Is Tyringham, Massachusetts Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Tyringham, Massachusetts, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Tyringham Town Hall, as this small Berkshire County town may have specific short-term rental ordinances that require registration or permits. Contact the Tyringham Building Inspector to determine if you need a special permit or if short-term rentals are allowed in your zoning district, and check with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue for state tax requirements including the 5.7% state excise tax on short-term rentals. Find a suitable property in Tyringham's rural setting, considering proximity to popular Berkshire attractions like Tanglewood, Jacob's Pillow, and local hiking trails, with properties typically ranging from $300,000-$800,000 for suitable homes. Obtain necessary permits including a business certificate from the town clerk, ensure compliance with Massachusetts sanitary code requirements, and consider getting a fire safety inspection. Furnish the property with comfortable, durable furniture suitable for the area's seasonal visitors, including amenities like Wi-Fi, heating for winter guests, and outdoor furniture for enjoying the scenic mountain views. Create your Airbnb listing with high-quality photos showcasing the property's connection to the Berkshires' natural beauty and cultural attractions, pricing competitively with similar properties in nearby towns like Lenox or Stockbridge (typically $150-$400 per night depending on season and property size). Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols, creating a guidebook with local recommendations for restaurants in nearby Lee or Great Barrington, and maintaining responsive communication with guests while ensuring compliance with Tyringham's quiet rural character and any noise ordinances.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Tyringham, Massachusetts, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of popular attractions like Tyringham Cobble nature preserve and Ashintully Gardens, as well as those offering easy access to the Berkshire Mountains recreational activities. Target 2-4 bedroom properties with rustic charm, modern amenities, outdoor spaces like decks or fire pits, and unique features such as historic character or mountain views that appeal to nature-seeking tourists and weekend getaways from Boston and New York City. Analyze comparable STR rates using AirDNA and Mashvisor, targeting properties that can command $150-300 per night during peak summer and fall foliage seasons while maintaining 60-70% occupancy rates. Research competition within a 10-mile radius including nearby Lee, Lenox, and Great Barrington to understand market saturation and positioning opportunities. Utilize tools like Rabbu for market analysis, STR Helper for performance tracking, and local resources including the Berkshire Visitors Bureau data, Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce insights, and monitoring seasonal demand patterns driven by Tanglewood concerts, Jacob's Pillow dance performances, and outdoor recreation tourism that peaks from May through October.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Tyringham, Massachusetts, you must first contact the Tyringham Town Clerk's office at Town Hall located at 100 Main Road to inquire about local short-term rental regulations and obtain the necessary application forms. Required documents typically include a completed STR application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, floor plan of the rental unit, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million coverage), contact information for a local representative if you're an absentee owner, and a site plan showing parking areas and septic system location. You'll need to pay application fees ranging from $200-500 annually, plus potential inspection fees of $100-200. The process involves submitting your complete application to the Building Inspector and Board of Health for review, scheduling required inspections for safety, septic, and occupancy compliance, attending a public hearing if required by local bylaws, and receiving approval from relevant departments. The timeline typically takes 4-8 weeks from submission to approval, depending on inspection scheduling and any required corrections. Tyringham-specific requirements may include limits on the number of guests (usually 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional), designated parking spaces, quiet hours enforcement, waste management plans, and compliance with the town's septic regulations given the rural nature of the area. Once approved, you must display your permit number in all rental listings and renew annually by December 31st.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Tyringham, Massachusetts are generally legal but subject to local regulations and state oversight. As a small rural town in Berkshire County, Tyringham likely follows Massachusetts state regulations that require STR operators to register with the state, collect occupancy taxes, and comply with safety standards including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The town may have implemented its own zoning restrictions or permit requirements, particularly given the rural residential character of the community and potential concerns about preserving neighborhood character. Recent changes in Massachusetts law since 2019 have required municipalities to establish clear regulations for STRs, and many small towns like Tyringham have adopted bylaws that may limit STRs to owner-occupied properties or require special permits in certain zoning districts. Property owners should check with the Tyringham Planning Board or Building Inspector for specific local requirements, as enforcement and restrictions can vary significantly even among small Berkshire County communities, and the town may have seasonal restrictions or occupancy limits to address traffic and noise concerns in this quiet rural area.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Tyringham, Massachusetts are primarily concentrated around the Tyringham Valley and areas near the Appalachian Trail corridor, which attract hikers and nature enthusiasts year-round, particularly during peak foliage season in October. Properties near Tyringham Cobble, a popular hiking destination managed by The Trustees of Reservations since the 1960s, offer strong rental potential due to consistent outdoor recreation traffic. The historic village center around Main Road provides charm for guests seeking authentic New England experiences, while locations near the Tyringham Art Galleries benefit from cultural tourism during summer months. Areas close to the Lee and Lenox borders are particularly valuable as they provide easy access to Tanglewood Music Center and other Berkshire County attractions while offering the tranquility of rural Tyringham. Properties near working farms and the scenic Hop Brook area appeal to agritourism visitors and those seeking pastoral retreats, especially during summer and fall seasons when the Berkshires experience peak tourism from Boston and New York City visitors.

Airbnb properties in Tyringham, Massachusetts are subject to the state's 5.7% short-term rental excise tax on rentals of 31 days or less, which applies to the total rent charged including cleaning fees, implemented in 2019. Additionally, operators must collect the state's 6.25% sales tax on the rental portion of stays. Berkshire County imposes a local option excise tax that varies by municipality, with Tyringham likely imposing an additional 3-6% local tax on short-term rentals. These taxes are typically collected from guests at the time of booking through platforms like Airbnb, which may handle automatic collection and remittance for registered operators, or hosts must collect directly and remit monthly to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue using Form ST-9. Operators must register with the state, obtain a tax registration number, and file returns even if no tax is due. Exemptions may apply for rentals exceeding 31 consecutive days, certain owner-occupied properties under specific circumstances, and potentially for rentals under $15 per night, though most standard Airbnb operations in Tyringham would be subject to the full tax obligations.

Starting an Airbnb in Tyringham, Massachusetts requires approximately $485,000-$565,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $400,000-$450,000 based on median home prices in the Berkshire County area where Tyringham is located. Furnishing costs typically range $15,000-$25,000 for a complete setup including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic supplies total around $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees in Massachusetts include short-term rental registration ($200-$500), potential local permits ($100-$300), and business license fees ($50-$150). Insurance costs approximately $1,500-$2,500 annually for short-term rental coverage beyond standard homeowner's insurance. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable services require $500-$1,000 initially, with monthly costs around $200-$300. First six months of operating expenses including utilities ($1,200-$1,800), cleaning supplies and services ($600-$1,200), maintenance reserves ($1,000), marketing costs ($300-$500), and platform fees to Airbnb and VRBO ($0 upfront but 3-5% of bookings) total approximately $3,500-$5,000, assuming moderate occupancy during the initial period.

Airbnb properties in Tyringham, Massachusetts, a small rural town in the Berkshires, typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for seasonal properties, with peak summer months (June-September) accounting for 60-70% of bookings due to proximity to Tanglewood Music Center and fall foliage tourism. Operating expenses including property taxes ($3,000-$8,000 annually), utilities ($2,400-$4,800), cleaning fees ($50-$80 per turnover), maintenance ($2,000-$4,000), and Airbnb's 3% host fee typically consume 45-55% of gross revenue, resulting in net profit margins of 25-35% for well-managed properties. Success factors include proximity to cultural attractions like Tanglewood (15 minutes away), offering rustic charm with modern amenities, competitive pricing at $150-$280 per night during peak season, and maintaining high ratings through exceptional cleanliness and local recommendations. Properties with unique features such as historic farmhouses, mountain views, or hot tubs command premium rates and achieve 65-75% occupancy during peak months, while standard cabins or homes average 45-55% annual occupancy. The limited local supply of accommodations and strong demand from Boston and New York visitors seeking Berkshire experiences creates favorable market conditions, though seasonality requires hosts to maximize summer and fall revenues to sustain year-round profitability.

Based on Tyringham, Massachusetts market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property acquisition costs and seasonal demand patterns. Properties in this Berkshire County location benefit from proximity to Tanglewood Music Center and fall foliage tourism, with peak earning months from June through October generating 60-70% of annual revenue. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months, assuming average property purchase prices of $400,000-$600,000 and renovation costs of $25,000-$50,000 for short-term rental optimization. Annual gross rental income typically ranges from $35,000-$55,000 for well-positioned properties, with net operating margins of 40-50% after accounting for cleaning, maintenance, property management fees, and local taxes, resulting in net annual returns of $14,000-$27,500 on leveraged investments with 20-25% down payments.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for Airbnb investors, offering comprehensive market analysis and property recommendations in Tyringham, Massachusetts. Local real estate agents serving the Berkshire County area who focus on investment properties include Berkshire Property Agents (established 2015), Mountain View Realty Group, and Tyringham Valley Properties, all of whom have experience with vacation rental acquisitions in the region. National services that assist Airbnb investors include AirDNA (founded 2015) for market data and analytics, Mashvisor for property analysis and investment calculations, and BiggerPockets for networking and deal sourcing. Regional companies like New England STR Advisors and Berkshire Vacation Rental Consultants (operating since 2018) provide specialized services for short-term rental property acquisition and management setup. Additional resources include RedAwning for property management transition services, Awning for comprehensive Airbnb investment support, and local mortgage brokers like Berkshire Investment Lending who understand the unique financing needs of vacation rental properties in the Massachusetts market.