New online resource available for those in short-term rental industry

Four U.S. online companies serving the short-term rental market have joined to launch the Short Term Rental Advocacy Center, an online resources for homeowners, property managers, residents, travelers and policymakers wanting to learn about the best practices in regulating the short-term rental marketplace.

Short-term rentals are a growing trend in the housing market. While residential real estate how been on the rebound lately, sales prices remain below recent peaks. Some investors and homeowners have property they   are holding onto because they don't want to sell for a loss. 

Some investors are buying homes to rent out. 

Even homeowners' associations and condominium owners' associations are turning to short-term rentals when they have property they have foreclosed on because the previous homeowner stopped paying dues, a trend I wrote about recently. 

Airbnb, HomeAway, TripAdvisor and FlipKey formed the advocacy group, it says, after requests from users and local policymakers across the country.

“Short-term rentals are bringing tangible benefits to homeowners, residents, travelers, businesses and local communities across the country,” said the group's spokesman Tim Doyle. “As short-term rentals grow in popularity, some communities are asking questions about how to regulate the industry. As leaders in the short-term rental marketplace, we want to make sure all stakeholders, but most importantly our customers, have a reliable source of information to contribute to this important discussion.”

There isn't a chapter in Charlotte, yet. The closest chapter is in Myrtle Beach, according to the group's website.

To learn more go to  www.stradvocacy.org.