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Issue No. 64 · The Deal Drop

4

Properties this drop

$225K

Top Revenue

21%

Top ROI

📋 What’s Inside This Drop

Four different angles, four different markets — here’s the quick read on what’s worth a deeper look this drop.

  1. Property 1 — Broken Bow, OK: $485K luxury cabin generating projected ~$110K/year (~20% ROI) with 80%+ occupancy, a 4.98-star Airbnb rating, and a proven track record as one of Hochatown's top-performing guest favorites.

  2. Property 2 — Gatlinburg, TN: $660K turnkey mountain STR generating projected ~$118K/year (~18% ROI) with proven rental performance, panoramic mountain views, and a prime location minutes from downtown Gatlinburg and the national park.

  3. Property 3 — O'Fallon, MO: $460K family-friendly STR generating projected ~$96K/year (~21% ROI) with a private pool, spacious four-bedroom layout, and a location in one of St. Charles County's most desirable communities.

  4. Property 4 — Fairview, NC: $1.4M luxury mountain retreat generating projected ~$225K/year (~16% ROI) with premium custom construction, high-end wellness features, and peaceful mountain views just minutes from Asheville.

🏠 The Properties

We pressure-tested hundreds of listings this week. Here’s the shortlist — ranked by projected ROI after expenses.

📋 1 Beds • 1 Baths • 1,188 sqft

🏷️ Price: $485,000

💵 Projected Annual: $110K

📈 Est. Gross ROI: 20%

Why it made the cut:

  • Proven performer with an impressive 80.83% occupancy rate, 4.98-star Airbnb rating, and 250+ guest reviews

  • Fully turnkey and professionally established, allowing the next owner to step into an already successful operation

  • Premium amenity package including a private dry sauna, oversized hot tub, outdoor movie projector, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, jacuzzi soaking tub, and rainfall shower

  • Private one-acre wooded setting delivers the secluded luxury experience today's Broken Bow guests actively seek

  • Walkable to popular Hochatown restaurants and breweries while remaining just minutes from Broken Bow Lake and area attractions

  • Thoughtfully designed for couples and romantic getaways—a consistently high-performing niche within the Broken Bow vacation rental market

  • Rare opportunity to acquire a luxury STR with verified guest satisfaction, exceptional occupancy, and an established operating history rather than building a brand from scratch

📋 2 Beds • 3 Baths • 1,650 sqft

🏷️ Price: $659,900

💵 Projected Annual: $118K

📈 Est. Gross ROI: 18%

Why it made the cut:

  • Generated $87,568 in gross rental revenue during 2025 while maintaining a 4.85-star Airbnb rating

  • Flexible layout marketed as a 3-bedroom vacation rental, comfortably accommodating up to 6 guests

  • Expansive mountain-view deck with a hot tub creates the classic Smoky Mountain experience guests actively seek

  • Private lower level with separate entrance, living area, full bath, and coffee bar adds flexibility for guests and owners alike

  • Beautifully renovated with modern finishes while preserving the warmth and character of a true mountain retreat

  • Exceptional location just minutes from downtown Gatlinburg, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Dollywood supports consistent year-round demand

📋 4 Beds • 3 Baths • 2,320 sqft

🏷️ Price: $460,000

💵 Projected Annual: $96K

📈 Est. Gross ROI: 21%

Why it made the cut:

  • Four-bedroom layout appeals to families, sports teams, wedding guests, and group travelers

  • Private backyard oasis featuring a sparkling pool and patio designed for entertaining and summer stays

  • Bright open floor plan with multiple gathering spaces, including a family room with a gas fireplace and spacious eat-in kitchen

  • Large corner lot provides added outdoor space, privacy, and excellent curb appeal

  • Unfinished lower level offers value-add potential for a future game room, theater, fitness area, or additional guest amenities

  • Located in the sought-after Indian Springs community with convenient access to parks, shopping, dining, and St. Louis attractions

📋 3 Beds • 3 Baths • 3,889 sqft

🏷️ Price: $1,400,000

💵 Projected Annual: $225K

📈 Est. Gross ROI: 16%

Why it made the cut:

  • Custom-built contemporary farmhouse designed to deliver a high-end guest experience rather than a typical mountain cabin stay

  • Expansive indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces, including a covered deck with a linear gas fire pit, outdoor kitchen with built-in grill, and a separate fire pit for gathering under the stars

  • Spa-style primary suite with heated floors, barrier-free walk-in shower, and premium finishes that elevate the luxury appeal

  • Flexible lower level featuring a second living area, home gym, office, workshop, and additional laundry room—ideal for extended stays and larger groups

  • Peaceful mountain setting with beautiful sunrise and sunset views while remaining just minutes from Asheville's dining, breweries, shopping, and outdoor recreation

  • Premium construction with geothermal HVAC, radiant heated floors, whole-house generator, and other high-end systems that reduce maintenance and enhance long-term ownership

  • Luxury mountain homes combining custom design, upscale amenities, and close proximity to Asheville are increasingly difficult to find at this level

Want the full deal packet on any of these? Reply “DEAL #” to this email and we’ll send the full numbers, photos, and market comps.

Prefer to skip the reply and get matched to deals like these on autopilot?

📍 Market of the Week: Broken Bow Lake, OK

Why Broken Bow Lake remains one of the country's premier cabin STR markets: exceptional investability, premium nightly rates, and a tightly balanced supply environment continue to support long-term investor interest.

The three levers driving performance right now:

  • Elite investment fundamentals — With a 100 Investability Score and a 93 Market Score, Broken Bow Lake continues to rank among the strongest vacation rental markets for long-term cabin investments.

  • Premium ADRs drive revenue potential — Despite a modest year-over-year decline, the market continues to command an average ADR of approximately $423 per night, supporting annual revenues of more than $65K per listing.

  • Demand is improving in a stable supply market — Occupancy has increased to 45% (+4.0% YoY) while active listings have remained essentially flat (-0.2%), indicating stronger demand absorption without significant inventory expansion.

Broken Bow Lake is a premium cabin STR market where exceptional investability, high nightly rates, and improving occupancy continue to reinforce its position as one of the nation's leading outdoor vacation rental destinations.

🎯 Your Shortcut: The Market Match Call

Skip the guesswork. Tell us your budget, risk tolerance, and the kind of returns you’re chasing — we’ll match you with markets and deals that actually fit, before they hit the wider market.

💡Vendor Spotlight

An STR Investment Coach for High-Earning Health Care Pros!

Short Term Gems is a short-term rental education and coaching platform founded by Dr. Rachel Gainsbrugh. As an STR educator and coach, Dr. Rachel helps investors strategically enter and scale in the luxury short-term rental space through training, market insights, and portfolio-building guidance.

That’s the pulse for today. Hit reply and tell us which headline surprised you most — real humans read every response.

— The Deal Drop Team 💧

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