Is Ingram, Texas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Ingram, Texas, begin by researching local regulations through Kerr County and the City of Kerrville (as Ingram falls under their jurisdiction), where short-term rentals typically require a business license and must comply with zoning ordinances that generally allow STRs in residential areas with proper registration. Obtain necessary permits including a Texas sales tax permit from the Texas Comptroller's office, a local business license from Kerr County (approximately $50-100), and ensure compliance with fire safety codes and occupancy limits. Find a suitable property by searching areas near the Guadalupe River, downtown Ingram, or properties with Hill Country views, considering factors like proximity to attractions such as the Hill Country Arts Foundation and river access points, with average property prices ranging $200,000-400,000 for suitable homes. Furnish the property with durable, comfortable furniture focusing on a rustic Hill Country aesthetic, including essentials like quality mattresses, linens, kitchen appliances, WiFi, and outdoor furniture for porches or patios, budgeting approximately $15,000-25,000 for complete furnishing. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photography highlighting river views, outdoor spaces, and proximity to Kerrville attractions, setting competitive rates around $120-200 per night based on local market analysis. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating check-ins/check-outs, maintaining the property regularly, and considering hiring local property management companies like Hill Country Vacation Rentals or Texas Hill Country Properties if you live remotely, while ensuring compliance with Texas's 6% sales tax collection and remittance requirements for short-term rentals.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Ingram, Texas, focus on properties within 1-2 miles of the Guadalupe River and Kerrville-Schreiner Park, as this Hill Country location attracts tourists seeking water activities and outdoor recreation year-round. Target 2-4 bedroom homes or cabins with river access, hot tubs, fire pits, and outdoor entertainment spaces, as these features command premium rates of $150-300 per night compared to standard properties at $80-150. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to track seasonal demand patterns, with peak rates during summer months (June-August) and holiday weekends when occupancy can reach 80-90%. Research competition by monitoring existing STRs within a 5-mile radius through Airbnb and VRBO, noting that properties with unique amenities like riverfront access or luxury features consistently outperform basic accommodations. Utilize STR-specific tools like Rabbu and AllTheRooms for market analysis, while leveraging local resources such as the Kerrville Convention and Visitors Bureau data and Kerr County tourism statistics to understand visitor patterns, and consider properties priced between $200,000-400,000 that can generate 15-25% annual returns when properly managed and marketed to the Austin and San Antonio metropolitan areas within 90 minutes drive time.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Ingram, Texas, you must first contact the Kerr County Planning and Development Department since Ingram is an unincorporated community within Kerr County, located at 700 Main Street, Kerrville, TX 78028, or call (830) 792-2290. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application, property deed or lease agreement, site plan showing parking areas, septic system inspection (if applicable), fire safety inspection certificate, liability insurance proof of at least $1 million coverage, and a $200-300 application fee. The process involves submitting your application with all required documents, scheduling inspections for fire safety and septic systems, attending a public hearing if required, and receiving approval which typically takes 30-60 days. Specific Ingram/Kerr County requirements include maintaining adequate off-street parking for guests, ensuring septic systems can handle increased occupancy, providing emergency contact information to neighbors, limiting occupancy based on bedroom count, maintaining quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, and posting your permit number in all rental listings. Annual renewal is required with a $100-150 fee, and you must also register with the Texas Comptroller for state tax collection purposes.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Ingram, Texas, as the small unincorporated community in Kerr County operates under county jurisdiction rather than having its own municipal regulations. Kerr County does not currently prohibit STRs, though property owners must comply with state tax requirements including collecting and remitting hotel occupancy taxes to the Texas Comptroller. The primary restrictions come from homeowners association rules in subdivisions and deed restrictions rather than government regulations. Properties must meet basic safety and health standards, and owners should verify their property insurance covers short-term rental activities. Recent changes at the state level in 2021-2023 have focused on tax compliance and registration requirements rather than outright bans. Since Ingram lacks incorporated city status, there are no specific zoning restrictions or permit requirements beyond county building codes and septic system regulations for properties not connected to municipal services. The area's popularity as a Hill Country vacation destination near the Guadalupe River has led to increased STR activity, but no significant legal challenges or new restrictions have emerged specifically targeting the practice in this community.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Ingram, Texas are primarily centered around the Guadalupe River corridor and Highway 39, which offer prime access to water recreation activities including tubing, kayaking, and fishing that draw thousands of visitors annually from San Antonio and Austin. The area near Kerrville-Schreiner Park provides excellent potential due to its proximity to outdoor attractions and the annual Kerrville Folk Festival which brings significant seasonal demand. Properties along River Road and Old Ingram Loop are particularly attractive because they offer scenic river views and easy access to popular outfitters like Mo's Place and Rockin' R River Rides, creating consistent demand from weekend warriors and summer vacationers. The Hunt Store area represents another strong investment zone due to its central location and proximity to local dining establishments, while properties near the intersection of Highway 39 and Highway 27 benefit from accessibility for guests traveling between the Hill Country's major attractions including Fredericksburg wineries and Bandera dude ranches, positioning Ingram as an ideal base camp for Hill Country exploration.

Airbnb properties in Ingram, Texas are subject to the Texas state hotel occupancy tax of 6% on gross rental receipts, which is collected by the host and remitted monthly to the Texas Comptroller's office if monthly collections exceed $500. Kerr County imposes an additional 2% hotel occupancy tax that applies to short-term rentals under 30 days, bringing the total occupancy tax rate to approximately 8%. The City of Ingram may impose its own municipal hotel occupancy tax of up to 7% under Texas Tax Code Chapter 351, though as a smaller municipality the actual rate is likely 2-3%. Hosts must register with the Texas Comptroller for a hotel occupancy tax permit and file monthly returns by the 20th of the following month, with quarterly filing available for those collecting less than $500 monthly. Collections are based on gross rental receipts excluding cleaning fees in some jurisdictions, and exemptions typically apply to stays of 30 days or longer, government employees on official business, and certain medical-related stays. Airbnb may collect and remit these taxes automatically in some cases through voluntary collection agreements with taxing authorities, but hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance and should verify current rates and requirements with local tax offices.

To start an Airbnb in Ingram, Texas, expect total costs around $285,000-$315,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at approximately $250,000 based on median home prices in the Kerr County area where Ingram is located. Furnishing costs typically range $15,000-$25,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom setup including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic marketing materials run $1,500-$2,500. Permits and fees vary but budget $500-$1,200 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and any required inspections depending on local Kerr County regulations. Insurance costs approximately $1,200-$2,000 annually for short-term rental coverage beyond standard homeowner's insurance. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable typically cost $500-$800 initially. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($200-300/month), cleaning services ($75-100 per turnover), supplies and maintenance ($150-250/month), and platform fees (3% of bookings) total approximately $3,000-$5,000 assuming moderate occupancy rates of 50-60% in this Hill Country tourism market.

Airbnb properties in Ingram, Texas, located in the scenic Texas Hill Country near Kerrville, typically generate annual revenues ranging from $25,000 to $65,000 depending on property size and amenities, with lakefront or river-access properties commanding premium rates of $150-300 per night during peak seasons. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($75-150 per turnover), property management (15-25% of revenue), utilities ($200-400 monthly), insurance ($1,500-3,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $3,000-8,000 yearly. Profit margins typically range from 15-35% for well-managed properties, with success factors including proximity to Guadalupe River activities, professional photography, consistent 4.8+ star ratings, and strategic pricing during hunting season (November-January) and summer water recreation months. A typical 3-bedroom cabin near the river might generate $45,000 annually with $28,000 in expenses, yielding approximately $17,000 profit (38% margin), while properties lacking water access or requiring significant renovations often struggle to achieve profitability above 10-15% margins due to Ingram's limited year-round tourism base compared to nearby Fredericksburg or New Braunfels markets.

Based on Ingram, Texas market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14% depending on property type and location within the market. Properties in Ingram generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with vacation rental properties near the Guadalupe River commanding premium rates of $150-250 per night during peak seasons. The market benefits from consistent tourism demand from San Antonio and Austin visitors, with occupancy rates averaging 65-75% annually. Initial investment requirements typically range from $200,000-400,000 for suitable properties, with investors seeing break-even points around month 20-26 after accounting for furnishing, marketing, and operational expenses. Higher-end properties with river access or unique amenities can achieve ROI figures in the upper range of 16-18%, while standard residential properties typically perform at 12-15% annual returns in this Hill Country market.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for Airbnb investors, offering comprehensive market analysis and property recommendations in Ingram, Texas. Local real estate agents in the area who focus on investment properties include Hill Country Realty Group and Kerrville-based Century 21 agents who understand the vacation rental market dynamics of the Texas Hill Country region. National services like AirDNA provide market data and analytics for short-term rental investments, while Mashvisor offers property analysis tools specifically for Airbnb investments in smaller Texas markets. RedAwning and Vacasa offer property management services that can help investors identify and manage profitable properties in the Ingram area. Local property management companies such as Hill Country Vacation Rentals and Guadalupe River property managers often have insights into which properties perform best as short-term rentals. BiggerPockets marketplace and Roofstock occasionally feature investment properties suitable for Airbnb conversion in the Texas Hill Country region, including areas near Ingram. Real estate investment groups in nearby Kerrville and San Antonio also provide networking opportunities and property leads for investors looking to capitalize on the area's proximity to popular attractions like the Guadalupe River and various state parks.