Gatlinburg is the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the US. Cabin rentals dominate this family-friendly market. VRBO is particularly strong in Gatlinburg for family vacation rentals and longer stays. This calculator uses an 8% VRBO platform-fee assumption for the 5% commission plus payment processing.
VRBO Host-Side Fees
VRBO's pay-per-booking model includes a 5% commission plus a 3% payment processing fee when processing applies. This calculator uses an 8% platform fee. On a $1,500 booking, that models $120 in host-side fees.
Property Details
Financing
Expected Income
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Operating Expenses
Main risk: break-even is 10 pts above modeled occupancy.
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Why VRBO Works in Gatlinburg
Family-Focused Travelers
VRBO attracts families and groups who book whole homes for vacations. Gatlinburg's mountain market appeals to this demographic.
Longer Stays = Lower Turnover
VRBO bookings often skew longer in vacation markets. Fewer turnovers can mean lower cleaning costs and less operational work.
Platform Fee Assumptions
Model VRBO's 5% commission plus payment processing when it applies. Adjust the platform fee if your account or software setup uses a different fee structure.
Gatlinburg Market Highlights
- 1Gateway to most visited national park in America
- 2Cabin-style properties are the market standard
- 3Dollywood theme park adds family tourism draw
- 4Fall foliage season (October) sees premium rates
Seasonality in Gatlinburg
Peak October (fall foliage) and summer. Holiday weekends are strong. January-February are slowest.
Compare with Airbnb
See how this property might perform on Airbnb instead
Gatlinburg STR Regulations
Sevier County is very STR-friendly. Minimal regulations compared to many markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
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