Is Jessieville, Arkansas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Jessieville, Arkansas, begin by researching local regulations through Garland County and the City of Jessieville offices, as Arkansas generally allows short-term rentals but local municipalities may have specific requirements including business licenses, occupancy permits, and tax registration with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration for state sales tax collection. Obtain necessary permits by contacting Garland County Planning Department for zoning compliance verification, applying for a business license through the county clerk's office (typically $50-100), and registering for Arkansas sales tax collection which is required for short-term rentals. Find a suitable property by focusing on areas near Lake Ouachita or Hot Springs National Park access points, considering properties with 2-4 bedrooms that can accommodate families and outdoor enthusiasts, with purchase prices ranging from $150,000-$400,000 depending on location and lake access. Furnish the property with durable, comfortable furniture emphasizing outdoor recreation themes, including quality mattresses, full kitchen amenities, outdoor furniture for decks or patios, and recreational equipment like kayaks or fishing gear to appeal to the area's tourism market. List your property on Airbnb and VRBO platforms with professional photography highlighting lake views, outdoor spaces, and proximity to attractions, setting competitive rates between $100-250 per night based on seasonality and local comparable properties. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services in Hot Springs or Jessieville, creating detailed guest guides featuring local attractions like Lake Ouachita State Park and Garvan Woodland Gardens, implementing keyless entry systems for remote check-in, and maintaining responsive communication with guests while ensuring compliance with Arkansas's 6.5% state sales tax plus applicable local taxes on short-term rental income.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Jessieville, Arkansas, focus on locations within 10-15 minutes of Lake Ouachita and Hot Springs National Park, as these areas attract the most tourists year-round. Target properties with 2-4 bedrooms, outdoor amenities like decks or fire pits, lake or mountain views, and modern kitchens since visitors often prefer vacation homes over hotels for extended stays. Analyze pricing by researching comparable Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 20-mile radius, noting that lakefront properties typically command $150-300 per night while standard homes range $80-150, with peak seasons during summer months and fall foliage periods. Study competition using AirDNA and Mashvisor to assess occupancy rates and revenue potential, while monitoring listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and local Facebook groups to understand market saturation. Utilize tools like BiggerPockets for investment analysis, Zillow and Realtor.com for property searches, STR Helper for regulatory compliance, and connect with local real estate agents familiar with Garland County's short-term rental regulations, as Jessieville's proximity to outdoor recreation and Hot Springs creates strong demand for vacation rentals among visitors from Little Rock, Dallas, and Memphis metropolitan areas.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Jessieville, Arkansas, you'll need to contact the Garland County Planning Department since Jessieville is an unincorporated community within Garland County, located at 501 Ouachita Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901, or call (501) 622-3610. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, liability insurance certificate (minimum $1 million coverage), floor plan or property layout, septic system inspection if applicable, and Arkansas state tax registration. The application fee is estimated at $150-250 with an annual renewal fee of approximately $100-150. You'll also need to register with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration for state tax collection purposes and obtain a business license if operating as a business entity. The approval timeline is typically 30-45 days after submitting a complete application, though this may extend if inspections are required. Specific Jessieville/Garland County requirements likely include compliance with county zoning ordinances, maximum occupancy limits based on septic capacity, adequate parking provisions (typically 2 spaces minimum), and adherence to county health department regulations for water and waste systems. Properties must also meet Arkansas fire safety codes and may require smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers depending on the size and type of structure.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Jessieville, Arkansas, as the small unincorporated community in Garland County operates under Arkansas state law, which does not prohibit STRs at the state level. However, Garland County has implemented regulations requiring STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with health and safety standards, with properties needing to pass inspections and maintain liability insurance. The county restricts STRs in certain residential zones near Lake Ouachita to preserve neighborhood character, and operators must collect and remit local lodging taxes. Recent changes in 2022-2023 included stricter noise ordinances and parking requirements, with a limit of two vehicles per rental property and quiet hours enforced from 10 PM to 7 AM. Properties must also display permit numbers and provide 24-hour contact information for guests, while some areas near the lake have implemented density caps limiting the percentage of homes that can operate as STRs to prevent over-commercialization of residential neighborhoods.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Jessieville, Arkansas are primarily concentrated around Lake Ouachita and the Ouachita National Forest region, particularly properties within 1-2 miles of Lake Ouachita State Park and along Highway 227 near the lake access points. These waterfront and near-waterfront locations attract year-round tourism due to Lake Ouachita being Arkansas's largest lake, drawing visitors for fishing, boating, swimming, and water sports, with peak seasons during summer months and fishing tournaments throughout the year. The area near Crystal Springs Recreation Area and the various boat launch sites along the lake's northern shore offer excellent investment potential due to their proximity to outdoor recreation activities and the scenic Ouachita Mountains. Properties along the lake's coves and inlets, particularly those accessible via local roads like Lakeshore Drive and Crystal Springs Road, benefit from both leisure travelers seeking lakefront experiences and outdoor enthusiasts visiting the Ouachita National Forest for hiking, hunting, and camping, with additional demand from Hot Springs visitors (approximately 30 minutes away) looking for quieter, nature-based accommodations away from the city.

Airbnb properties in Jessieville, Arkansas are subject to Arkansas state sales tax of 6.5% on lodging accommodations, which applies to short-term rentals under 30 days. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration requires hosts to register for a sales tax permit and collect this tax from guests, with monthly remittance due by the 20th of the following month for properties generating over $200 in monthly tax liability. Garland County imposes an additional 2% county lodging tax on short-term rentals, collected similarly through the county tax collector's office. There is no specific municipal lodging tax in Jessieville as of 2023, though hosts should verify current local ordinances. Airbnb may collect and remit these taxes automatically for hosts who opt into their tax collection service, which began in Arkansas in 2019, though hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from lodging taxes but may be subject to regular sales tax on any additional services provided. Hosts must maintain detailed records of all bookings and tax collections for at least three years, and failure to comply can result in penalties of up to 10% of unpaid taxes plus interest.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Jessieville, Arkansas would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in rural Arkansas markets near Hot Springs. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 for beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and decor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local stores. Initial setup including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations costs $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and tax registration total $300-$800 depending on local requirements. Insurance including landlord coverage and short-term rental protection runs $1,200-$2,000 annually. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, water, internet, and cable cost $500-$800. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), platform fees on bookings, and marketing total approximately $6,000-$8,000, assuming moderate occupancy rates of 40-60% typical for rural Arkansas vacation rental markets.

Airbnb properties in Jessieville, Arkansas, show moderate profitability potential with average nightly rates ranging from $75-$150 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 ($30-50 per turnover), property management (10-15%), utilities ($150-250 monthly), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance costs ($2,000-4,000 yearly). Properties near Lake Ouachita and Hot Springs National Park command premium rates, with lakefront cabins achieving profit margins of 25-35% compared to 15-25% for standard residential properties. Success factors include proximity to outdoor recreation areas, unique amenities like hot tubs or fire pits, professional photography, and responsive guest communication. A typical 3-bedroom cabin purchased for $180,000 and generating $28,000 annually in revenue with $16,000 in expenses would yield a 6.7% cash-on-cash return, making the market viable for investors seeking supplemental income rather than primary investment vehicles, particularly given Arkansas's relatively low property taxes and the area's growing tourism appeal driven by outdoor activities and thermal springs.

Based on Jessieville, Arkansas market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14%. Properties in this rural Hot Springs County area, particularly those near Lake Ouachita and outdoor recreation areas, can achieve profitability within 18-24 months given average daily rates of $85-120 and occupancy rates of 45-65%. Initial investment costs are relatively low at $80,000-150,000 for suitable properties, with annual gross revenues of $15,000-25,000 after accounting for seasonal fluctuations, cleaning fees, and property management expenses of approximately 25-30% of gross income.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Jessieville, Arkansas. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette in Hot Springs (2019-present), RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals serving the greater Garland County area, and Century 21 Parker & Associates which has been active in the Hot Springs region since 2015. National services like Awning (founded 2017) offer full-service Airbnb property management and investment guidance, while Mashvisor provides market analysis tools for the Arkansas short-term rental market. RedAwning specializes in vacation rental property acquisition consulting, and Vacasa offers property management services that extend to the Hot Springs area including Jessieville. Local investment-focused agents such as those at Crye-Leike Realtors Hot Springs and independent investor specialists like Arkansas Investment Properties LLC (established 2018) provide market-specific knowledge of Lake Ouachita area rental opportunities. AirDNA offers market data and analytics specifically for short-term rental investments in the Arkansas tourism corridor, while BiggerPockets connects investors with local professionals experienced in the Hot Springs vacation rental market.