Issue No. 47 · The Deal Drop
4
Properties this drop
$233K
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.
Property 1 — Bryson City, NC: $412K creekside Smoky Mountain STR opportunity generating projected ~$75K/year (~19% ROI) with true riverfront setting, minutes to Deep Creek + GSMNP entrance, and strong adventure-driven demand from rafting, hiking, and railroad tourism.
Property 2 — Cocoa Beach, FL: $642K coastal STR opportunity generating projected ~$125K/year (~21% ROI) just 2 minutes to beach access, featuring a private pool, tropical backyard oasis, and strong surf-tourism demand minutes from Ron Jon Surf Shop and Cocoa Beach Pier.
Property 3 — Cypress, TX: $1.37M resort-style STR opportunity generating projected ~$220K/year (~16% ROI) featuring a 70,000-gallon lazy river, swim-up bar, and full event-capable estate built to operate as a private resort minutes from Houston.
Property 4 — St. Petersburg, FL: $1.1M near-beach STR opportunity generating projected ~$233K/year (~21% ROI) with a rare 7BR layout, oversized lot, and strong group-stay capacity minutes from Gulf beaches.
🏠 The Properties
We pressure-tested hundreds of listings this week. Here’s the shortlist — ranked by projected ROI after expenses.
📋 3 Beds • 2 Baths • 1,417 sqft
🏷️ Price: $412,000
💵 Projected Annual: $75K
📈 Est. Gross ROI: 19%
Why it made the cut:
Creekside riverfront setting offering strong experiential “Smokies cabin” appeal that consistently performs in STR demand cycles
Prime location minutes to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Deep Creek, Nantahala Outdoor Center, and Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Strong outdoor recreation magnet market supporting steady year-round occupancy from hiking, tubing, rafting, and train tourism
Open living area with full kitchen designed for extended stays and shared guest experiences
Private backyard directly on the water with fire pit, gas BBQ, and outdoor dining space creating high-converting listing photos
Ample parking and easy guest access—important for repeatable STR operations in mountain markets
Walkable/short drive access to Bryson City dining and shops, improving guest convenience and review quality
📋 4 Beds • 3 Baths • 1,864 sqft
🏷️ Price: $642,000
💵 Projected Annual: $125K
📈 Est. Gross ROI: 21%
Why it made the cut:
Prime Cocoa Beach location with ultra-short 2-minute access to Lori Wilson Park beach entry, driving consistent short-term rental demand
Strong coastal STR market supported by year-round surf tourism, beach vacations, and Space Coast visitors
4BR layout with open floor plan ideal for large families and multi-group beach stays
Private pool + covered patio + fire pit creating a high-performing outdoor “resort-style” guest experience
Tropical, privacy-fenced backyard framed by mature landscaping, enhancing listing appeal and guest privacy
Updated interior finishes including quartz countertops, solid wood cabinetry, and newer appliances for turnkey guest readiness
Recent capital improvements (electrical panel, pool pump, flooring updates, washer, lighting upgrades) reducing near-term maintenance risk
Functional extras like 2-car garage and laundry with built-ins improving long-stay usability and operational ease
Proximity to Ron Jon Surf Shop, Cocoa Beach Pier, and local dining supporting strong occupancy and premium nightly rates
Balanced mix of lifestyle appeal + proven beach-town rental fundamentals positioning it as a high-performing coastal STR asset
📋 3 Beds • 3 Baths • 3,000 sqft
🏷️ Price: $1,367,500
💵 Projected Annual: $220K
📈 Est. Gross ROI: 16%
Why it made the cut:
Ultra-rare resort-style STR with essentially no direct local competition
70,000-gallon lazy river, swim-up bar, hot tub, and full outdoor entertainment ecosystem
Designed for high-demand group stays (weddings, reunions, corporate retreats, celebrations)
Multiple structures (party barn, warehouse + apartment, “she shed”) enabling flexible guest use
Stocked pond, fire pits, and putting green creating a multi-day experiential stay environment
Existing build-out significantly reduces development risk—core amenities already in place
Strong potential for premium pricing driven by “event property” positioning vs traditional STR comps
High upside through added sleeping capacity and experience upgrades (ADUs, games, event features)
Ideal branding opportunity as a private resort-style Airbnb asset in the Houston market
📋 7 Beds • 5 Baths • 3,200 sqft
🏷️ Price: $1,100,000
💵 Projected Annual: $233K
📈 Est. Gross ROI: 21%
Why it made the cut:
Large 7-bedroom, 5-bath configuration ideal for high-occupancy STRs and multi-family group bookings
Strong near-beach location minutes from Gulf beaches driving consistent vacation demand year-round
Oversized 0.28-acre lot in a non-flood zone adding operational stability and expansion potential
Flexible multi-level layout suited for large groups, reunions, and multi-generational stays
Updated interior finishes including stone countertops, luxury vinyl flooring, tray ceilings, and crown molding
Major system upgrades (new roof, impact-rated windows/doors, water heater, paid-off solar) reducing maintenance and operating costs
Multiple living zones including loft/second living area improving guest comfort and listing versatility
Strong outdoor expansion potential for pool or entertainment build-out to increase ADR
Ample parking + practical setup (garage + carport) supporting large guest turnovers
High-demand St. Pete market with strong beach tourism fundamentals and premium STR performance 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: Bryson City, NC
Why Bryson City continues to attract STR investors: a 90 Submarket Score, stable demand base anchored in Smoky Mountain tourism, and a supply-constrained environment that is helping support steady pricing growth even as occupancy remains moderate.
The three levers driving performance right now:
Supply contraction supporting pricing stability — Active listings are down (-0.9%) while ADR is up (+2.9%), creating a more favorable balance between demand and available inventory.
Steady, experience-driven demand base — With proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and attractions like the Polar Express, demand is anchored in year-round experiential tourism rather than a single peak season.
Mid-market occupancy with improving revenue trend — Occupancy sits around ~50% with annual revenue growth (+4.2%), reflecting a market that performs through rate discipline and strong weekend/holiday compression rather than high utilization.
Bryson City is a stable, experience-driven mountain STR market where constrained supply and consistent tourism demand support moderate occupancy and steady revenue growth.
🎯 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
Protect Your STR Business with STR Law
STR Law empowers property owners with essential legal tools, leading to increased compliance and reduced risk in the short-term rental market. Founded by attorney Katie Johnson, a University of Michigan Law School graduate and experienced short-term rental owner, STR Law was created to make legal protection simple and accessible. Seeing a gap in affordable, reliable resources for hosts and investors, Katie built STR Law to offer attorney-drafted templates that keep your properties compliant and your assets protected.
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 💧