Is Pulaski, Illinois Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Pulaski, Illinois, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through Pulaski County's planning department, as many small Illinois municipalities require short-term rental permits or business licenses that typically cost $50-200 annually. Contact the Pulaski County Clerk's office to obtain necessary business registration and check if the village requires specific short-term rental permits, then verify your property meets fire safety codes and obtain any required inspections. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings, considering proximity to attractions like Fort Defiance State Park or the Ohio River confluence, with average property prices ranging $40,000-80,000 for modest homes. Furnish the space with essential amenities including quality bedding, kitchen supplies, WiFi, and local guidebooks, budgeting approximately $3,000-8,000 for initial furnishing depending on property size. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting unique local features, set competitive pricing around $60-120 per night based on comparable properties in southern Illinois, and write descriptions emphasizing outdoor recreation opportunities and historical significance of the area. Manage your property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication, coordinating with local cleaning services (likely $40-60 per turnover), and consider property management companies in nearby Cape Girardeau, Missouri if you're not local, while ensuring compliance with Illinois state tax requirements including collecting and remitting applicable lodging taxes to the Illinois Department of Revenue.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Pulaski, Illinois, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of Mounds State Park and near the Cache River wetlands, as these natural attractions drive tourism year-round. Target 2-4 bedroom homes built after 1980 with modern amenities, full kitchens, outdoor spaces, and parking, as families and nature enthusiasts comprise the primary visitor demographic. Analyze comparable nightly rates using AirDNA and Mashvisor, which typically range $75-150 per night in southern Illinois markets, while ensuring purchase prices stay below $150,000 to maintain healthy cash flow margins. Research existing STR competition within a 10-mile radius using Airbnb and VRBO searches, noting that limited inventory in rural Pulaski County creates opportunities for well-positioned properties. Utilize tools like BiggerPockets for market analysis, STR Helper for revenue projections, and connect with local real estate agents familiar with Johnson and Pulaski County markets, while verifying short-term rental regulations with Pulaski County zoning officials since rural Illinois counties often have minimal STR restrictions compared to urban areas.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Pulaski, Illinois, you must first contact the Pulaski County Clerk's office or the local municipal building department to determine if the village has specific short-term rental ordinances, as many small Illinois municipalities are still developing STR regulations. You will likely need to submit an application form along with proof of property ownership or lease agreement, a valid Illinois business license, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental unit, and contact information for a local property manager if you live more than 50 miles away. Required documents typically include a completed STR permit application, property deed or lease, business registration, insurance certificate, safety inspection certificate, and parking plan showing adequate off-street parking. The application fee is estimated at $150-300 annually with possible additional inspection fees of $75-150. The timeline for approval typically ranges from 30-60 days depending on inspection scheduling and completeness of application materials. Specific Pulaski requirements likely include maintaining a guest registry, posting maximum occupancy limits, providing 24/7 contact information to neighbors, ensuring compliance with residential zoning restrictions, and potentially limiting the number of rental days per year to 180 days, though you should verify current local ordinances as regulations may have been updated recently.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Pulaski, Illinois operate in a largely unregulated environment at the local level, as this small rural community in Pulaski County has not enacted specific ordinances governing STR operations as of 2024. The village, with a population under 300 residents, generally allows property owners to rent their homes short-term without explicit municipal restrictions, though operators must still comply with Illinois state regulations including tax collection requirements and basic safety standards. Property owners should register with the Illinois Department of Revenue for tax purposes and ensure compliance with state fire safety codes, but Pulaski itself has not implemented zoning restrictions, permit requirements, or prohibited areas for STR operations. The lack of local regulation means STRs can typically operate in residential areas without specific municipal oversight, though this could change if the village decides to adopt STR ordinances in the future, particularly if tourism increases or resident complaints arise about STR activities disrupting the small community's character.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Pulaski, Illinois include the historic downtown district near the Ohio River waterfront, which attracts visitors interested in Civil War history and the Fort Defiance area where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers meet. The residential neighborhoods along Mound City Road offer proximity to the Mound City National Cemetery, drawing genealogy researchers and Civil War enthusiasts year-round. Areas near the Cache River State Natural Area appeal to outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and birdwatchers, particularly during migration seasons. The districts close to Highway 37 and Interstate 57 corridors are attractive for business travelers and those visiting nearby industrial facilities along the river. Properties within walking distance of the Pulaski County Courthouse serve legal professionals and those conducting business with county offices, while neighborhoods near local marinas and boat launches cater to recreational boaters and fishing enthusiasts exploring the confluence of major waterways.

Airbnb properties in Pulaski, Illinois are subject to the Illinois Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax at a rate of 6% on gross rental receipts, which is collected by the state and remitted monthly by hosts or property managers when gross receipts exceed $2,500 annually. Additionally, properties may be subject to Pulaski County's local hotel/motel tax estimated at 3-5% depending on local ordinances, typically collected at the time of booking and remitted quarterly to county authorities. The Illinois Department of Revenue requires registration and monthly filing of Form ST-1 for state taxes, while county taxes are generally remitted through local tax collection offices with quarterly returns. Exemptions typically apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, rentals to permanent residents, and properties rented fewer than 15 days per year by owner-occupants, though hosts should verify current rates and procedures as local municipalities may have adopted additional transient occupancy taxes ranging from 1-4% since 2020-2023 when many Illinois communities began regulating short-term rentals more actively.

To start an Airbnb in Pulaski, Illinois, the total costs would be approximately $85,000-$95,000. Property purchase costs around $65,000 based on median home prices in rural southern Illinois communities like Pulaski. Furnishing costs including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and appliances would run $8,000-$12,000 depending on property size and quality level. Initial setup costs for professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations total $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and potential zoning approvals cost $300-$800. Insurance for short-term rental coverage adds $1,200-$1,800 annually. Utilities including electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable run $200-$300 monthly or $1,200-$1,800 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning supplies, maintenance, marketing, platform fees (3% of bookings), and miscellaneous expenses total $2,500-$4,000, assuming moderate booking activity in this small rural market.

Airbnb properties in Pulaski, Illinois show moderate profitability potential with average nightly 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), property management (10-15%), utilities ($150-250 monthly), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-4,000 yearly. Net profit margins generally range from 15-25% after expenses, with successful properties near Horseshoe Lake or Cache River State Natural Area commanding premium rates during fishing and hunting seasons. Properties within 30 minutes of Cape Girardeau, Missouri benefit from spillover demand, with renovated 2-3 bedroom homes achieving the highest returns. Success factors include strategic pricing during peak outdoor recreation months (April-October), professional photography, responsive guest communication, and maintaining 4.7+ star ratings, as demonstrated by top-performing listings that consistently achieve $25,000+ annual net income through optimized operations and seasonal rate adjustments.

Based on Pulaski, Illinois 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 county. Properties near outdoor recreation areas like Mounds City National Cemetery or Mississippi River access points tend to perform better, with investors seeing profitability within 18-24 months after initial setup costs. The rural nature of Pulaski County means lower property acquisition costs ($40,000-$80,000 average) but also seasonal demand fluctuations, with peak performance during spring and fall months when outdoor activities drive tourism. Conservative estimates suggest $200-$400 monthly gross rental income for well-positioned properties, translating to 10-15% gross rental yields annually, though investors should account for higher vacancy rates (30-40%) compared to urban markets due to the area's limited year-round tourist infrastructure.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research tools for investors seeking profitable short-term rental opportunities in Pulaski, Illinois. Local real estate agents like Century 21 Affiliated in nearby Anna and Realty Executives in Carbondale specialize in investment properties throughout southern Illinois including Pulaski County. National services include Awning which provides full-service Airbnb property management and investment guidance, RedAwning offering vacation rental investment consulting, and Vacasa providing market analysis for short-term rental investments. Regional companies like Heartland Real Estate Services and local agents at RE/MAX in Marion serve the Pulaski area for investment property acquisition. AirDNA provides comprehensive market data and revenue projections for the southern Illinois region, while Mashvisor offers investment property analysis tools covering smaller markets like Pulaski. Local property management companies such as Southern Illinois Property Management can assist with operational aspects of Airbnb investments, and national platforms like Roofstock occasionally feature investment properties in rural Illinois markets including areas near Pulaski County.