Find a Sun Lakes Airbnb Realtor That Knows Airbnb, Short Term Rentals, and Vacation Rentals Inside and Out

Frequently Asked Questions for Airbnb Investment Properties

How can an Airbnb Realtor or agent help me find high-performing rentals in Sun Lakes, AZ?

A Sun Lakes Airbnb Realtor connected through STR Realtor Search can help you find high-performing short-term rental opportunities in one of Arizona’s most popular active adult communities. Located just south of Chandler, Sun Lakes is known for its resort-style amenities, golf courses, and multiple gated neighborhoods—making it a top choice for snowbirds and retirees seeking extended stays in a 55+ setting.

Our local agents understand the unique considerations of investing in age-restricted communities, including HOA rules, guest eligibility, and seasonal rental trends. Whether you're targeting a move-in-ready villa or a golf course home with premium amenities, we help you evaluate each opportunity for its income potential and fit within community guidelines.

Through our parent company, Rise Collective, we make it easy to get started with a turnkey Airbnb in a 55+ community , giving you access to listings already optimized for longer-term guests and seasonal demand. Our goal is to help you launch faster, earn more consistently, and stay compliant with neighborhood expectations.

With its reputation as a premier retirement destination, strong winter tourism, and proximity to Phoenix and the East Valley, Sun Lakes offers a stable and appealing market for Airbnb investors focused on long-stay guests. We’re here to help you tap into that niche with expert support and strategy.

What neighborhoods are best for short-term rental income in Sun Lakes, Arizona?

Sun Lakes is a 55+ active adult community located just south of Chandler. Known for its five distinct neighborhoods, multiple golf courses, and resort-style amenities, Sun Lakes is a popular destination for snowbirds and retirees. While short-term rentals must comply with community rules and age restrictions, the area remains a strong performer for long-term seasonal stays.

Oakwood
The most upscale and modern of the Sun Lakes communities, Oakwood features golf course homes, lakes, and a country club environment. Larger homes and updated interiors perform especially well with long-term winter guests seeking comfort and luxury.

Ironwood
This gated community is closely connected to Oakwood and shares access to many of the same amenities. Properties here tend to be spacious and attract snowbirds looking for privacy, security, and access to tennis, pickleball, and golf.

Palo Verde
Also gated and centered around a private golf course, Palo Verde offers a more intimate community feel. Its quiet atmosphere, clubhouse, and central location make it ideal for retirees booking multi-month stays.

Cottonwood
Known for its affordability and walkability, Cottonwood offers strong rental potential for investors seeking mid-range properties. Access to multiple pools, pickleball courts, and a lively social scene makes it appealing for active guests.

Sun Lakes #1 (Original Section)
This is the oldest section of Sun Lakes and includes smaller, more affordable homes. It’s a solid option for budget-conscious snowbirds or guests interested in short-term stays without sacrificing access to the broader community’s amenities.

Sun Lakes is best suited for investors targeting long-term winter bookings from retirees aged 55 and older. The high season runs from November through April, and properties with modern upgrades, outdoor living spaces, and proximity to amenities tend to perform best.

Do you partner with property managers or cohosting services based here?

We don’t outsource property management — we handle it in-house through Home Team Luxury Rentals , part of the Rise Collective. As one of the fastest-growing and highest-rated independently owned property management companies in the U.S., Home Team delivers full-service short-term rental management with a focus on performance, guest experience, and investor satisfaction.

While STR Realtor Search collaborates with top-performing real estate agents and agencies throughout Arizona and across the U.S., property management is fully integrated within our ecosystem. This ensures investors benefit from a unified strategy, seamless communication, and best-in-class operational excellence without relying on third-party managers or cohosts.

In addition, we have the full-time attention of Ricardo Carillo, a trusted STR mortgage broker , to find you the best deal for financing!

Can you provide data (and possibly reviews) on successful Airbnb investments in the area?

Yes, we frequently analyze regional Airbnb data from platforms like AirDNA and PriceLabs to identify high-performing properties across Arizona. In key markets such as Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Sedona, many short-term rentals consistently achieve occupancy rates between 55–70%, with average daily rates (ADR) ranging from $180 to $325 depending on the season, home type, and proximity to local attractions.

For instance, in Scottsdale, short-term rentals average an occupancy rate of around 62% with an ADR of $294, leading to average annual revenue figures exceeding $60,000 for well-located, professionally managed properties. Sedona remains a top performer year-round due to its tourism-driven demand, while cities like Tempe and Flagstaff also attract steady bookings tied to universities, events, and outdoor recreation.

We track key performance indicators including RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room), booking lead time, and guest review volume to benchmark potential investment opportunities. This data-driven approach allows us to provide investor clients with anonymized case studies and aggregated review trends, offering insights into what drives success in different regions of Arizona.

For example, in the Phoenix metro area, suburban neighborhoods near spring training stadiums and event venues have seen rising demand, while luxury homes in North Scottsdale continue to command premium pricing and longer booking windows from snowbirds and group travelers.

If you're interested, we can provide detailed data reports or case studies tailored to your specific Arizona market or neighborhood of interest.

What should I look for in an Airbnb investment property in the Phoenix metro area beyond just location?

While location is critical, it’s only one piece of what makes a short-term rental successful in the Phoenix metro market. The most profitable Airbnb investments combine guest-focused design, operational efficiency, and long-term compliance readiness. Here’s what to prioritize beyond the map pin:

• Legal and Regulatory Fit – Make sure the property is in a city or zone that allows short-term rentals and meets all local licensing, safety, and parking requirements.

• Guest Appeal and Amenities – Properties with features like private pools, outdoor dining areas, smart home tech, and open-concept layouts consistently attract higher nightly rates and better reviews.

• Design for Flexibility – Homes with multiple bedrooms, functional workspaces, and comfortable gathering areas appeal to a wider range of guest types—from families and snowbirds to digital nomads.

• Property Condition and Upgrade Potential – Turnkey properties or those with high-ROI renovation potential tend to perform better, especially when optimized for Airbnb with the help of our team at BNB Turnkey and BNB Construction.

• Noise, Privacy, and Parking – Quiet surroundings, ample parking, and good noise insulation can improve guest satisfaction while helping you stay in good standing with neighbors and local regulators.

• Historical Performance Data – We evaluate AirDNA, PriceLabs, and other STR data platforms to benchmark potential earnings based on occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, and local competition.

Our Phoenix-area Airbnb Realtors, through STR Realtor Search, work with you to evaluate all of these criteria before you buy—ensuring that your investment is both guest-ready and future-proof.

What makes a house — or other property types like condos or townhomes — ideal for short-term rentals in this market?

In the Phoenix metro area, short-term rental properties perform best when they blend smart location choices, guest-centric amenities, and regulatory compliance. Proximity to major attractions—such as sports venues, shopping districts, universities, and outdoor recreation—drives strong year-round demand, especially during peak travel seasons like winter and spring.

What makes a property ideal isn’t just where it is, but how well it serves guest needs. Homes with resort-style features—like private pools, shaded patios, and open indoor/outdoor living areas—tend to outperform. Interiors that are modern, spacious, and designed for groups or families are also key, especially when paired with conveniences like smart home tech, high-speed Wi-Fi, and flexible layouts.

Local ordinances across the metro vary, so properties that are already in permitted zones and meet licensing, safety, and parking requirements offer a clearer path to profitability. Compliance isn’t optional—it’s part of creating a stable, long-term STR investment.

Finally, properties that support longer stays and cater to a variety of travelers—whether vacationers, snowbirds, or remote workers—have a competitive edge. The most successful rentals in this market are designed for both comfort and compliance, offering memorable guest experiences while aligning with metro-wide travel trends and seasonal demand.

STR Realtor Search > Arizona > Sun Lakes

Nearby markets:

Mesa ,
Chandler ,
Gilbert ,
Apache Junction ,
Casa Grande ,
Maricopa ,
Queen Creek ,
Florence ,
Tortilla Flat ,
Scottsdale