Great Falls, MontanaGreat Falls, Montana

Vacation Rental Management in Great Falls, Montana

Discover the best vacation rental management companies in Great Falls, Montana to maximize your revenue and create incredible guest experiences

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Great Falls, Montana Airbnb Management Overview

Great Falls, Montana, presents a unique and promising market for Airbnb hosts. As a city steeped in rich history and surrounded by stunning natural beauty, it attracts a diverse range of visitors, from history buffs keen to explore its museums and historical sites, to outdoor enthusiasts drawn to its hiking trails, fishing spots, and wildlife. The city's steady stream of tourists, coupled with a growing demand for short-term rental properties, offers a lucrative opportunity for Airbnb hosts. The market is characterized by a preference for properties that offer a blend of comfort, convenience, and a taste of Great Falls' distinctive local charm. Seasonal fluctuations are also a key feature of this market, with demand peaking during the summer months and around major events or festivals.

In Great Falls, Montana, the Airbnb market experiences significant seasonality, largely influenced by the area's distinct weather patterns and tourist attractions. The peak season typically begins in late spring and extends through the summer months, when the weather is most favorable for outdoor activities. During this time, the city sees an influx of tourists drawn to the area's natural beauty, including the Great Falls of the Missouri River, Giant Springs State Park, and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center. Conversely, the winter months tend to see a decrease in bookings, as the harsh Montana winters can deter some travelers. However, there is still a steady demand for accommodations from visitors drawn to winter sports and activities, such as skiing and snowboarding. Understanding these seasonal trends can help hosts in Great Falls optimize their pricing and availability strategies to maximize their revenue.

In Great Falls, Montana, Airbnb hosts must be aware of and comply with a variety of local regulations. The city does not have specific laws governing short-term rentals, but standard housing and business regulations apply. This includes obtaining a business license if you're renting out your property for more than 14 days in a year. Additionally, Montana has a Lodging Facility Use Tax, which applies to all accommodations rented for less than 30 days. Airbnb collects and remits this tax on behalf of hosts, but it's important to factor this into your pricing. Lastly, hosts should be aware of zoning laws, as some residential areas may have restrictions on short-term rentals.

Managing Airbnb properties in Great Falls, Montana, requires a keen understanding of the local market dynamics. The city's seasonal tourism fluctuations present a challenge, with peak demand during the summer months and a significant drop in the winter. To maintain occupancy rates, hosts should consider flexible pricing strategies, adjusting rates to attract guests during off-peak periods. Additionally, the rural nature of the area can make property maintenance more challenging, so establishing reliable local contacts for cleaning and repairs is crucial. Lastly, understanding the preferences of the typical visitor - often outdoor enthusiasts - can help in tailoring the property's offerings, such as providing information on local hiking trails or fishing spots.

In Great Falls, Montana, properties that highlight the natural beauty and outdoor activities of the region tend to be the most successful. Amenities such as outdoor fire pits, BBQ grills, and patio seating are highly sought after by guests looking to enjoy Montana's stunning landscapes. Additionally, providing equipment for local activities, like fishing gear or hiking maps, can set a property apart. Proximity to local attractions, such as the C.M. Russell Museum or the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, is also a significant draw. Lastly, given the area's cooler climate, properties with cozy indoor amenities like fireplaces, heated floors, and hot tubs are particularly appealing to guests.

Market Overview

Great Falls, Montana, presents a unique and promising market for Airbnb hosts. As a city steeped in rich history and surrounded by stunning natural beauty, it attracts a diverse range of visitors, from history buffs keen to explore its museums and historical sites, to outdoor enthusiasts drawn to its hiking trails, fishing spots, and wildlife. The city's steady stream of tourists, coupled with a growing demand for short-term rental properties, offers a lucrative opportunity for Airbnb hosts. The market is characterized by a preference for properties that offer a blend of comfort, convenience, and a taste of Great Falls' distinctive local charm. Seasonal fluctuations are also a key feature of this market, with demand peaking during the summer months and around major events or festivals.

Airbnb Seasonality

In Great Falls, Montana, the Airbnb market experiences significant seasonality, largely influenced by the area's distinct weather patterns and tourist attractions. The peak season typically begins in late spring and extends through the summer months, when the weather is most favorable for outdoor activities. During this time, the city sees an influx of tourists drawn to the area's natural beauty, including the Great Falls of the Missouri River, Giant Springs State Park, and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center. Conversely, the winter months tend to see a decrease in bookings, as the harsh Montana winters can deter some travelers. However, there is still a steady demand for accommodations from visitors drawn to winter sports and activities, such as skiing and snowboarding. Understanding these seasonal trends can help hosts in Great Falls optimize their pricing and availability strategies to maximize their revenue.

Short Term Rental Regulations

In Great Falls, Montana, Airbnb hosts must be aware of and comply with a variety of local regulations. The city does not have specific laws governing short-term rentals, but standard housing and business regulations apply. This includes obtaining a business license if you're renting out your property for more than 14 days in a year. Additionally, Montana has a Lodging Facility Use Tax, which applies to all accommodations rented for less than 30 days. Airbnb collects and remits this tax on behalf of hosts, but it's important to factor this into your pricing. Lastly, hosts should be aware of zoning laws, as some residential areas may have restrictions on short-term rentals.

Best Practices for Management

Managing Airbnb properties in Great Falls, Montana, requires a keen understanding of the local market dynamics. The city's seasonal tourism fluctuations present a challenge, with peak demand during the summer months and a significant drop in the winter. To maintain occupancy rates, hosts should consider flexible pricing strategies, adjusting rates to attract guests during off-peak periods. Additionally, the rural nature of the area can make property maintenance more challenging, so establishing reliable local contacts for cleaning and repairs is crucial. Lastly, understanding the preferences of the typical visitor - often outdoor enthusiasts - can help in tailoring the property's offerings, such as providing information on local hiking trails or fishing spots.

Locations and Amenities

In Great Falls, Montana, properties that highlight the natural beauty and outdoor activities of the region tend to be the most successful. Amenities such as outdoor fire pits, BBQ grills, and patio seating are highly sought after by guests looking to enjoy Montana's stunning landscapes. Additionally, providing equipment for local activities, like fishing gear or hiking maps, can set a property apart. Proximity to local attractions, such as the C.M. Russell Museum or the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, is also a significant draw. Lastly, given the area's cooler climate, properties with cozy indoor amenities like fireplaces, heated floors, and hot tubs are particularly appealing to guests.

How It Works

Meet with membership

Connect With Local Pros

Summer matches you with top vacation rental managers who know the Great Falls, Montana market and can help you maximize your revenue and improve guest experiences. 

We'll make sure to introduce you to Airbnb managers who offer the right services for your needs.

Get Onboarded

Seamless Onboarding

Your manager can handle everything—from listing setup and pricing optimization to guest communication and maintenance.

They’ll take care of professional photography, lockbox installation, profile setup, and everything you need to get your Great Falls, Montana property guest-ready.

Collect Revenue

Sit Back And Earn

With the right vacation rental property manager, your home is in good hands.

They'll handle the bookings, guests, pricing updates, and day-to-day operations while you enjoy stress-free earnings and more time for what matters most.

Who We Trust

What makes our partners stand out from other short-term rental property managers in Great Falls, Montana

Access to the Summer Network

Personalized Support

Each home and host is different. The best property managers work with you to find the services and support that make sense.

Best in class revenue Optimization

Demonstrated Earnings

Your investment is important. Our partners have proven they can substantially increase revenue on properties over market averages.

Accuracy with our technology

Tech-Forward Focus

The best property managers use data to make smart decisions, and technology to create seamless guest experiences.

Trusted brand reputation

Trusted Brand Reputation

We partner with property managers with Superhost status and high guest ratings, so guests always know what to expect.

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Who’s a good fit for a professional manager?

You think your short-term rental can make more money

Your property is not beating market averages, getting enough bookings, or does not have visibility across the major rental platforms.

You want a partner where you are valued

Our preferred managers build personal relationships with all of their owners and care about each property like it's their own.

You want hassle-free hosting

Whether you're down the street or a flight away, dealing with guest inquiries, cleaning, and everything in between is too time consuming and challenging.

Ready To Get Started Form

Get connected

We'd love to hear about what you're looking for, and we’ll connect you with top vacation property managers in your area!

FAQ

Answers to common questions

What is vacation rental property management?

Vacation rental property management is a service provider that maintains and improves a vacation rental on behalf of owners. They manage the ongoing operation, marketing, maintenance, and promotion of a vacation rental, short-term rental, or Airbnb property.

What services does a vacation rental manager offer?

Most managers offer partial or complete end-to-end management of vacation rental properties. Complete management includes all aspects of home maintenance, cleaning, guest and host communications, and marketing, pricing, and promotion of your property. In addition to these services, Summer connects owners and hosts with professional design and investing services for their vacation home.

Can they help me convert an existing home into a vacation rental?

Absolutely! Many property managers do onboard homes that were recently purchased or are being converted into vacation rentals. The best teams will provide advice, guidance, and services to help your home prepare for its short-term rental launch.

How long does the onboarding process take?

The onboarding process usually takes 2-4 weeks. This gives the manager and owner ample time to inspect the property, get it ready for guests, and get the listing live. In the event that owners need additional time to furnish or otherwise improve the property, the onboarding process can be extended.

Will I get a smart lock?

Yes, most managers provide a smart lock. This helps them operate the home and seamlessly let guests in. While there is some upfront expense associated with the lock and some additional time to set it up, there’s nothing worse than a guest not being able to access the property when they arrive.

Will they take updated photos of the property?

In most cases, your manager will hire a professional photographer to do a shoot at the home. This happens after the home is both cleaned and staged for photography. This helps the home stand out on vacation rental booking sites and results in better bookings overall. If you have really high-quality photos already, you can skip this step in the onboarding process.

How do I know my property will be safe with guests?

Professional managers put a number of security measures in place at the home to monitor noise and avoid unwanted guests in the property. Most also have built-in procedures for resolving any immediate guest issues involving parties, extra guests, and anything else in violation of the booking and local laws and requirements.