If you own an investment property, you’ve probably asked yourself this question at some point:
“Should I put it on Airbnb and chase those big nightly rates… or just get a good long-term tenant and sleep at night?”
The honest answer is: it depends. Not just on the property, but on you – your time, your stress levels, your cashflow, and your long-term goals.
At WeSellHouses.co.za, we work with landlords across Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape who are trying to make exactly this decision. Here’s how we usually break it down.
When Short-Term / Airbnb Makes Sense
Short-term or Airbnb-style rentals can work brilliantly for the right owner and the right property.
They are usually a good fit if you:
• Own a place in a high-demand short-stay area (near the beach, university, hospital, CBD, airport, etc.)
• Are organised, or willing to pay a manager to handle bookings and check-ins
• Have a financial buffer for quiet months
• Are comfortable with income that goes up and down instead of arriving like clockwork
In a strong location, short-term rentals can produce excellent income over peak seasons and big events. You can adjust your nightly rate for holidays, school sports festivals, Ironman, and long weekends. You can also block out dates for yourself or family.
But it is a business, not a side-hustle fairy tale. You need to factor in:
• Cleaning and laundry between guests
• Key handovers or lockbox management
• Stocking consumables and dealing with small maintenance
• Being “on call” for Wi-Fi, TV and access issues
• Management fees if you appoint an Airbnb manager
If you like systems, don’t mind admin, and your property is in the right area, short-term can be a powerful tool.
When Long-Term Tenants Are The Better Fit
Long-term rentals look less exciting on Instagram, but they are often exactly what a landlord needs.
They tend to suit an owner who:
• Needs steady, predictable cashflow to help pay the bond
• Doesn’t want constant cleaning, laundry and key handovers
• Owns a property in an area with solid everyday rental demand rather than holiday demand
• Prefers a more “set-and-manage” style investment
With a good long-term tenant and a proper lease:
• You know what is coming in each month (assuming your tenant pays)
• You deal with inspections and maintenance on a planned basis
• You can budget more easily for levies, rates and repairs
You may not hit the eye-catching numbers you see on social media for holiday lets, but you also avoid a lot of the noise, risk and admin that come with running what is essentially a mini guest house.
Sometimes The Best Answer Is A Mix
For some properties, a combination works well.
Examples:
• Long-term tenant in the main house, short-term rental in a separate cottage or flatlet with its own entrance
• Short-term lets in peak season, then medium-term (3–6 month) rentals to travelling professionals or contractors in off-peak months
• A furnished garden flat aimed at nurses, doctors or corporate travellers who need a few weeks or months at a time
This kind of hybrid approach can smooth out your cashflow while still giving you some of the upside of higher nightly or weekly rates.
It does, however, still require planning, clear rules, and a realistic view of demand in your specific area.
The Real Question: Your Time, Stress Levels And Goals
Most of the heartbreak we see in property investment comes from chasing the highest possible number without asking three simple questions:
• What does my cashflow actually need right now?
• How much time and admin can I realistically give this?
• Does this property still fit my long-term goals?
Short-term or Airbnb might look great on a spreadsheet, but if you are exhausted, stressed, and fighting with guests or neighbours, it may not be the right strategy for you.
Likewise, a long-term rental might feel “boring”, but if it quietly pays the bond and lets you focus on your life and career, it might be exactly what you need.
Not Sure Which Way To Go?
If you are sitting with a flat, house or cottage and wondering:
• Short-term?
• Long-term?
• Or is it actually time to sell?
We can help you work through it.
At WeSellHouses.co.za we are happy to:
• Look at your specific property
• Consider the location and the type of demand in your area
• Run through realistic numbers, not just best-case scenarios
• Help you decide whether short-term, long-term or selling is the smarter move for you
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer – but there is a best answer for your situation.
If you’d like to chat, get in touch with us via WhatsApp, phone, or through our website WeSellHouses.co.za, and let’s figure out which strategy matches your time, stress levels and goals.