The Short-Term Rental Market in Bozeman

by Liz Nitz
The Short Term Rental Market in Bozeman

Sobo Lofts in downtown Bozeman. The HOA allows for short-term vacation rentals.

 

Interior of my short-term rental in Sobo Lofts

Interior of my short-term rental in Sobo Lofts

The short-term rental market in Bozeman is strong thanks to the mountain setting, college town designation and year-round recreation.

That’s if you can find one. It’s no secret that the Bozeman real estate market is tight right now, with almost no inventory. And with the city’s new zoning map and recently established regulations on short-term rentals, it’s a bit difficult to own and operate one. (You can find information on the city’s rules on short-term rentals here.) I own a short-term vacation Rental Market here in Bozeman and its performance is better than I had anticipated.

 

Bozeman Compared to More Traditional Resort Destinations

  • My Hawaii rental: I previously owned a short-term vacation rental in Hawaii and it was a much different picture. Cancellations/changes were rare because it took a fair amount of effort to get to Hawaii. Many people were going with family, so guests tended to make air and lodging reservations at the same time and often a year in advance.
  • My Bozeman rental: Reservations here are a little more fluid. There are more cancellations/changes but they almost always fill right back up. In the past few months (before we had any decent snow) I’ve only had five total nights that were open. I am currently looking at several months of being totally booked. Bozeman is a great place to own a short-term rental because of its multilayered economy. Even if the national economy were to take more of a hit than it did last year, Bozeman has a lot to offer in terms of recreation and entertainment at a pretty reasonable price. And unlike Hawaii, Bozeman is reachable by car which ups the affordability factor for visitors.

 

Who Is Staying in Short-term Rentals in Bozeman?

Bozeman is a popular vacation base for skiing, hiking and exploring national parks. It also attracts many people visiting Montana State University. Surprisingly, Bozeman became even more popular during the pandemic. Montana had more space and less restrictions compared to other states, so people headed here in droves to live, work and play.

 

What’s Happening in Surrounding Cities?

    • Big Sky Big Sky doesn’t have the same zoning issues because it’s a resort town. But individual HOAs may have their own restrictions. The real issue in Big Sky would be: Is it worth the investment? One should check carefully what units can rent for and compare that to expenses. HOA expenses in Big Sky tend to be much more than Bozeman. And while Bozeman rents year-round, Big Sky definitely has an off-season during the fall and spring.
    • Belgrade This could potentially be a market to look at if the HOAs allow for short-term rentals. The key would be to get a unit that has amenities that Bozeman can’t offer, such as more space with a big yard for pets. There are not a lot of Airbnbs over there, so you would definitely be taking a few guesses. But the  rental market is strong, so a long-term rental should cover expenses if the short-term didn’t work out.

 

Amenities Make a Difference

A good resource if you’re interested in investing in a short-term rental is AirDNA. If you’re an analytics geek, AirDNA has a goldmine of data on the performance of VRBOs and Airbnbs located all over the world. Check out this great blog post about amenities that boost average daily rates (ADR) and revenue per available rental (RevPar). In Montana, I think these amenities would set you apart:

    • Winter season Fireplace; sun-drenched living area with great views; heated floors; hot tub; glove/boot warmers; espresso/coffee station.
    • Summer season Walking distance to the main entertainment district; a patio with views of the lake/mountains; bikes for riding around town.

 

If you have questions about owning a short-term rental or what’s happening in real estate in Bozeman, feel free to email me at liz@windermere.com. Also check out my previous blog post about what you should consider before owning a vacation rental.

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7775 Bridger Shadows Road, Bozeman, Montana 59715, Bozeman, Montana 59

7775 Bridger Shadows Road, Bozeman, Montana 59715, Bozeman, Montana 59715

5Bedroom(s)
5Bathroom(s)
20Acre
5,493Sqft
Impeccably constructed new home located in Bridger Canyon. Boasting almost 6000 +/- sq ft and over 8500+/- sq ft of pure luxury under roof, this home and barn is located on 20 acres in coveted Bridger Canyon. Located just ten miles from downtown Bozeman and 10 minutes from Bridger Bowl Ski area, this brand-new custom home has it all.
$7,600,000

3105 Madrona Lane, Bozeman, Montana 59715, Bozeman, Montana 59715

3105 Madrona Lane, Bozeman, Montana 59715, Bozeman, Montana 59715

5Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
0.19Sqft
3,053Sqft
Ideally situated on a corner lot in the highly sought-after Alder Creek subdivision, this stunning custom-built 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom family home is brimming with premium upgrades. Enjoy the comfort of air conditioning, walk-in closets in every bedroom, cherry cabinetry + granite countertops in the kitchen, laundry room, and all bathrooms.
$1,095,000

417 W Lamme, Bozeman, Montana 59715, Bozeman, Montana 59715

417 W Lamme, Bozeman, Montana 59715, Bozeman, Montana 59715

4Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
0.13Acre
2,032Sqft
417 W. Lamme is an adorable bungalow-style home with leaded glass in the picture window and entryway, located in downtown Bozeman. The backyard has been recently redone with a privacy fence, the garage has a new roof, and the foundation has been secured for this 1903 property.
$715,000

1948 Southbridge Drive B, Bozeman, Montana 59718, Bozeman, Montana 597

1948 Southbridge Drive B, Bozeman, Montana 59718, Bozeman, Montana 59718

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
1,494Sqft
Beautiful condo in Bozeman's desired Southside! Enjoy the convenient, turn key living while being in the picturesque landscape of south Bozeman. This condo has vaulted ceilings and open concept living and kitchen area perfect for entertaining. Enjoy the walkout covered deck from the living room, spacious and made for relaxing and enjoying the mountain views.
$599,000

1639 S Black Avenue, Bozeman, Montana 59715, Bozeman, Montana 59715

1639 S Black Avenue, Bozeman, Montana 59715, Bozeman, Montana 59715

2Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
0.08Acre
1,507Sqft
Welcome to the Woodbrook Townhomes! This single level, end unit with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms is absolutely charming. It has been updated throughout with a modern flair – you’ll feel like it’s practically new! The kitchen has been fully remodeled to include new cabinets, woodblock countertops and a decorative tile backsplash.
$585,000

165 Blossom Way, Bozeman, Montana 59715, Bozeman, Montana 59715

165 Blossom Way, Bozeman, Montana 59715, Bozeman, Montana 59715

4Bedroom(s)
3Bathroom(s)
1.12Acre
3,220Sqft
Imagine your dream home coming to life in South Bozeman, crafted by Lohss Construction and designed by NVS Architects. This 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath residence will combine mountain-modern style with easy access to Main Street and nearby trails. The main-floor primary suite offers a peaceful retreat with sweeping natural views, while the open layout invites light and movement through every room.
$2,250,000

510 Greenway Ave, Bozeman, Montana 59718, Bozeman, Montana 59718

510 Greenway Ave, Bozeman, Montana 59718, Bozeman, Montana 59718

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
0.11Sqft
1,450Sqft
Sunny and cozy one-level townhome with in-floor radiant heat located off of Durston, just West of 19th Ave. This beautifully updated southern-exposure townhouse is centrally located to everything Bozeman. Featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, vaulted open-concept living space, newly installed LVP and carpeting, new interior doors and hardware, new base and case trim, and freshly painted walls.
$495,000

1214 W Koch, Bozeman, Montana 59715, Bozeman, Montana 59715

1214 W Koch, Bozeman, Montana 59715, Bozeman, Montana 59715

2Bedroom(s)
1Bathroom(s)
0.15Sqft
1,474Sqft
You'll appreciate the convenient location of this partially renovated home, just a stone's throw from everything Bozeman has to offer, including MSU and downtown. Nestled on a spacious lot, it features raised garden beds, mature landscaping, stunning flowers, and a delightful, eclectic fully fenced backyard.
$650,000

217 W Beall Street B, Bozeman, Montana 59715, Bozeman, Montana 59715

217 W Beall Street B, Bozeman, Montana 59715, Bozeman, Montana 59715

3Bedroom(s)
2Bathroom(s)
2,876Sqft
Tucked in the heart of downtown Bozeman, the North 3rd Residences are a true embodiment of exceptional design and craftsmanship. Crafted by renowned Minarik Architecture, these luxury spaces offer a modern, urban lifestyle defined by unparalleled quality.
$2,280,000
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