Cash In on the Short-Term Rental Boom: Why Seattle's Having a Moment

I've stayed in more than forty Airbnbs across multiple countries — everything from a rooftop flat in Athens to an apartment in Tbilisi, Georgia. But my favorite? An old farmhouse outside Iowa City. There's something magical about waking up somewhere that feels like home, even when you're a thousand miles away.

And here's what I learned from all those stays: travelers aren't looking for hotels anymore. They want to feel like a local. They want a kitchen where they can brew their morning coffee and stash the leftovers from that five star restaurant. A couch where they can actually relax. A space that feels real, not sterile.

Which is exactly why more and more of my clients are asking about short-term rental investments in Seattle. They want a pied-à-terre — a place to stay when they visit, that also pays for itself the rest of the year. It's the ultimate have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too strategy.

And right now? The timing couldn't be better.

Seattle is about to have its biggest tourism moment in decades. The FIFA World Cup is coming to Lumen Field in 2026, with six matches projected to generate at least $929 million for King County and bring 400,000 to 750,000 visitors between June and July Visit SeattleSportsTravel. Hotels will be scrambling. Short-term rentals will be in record demand.

But it's not just the World Cup. Seattle's brand-new 20-acre Waterfront Park just opened, connecting Pike Place Market to the waterfront with the Overlook Walk and the Seattle Aquarium's new Ocean Pavilion. The Port of Seattle is expecting a record 1.9 million cruise passengers in 2025 on 299 sailings, making it the largest and fastest-growing cruise port on the West Coast Downtown Tomorrow—and they'll all be arriving at our stunning new waterfront. PWHL Seattle—the city's new professional women's hockey team—starts playing at Climate Pledge Arena for the 2025-26 season What's New - Visit Seattle, adding yet another draw for sports fans.

This is the kind of market convergence that doesn't come around often — and the smart investors are already positioning themselves.

But here's the thing: Seattle's STR game isn't like other cities.

You can't just buy any condo and throw it on Airbnb. Most buildings ban it outright. The city caps you at two properties total. There are licenses to obtain, fees to pay, regulations to navigate. It's a whole ecosystem unto itself.

So I did what I do best: I dug in. I researched. I talked to management companies, studied the regulations, identified the handful of buildings where this actually works.

And I put it all into one place.

In my latest guide — Seattle Short-Term Rental Investment Guide 2025 — I break down everything you need to know:

✨ Which buildings actually allow Airbnb (most condo buildings in Seattle ban STRs, but I’ve found the exceptions)
✨ The real numbers: 72% average occupancy, $148/night rates, potential for $37K-$59K in annual revenue
✨ Top neighborhoods where travelers genuinely want to stay
✨ Two viable strategies — whether you're going for primary residence status or a pure investment play
✨ Management companies who'll handle the day-to-day so you're not cleaning between guests at midnight

Look, I get it. You're not trying to become a full-time landlord. You want an asset that works for you — one that covers its mortgage, appreciates over time, and gives you a crash pad when you're in town.

The beauty of STRs isn't just the ROI (though a 9-12% cash-on-cash return is pretty compelling). It's also about creating those moments for other people. The couple who discovers their favorite coffee shop in Capitol Hill because they stayed in your place. The family who watches the sunset from your Belltown balcony. The business traveler who emails months later to say your space felt like home.

This is about more than numbers. It's about building something that matters — to you, and to the people who stay there.

So here's my question: Are you ready to make a move, or are you still watching from the sidelines?

One of my favorite airbnbs from a cross country trip I took in 2017 that landed me full time in Seattle!

Whether you're local and considering converting your basement into a guest suite, or you're from out of town dreaming of your own Seattle escape, 2025 is the year to act. Between the World Cup, the cruise boom, our brand-new waterfront, and PWHL hockey, Seattle's tourism infrastructure is about to be tested like never before. The limited inventory of STR-friendly buildings won't last forever.

I've done the homework. I've got the data, the building contacts, the management company recommendations. And honestly? I'm kind of obsessed with this topic right now.

Ready to explore what's possible? Check out the full guide here, or let's set up a time to talk. Your Seattle portfolio is waiting.

P.S. — Yes, Belltown Court has a pool. Yes, that absolutely matters to guests. And yes, we should definitely talk about it.