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STR Photography Investment ROI Calculator
Pro photography drives 25–45% conversion lift on Airbnb/VRBO listings vs amateur photos.
Payback
1 mo
Annual revenue uplift
$7,875
Incremental nights
38
How the math works
Incremental nights = base × lift. Uplift = nights × ADR. Payback = cost / uplift annual.
150 × 25% = 37.5 nights × $210 = $7,875 uplift. $650 / $7,875 = 1 month payback.
How to Use
- Enter photography cost.
- Enter annual nights before.
- Enter conversion lift %.
- Enter current adr.
- Read payback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Photo cost + impact?
Pro real estate photographer: $300–800/property, 30–50 edited photos including drone/twilight. Airbnb 'Pro photo' shoot: $150–400 (in some markets). Restage + photograph: $1,000–3,000 if styling included. Twilight photos: $100–300 add-on. Drone shots: $100–250 add-on. Conversion lift: 25–55% click-through, 15–35% booking conversion. Refresh recommended every 24–36 months or after major refresh/renovation.
How does this fit STR underwriting?
Short-term rental investors stack this calculator with AirDNA market data, channel mix analysis, seasonal pricing, and HOA/regulatory review. Net contribution after PM, cleaning, supplies, utilities, taxes, insurance and platform fees should be the underwriting target — gross revenue alone is misleading. Always validate with at least 12 months of comp performance.
Airbnb vs VRBO vs Booking economics?
Airbnb: 3% host fee + 14% guest fee, strong urban demand, cancellation policies host-controlled. VRBO: 8% per booking, family/group oriented, longer stays. Booking.com: 15% commission, instant book required, more international. Direct booking: 0% but requires marketing investment. Most STRs use 2–3 channels for 15–30% lift.
Regulatory risk?
STR regulation is fragmenting fast: outright bans (NYC, Honolulu certain zones), licensing caps (SF, Boston, Santa Monica), occupancy taxes (most cities now), HOA bans (private). Always verify zoning, licensing, and HOA rules before underwriting. Insurance and liability waiver also critical. Owner-occupied vs investor STR rules differ materially in many jurisdictions.
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