Is High Point, North Carolina Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in High Point, North Carolina, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the High Point Planning Department, as the city requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and comply with residential zoning restrictions that may limit rentals in certain neighborhoods. Contact the Guilford County Health Department for any required health permits and ensure compliance with North Carolina state tax requirements by registering with the NC Department of Revenue for sales and occupancy tax collection. Find a suitable property in permitted zones, focusing on areas near High Point University, downtown, or the International Home Furnishings Center which attract visitors year-round, with average property costs ranging from $150,000-$300,000 depending on location and size. Furnish the property with quality furniture leveraging High Point's furniture market connections, budgeting approximately $15,000-$25,000 for a complete setup including essentials like linens, kitchen supplies, and safety equipment such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers as required by local fire codes. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting proximity to major attractions like the High Point City Lake Park or Piedmont Environmental Center, setting competitive rates around $75-$150 per night based on local market analysis. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication, and considering property management companies like Vacasa or RedAwning if you prefer hands-off management, while ensuring ongoing compliance with High Point's business license renewal requirements and maintaining proper insurance coverage for short-term rental operations.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in High Point, North Carolina, focus on locations within 10-15 minutes of High Point University, the International Home Furnishings Center, and downtown areas, as these drive consistent demand from visiting families, business travelers, and furniture market attendees. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or condos built after 1990 with modern amenities, parking, and outdoor spaces, priced between $150,000-$300,000 to optimize cash flow potential. Analyze comparable STR rates using AirDNA and Mashvisor, targeting properties that can generate $100-150 per night during peak furniture market periods (April and October) and $75-100 during regular periods. Research competition by monitoring active Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 3-mile radius, identifying gaps in amenities or pricing strategies, and use tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets calculators, and local MLS data through Triad MLS to evaluate investment potential. Partner with High Point-based property management companies like Vacasa or local firms familiar with furniture market seasonality, and consider properties near Oak Hollow Lake or Piedmont Environmental Center for recreational appeal to leisure travelers seeking alternatives to hotel accommodations.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in High Point, North Carolina, you must first contact the High Point Planning and Development Department at City Hall located at 211 S Hamilton Street to determine zoning compliance, as short-term rentals are typically only permitted in certain residential zones with conditional use permits. Submit an application for a Conditional Use Permit which requires a completed application form, site plan showing the property layout, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, floor plans indicating maximum occupancy, parking plan demonstrating adequate off-street parking (typically 2 spaces minimum), and a $500-800 application fee. You'll also need to obtain a business license from the City Clerk's office for approximately $50-100 annually, register for and collect North Carolina sales tax through the NC Department of Revenue, and secure a fire safety inspection from the High Point Fire Department costing around $75-150. The conditional use permit process typically takes 60-90 days and requires a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission, with notification to neighboring property owners within 200 feet of your property. High Point specifically requires STRs to maintain owner contact information available 24/7, limit occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, provide adequate parking without blocking sidewalks or neighboring driveways, maintain quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM, and display the permit number in all advertising materials.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in High Point, North Carolina, but operate under specific regulations established by the city. High Point requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning restrictions that primarily limit short-term rentals to commercial and mixed-use districts, while generally prohibiting them in single-family residential neighborhoods. The city implemented these regulations around 2019-2020 following concerns about neighborhood impacts and housing availability. Current restrictions include occupancy limits, parking requirements, noise ordinances, and mandatory registration with the city, along with compliance with state and local tax obligations. Properties must meet safety standards and fire code requirements, and operators are subject to complaint-based enforcement. Recent legal changes have focused on strengthening enforcement mechanisms and clarifying zoning boundaries, with the city continuing to monitor the balance between allowing STR business opportunities and protecting residential neighborhood character.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in High Point, North Carolina are the downtown core near the High Point Market showrooms, particularly around Main Street and Hamilton Street, which attracts thousands of furniture industry professionals twice yearly during the International Home Furnishings Market events in April and October. The Emerywood neighborhood offers upscale properties appealing to business executives and higher-end visitors, while areas near High Point University provide consistent demand from visiting families, prospective students, and university events throughout the academic year. The Westchester and Brentwood districts offer good value propositions with attractive single-family homes that appeal to families visiting the area for furniture market business or university activities. Properties within a 10-15 minute drive of the High Point Market Authority buildings command premium rates during market weeks, with some investors seeing 300-400% rate increases during these peak periods, while the university area provides more consistent year-round occupancy from parents, alumni, and academic visitors attending sporting events, graduations, and campus activities.

In High Point, North Carolina, Airbnb hosts are subject to both state and local occupancy taxes. The North Carolina state occupancy tax is 6% and applies to all short-term rental accommodations under 90 days. High Point imposes an additional local occupancy tax of 6%, bringing the total occupancy tax rate to 12% on gross rental receipts. These taxes are typically collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automated tax collection system, which remits payments directly to the North Carolina Department of Revenue and Guilford County on behalf of hosts. However, hosts should verify their registration status and may need to file quarterly returns depending on their rental volume. The city also requires a 7.5% sales tax on accommodations, though this may be included in the occupancy tax calculation. Exemptions generally apply to stays exceeding 90 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations. Hosts must obtain proper business licenses and may need to register with both state and local tax authorities, with remittance typically due monthly or quarterly depending on the jurisdiction's requirements and the host's rental activity level.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in High Point, North Carolina is approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000 based on the median home price in High Point as of 2023. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 for essential furniture, bedding, kitchenware, and decor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local furniture stores. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and inspection fees range from $500-$1,200 depending on High Point's municipal requirements. Insurance for short-term rental coverage costs $1,200-$2,000 annually, with companies like Proper Insurance and CBIZ providing specialized Airbnb policies. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable total $800-$1,500. First six months operating costs including utilities ($150/month), cleaning services ($75 per turnover), maintenance reserves ($200/month), platform fees (3% of bookings), and marketing expenses total approximately $3,500-$5,000, assuming moderate occupancy rates of 50-60% during the initial period.

Airbnb properties in High Point, North Carolina typically generate annual revenues between $18,000-$35,000 for entire homes, with average daily rates ranging from $75-$120 depending on property size and location proximity to the High Point Market furniture trade shows. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), property management (15-25% of revenue), utilities ($150-250 monthly), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-4,000 yearly. Properties near the International Home Furnishings Center command premium rates during Market weeks in April and October, with some hosts reporting 300-400% rate increases during these periods, significantly boosting annual profitability. A typical 3-bedroom home purchased for $180,000-220,000 can achieve net profit margins of 15-25% after all expenses, with successful operators like those managing properties in the Emerywood and Oak Hollow areas reporting annual net profits of $8,000-15,000 per property. Success factors include strategic location within 10 miles of the furniture market, professional photography, dynamic pricing during trade show periods, and maintaining high cleanliness standards, with properties achieving Superhost status typically outperforming competitors by 20-30% in both occupancy rates and average daily rates.

Based on High Point, North Carolina market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-15% depending on property type and location within the city. Properties near High Point University and the International Home Furnishings Market tend to perform at the higher end of this range, achieving 15-18% annual returns due to consistent demand from visiting families, business travelers, and furniture industry professionals attending the biannual market events. The average timeframe to profitability is 6-12 months, with well-positioned properties near downtown or university areas often reaching positive cash flow within 4-8 months. Single-family homes in neighborhoods like Emerywood and Oakview typically see cash-on-cash returns of 10-15%, while condos and smaller properties may achieve 8-12% returns but require lower initial investment. The furniture market events in April and October create seasonal spikes that can boost annual returns by 2-4 percentage points for strategically located properties, with some investors reporting peak monthly revenues of $3,000-5,000 during market weeks compared to typical monthly revenues of $1,500-2,500.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in High Point, North Carolina, offering market analysis and investment insights. Local real estate agents specializing in Airbnb investments include Keller Williams Triad Realty agents who focus on investment properties, Coldwell Banker HPW agents with vacation rental expertise, and RE/MAX Central Realty professionals experienced in short-term rental markets. National services include Mashvisor for property analysis and market data, AirDNA for Airbnb market insights and revenue projections, Awning for full-service Airbnb investment management, Roofstock for turnkey rental properties, and BiggerPockets for investor networking and education. Local property management companies that assist investors include Vacasa, which manages short-term rentals in the High Point area, and RedAwning for vacation rental management. Additional local real estate professionals include agents from Century 21 and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices who work with investors seeking profitable Airbnb properties in the High Point market, particularly in areas near Furman University and downtown High Point's furniture district.