Is Quincy, Massachusetts Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Quincy, Massachusetts, begin by researching local regulations as Quincy requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning ordinances that may restrict rentals in certain residential areas. Contact the Quincy City Clerk's office at 617-376-1000 to obtain the necessary business license ($50-100 annually) and check with the Inspectional Services Department for any required safety inspections or certificates of occupancy. Find a suitable property by purchasing or leasing in areas zoned for short-term rentals, ensuring the property meets fire safety codes and has proper egress windows, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors as required by Massachusetts state law. Furnish the space with quality furniture, linens, kitchen essentials, and amenities while ensuring compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements if applicable. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos, competitive pricing (average $80-150/night in Quincy as of 2023), and detailed descriptions highlighting proximity to Boston (8 miles), public transportation access via the Red Line, and local attractions like Quincy Market and Adams National Historical Park. Manage your property by establishing check-in procedures, maintaining cleanliness standards, responding promptly to guests, collecting and remitting the 14.95% combined state and local occupancy tax to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, and keeping detailed records for tax purposes while potentially hiring local cleaning services like Quincy-based companies for turnover maintenance.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Quincy, Massachusetts, focus on locations within walking distance of the Red Line MBTA stations (Quincy Center, Quincy Adams, North Quincy, and Wollaston) as these provide easy access to downtown Boston, making properties attractive to business travelers and tourists. Target 2-3 bedroom single-family homes or condos built after 1980 with parking spaces, modern amenities, and proximity to Quincy Shore Drive for waterfront appeal, as these typically command $150-250 per night compared to $80-120 for basic units. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against similar properties, aiming for markets with 70%+ occupancy rates and $3,000+ monthly revenue potential. Research competition by studying listings within a 1-mile radius on Airbnb and VRBO, noting gaps in amenities or underserved areas near attractions like the Adams National Historical Park or Quincy Quarries Reservation. Utilize tools like Rabbu for Quincy-specific market data, STR Helper for permit requirements (Quincy requires registration and has occupancy limits), and BiggerPockets forums for local investor insights, while ensuring compliance with the city's short-term rental ordinance that restricts rentals to owner-occupied properties or requires special permits for investment properties.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Quincy, Massachusetts, you must first contact the Quincy City Clerk's Office at City Hall located at 1305 Hancock Street to apply for a Short-Term Rental License, which typically costs around $200-300 annually. Required documents include a completed application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, certificate of occupancy, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million), fire safety inspection certificate from the Quincy Fire Department, and a site plan showing parking availability. You must also obtain a business certificate from the City Clerk if operating as a business entity, pass inspections from both the Building Department and Fire Department, and provide contact information for a local representative available 24/7 if you don't live on-site. The property must comply with zoning regulations (typically allowed in residential zones with restrictions), maintain adequate parking spaces, post maximum occupancy limits, and install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all sleeping areas. The application process typically takes 4-6 weeks from submission to approval, and you must renew the license annually by December 31st, with renewal applications due by November 1st each year.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Quincy, Massachusetts, but operate under strict regulations implemented in 2019 following the state's comprehensive STR law. The city requires all STR operators to obtain a local license and register with the state, with owner-occupied properties (where the host lives on-site) generally facing fewer restrictions than non-owner-occupied units. Quincy prohibits STRs in certain residential zones and limits the total number of non-owner-occupied STR licenses issued citywide. Properties must meet safety requirements including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and operators must collect and remit local taxes. The city has established quiet hours, occupancy limits based on property size, and requires designated local contacts for guest issues. Recent enforcement efforts have focused on unlicensed operators, with significant fines for non-compliance. Some neighborhoods near Quincy Center and waterfront areas have seen increased scrutiny due to resident complaints about noise and parking issues, leading to stricter enforcement of existing regulations rather than new prohibitions.

The best Airbnb investment areas in Quincy, Massachusetts include Quincy Center, which offers excellent public transportation access via the Red Line to downtown Boston and attracts business travelers and tourists seeking affordable alternatives to Boston hotels. The Marina Bay area is highly desirable due to its waterfront location, upscale dining, and proximity to the Neponset River, appealing to leisure travelers and couples seeking scenic stays. Wollaston Beach neighborhood is attractive for its beachfront access, summer tourism, and family-friendly atmosphere, particularly during warm months when visitors seek coastal accommodations near Boston. The Adams Shore area benefits from its residential charm and easy highway access, making it popular with extended-stay business travelers and families visiting the region. North Quincy near the T station is valuable for its direct subway access to Boston, attracting budget-conscious tourists and business travelers who prioritize transportation convenience. These areas collectively benefit from Quincy's position as an affordable alternative to Boston proper while maintaining easy access to the city's attractions, business districts, and Logan International Airport.

In Quincy, Massachusetts, Airbnb hosts are subject to multiple lodging taxes including the state excise tax of 5.7% on short-term rentals under 90 days, plus an additional 6% community impact fee that applies statewide to short-term rentals, bringing the total state-level tax to 11.7%. The City of Quincy imposes a local room occupancy excise tax of 6% on all lodging accommodations including short-term rentals, making the combined tax rate approximately 17.7%. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking and remitted to the appropriate tax authorities on behalf of hosts, though hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue requires operators to register and file monthly returns by the 20th of the following month, while local taxes are remitted to the City of Quincy's tax collector. Exemptions generally apply to stays of 90 days or longer, rentals to the same occupant for more than 30 consecutive days, and certain accommodations provided to homeless individuals or those displaced by emergencies, though hosts should verify current exemption criteria as regulations can change.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Quincy, Massachusetts is approximately $650,000-$750,000. Property purchase costs around $550,000-$600,000 based on median home prices in Quincy as of 2023. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property runs $15,000-$25,000 including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials total $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and potential zoning approvals cost $500-$1,500. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage adds $3,000-$4,000 annually. Utilities including electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable average $300-$400 monthly or $1,800-$2,400 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning services, supplies, maintenance, property management software, and marketing total $8,000-$12,000. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees, property taxes, and a cash reserve for unexpected expenses and vacancy periods.

Airbnb properties in Quincy, Massachusetts typically generate annual revenues between $25,000-$45,000 for entire home listings, with average daily rates ranging from $85-$130 depending on proximity to Boston and property amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($30-50 per turnover), property management (10-20% of revenue), utilities ($150-250 monthly), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-4,000 yearly. Properties within 2 miles of Quincy Center or near the Red Line stations command premium rates due to easy Boston access, with some hosts like those operating renovated triple-deckers near Wollaston Beach reporting net profit margins of 25-35% after expenses. Success factors include professional photography, consistent 4.8+ star ratings, rapid response times under 1 hour, and strategic pricing during peak seasons like summer months and Boston Marathon weekend when rates can increase 40-60%. Properties offering parking, which is scarce in the area, typically achieve 15-20% higher occupancy rates, while those near Quincy Market or with water views can command $20-40 premiums per night, resulting in annual net profits ranging from $12,000-$22,000 for well-managed properties.

Airbnb investments in Quincy, Massachusetts typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on current market conditions. Properties near Quincy Center and the Red Line stations command premium rates of $85-120 per night, while waterfront locations along Quincy Bay can achieve $100-150 nightly rates during peak summer months. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, with investors seeing break-even around month 14-18 after accounting for furnishing costs, permits, and initial marketing expenses. The proximity to Boston via public transit makes Quincy attractive to business travelers and tourists, with occupancy rates averaging 65-75% annually, though seasonal fluctuations see summer peaks of 80-85% and winter lows around 50-60%. Properties purchased in the $400,000-600,000 range typically generate $2,800-4,200 monthly gross revenue during peak performance periods, with net returns after expenses, cleaning fees, and platform commissions settling around $1,800-2,800 monthly.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental investment properties across markets including Quincy, Massachusetts. Local real estate agents in the Quincy area who focus on Airbnb investments include Keller Williams Realty agents specializing in investment properties, Coldwell Banker residential investment specialists, and RE/MAX agents with short-term rental expertise. National services that operate in the Quincy market include Mashvisor for property analysis and market data, AirDNA for Airbnb market analytics and revenue projections, Awning for turnkey Airbnb investment properties, Roofstock for rental property investments, and BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing. Local property management companies like RedAwning and Vacasa also provide services to help investors identify and manage profitable Airbnb properties in Quincy. Additionally, investment-focused real estate brokerages such as eXp Realty and Compass have agents who specialize in short-term rental property acquisitions in the greater Boston area including Quincy.