Is Sebring, Florida Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Sebring, Florida, begin by researching local regulations through the City of Sebring Planning Department and Highlands County offices, as short-term rentals typically require a business tax receipt and may need conditional use permits in residential zones. Contact the Sebring Building Department at (863) 471-5100 to obtain necessary permits, including a Certificate of Use and potentially a fire safety inspection. Find a suitable property by working with local realtors familiar with Sebring's lakefront areas near Lake Jackson or downtown districts, ensuring the property allows short-term rentals per HOA or deed restrictions. Furnish the space with Florida-appropriate amenities including air conditioning, hurricane shutters, and outdoor furniture suitable for the subtropical climate, sourcing from local stores like Walmart Supercenter on US Highway 27 or furniture stores in nearby Lakeland. Create your Airbnb listing highlighting Sebring's attractions like Sebring International Raceway, Highlands Hammock State Park, and the Chain of Lakes, using professional photography and competitive pricing around $80-150 per night based on local market rates. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services, maintenance contractors, and consider using property management companies like Vacasa or RedAwning if you're not local, while maintaining compliance with Florida's transient rental tax requirements and any applicable tourist development taxes collected by Highlands County.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Sebring, Florida, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of Sebring International Raceway, near Highlands Hammock State Park, or around Lake Jackson and other area lakes, as these drive consistent tourism and seasonal demand. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or condos built after 1990 with pools, lake access, or unique features like screened porches, as these command premium rates of $120-200 per night during race weekends and $80-120 during off-peak periods. Analyze comparable properties using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify the $150,000-350,000 price range that typically yields 8-15% annual returns, while researching competition through Airbnb and VRBO searches to find gaps in amenities or underserved areas. Study seasonal patterns around the 12 Hours of Sebring race in March, WEC events, and winter snowbird season (December-April) when occupancy rates peak at 70-85%, and utilize tools like Rabbu for market analysis, STR Helper for performance tracking, and connect with local property management companies like Vacasa or RedAwning who understand Sebring's unique tourism cycles and can provide insights on the most profitable neighborhoods and property types.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Sebring, Florida, you must first contact the Sebring Planning and Zoning Department at City Hall located at 368 South Commerce Avenue to determine if short-term rentals are permitted in your specific zoning district, as the city requires conditional use permits for STRs in most residential areas. Submit an application for a conditional use permit along with a detailed site plan, proof of property ownership or authorization letter from owner, Florida business tax receipt, proof of liability insurance (typically $1 million minimum), parking plan showing adequate spaces, and a management plan detailing how the property will be operated and maintained. The application fee is approximately $500-750 for the conditional use permit, plus additional fees for public hearing notices (around $200-300). You'll also need to obtain a city business tax receipt (approximately $50-100 annually) and register with the Florida Department of Revenue for tourist development tax collection. The process typically takes 60-90 days as it requires review by planning staff, notification of adjacent property owners, and approval by the Planning and Zoning Board at a public hearing. Sebring specifically requires that STR properties maintain the residential character of neighborhoods, provide adequate parking (typically 2 spaces minimum), have a local contact person available 24/7 within 30 minutes of the property, and comply with noise ordinances and occupancy limits based on bedroom count and septic system capacity.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Sebring, Florida, as the city operates under Florida's state preemption laws that largely favor property owners' rights to rent their properties short-term. Sebring, located in Highlands County, does not appear to have enacted comprehensive STR-specific ordinances that would significantly restrict or prohibit short-term rentals citywide. However, properties must comply with standard zoning regulations, business tax requirements, and health and safety codes. Some residential neighborhoods may have HOA restrictions that limit STRs, and properties in certain zoning districts might face limitations on commercial activities. The city requires business tax receipts for rental operations and properties must meet fire safety and building code requirements. Recent years have seen Florida strengthen state preemption laws that limit local governments' ability to restrict STRs, though municipalities can still regulate health, safety, and welfare aspects. Property owners should verify current zoning compliance and obtain necessary permits, as enforcement has become more systematic across Florida municipalities since 2020.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Sebring, Florida include the Sebring International Raceway district, particularly properties within 2-3 miles of the track, which attracts thousands of visitors during major racing events like the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race held annually in March, generating high occupancy rates and premium pricing during race weekends. The historic downtown Sebring area around Circle Park offers charm and walkability for tourists visiting local attractions, restaurants, and cultural events, while being close to Lake Jackson for recreational activities. The Harder Hall Country Club neighborhood appeals to golf enthusiasts and provides upscale accommodations for visitors attending tournaments or business meetings at the club. Properties near Highlands Hammock State Park, about 10 miles west of Sebring, capture nature tourism and camping overflow, especially during peak winter months when snowbirds visit Florida. The Sun 'N Lake area offers lakefront and golf course proximity, attracting retirees and vacation rental guests seeking recreational amenities, while the Sebring Regional Airport vicinity serves business travelers and aviation enthusiasts, though this market is smaller but consistent year-round.

In Sebring, Florida, Airbnb hosts are subject to multiple lodging taxes including the Florida state sales tax of 6%, the state tourist development tax of up to 6% (varies by county), and Highlands County's tourist development tax of 4%, resulting in a combined rate of approximately 16% on short-term rental stays. The City of Sebring may also impose additional local option taxes of 1-2%. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began around 2018-2019, and the platform remits payments monthly to the appropriate tax authorities including the Florida Department of Revenue and Highlands County. Hosts must register with the Florida Department of Revenue for a sales tax permit and may need to file returns even when Airbnb collects taxes, as backup documentation. Exemptions generally apply to stays of 30 days or longer, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations, and certain government or nonprofit organization bookings may qualify for exemptions with proper documentation.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Sebring, Florida is approximately $185,000-$225,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property typically runs $8,000-$12,000 including beds, living room furniture, kitchen essentials, linens, and decor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $2,000-$4,000. Permits and fees including business license, tourist development tax registration, and potential HOA approvals cost $500-$1,500. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage runs $1,200-$2,000 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable cost $300-$500. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600-$900), cleaning supplies and services ($1,200-$1,800), maintenance reserves ($1,000-$1,500), marketing ($300-$600), and platform fees average $3,500-$5,000, bringing the total initial investment to approximately $185,000-$225,000 depending on property size and condition.

Airbnb properties in Sebring, Florida typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for standard 2-3 bedroom homes, with peak earnings during racing season when the Sebring International Raceway hosts major events like the 12 Hours of Sebring in March, driving nightly rates from $80-150 to $200-400 during race weekends. Operating expenses generally run 40-60% of gross revenue, including property management fees (15-25%), cleaning costs ($75-125 per turnover), utilities ($150-250 monthly), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance reserves (5-10% of revenue), resulting in net profit margins of 20-35% for well-managed properties. Success factors include proximity to the racetrack (properties within 5 miles command premium rates), professional photography and staging, responsive guest communication, and strategic pricing that capitalizes on racing events, spring training season, and winter snowbird demand. A case study of a 3-bedroom home purchased for $180,000 in 2019 near the racetrack generated $28,000 in gross revenue in 2022 with $16,800 in expenses, yielding an 11.2% cash-on-cash return, while properties further from racing venues typically see more modest returns of 6-8% annually due to lower occupancy rates and average daily rates of $65-95 during non-event periods.

Airbnb investments in Sebring, Florida typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14%, primarily driven by the area's proximity to Sebring International Raceway which attracts motorsports enthusiasts year-round, particularly during major racing events like the 12 Hours of Sebring in March. Properties within 5-10 miles of the raceway command premium nightly rates of $150-250 during race weekends compared to $80-120 during off-peak periods, with occupancy rates averaging 65-75% annually. Investment properties in the $200,000-350,000 range typically reach profitability within 18-24 months, benefiting from Florida's lack of state income tax and relatively low property taxes averaging 1.1% annually. The market shows consistent demand from racing teams, fans, and winter visitors escaping northern climates, with successful operators like those managing properties through Vacasa and RedAwning reporting gross rental yields of 15-22% before expenses, making Sebring a viable secondary market for short-term rental investments despite its smaller size compared to major Florida tourist destinations.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Sebring, Florida. Local real estate agents in the Sebring area who focus on investment properties include Century 21 Realty Partners, Coldwell Banker Realty, and RE/MAX Realty Plus, with many agents specifically marketing to Airbnb investors given the area's proximity to Sebring International Raceway and Lake Jackson. National services like Mashvisor, BiggerPockets, and AirDNA provide market analysis and property identification tools for the Sebring market. RedAwning and Awning offer property management and investment advisory services for short-term rentals in Central Florida including Sebring. Local property management companies such as Highlands County Property Management and Lake Country Property Services have expanded to include Airbnb management and can help identify investment opportunities. Real estate investment firms like HomeVestors and We Buy Ugly Houses also operate in the Sebring market and sometimes offer turnkey Airbnb properties. Additionally, platforms like Roofstock and Arrived Homes occasionally feature Sebring properties optimized for short-term rental income.