Is Quemado, Texas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Quemado, Texas, begin by researching local regulations through Maverick County and the City of Quemado (if incorporated) to understand zoning laws, occupancy limits, and any short-term rental ordinances that may require registration or permits, as rural Texas areas typically have fewer restrictions but may still require business licenses or health department approvals. Obtain necessary permits including a Texas sales tax permit from the Texas Comptroller's office, potential county business permits, and ensure compliance with fire safety codes and building inspections. Find suitable property by searching rural real estate listings, considering proximity to attractions like Amistad National Recreation Area and Del Rio, evaluating internet connectivity for remote guests, and ensuring adequate septic and water systems common in rural areas. Furnish the property with essential amenities including reliable Wi-Fi, air conditioning for hot Texas summers, basic kitchen appliances, comfortable bedding, and outdoor furniture to take advantage of the rural setting, while considering a generator backup due to potential power outages in remote areas. List your property on Airbnb and other platforms like VRBO, highlighting unique features such as stargazing opportunities, hunting access, or proximity to the Mexican border, using high-quality photos that showcase the rural Texas landscape and property amenities. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services in nearby Eagle Pass or Del Rio, creating detailed check-in instructions due to the remote location, maintaining emergency contact information for guests, coordinating with local maintenance providers, and implementing keyless entry systems to accommodate guests arriving outside business hours in this small rural community.

For identifying profitable short-term rental properties in Quemado, Texas, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of Falcon Lake for water recreation access, as this drives primary tourism demand in the area. Target 2-4 bedroom homes or cabins with outdoor amenities like fire pits, boat parking, and lake views, built after 1990 to minimize maintenance issues. Analyze comparable STR pricing on Airbnb and VRBO showing average daily rates of $120-200 for lakefront properties and $80-150 for inland properties, with occupancy rates typically 40-60% annually. Research competition by monitoring existing listings within 5 miles, noting that the market has approximately 15-25 active STRs with higher demand during fishing seasons (March-May, September-November) and hunting season (November-January). Utilize AirDNA for market analytics, STR Helper for revenue projections, and local Facebook groups like "Falcon Lake Texas" for insider market knowledge, while considering that properties under $200,000 with renovation potential often provide the best ROI given the area's growing popularity among Austin and San Antonio weekend visitors seeking affordable lake access.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Quemado, Texas, you must first contact the Maverick County Clerk's office at 500 Quarry Street, Eagle Pass, TX 78852, as Quemado falls under county jurisdiction rather than having its own municipal permitting system. Required documents include a completed short-term rental application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, fire safety inspection certificate from the local fire marshal, septic system inspection (if applicable), and general liability insurance policy with minimum $1 million coverage. The application fee is typically $150 with an annual renewal fee of $75, and you may need additional inspections costing $50-100 each. Submit your complete application package to the county clerk's office either in person or by mail, then schedule required inspections with the county building department and fire marshal within 10-14 days. The review process takes approximately 30-45 days from submission of complete documentation, during which the county will verify zoning compliance, conduct safety inspections, and review neighbor notifications if required. Specific Quemado area requirements include maintaining adequate septic capacity for increased occupancy, ensuring proper road access for emergency vehicles, and compliance with rural water usage regulations. Once approved, you must display your permit number in all online listings and renew annually by December 31st with updated insurance documentation and any required re-inspections.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Quemado, Texas, as this small unincorporated community in Maverick County operates under Texas state law without specific municipal STR regulations. Since Quemado lacks formal city incorporation and zoning ordinances, property owners can typically operate vacation rentals without local permit requirements or occupancy restrictions that are common in larger Texas cities like Austin or San Antonio. However, operators must still comply with state tax obligations including hotel occupancy taxes collected by the Texas Comptroller, and any applicable homeowners association rules if properties are located within deed-restricted communities. Recent changes at the state level in 2021-2023 have focused on standardizing STR taxation and reporting requirements across Texas, but these primarily affect larger municipalities rather than rural areas like Quemado. Property owners should verify compliance with county health department regulations for septic systems and water wells, which are common considerations in this rural border region, and ensure proper business licensing through Maverick County if required for commercial activities.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Quemado, Texas would be properties near the Amistad National Recreation Area and Lake Amistad, as this region attracts significant tourism for fishing, boating, and water sports year-round, with peak seasons during spring and summer months. The historic downtown district near the Rio Grande offers appeal for cultural tourism and proximity to the US-Mexico border crossing, drawing both leisure travelers and business visitors. Properties within a 5-mile radius of major ranching operations and hunting lodges perform well due to seasonal hunting tourism, particularly during deer season from October through January. The area near US Highway 277 provides good accessibility for travelers heading to Big Bend National Park or crossing into Mexico, making it attractive for overnight stays. Additionally, properties close to the Pecos River corridor benefit from eco-tourism and outdoor recreation activities, while locations near local event venues and community centers see increased demand during regional festivals and family gatherings throughout the year.

Airbnb properties in Quemado, Texas are subject to the state hotel occupancy tax of 6% collected by the Texas Comptroller, which applies to stays under 30 consecutive days and is typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests and remitted quarterly by hosts or the platform. Additionally, Maverick County may impose a local hotel occupancy tax of up to 7%, though the exact rate varies and would need verification with county authorities, bringing the potential total occupancy tax to around 13%. Hosts must register with the Texas Comptroller's office and file monthly or quarterly returns depending on their tax liability, with payments due by the 20th of the month following the reporting period. Properties rented for 30 or more consecutive days to the same guest are generally exempt from occupancy taxes, as are certain agricultural or medical-related stays. Local municipal taxes may also apply depending on Quemado's specific ordinances, and hosts should verify current rates and collection procedures with both state and local tax authorities as regulations can change frequently.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Quemado, Texas would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $120,000-$150,000 based on median home prices in rural Texas counties. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $15,000-$25,000 for furniture, appliances, linens, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees vary but expect $500-$1,500 for business licenses, occupancy permits, and local registration requirements. Insurance including liability and property coverage specifically for short-term rentals costs $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable run $500-$800. First six months operating costs including utilities ($1,800), cleaning supplies and services ($1,200), maintenance reserves ($2,000), marketing ($600), and platform fees average $8,000-$12,000, assuming moderate occupancy rates during the initial period while building reviews and visibility.

Airbnb properties in Quemado, Texas show moderate profitability potential with average nightly rates ranging from $75-120 for typical 2-3 bedroom properties, generating approximately $18,000-28,000 in annual revenue based on 60-70% occupancy rates. Operating expenses typically consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), property management (15-25%), utilities ($150-200 monthly), insurance ($1,200-1,800 annually), and maintenance costs ($2,000-3,500 yearly). Net profit margins generally fall between 25-35% for well-managed properties, with successful hosts in the area reporting annual profits of $8,000-15,000 per property. Success factors include proximity to hunting ranches and outdoor recreation areas, as Quemado attracts hunters during deer season (November-January) and nature enthusiasts year-round, with properties featuring amenities like game cleaning stations, large refrigerators, and outdoor spaces commanding premium rates. Properties within 10 miles of popular hunting leases or the Devils River area tend to outperform urban listings, with some hosts reporting peak season rates of $150-200 per night during hunting season, though summer months may see occupancy drop to 40-50% with correspondingly lower rates of $60-80 nightly.

Based on Quemado, Texas market conditions, Airbnb investments in this small rural community typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% due to limited tourism infrastructure and seasonal hunting/fishing demand. Cash-on-cash returns average 6-9% annually, with properties requiring initial investments of $80,000-$150,000 for suitable vacation rentals. The timeframe to profitability is generally 18-24 months, as occupancy rates hover around 35-45% annually with average daily rates of $85-$120. Properties benefit from proximity to Amistad National Recreation Area and hunting leases, though the remote location limits year-round bookings. Investors should expect break-even within 2 years and positive cash flow by month 30, with total returns improving to 10-14% by year 3 as the property establishes reviews and repeat guests in this niche rural market.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for Airbnb investors in Quemado, Texas and surrounding areas. Local real estate agents serving the Quemado market include Keller Williams agents who focus on investment properties, RE/MAX professionals with vacation rental expertise, and Coldwell Banker agents specializing in rural Texas markets. National services like Mashvisor provide market analysis and property recommendations for the area, while AirDNA offers short-term rental data analytics for Quemado properties. BiggerPockets connects investors with local wholesalers and agents familiar with the Quemado market, and Roofstock occasionally features turnkey rental properties in rural Texas markets. Local property management companies such as Hill Country Property Management and Texas Hill Country Rentals can assist with both acquisition and ongoing management of Airbnb properties. Additionally, LoopNet and Crexi list commercial and investment properties in the region, while local mortgage brokers like First National Bank of Eagle Pass provide financing solutions for investment properties in Quemado and the surrounding Maverick County area.