The Short Term Show How Backyard Amenities Turned One STR into a $217K Performer with John and Christina McNaught
11 snips
Mar 11, 2026 John McNaught, a Bradenton-area short-term rental investor and agent who shifted from long-term rentals, explains their pivot to high-performing STRs. They discuss Bradenton seasonality and why being ~15 minutes from the beach still attracts family vacationers. They cover choosing island vs mainland goals and how backyard amenities like game rooms, mini golf, playgrounds, and pickleball turned one property into a major revenue winner.
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Treat Insurance As A Property Line Item Not A Deal Killer
- Insurance cost in Florida is property specific and can be mitigated by upgrades rather than assumed prohibitive.
- John compares insurance to roughly one night a month of revenue and mentions structural fixes like improving roof connections to lower rates.
Bradenton Seasonality Follows School Calendars
- Bradenton seasonality follows the school calendar with peak in March (spring break) and a secondary peak in July.
- That creates two annual revenue peaks (Christmas–Easter main season, July summer peak) that balance cash flow.
Design For Families Within A 15 Minute Beach Drive
- Design rental properties for the typical guest avatar — in Bradenton that's families with young children — not your personal taste.
- Aim to be within about a 15-minute drive to the beach and include kid-focused amenities to keep parents relaxed.
