Short Term Shop Brokerage Review

Investing in short-term rental properties can be challenging, especially for first-time investors with no previous experience in the vacation rental industry. The process involves numerous considerations including market analysis, understanding local regulations, property valuation, projecting rental income, and estimating returns. For newcomers to Airbnb investing, professional guidance can be invaluable.

Short Term Shop is a specialized real estate brokerage focused exclusively on helping investors buy and sell vacation rental properties. This comprehensive review examines their services, geographic coverage, reputation, and how they compare to alternatives in the short-term rental investment space.

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Quick Verdict

Short Term Shop offers specialized brokerage services for investors seeking to purchase or sell vacation rental properties. Founded by Avery Carl in 2017, the company operates through eXp Realty and provides end-to-end support for short-term rental investors, including property selection, purchase negotiation, and post-purchase mentorship.

Their primary advantage is their specialized focus on vacation rentals and their network of local industry experts in their operating markets. However, their geographic coverage is limited to nine states, which may be a drawback for investors interested in other markets.

Short Term Shop is best suited for first-time vacation rental investors who want comprehensive support and mentorship throughout the buying process in their covered states. Investors looking for properties in other states or those seeking ongoing property management services might need to consider alternatives.

What is Short Term Shop?

Short Term Shop is a real estate brokerage specializing exclusively in vacation rental properties. Founded by Avery Carl in 2017 and headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, the company operates through eXp Realty. Their mission is to streamline the process of buying and selling short-term rentals by providing investors with expertise and support specifically tailored to vacation rental investing.

The brokerage distinguishes itself by:

• Focusing exclusively on short-term rental properties
• Providing specialized expertise in vacation rental markets
• Offering post-purchase mentorship and training
• Connecting investors with local industry experts
• Building a community of short-term rental investors



Unlike general real estate brokerages, Short Term Shop's specialized focus allows them to develop deep expertise in the unique aspects of vacation rental investment, including market selection, revenue potential, and operational considerations.

Short Term Shop Services

Short Term Shop offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to support investors throughout the entire process of buying or selling a vacation rental property. Their services are particularly valuable for first-time investors who need guidance navigating the complexities of short-term rental investment.

Services for Buyers

Short Term Shop provides extensive support for vacation rental property buyers, with services divided into two main categories:

Property Acquisition Services:

• Market selection based on individual investor goals and circumstances
• Identifying high cash flow potential properties in selected markets
• Guiding investors through the purchase process
• Buyer representation for offer submission and negotiation
• Securing optimal deals on properties
• Facilitating smooth closings
• Access to both MLS listings and off-market properties including foreclosures

Education and Mentorship Services:

• Free training and mentorship throughout the process and after closing
• Guidance on listing properties on Airbnb and Vrbo
• Support setting up automation software tools
• Assistance building a team of local service providers
• Access to a community of short-term rental investors through a private Facebook group
• Ongoing support even after closing the deal

A significant advantage of working with Short Term Shop is their access to properties available for sale before they hit the market. Through their network of past investors and local professionals, they can identify off-market opportunities with less competition, potentially leading to more profitable deals.

Services for Sellers

For property owners looking to sell their vacation rental, Short Term Shop offers:

• Strategic pricing based on local market trends to maximize selling price
• Professional advice on staging properties for optimal presentation
• Customized marketing plans for maximum exposure to agents and qualified buyers
• Expert negotiation and transaction management through closing

Their specialized knowledge of the vacation rental market allows them to effectively market properties to investors specifically interested in this asset class.

Geographic Coverage

Short Term Shop currently operates in nine U.S. states:

• Alabama (AL)
• Arizona (AZ)
• Florida (FL)
• Georgia (GA)
• North Carolina (NC)
• South Carolina (SC)
• Tennessee (TN)
• Texas (TX)
• Virginia (VA)

While their geographic coverage is more limited than some competitors, these states include many of the most popular and profitable vacation rental markets in the country. Their focused approach allows them to develop deep expertise in these specific markets rather than spreading their resources across all 50 states.

Pricing Structure

In line with standard industry practice in the U.S. real estate market, Short Term Shop's buyer agent commissions and fees are typically covered by the property seller. This means that as a buyer working with Short Term Shop, you generally won't pay direct fees for their services.

Additionally, Short Term Shop provides their valuable training and mentorship services at no additional cost to their clients. This includes:

• Post-purchase setup guidance
• Listing optimization support
• Automation implementation assistance
• Community access and ongoing mentorship



The document doesn't clearly specify if there are any analysis fees or other costs associated with their services, so prospective clients should inquire directly about any potential fees before engaging their services.

Client Reviews and Reputation

Short Term Shop maintains an excellent reputation among vacation rental investors, with consistently positive online reviews:

• Birdeye: 5.0/5.0 stars based on 836 reviews (including 780 Google reviews)
• Facebook: 5.0/5.0 stars based on 106 reviews

Client testimonials frequently praise several aspects of their service:

• The professionalism and expertise of their team
• Comprehensive support throughout the buying process
• Valuable training and education resources
• Efficient and streamlined processes
• Success in identifying profitable vacation rental properties

With nearly 1,000 overwhelmingly positive reviews, Short Term Shop has established a strong reputation for delivering quality service to vacation rental investors.

Pros and Cons of Using Short Term Shop

Pros

• Specialized Expertise: Their exclusive focus on vacation rentals provides deep market knowledge specific to short-term rental investing
• Comprehensive Support: End-to-end assistance from market selection through closing and beyond
• Free Mentorship: Valuable post-purchase training and setup support at no additional cost
• Investor Community: Access to a network of fellow vacation rental investors for ongoing advice and support
• Off-Market Access: Connections to properties before they hit the market, potentially offering better deals with less competition
• Established Reputation: Consistently excellent reviews from past clients
• Local Networks: Strong relationships with vendors, contractors, and service providers in their operating markets

Cons

• Limited Geographic Coverage: Currently only available in nine states
• No Property Management: Unlike some competitors, they don't offer ongoing property management services after purchase
• Unclear Fee Structure: The exact fee structure for all services isn't completely transparent in available information
• Market Constraints: Their expertise is concentrated in specific markets, which may not align with all investors' location preferences

Is Short Term Shop Worth It?

Short Term Shop offers particular value for:

• First-time vacation rental investors: Their comprehensive support and mentorship is especially valuable for newcomers to the short-term rental space
• Investors targeting their nine covered states: If you're interested in properties in AL, AZ, FL, GA, NC, SC, TN, TX, or VA, their specialized market knowledge is beneficial
• Buyers valuing education and community: Their ongoing mentorship and investor community provide valuable resources beyond the transaction
• Investors seeking off-market opportunities: Their industry connections can provide access to properties before they're publicly listed

However, Short Term Shop may be less suitable for:

• Investors targeting other states: Their limited geographic coverage is a significant constraint if your preferred markets are outside their operating areas
• Those seeking one-stop property management: Unlike some competitors, they don't offer ongoing property management services
• Experienced investors needing minimal guidance: Savvy investors who don't require extensive mentorship might find alternatives with broader geographic coverage more appealing

Final Verdict

Short Term Shop delivers specialized brokerage services for vacation rental investors with a particularly strong offering for first-time buyers in their covered markets. Their comprehensive approach combines market selection, property acquisition, and ongoing mentorship to streamline the often complex process of vacation rental investing.

While their geographic limitation to nine states is a notable constraint, these states do include many of America's top vacation rental markets. For investors targeting these regions, Short Term Shop's specialized expertise and support services offer significant value, particularly for those new to short-term rental investing.

The decision to work with Short Term Shop should be based on your investment location preferences, your need for specialized guidance, and the importance of post-purchase support and community. For many investors, especially first-timers in their covered states, Short Term Shop's expertise and support throughout the buying process and beyond can prove invaluable in launching a successful vacation rental business.