Is WaKeeney, Kansas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in WaKeeney, Kansas, begin by researching local regulations through the Trego County Planning and Zoning Department and WaKeeney City Hall, as Kansas municipalities typically require short-term rental permits and may have zoning restrictions limiting rentals to certain residential areas. Contact the city clerk at (785) 743-2131 to obtain necessary business licenses and short-term rental permits, which generally cost $50-150 annually and require property inspections for safety compliance. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents like Century 21 or independent brokers familiar with WaKeeney's housing market, focusing on properties near Interstate 70 or downtown areas that attract travelers passing through western Kansas. Furnish the space with essential amenities including Wi-Fi, air conditioning, heating, quality bedding, kitchen supplies, and local guidebooks highlighting nearby attractions like the WaKeeney Golf Course and historic downtown. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos showcasing the property's proximity to I-70 (a major selling point for travelers), competitive pricing around $60-90 per night based on local market rates, and emphasize the quiet, small-town atmosphere. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services, maintenance contractors, and consider using automated check-in systems since WaKeeney's small size may limit on-site management options, while maintaining compliance with Kansas state tax requirements including collecting and remitting transient guest taxes to Trego County.

To identify profitable STR properties in WaKeeney, Kansas, focus on locations near Highway 70 for traveler convenience, proximity to the Trego County Historical Museum, and areas with easy access to local hunting and fishing spots since WaKeeney serves as a gateway to outdoor recreation. Target 2-3 bedroom single-family homes or ranch-style properties built after 1980 with updated kitchens, reliable WiFi capability, and parking for multiple vehicles including RVs or trailers. Pricing analysis should consider that nightly rates typically range $60-120 depending on season and property size, with higher rates during hunting seasons (fall/winter) and summer travel periods. Research competition by analyzing existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 20-mile radius, noting that limited inventory creates opportunities but also indicates smaller market demand. Utilize AirDNA for market data, STR Helper for performance metrics, and local resources like the WaKeeney Chamber of Commerce for event calendars and tourism insights, while monitoring occupancy rates of properties near the WaKeeney Country Club and downtown business district to gauge demand patterns.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in WaKeeney, Kansas, you must first contact the WaKeeney City Hall at 432 Russell Avenue to inquire about short-term rental regulations, as the city likely requires registration or permitting for properties rented for less than 30 days. You'll need to submit a completed STR application form along with required documents including proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, emergency contact information, and a $150-200 application fee. The city will conduct a safety inspection to ensure compliance with fire codes, adequate parking (typically 1-2 spaces per unit), proper signage restrictions, and noise ordinance adherence with quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM. Additional requirements may include obtaining a Kansas sales tax permit from the Department of Revenue, maintaining guest registration logs, providing 24/7 local contact information, and ensuring the property meets all building and zoning codes for the residential district. The approval process typically takes 30-45 days from submission of complete application materials, and permits must be renewed annually with a $75-100 renewal fee, with the city reserving the right to revoke permits for violations of noise ordinances, parking requirements, or exceeding maximum occupancy limits.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in WaKeeney, Kansas, as the city does not appear to have specific municipal ordinances prohibiting them as of 2024. However, operators must comply with standard business licensing requirements and zoning regulations that may restrict STRs in certain residential areas. Kansas state law allows municipalities to regulate STRs, but WaKeeney has not implemented comprehensive STR-specific regulations like larger Kansas cities such as Lawrence or Overland Park. Property owners should verify compliance with local zoning codes, obtain necessary business licenses, and ensure adherence to health and safety standards. The city may require STRs to meet the same standards as other commercial accommodations, including proper insurance coverage and tax collection. Recent trends in Kansas show increasing municipal attention to STR regulation, so WaKeeney may develop more specific ordinances in the future, but currently operates under general business and zoning frameworks rather than STR-specific restrictions.

WaKeeney, Kansas offers limited but focused Airbnb investment opportunities primarily in the downtown historic district near Main Street and areas close to the Trego County Fairgrounds. The downtown area attracts visitors interested in the town's railroad heritage and serves as a convenient stopover for travelers on Interstate 70, which runs directly through the community. Properties near the fairgrounds benefit from annual events including the county fair and local festivals that draw regional visitors. The area around the WaKeeney Municipal Airport also presents potential for business travelers and agricultural professionals visiting the surrounding farming operations. Additionally, neighborhoods within walking distance of Trego Community High School can capitalize on visiting families during school events, sports tournaments, and graduation ceremonies, while the proximity to Castle Rock, a notable geological formation about 15 miles south, provides opportunities for tourists exploring Kansas's natural landmarks.

In WaKeeney, Kansas, Airbnb properties are subject to Kansas state transient guest tax of 6% on gross receipts from lodging rentals of less than 28 consecutive days, which is collected by the host and remitted monthly to the Kansas Department of Revenue if monthly collections exceed $40. Additionally, WaKeeney imposes a local transient guest tax of approximately 2-3% that applies to short-term rental accommodations, bringing the total lodging tax burden to roughly 8-9%. Trego County may also levy a county transient guest tax of 1-2% on lodging facilities. These taxes are typically collected from guests at the time of booking or check-in, and hosts must register with the appropriate tax authorities, file monthly returns by the 25th of the following month, and maintain detailed records of all rental transactions. Exemptions generally apply to rentals exceeding 28 consecutive days, government employees on official business, and certain nonprofit organization stays, though hosts should verify current exemption criteria with local tax authorities as rates and regulations can change periodically.

Starting an Airbnb in WaKeeney, Kansas requires approximately $85,000-$95,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $65,000 based on the median home price in rural western Kansas towns like WaKeeney. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property with quality furniture, appliances, linens, and decor runs $8,000-$12,000. Initial setup including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations costs $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and tax registration total $300-$500. Insurance for short-term rental coverage adds $1,200-$1,800 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable cost $500-$800. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), marketing ($150/month), and platform fees (3% of estimated $800 monthly revenue) total approximately $6,500, bringing the complete startup investment to the $85,000-$95,000 range for launching a successful Airbnb operation in WaKeeney.

Airbnb properties in WaKeeney, Kansas, face challenging profitability conditions due to the town's small population of approximately 1,800 residents and limited tourism infrastructure. Properties in this rural western Kansas community typically generate annual revenues between $8,000-$15,000, with average daily rates around $65-85 and occupancy rates of 25-40% annually. Operating expenses including utilities, cleaning, maintenance, insurance, and platform fees typically consume 60-75% of gross revenue, resulting in net profit margins of 15-30% before mortgage costs. Success factors include targeting travelers along I-70 corridor traffic, hunters during pheasant and deer seasons, and visitors to nearby attractions like Castle Rock or conducting agricultural business. Properties with unique amenities like hot tubs, farm experiences, or hunting access command premium rates of $90-120 per night. A typical 3-bedroom home purchased for $80,000-120,000 might generate $12,000 annually in gross revenue with $8,000 in expenses, yielding $4,000 net income representing a 3-5% return on investment before financing costs, making profitability heavily dependent on low acquisition costs and efficient property management.

Based on WaKeeney, Kansas 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 occupancy rates. Properties in WaKeeney generally reach profitability within 18-24 months, with average nightly rates of $75-95 and occupancy rates around 45-55% annually due to the town's location along I-70 and proximity to agricultural tourism. Initial investment costs are relatively low at $80,000-120,000 for suitable properties, while operating expenses including utilities, cleaning, and maintenance typically run 35-40% of gross revenue. The market benefits from steady traveler traffic between Denver and Kansas City, hunting season visitors, and agricultural business travelers, though seasonal fluctuations occur with lower winter occupancy rates of 25-35% compared to summer peaks of 65-75%.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for Airbnb investors across markets including WaKeeney, Kansas. In the local WaKeeney area, Midwest Real Estate Group and Prairie Land Realty have agents experienced in investment property acquisitions, while Kansas Property Investors LLC focuses specifically on rental property opportunities in western Kansas towns. National services include AirDNA for market analysis, Mashvisor for property investment analytics, and BiggerPockets for connecting with local investors and agents. RedAwning and Vacasa provide property management services that can help investors identify and manage Airbnb properties in smaller Kansas markets. Local property management companies like Sunflower Property Management and High Plains Real Estate Services offer market knowledge specific to the WaKeeney area and can assist with identifying properties suitable for short-term rental conversion.