airbnb properties in Forsyth, Missouri, located near Table Rock Lake and Branson entertainment district, typically generate annual revenues of $25,000-$45,000 for well-positioned properties, with 2-3 bedroom lakefront or lake-view homes commanding premium rates of $150-$250 per night during peak summer and fall seasons. Operating expenses generally range from 40-50% of gross revenue, including property management fees (15-25%), cleaning costs ($75-$100 per turnover), utilities ($200-$300 monthly), insurance ($1,500-$2,500 annually), and maintenance reserves, resulting in net profit margins of 20-35% for successful operators. Properties within 10 miles of Branson or offering lake access consistently outperform rural locations by 30-40% in occupancy rates, with successful hosts achieving 60-75% annual occupancy compared to 40-50% for average properties. Key success factors include professional photography, responsive guest communication, strategic pricing during Branson show seasons and fishing tournaments, and amenities like hot tubs, fire pits, or boat docks, with top-performing properties in the area generating $35,000-$50,000 annually while maintaining expenses around $18,000-$22,000, yielding net profits of $15,000-$28,000 per year.

Airbnb investments in Forsyth, Missouri typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-15%, primarily driven by the area's proximity to Table Rock Lake and Branson tourism market which attracts consistent seasonal demand from March through October. Properties within 2-3 miles of the lake or entertainment districts generally achieve occupancy rates of 65-75% annually, with average daily rates between $85-140 depending on property size and amenities. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, with investors seeing break-even on cash invested typically by month 20-28. The market benefits from lower property acquisition costs compared to Branson proper, with average investment properties ranging $150,000-280,000, while still capturing spillover demand from the estimated 9+ million annual visitors to the greater Branson area. Properties featuring lake access, hot tubs, or game rooms command premium rates and often achieve the higher end of ROI projections, with some investors reporting returns exceeding 20% annually by year three of operation.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market data. In Forsyth, Missouri, local real estate agents like those at Coldwell Banker Realty and RE/MAX serve the Table Rock Lake area where many profitable short-term rentals operate. Keller Williams agents in nearby Branson (2019-present) have expanded services to cover Forsyth's growing vacation rental market. National services include Awning (founded 2017), which provides full-service Airbnb property management and investment guidance, and Mashvisor, offering rental property analytics since 2014. RedAwning and Vacasa have been acquiring and managing short-term rental properties in Missouri lake communities since 2016. Local property management companies like Branson Vacation Rentals and Table Rock Lake Properties have extended services to Forsyth investors seeking hands-off Airbnb operations. AirDNA provides market analysis tools specifically for short-term rental investments, while BiggerPockets connects investors with local professionals experienced in vacation rental markets throughout the Ozarks region.