Finger Lakes Short Term Rental Fall Update

We are pleased to present our exclusive market report for short-term rental properties in the Finger Lakes region. This summer demonstrated steady growth in our sector, with our portfolio surpassing the peak season bookings of 2023 by an impressive 1.5 points. Additionally, we recorded a slight yet significant increase in our average daily rate (ADR), rising to $394 from $392 in the previous year. These positive trends not only highlight the resilience of our rental market but also indicate a promising outlook for our property owners as we move forward.

Diving Into Key Strategies:

We focused on understanding guest search patterns on our website, refining our offerings to match demand, and expanding our reach. One major move was adding Airbnb to our platform options, bringing new exposure and increased revenue through strategic pricing and promotions. Plus, our ramped-up efforts in SEO, Google Ads, and social media have driven a 59% boost in website traffic so far this year—showcasing the value of a strong digital presence and maintaining our strong direct booking rate of 65% (an exclusive perk for you!)

 Fall & 2025 Booking Outlook:

Looking ahead, we're pacing 4 points higher than the general Finger Lakes market for the next 365 days, with an impressive 14-point lead for July 2025 bookings. We expect high demand through summer 2025, especially for July, with flexibility playing a key role: guests are searching for stays of various lengths, with 7-night stays still most popular, followed by 4, 3, and 2-night options. Keeping your calendar open to shorter stays will maximize your listing’s visibility and capture more bookings.

As for the upcoming fall and winter seasons, demand remains strong with a notable increase in last-minute holiday searches. This reflects an industry-wide trend toward short booking windows for cooler months, so keeping your calendar open for last-minute availability is a smart strategy.  Our region is also starting to catch wind of the need for increased off-season demand with adopting some new events that we are promoting. In addition, we have some new winter promotions we will be pushing this holiday season. If you’d like to be included in those promotions or would like specific insights on booking trends for your property, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Owner Services team!

Guest Demand Insights:

Our website data tells provides some exclusive insights for our partnering owners.  This month’s searches reveal a few clear trends:

1. Summer 2025: High demand for stays of 7, 4, 3, and 2 nights in that order.
2. Popular amenities: Guests are keen on properties with hot tubs, air conditioning, and fire pits. Adding these amenities can increase your property’s appeal and ranking.
3. Holiday season: We're seeing a continued uptick in searches for fall and winter holiday dates, with guests booking more last-minute.
   
   

We thank those who are an integral part of our Finger Lakes rental community and encourage those who aren’t yet in our program to explore how our services can help maximize your property’s potential. We look forward to keeping the momentum going as we head into the winter and prepare for a successful 2025 season!