Is Long Beach, North Carolina Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Long Beach, North Carolina, begin by researching local regulations through Brunswick County and the Town of Oak Island (which governs Long Beach area) to understand zoning laws, occupancy taxes, and permit requirements. Contact Brunswick County Planning Department at (910) 253-2296 to verify short-term rental allowances in your specific zone, as some residential areas may restrict rentals under 30 days. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Brunswick County ($50-100 annually), register for North Carolina sales tax with the Department of Revenue, and secure a short-term rental permit if required by local ordinance. Find a suitable property within 1-2 miles of the beach for maximum appeal, considering properties with 2-4 bedrooms that can accommodate families, with purchase prices ranging $300,000-800,000 depending on proximity to ocean. Furnish the property with coastal-themed decor, essential amenities like WiFi, cable TV, full kitchen appliances, linens, towels, beach chairs, and umbrellas, budgeting $15,000-30,000 for complete furnishing. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and local rental sites like Oak Island Accommodations, setting competitive rates of $150-400 per night based on season and proximity to beach. Implement management systems including professional cleaning services ($75-150 per turnover), 24/7 guest communication, maintenance contacts for HVAC and plumbing issues, and consider hiring local property management companies like Williamson Realty or Coastline Realty who charge 15-25% commission but handle all operations including marketing, guest services, and maintenance coordination.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Long Beach, North Carolina, focus on oceanfront or ocean-view properties within 2-3 blocks of the beach, particularly along East Beach Drive and West Beach Drive, as these command premium rates of $200-400 per night during peak season. Target 3-6 bedroom homes with amenities like private pools, hot tubs, game rooms, and multiple parking spaces, as families and groups comprise 70% of visitors. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against similar properties, noting that Long Beach properties typically achieve 60-75% occupancy rates with average daily rates ranging from $150-350 depending on proximity to water and amenities. Research competition by monitoring listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and local management companies like Sunset Properties and Oak Island Accommodations to identify gaps in the market, particularly for pet-friendly or luxury properties. Utilize tools like Rabbu, AllTheRooms, and local MLS data through Brunswick County Association of Realtors, while considering seasonal demand patterns where May through September generate 65% of annual revenue, and factor in North Carolina's 6% occupancy tax plus local fees when calculating profitability projections.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Long Beach, North Carolina, you must first contact the Town of Long Beach Planning Department at 910-278-5011 or visit their office at 111 E. Moore Street to submit a Short-Term Rental Registration application. Required documents include a completed application form, property deed or lease agreement, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, proof of liability insurance (minimum $300,000), septic system inspection certificate, and a $150 annual registration fee. The property must comply with Long Beach's specific requirements including maximum occupancy of 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, off-street parking for each bedroom, trash collection arrangements, and a local contact person available 24/7 within 30 miles of the property. The application process typically takes 2-3 weeks for review and approval, and you must also obtain a North Carolina sales tax license from the NC Department of Revenue and register with Brunswick County for occupancy tax collection at 6% of gross receipts. Annual renewal is required by December 31st each year, and the property is subject to periodic inspections to ensure continued compliance with zoning, building, and health department regulations.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Long Beach, North Carolina, but operate under specific regulations established by the town. The town requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances. Properties must meet safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and proper egress requirements. STRs are generally prohibited in certain residential zoning districts, particularly those designated for single-family homes, while being more permissible in commercial and mixed-use areas. The town has implemented a registration system that requires annual renewal and mandates that operators provide local contact information for 24/7 response to complaints. Recent changes around 2022-2023 have included stricter enforcement of existing regulations and enhanced penalties for violations, with the town responding to resident concerns about noise, parking, and neighborhood character impacts. Long Beach has also established limits on the total number of STR permits available in certain areas and requires operators to collect and remit occupancy taxes, with violations potentially resulting in permit revocation and fines up to several thousand dollars.

The best Airbnb investment areas in Long Beach, North Carolina include the oceanfront district along East Beach Drive and West Beach Drive, which attracts summer tourists seeking beachfront rentals with premium rates from May through September. The Oak Island area, technically adjacent but often grouped with Long Beach marketing, offers excellent rental potential due to its lighthouse attraction, fishing pier, and family-friendly beaches that draw consistent bookings. The Caswell Beach vicinity provides upscale rental opportunities targeting affluent visitors seeking quieter, more exclusive beach experiences with higher nightly rates. Areas near the Oak Island Golf Club attract golf tourism and corporate retreats, particularly during spring and fall shoulder seasons. Properties within walking distance of the Oak Island Pier and nearby restaurants like Provision Company perform well due to convenience factors. The Middleton Avenue corridor offers good investment potential with slightly lower property costs while maintaining beach access, appealing to budget-conscious families and fishing enthusiasts visiting the area's renowned surf fishing spots and annual fishing tournaments.

Airbnb properties in Long Beach, North Carolina 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. Brunswick County imposes an additional 6% occupancy tax on short-term rentals, bringing the total occupancy tax rate to approximately 12%. The Town of Long Beach may also impose a local occupancy tax of up to 3%, potentially making the total rate around 15%. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking for participating jurisdictions through their tax collection service, which began around 2017-2018 for North Carolina. For properties where Airbnb doesn't collect automatically, hosts must register with the North Carolina Department of Revenue and Brunswick County tax office, collect taxes from guests, and remit payments monthly or quarterly depending on volume. State taxes are generally due by the 20th of the month following collection, while local taxes may have different deadlines. Exemptions typically include stays of 90 days or longer, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations, and some jurisdictions may exempt stays by permanent residents or government employees on official business.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Long Beach, North Carolina is approximately $485,000-$565,000. Property purchase costs range from $350,000-$450,000 based on median home prices for coastal properties in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing costs typically run $15,000-$25,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom beach rental including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor. Initial setup expenses including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials cost around $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, vacation rental permit, and inspection fees total approximately $1,500-$2,500 depending on local regulations. Insurance for short-term rental coverage runs $3,000-$4,000 annually. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable cost roughly $1,000-$1,500. First six months operating costs including utilities ($1,800), cleaning services ($3,600), maintenance and supplies ($2,000), property management software ($300), and marketing ($1,000) total approximately $8,700. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees of $2,000-$4,000 for the first six months if applicable, and a recommended cash reserve of $10,000-$15,000 for unexpected expenses and vacancy periods during the initial launch phase.

Airbnb properties in Long Beach, North Carolina typically generate annual revenues between $35,000-$65,000 for oceanfront properties and $20,000-$40,000 for properties within 2-3 blocks of the beach, based on average daily rates of $150-$300 during peak summer months (June-August) and $80-$150 during shoulder seasons. Operating expenses generally range from 40-60% of gross revenue, including property management fees (15-25%), cleaning costs ($75-$125 per turnover), maintenance and repairs (8-12% annually), insurance premiums ($2,000-$4,000 yearly), and local occupancy taxes (6%). Net profit margins typically fall between 25-45% for well-managed properties, with oceanfront homes achieving higher margins due to premium pricing power and 70-85% occupancy rates during summer months. Success factors include proximity to the beach (properties within 200 yards command 30-40% higher rates), modern amenities like updated kitchens and WiFi, professional photography, and responsive guest communication, with top-performing properties often managed by companies like Vacasa or RedAwning achieving occupancy rates 15-20% higher than owner-managed units through dynamic pricing strategies and marketing optimization.

Airbnb investments in Long Beach, North Carolina typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14%, driven by the area's proximity to Oak Island beaches and seasonal vacation rental demand. Properties within 2-3 blocks of beach access command premium rates of $150-250 per night during peak summer months (May-September), while off-season rates drop to $80-120 per night. Initial investment recovery and profitability typically occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, with average occupancy rates of 65-75% annually. The market benefits from consistent demand from families visiting nearby Fort Caswell and Bald Head Island, with successful operators achieving gross rental yields of 15-22% on properties purchased in the $200,000-400,000 range, though investors should factor in 25-35% operating expenses including cleaning, maintenance, property management, and local occupancy taxes.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors in Long Beach, North Carolina, offering comprehensive market analysis and property recommendations. Local real estate agents like Coastal Carolina Realty and Brunswick County specialists such as RE/MAX at the Beach have extensive experience helping investors identify waterfront and vacation rental properties in the Long Beach area since the early 2010s. National services including Mashvisor, AirDNA, and BiggerPockets provide market analytics and investment tools specifically for Airbnb property identification, while companies like Awning and RedAwning offer full-service property management and acquisition assistance for short-term rental investors. Regional firms such as Intracoastal Realty and local agents from Century 21 Sweyer & Associates have been actively serving the Long Beach market, particularly focusing on oceanfront and canal-front properties that perform well as vacation rentals, with many specializing in the Oak Island and Southport surrounding areas that complement Long Beach's rental market dynamics.