Is Roma, Texas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Roma, Texas, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through Starr County and the City of Roma, as short-term rentals may require special permits or compliance with specific ordinances that vary by residential zone. Contact the Roma City Hall at (956) 849-1114 to inquire about business licenses, occupancy permits, and any short-term rental restrictions, then register for a Texas state tax permit through the Texas Comptroller's office for collecting hotel occupancy taxes, which typically range from 6-15% in Texas border towns. Find a suitable property by searching MLS listings, contacting local real estate agents familiar with Roma's market, or considering properties near the Roma-Ciudad Miguel Alemán International Bridge for business travelers, with average home prices ranging $80,000-$150,000 as of 2023. Furnish the property with essential amenities including reliable Wi-Fi, air conditioning (crucial for South Texas heat), comfortable bedding, kitchen basics, and consider bilingual signage given Roma's 95% Hispanic population and proximity to Mexico. Create listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photos highlighting unique features like border town location, proximity to Falcon Lake (30 minutes), or historical downtown Roma, pricing competitively at $60-$120 per night based on local market rates. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, installing keyless entry systems, maintaining responsive communication in both English and Spanish, partnering with local cleaning services, and ensuring compliance with ongoing tax reporting requirements to both state and local authorities while monitoring occupancy rates and guest reviews to optimize your listing performance.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Roma, Texas, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of the Rio Grande River and US-83 corridor, as these areas attract border commerce travelers and fishing enthusiasts visiting Falcon Lake approximately 30 minutes away. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or mobile homes priced between $80,000-$150,000 with outdoor spaces, parking, and reliable internet, as many guests are contractors, border patrol agents, or recreational visitors needing extended stays. Analyze comparable nightly rates of $60-$120 using AirDNA and Mashvisor, while researching existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 10-mile radius to assess occupancy rates and seasonal demand patterns. Competition research should focus on the limited existing STR inventory, with most properties being basic accommodations, creating opportunities for well-furnished, professionally managed units. Utilize STR-specific tools like Rabbu and PriceLabs for dynamic pricing, while leveraging local Facebook groups, Roma Chamber of Commerce connections, and MLS data from Starr County to identify undervalued properties near the international bridge, medical facilities, and industrial areas where business travelers frequently stay.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Roma, Texas, contact the Roma City Hall at 101 N Portscheller Avenue or call (956) 849-1201 to inquire about short-term rental regulations and permit requirements. You will likely need to submit a completed STR permit application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, general liability insurance policy (typically $500,000-$1,000,000 coverage), fire safety inspection certificate, and payment of applicable fees which typically range from $150-$300 annually in similar Texas municipalities. Required documents may also include a site plan showing parking areas, emergency contact information for a local representative available 24/7, and compliance with zoning requirements as Roma may restrict STRs to certain residential zones. The application process typically takes 30-45 days for review and approval, during which the city may conduct property inspections to ensure compliance with building codes, fire safety standards, and occupancy limits. Roma likely requires STR operators to collect and remit local hotel occupancy taxes (usually 6-15%), maintain guest registries, post maximum occupancy limits, and provide adequate off-street parking spaces. Contact the Roma Planning and Zoning Department to confirm current regulations, as requirements may include distance restrictions from schools or other STRs, noise ordinance compliance, and annual permit renewals with potential inspection requirements.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Roma, Texas are generally legal but operate under limited local regulation as of 2024. Roma, a small border city in Starr County with approximately 10,000 residents, does not appear to have comprehensive STR-specific ordinances like larger Texas cities such as Austin or San Antonio. The city likely regulates STRs through general business licensing requirements and zoning ordinances that may restrict commercial activities in residential areas. Property owners typically need basic business permits and must comply with state tax collection requirements for transient occupancy. Unlike major Texas metropolitan areas that have implemented strict registration systems, occupancy limits, and designated STR zones, Roma's regulatory framework appears minimal, though operators must still adhere to general safety codes, noise ordinances, and HOA restrictions where applicable. Recent legal changes have been limited compared to other Texas cities that have enacted moratoriums or enhanced restrictions between 2022-2024, though property owners should verify current local requirements with Roma's city administration as regulations can evolve rapidly in response to community concerns about housing availability and neighborhood character preservation.

The best Airbnb investment areas in Roma, Texas include the historic downtown district near the Roma Historic District and Plaza de Roma, which attracts cultural tourists interested in the city's 19th-century architecture and Mexican-American heritage. The areas near Roma High School and the International Bridge are prime for business travelers and visitors conducting cross-border commerce with Mexico, as Roma serves as a key port of entry. Properties within walking distance of the Roma Bluffs World Birding Center appeal to eco-tourists and birding enthusiasts who visit year-round to observe over 300 bird species along the Rio Grande. The residential areas near Starr County Memorial Hospital attract medical tourists and families of patients seeking extended stays. Additionally, neighborhoods close to the Roma-Los Saenz Port of Entry benefit from consistent demand from international business travelers, freight workers, and government officials involved in border operations, while the proximity to Falcon State Park draws outdoor enthusiasts for fishing, boating, and camping activities throughout the year.

In Roma, Texas, Airbnb properties are subject to the state hotel occupancy tax of 6% collected by the Texas Comptroller, plus a local hotel occupancy tax imposed by Roma city which is estimated at 7% based on typical small Texas border city rates, bringing the total occupancy tax to approximately 13% on short-term rental stays. The state tax applies to rentals of less than 30 consecutive days and is collected either directly by Airbnb through their tax collection service or by individual hosts who must register with the Texas Comptroller and remit taxes monthly if collections exceed $500 or quarterly if less. Local Roma hotel occupancy taxes are typically collected by hosts and remitted to the city monthly or quarterly depending on volume, with registration required through the city's finance department. Exemptions generally include stays of 30 days or longer, rentals to permanent residents, and in some cases government employees on official business, though hosts should verify current local exemption criteria with Roma city officials as rates and procedures can change and may differ from state requirements.

To start an Airbnb in Roma, Texas, the total initial investment would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $120,000-$140,000 based on median home prices in this small border town. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $15,000-$25,000 for quality 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 are minimal at $200-$500 since Roma has limited short-term rental regulations. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage costs $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable require $1,000-$1,500. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning services ($150 per turnover), property management software ($50/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), and marketing expenses total approximately $6,000-$8,000. The lower end of this range reflects Roma's affordable real estate market and lower operational costs compared to major Texas cities, though rental demand may be limited due to the town's small size and border location.

Airbnb properties in Roma, Texas, a small border city of approximately 10,000 residents, face unique profitability challenges due to limited tourism infrastructure and lower average daily rates compared to major Texas markets. Properties in Roma typically generate $40-60 per night with occupancy rates around 45-55%, resulting in monthly revenues of $600-1,000 for active listings. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($25-35 per turnover), utilities ($80-120 monthly), property management (15-25% of revenue), insurance ($150-200 monthly), and maintenance costs typically consume 60-70% of gross revenue. Profit margins generally range from 15-25% before mortgage payments, with successful properties being those targeting business travelers visiting the Roma-Los Saenz International Bridge, oil and gas workers in the Eagle Ford Shale region, and medical tourists crossing from Mexico. Properties within 2 miles of the international bridge and those offering amenities like secure parking, bilingual hosts, and extended-stay discounts perform better, with some hosts reporting annual profits of $3,000-6,000 per property. The market benefits from consistent cross-border business activity and proximity to Falcon Lake recreational areas, though seasonal fluctuations and economic dependencies on trade and energy sectors create revenue volatility that requires careful cash flow management for sustainable profitability.

Airbnb investments in Roma, Texas typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, though these figures are conservative given the small border town's limited tourism infrastructure and population of approximately 11,000 residents. Properties in Roma generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with average nightly rates of $75-120 for whole properties, occupancy rates around 45-60% annually due to business travelers, border commerce visitors, and occasional eco-tourists exploring the Rio Grande Valley region. The market benefits from proximity to the Mexican border and Roma-Los Saenz International Bridge traffic, but faces challenges from limited amenities and seasonal demand fluctuations, making it more suitable for investors seeking steady but modest returns rather than high-growth vacation rental markets.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Roma, Texas and surrounding areas. Local real estate agents in the Rio Grande Valley who specialize in investment properties include Century 21 The Hills Realty, Keller Williams Realty RGV, and RE/MAX Elite serving the Roma market. National services like Mashvisor, AirDNA, and Rabbu provide market analysis and property identification tools for Roma's emerging short-term rental market. BiggerPockets marketplace and Roofstock occasionally feature South Texas investment properties including the Roma area. Local property management companies such as RGV Property Solutions and Valley Property Management can assist with Airbnb operations, while national services like RedAwning, Vacasa, and AvantStay may provide management services for profitable properties in this border town market that benefits from business travel and proximity to Mexico.