Issue No. 64 · The Deal Drop
4
Properties this drop
$250K
Top Revenue
20%
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.
Property 1 — South Daytona, FL: $357K value-add STR opportunity generating projected ~$72K/year (~20% ROI) with a private saltwater pool, spa, and the foundation to create a standout Daytona vacation rental.
Property 2 — Ellijay, GA: $680K mountain retreat generating projected ~$105K/year (~16% ROI) with a resort-style backyard, luxury pool, and built-in value-add potential.
Property 3 — Gulf Shores, AL: $1.45M beachside STR generating projected ~$250K/year (~17% ROI) with a flexible duplex layout, strong cash flow, and walkable access to Gulf Shores' West Beach.
Property 4 — Asheville, NC: $744K income-flexible mountain STR generating projected ~$130K/year (~18% ROI) with multiple private guest suites, established rental income, and a prime location just minutes from downtown Asheville.
🏠 The Properties
We pressure-tested hundreds of listings this week. Here’s the shortlist — ranked by projected ROI after expenses.
📋 3 Beds • 3 Baths • 1,560 sqft
🏷️ Price: $357,000
💵 Projected Annual: $72K
📈 Est. Gross ROI: 20%
Why it made the cut:
Private saltwater pool with year-round heating and cooling, plus a spa-inspired backyard designed for Florida outdoor living
Well-maintained home with major updates already completed, including a new roof (2024), paid-off solar, energy-efficient windows, updated kitchen, and hurricane shutters
Outdoor entertaining space features a gas fire pit, built-in speaker system, and fully fenced backyard for added privacy
Excellent value-add opportunity through upgraded interior design, professional branding, enhanced landscaping, and additional guest amenities rather than costly structural renovations
Move-in-ready condition allows buyers to focus capital on increasing guest appeal instead of major deferred maintenance
Conveniently located near Daytona Beach, restaurants, shopping, motorsports attractions, and year-round coastal tourism
📋 2 Beds • 2 Baths • 2,478 sqft
🏷️ Price: $679,900
💵 Projected Annual: $105K
📈 Est. Gross ROI: 16%
Why it made the cut:
Heated infinity-edge saltwater pool with a custom stone waterfall creates a rare luxury amenity in the North Georgia mountain market
Resort-style outdoor living includes a custom paver patio and stone fire pit designed for entertaining and memorable guest experiences
Beautifully renovated throughout with modern finishes, allowing for immediate personal use or short-term rental operation
Unfinished basement already plumbed for an additional bathroom offers excellent potential to add bedrooms, a game room, home theater, gym, or additional living space
Convenient all-paved access between Ellijay and Blue Ridge makes the property easily accessible for guests year-round
Minutes from Downtown Ellijay, Downtown Blue Ridge, wineries, hiking, and popular wedding venues that support consistent tourism demand
📋 6 Beds • 6 Baths • 2,968 sqft
🏷️ Price: $1,449,000
💵 Projected Annual: $250K
📈 Est. Gross ROI: 17%
Why it made the cut:
Unique duplex configuration can operate as one spacious 6-bedroom vacation home or two separate 3-bedroom rentals, allowing owners to maximize revenue while adapting to seasonal demand
Located in the heart of West Beach, just a 4–5 minute walk from public beach access, restaurants, and local attractions
Beautifully designed interiors require little to no renovation, allowing buyers to focus future capital on value-add amenities rather than major upgrades
Fortified roof helps reduce insurance costs while improving long-term ownership economics
Six bedrooms and six bathrooms create an ideal setup for large family vacations, reunions, and group travel
Recent $100,000 price reduction creates an attractive entry point for a high-performing coastal investment
📋 3 Beds • 4 Baths • 2,566 sqft
🏷️ Price: $743,500
💵 Projected Annual: $130K
📈 Est. Gross ROI: 18%
Why it made the cut:
Rare floor plan featuring three private bedroom suites with en suite bathrooms, including two with mini kitchens for enhanced guest independence
Already producing income through a combination of long-term and Airbnb rentals, demonstrating multiple revenue opportunities
Flexible setup allows owners to live on-site, rent individual suites, operate as a full-home STR, or combine strategies based on demand
Vaulted wood ceilings, open-concept living spaces, and upscale finishes create the authentic mountain experience guests expect
Situated on 1.41 private acres while remaining just 8 miles from downtown Asheville's restaurants, breweries, galleries, and entertainment
Covered outdoor living spaces extend the guest experience and provide inviting areas for relaxing or entertaining
Properties offering this level of rental flexibility, privacy, and proximity to Asheville are increasingly difficult to find, making it a compelling investment for buyers seeking both lifestyle and income potential
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: Daytona Beach, FL
Why Daytona Beach continues to attract STR investors: strong ADR growth, a tightening inventory base, and year-round event-driven tourism create opportunities for well-positioned vacation rentals despite softer occupancy.
The three levers driving performance right now:
Pricing power is strengthening — ADR has increased to approximately $192 per night (+6.8% YoY), helping support annual revenue growth even as booking volume has softened.
Limited inventory supports long-term fundamentals — Active listings have declined (-1.2%), keeping the market relatively compact and reducing competitive pressure over time.
Demand extends beyond the beach — Daytona Beach benefits from multiple travel drivers, including beachfront tourism, the Daytona International Speedway, festivals, and regional events, creating demand throughout the year rather than relying solely on peak beach season. Daytona Beach is an event-driven coastal STR market where improving ADRs and a tightening supply base support long-term opportunity, with revenue increasingly dependent on pricing strategy and capturing high-demand travel periods.
Daytona Beach is an event-driven coastal STR market where improving ADRs and a tightening supply base support long-term opportunity, with revenue increasingly dependent on pricing strategy and capturing high-demand travel periods.
🎯 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 💧