Is Havensville, Kansas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Havensville, Kansas, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through Butler County and the City of Havensville offices, as this small town may have specific ordinances regarding short-term rentals that require registration or permits. Contact the Butler County Health Department for any required health permits and the Kansas Department of Revenue for tax registration, including collection of state sales tax (6.5%) and local lodging taxes. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings through companies like Coldwell Banker or RE/MAX in nearby El Dorado, focusing on homes with 2-3 bedrooms that can accommodate families visiting the area's agricultural attractions or Flint Hills region. Furnish the property with essential amenities including comfortable beds, linens, kitchen supplies, WiFi, and local guidebooks highlighting nearby attractions like the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos, competitive pricing around $75-120 per night based on regional comparisons, and detailed descriptions emphasizing the rural Kansas experience and proximity to Wichita (45 minutes). For ongoing management, establish relationships with local cleaning services in El Dorado or Augusta, install keyless entry systems, maintain responsive communication with guests, and consider property management companies like Vacasa or RedAwning if you live outside the area, while ensuring compliance with Kansas short-term rental tax requirements and maintaining proper insurance coverage through providers familiar with vacation rental properties.

For identifying profitable short-term rental properties in Havensville, Kansas, focus on properties within walking distance of Tuttle Creek State Park and near Highway 99 for easy access, as this small town of approximately 133 residents relies heavily on outdoor recreation tourism and lake activities. Target 2-3 bedroom single-family homes or cabins with outdoor amenities like fire pits, decks, and boat parking, built after 1980 to minimize maintenance issues, with purchase prices under $150,000 to ensure positive cash flow when charging $80-120 per night during peak season (May-September). Research competition by monitoring the 3-5 existing Airbnb listings in the area through AirDNA and noting their occupancy rates typically range 40-60% annually, while analyzing pricing strategies of successful properties in nearby Manhattan (20 miles) and Marysville (15 miles) which command $90-140 nightly. Utilize tools like Mashvisor for Kansas market analysis, STR Helper for revenue projections, and local resources including the Pottawatomie County tourism board and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks visitor data to understand seasonal demand patterns, with properties generating estimated annual revenues of $15,000-25,000 when properly managed and marketed to fishing, hunting, and lake recreation enthusiasts.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Havensville, Kansas, contact the Havensville City Clerk's office at City Hall (typically located on Main Street) to begin the application process, as this small city of approximately 133 residents likely handles permits through their municipal office. You'll need to submit a completed business license application, property deed or lease agreement, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million coverage), floor plan of the rental property, parking plan showing adequate guest parking, and contact information for a local property manager if you're not residing locally. The application fee is estimated at $100-200 annually, with possible additional inspection fees of $50-75. Required documents should include a Kansas sales tax permit from the Kansas Department of Revenue, proof of compliance with Kansas lodging tax requirements, and verification that the property meets all building and fire safety codes. The timeline typically takes 30-45 days from submission to approval, including a mandatory property inspection by city officials. Havensville likely requires STR properties to maintain quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, limit occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, provide adequate off-street parking for all guests, and ensure the property manager can respond to complaints within 30 minutes, given the small-town nature of this Butler County community.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Havensville, Kansas are generally legal but subject to local regulations and zoning restrictions. As a small city in Butler County with a population of approximately 130 people, Havensville likely follows county and state guidelines rather than having extensive municipal STR ordinances. Kansas state law generally permits short-term rentals, and Butler County allows them with proper licensing and compliance with health and safety standards. Property owners must typically obtain business licenses, collect and remit state and local taxes, and ensure properties meet building and fire codes. Restrictions may include limits on the number of guests, parking requirements, and noise ordinances, with residential zoning areas potentially having additional limitations on commercial activities. Recent changes in Kansas have focused on preventing municipalities from completely banning STRs while allowing reasonable regulations, though specific recent changes in Havensville would depend on any local ordinances passed by the city council in 2022-2024.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Havensville, Kansas would be the historic downtown district near Main Street, which attracts visitors interested in small-town charm and local events like the annual Havensville Days festival, and properties within walking distance of Pottawatomie County Lake, approximately 15 miles southeast, which draws fishing enthusiasts, boaters, and weekend recreationists from the Kansas City metropolitan area year-round. The residential neighborhoods along Highway 99 offer good potential due to their proximity to agricultural businesses and the occasional corporate travelers visiting local farming operations and grain elevators, while properties near the Havensville Community Center benefit from family reunions, wedding parties, and sports tournaments that require overnight accommodations since the town has limited hotel options.

Airbnb properties in Havensville, Kansas are subject to Kansas state transient guest tax of 6% on gross rental receipts, which is collected by the Kansas Department of Revenue and must be remitted monthly by hosts who exceed $1,000 in annual rental income. Additionally, Pottawatomie County may impose a local transient guest tax of up to 2%, though specific rates vary by municipality and collection is typically handled through the county treasurer's office with quarterly remittance requirements. Hosts must register with both state and local tax authorities, collect taxes from guests at the time of booking or check-in, and file returns even during periods of no activity. Exemptions generally apply to stays exceeding 28 consecutive days, rentals to permanent residents, and properties rented for less than 30 days per year, though documentation requirements apply. The Kansas Department of Revenue has agreements with major platforms like Airbnb to facilitate collection, but individual hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance and may need to remit taxes directly if platform collection is not available.

To start an Airbnb in Havensville, Kansas, the total estimated costs would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase would be around $120,000-$150,000 based on median home prices in rural Kansas communities. Furnishing costs including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and decor would run $8,000-$12,000 for a 2-3 bedroom property. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations would be $2,000-$4,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and inspection fees would cost approximately $500-$1,500. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage would be $1,200-$2,000 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable would be $800-$1,200. First six months operating costs including cleaning services, maintenance, supplies, platform fees, and marketing would range from $3,500-$6,000, assuming moderate occupancy rates typical for rural Kansas markets.

Airbnb properties in Havensville, Kansas show moderate profitability potential with average daily rates ranging from $75-120 depending on property size and amenities, generating approximately $18,000-35,000 in annual gross revenue for properties with 60-70% occupancy rates. Operating expenses typically consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), utilities ($150-250 monthly), property management (10-15% of revenue), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance costs ($2,000-4,000 yearly). Net profit margins generally fall between 15-25% for well-managed properties, with successful hosts in the area focusing on rural retreat experiences, hunting lodge accommodations, and family-friendly farm stays that capitalize on Kansas's agricultural tourism appeal. Properties within 30 minutes of larger cities like Topeka or Kansas City command premium rates, while those offering unique amenities like hot tubs, fire pits, or farm animal interactions achieve occupancy rates 15-20% higher than basic accommodations. Success factors include competitive pricing 10-15% below hotel alternatives, maintaining 4.8+ star ratings through exceptional cleanliness and communication, and marketing properties as peaceful getaways from urban areas, with the most profitable operators typically achieving 12-18% annual returns on investment after accounting for property acquisition costs.

Based on Havensville, Kansas market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property type and location within the area. Properties near recreational areas or main thoroughfares tend to perform better, with average daily rates of $75-$120 and occupancy rates of 45-65% annually. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months after accounting for startup costs, furnishing, and marketing expenses. Single-family homes with 2-3 bedrooms show the strongest performance, particularly those priced under $150,000 for acquisition, allowing investors to achieve positive cash flow within the first year while building equity. The rural Kansas market benefits from travelers seeking authentic Midwest experiences and those visiting nearby attractions, though seasonal fluctuations should be expected with stronger performance during spring and summer months.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Havensville, Kansas, offering comprehensive market analysis and property recommendations. Local real estate agents like Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors and RE/MAX Associates have experience with investment properties in the area, while Kansas-based firms such as Flint Hills Real Estate Group understand the regional vacation rental market dynamics. National services including Awning, RedAwning, and AirDNA provide market data and property management solutions for Havensville investors. Mashvisor offers investment property analysis tools specifically for short-term rentals, while companies like Vacasa and AvantStay provide full-service property management once you acquire your Airbnb investment. Local property management companies such as Sunflower Property Management and regional investment groups like Kansas Real Estate Investors Association can provide additional support and networking opportunities for those looking to build a profitable Airbnb portfolio in Havensville and surrounding Pottawatomie County areas.