Is Wynne, Arkansas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Wynne, Arkansas, begin by researching local regulations through the Wynne City Hall (870-238-5900) as Arkansas generally allows short-term rentals but municipalities may have specific requirements including business licenses, occupancy permits, and zoning compliance. Contact Cross County's planning department to verify your property is zoned for short-term rentals and obtain necessary permits such as a business license ($25-50 estimated), fire safety inspection, and potentially a conditional use permit if required. Find a suitable property in Wynne's residential areas, considering proximity to attractions like Village Creek State Park and downtown amenities, with purchase prices typically ranging $80,000-150,000 for suitable homes. Furnish the property with essential amenities including quality bedding, kitchen supplies, WiFi, cable TV, and local guidebooks, budgeting approximately $8,000-15,000 for complete furnishing. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting Wynne's small-town charm and outdoor recreation access, setting competitive rates around $75-120 per night based on local market analysis. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating key exchanges or installing smart locks, maintaining the property regularly, and ensuring compliance with Arkansas tax requirements including collecting and remitting state sales tax (6.5%) and any applicable local lodging taxes to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Wynne, Arkansas, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of the downtown area near Highway 64 and close to the St. Francis River for recreational appeal. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or duplexes built after 1980 with modern amenities, full kitchens, reliable WiFi capability, and outdoor spaces like decks or patios that appeal to hunters, fishermen, and business travelers visiting local agricultural operations. Analyze pricing by researching comparable STRs within a 15-mile radius including Forrest City and Marianna, aiming for nightly rates between $75-120 depending on property size and amenities, with potential gross yields of 12-18% annually. Competition research should examine existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within Cross County, noting occupancy patterns during peak hunting seasons (October-January) and summer fishing months, while identifying gaps in luxury or pet-friendly accommodations. Utilize AirDNA for market analytics, STR Helper for revenue projections, and local resources like the Wynne Chamber of Commerce for economic development insights, while monitoring agricultural commodity prices and employment at major employers like Riceland Foods to gauge demand stability from business travelers and seasonal workers.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Wynne, Arkansas, you must first contact the Wynne City Hall at 870-238-5900 or visit their office at 1627 Falls Blvd N to inquire about short-term rental regulations, as the city may require a business license and zoning compliance verification. Required documents typically include a completed business license application, property deed or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental property, and proof of compliance with fire safety codes including smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in each bedroom and common area. The application fee is estimated at $50-100 for the business license plus potential zoning review fees of $25-50, and you may need to pay annual renewal fees of approximately $25-75. The timeline for approval is typically 2-4 weeks after submitting complete documentation, though initial zoning review may add 1-2 weeks if required. Wynne-specific requirements likely include maintaining the property in accordance with residential building codes, providing adequate parking spaces (minimum 1 space per bedroom), ensuring the property meets health department standards for septic systems if applicable, and potentially limiting the maximum occupancy based on bedroom count and square footage, with some areas possibly restricting STRs in certain residential zones.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Wynne, Arkansas, as the city has not enacted specific prohibitions against vacation rentals or short-term accommodations. Arkansas state law does not broadly restrict STRs, leaving regulation primarily to local municipalities. Wynne, a small city in Cross County with approximately 8,000 residents, has not implemented comprehensive STR ordinances as of 2023, meaning property owners can typically operate short-term rentals subject to basic zoning compliance and state tax requirements. However, operators must still adhere to general business licensing requirements, collect and remit state and local taxes, and ensure their properties meet basic safety and occupancy standards. The city may require STRs to comply with existing residential zoning restrictions, and some neighborhoods governed by homeowners associations might have their own restrictions. Recent years have seen increased interest in STR regulation across Arkansas municipalities, but Wynne has not enacted significant new restrictions, maintaining a relatively permissive environment for short-term rental operations compared to larger Arkansas cities like Little Rock or Fayetteville that have implemented more detailed regulatory frameworks.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Wynne, Arkansas include the historic downtown district near the Cross County Courthouse and Main Street, which attracts visitors interested in the town's railroad heritage and antique shopping. The residential neighborhoods around Village Creek State Park Road offer proximity to outdoor recreation activities including fishing, hiking, and camping that draw weekend tourists. Areas near the Wynne Regional Airport and along Highway 64 corridor are ideal for business travelers visiting local agricultural operations and the Riceland Foods facility. The neighborhoods around East Merriman Street benefit from their central location and easy access to local events at the community center and high school sports facilities. Properties near the St. Francis River levee system attract fishing enthusiasts and hunters during seasonal periods, while areas close to the Wynne Country Club appeal to golf tourists and wedding parties visiting this rural Arkansas community of approximately 8,000 residents.

Airbnb properties in Wynne, Arkansas are subject to Arkansas state sales tax of 6.5% on lodging accommodations, plus Cross County's local sales tax which typically adds approximately 1-2% for a combined rate around 7.5-8.5%. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration requires hosts to register for a sales tax permit and collect these taxes from guests at the time of booking or check-in. Taxes must be remitted monthly if collections exceed $200 per month, or quarterly for smaller amounts, with returns due by the 20th of the month following the reporting period. Wynne itself may impose additional municipal lodging taxes of 1-3%, though specific rates vary by local ordinance. Collection is typically handled through Airbnb's automated tax collection service in many Arkansas jurisdictions, where the platform collects and remits taxes directly to state and local authorities on behalf of hosts. Exemptions generally apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging, and accommodations provided to certain government employees or tax-exempt organizations with proper documentation.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Wynne, Arkansas would be approximately $145,000-$165,000. Property purchase costs around $85,000-$95,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property would cost $8,000-$12,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and basic appliances. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations would be $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and tax registration would total $300-$800. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage would cost $1,200-$1,800 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable would be $400-$600. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600-$900), cleaning supplies and services ($1,200-$1,800), maintenance ($800-$1,200), platform fees assuming 50% occupancy ($1,500-$2,400), and marketing ($300-$500) would total approximately $4,400-$6,800. Property taxes and ongoing insurance for six months would add another $2,200-$3,000 to initial operating expenses.

Airbnb properties in Wynne, Arkansas typically generate modest returns with average daily rates ranging from $65-85 due to the small market size of approximately 8,000 residents. Properties generally achieve 40-55% occupancy rates annually, resulting in gross revenues of $9,500-17,000 per year for typical 2-3 bedroom homes. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($25-35 per turnover), utilities ($150-200 monthly), property management (15-25% of revenue), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance typically consume 45-60% of gross revenue. Net profit margins generally range from 15-25% before mortgage payments, with successful properties earning $2,000-4,500 annually in net income. Success factors include proximity to Crowley's Ridge State Park, competitive pricing below Little Rock market rates, and targeting visitors to nearby agricultural businesses and family gatherings. Properties within 10 minutes of Highway 64 and those offering amenities like fishing access or rural experiences tend to outperform urban listings, though the limited tourism infrastructure and seasonal demand fluctuations present ongoing challenges for consistent profitability in this rural Arkansas market.

Airbnb investments in Wynne, Arkansas typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, based on average property acquisition costs of $80,000-$120,000 and monthly rental income of $800-$1,200 for 2-3 bedroom properties. The market benefits from proximity to Memphis (45 minutes) and attracts guests visiting Parkin Archeological State Park, Mississippi River activities, and business travelers to local agricultural and manufacturing facilities. Initial investment including furnishing and setup costs average $15,000-$25,000 beyond purchase price, with occupancy rates typically reaching 45-60% annually. Most investors achieve profitability within 18-24 months, factoring in seasonal variations with peak demand during spring and fall months when outdoor recreation and hunting activities drive higher nightly rates of $65-$95. Property appreciation in Wynne has averaged 3-5% annually since 2020, contributing to total returns, while operating expenses including cleaning, maintenance, insurance, and platform fees typically consume 35-45% of gross rental income.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for Airbnb investors, offering market analysis and property recommendations in Wynne, Arkansas. Local real estate agents in the area include Wynne Realty Group and Cross County Real Estate, both of which have experience with investment properties and vacation rental opportunities. RE/MAX and Coldwell Banker have offices serving the Wynne market and can assist with Airbnb property acquisitions. National services like BiggerPockets connects investors with local professionals, while AirDNA provides market data and revenue projections for short-term rentals in the Wynne area. Mashvisor offers investment property analysis tools that cover Arkansas markets including Wynne. Local property management companies such as Arkansas Vacation Rentals and Mid-South Property Management can help investors identify suitable properties and manage them post-purchase. Roofstock and Awning are national platforms that occasionally feature Arkansas investment properties suitable for Airbnb conversion, and local mortgage brokers like First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas can provide financing specifically for investment properties in Wynne.