New Mexico is a picturesque destination for short-term rental investments, attracting visitors with its scenic beauty, rich cultural heritage, and outdoor recreation opportunities. This guide highlights all the Airbnb property management companies in New Mexico by city.
Top New Mexico Airbnb Management Companies
The best Airbnb management companies in New Mexico include:
- Awning: Best Overall Airbnb Manager
- RedAwning: Best Half-Service Airbnb Management Solution
- Avantstay: Best Luxury Short-term Rental Management Company
- Red River: Best For Local Presence
- Hummingbird Cabins: Best for Cabin Properties
Top New Mexico Airbnb Management Companies by City
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How We Researched the Top New Mexico Airbnb Management Companies
The criteria we used to select and rank the top Airbnb management companies in New Mexico include:
- Services: We looked at whether a company is a half-service or full-service provider and whether it covers all expected services within each category.
- Pricing: We considered whether an Airbnb property manager has a clear pricing structure covering all services. We also looked at what additional fees hosts will need to pay.
- Value for money: We evaluated whether the provided services and the expected fee offer the best value for money.
- Business model: We investigated whether a company uses the latest real estate technology while retaining human touch, which is crucial in property management.
- Reviews: We took into consideration whether companies have a strong online presence and whether reviews are positive or negative.
- Number of listings: We searched for the Airbnb management companies with the most active listings in the market.
To maximize your vacation rental investments in New Mexico , connect with an Awning property manager now.
How to Choose a New Mexico Airbnb Management Company
Selecting the right Airbnb management company is just as crucial as purchasing a high-potential rental property for the success of your short-term rental business, especially in a market like New Mexico where cities have strict regulations and restrictions on short-term rentals.
When making this decision, focus on the following criteria that we recommend to rank the top New Mexico Airbnb management companies:
- Services: Determine the level of involvement you want in managing your property (half-service may be best) or if you aim for full passive income (full-service is necessary). Consider what services you expect from the Airbnb manager and what tasks you want to handle yourself. Do you need help getting your property ready for guests?
- Pricing: Decide how much you are willing to pay for passive investment or additional management help.
- Value for money: Compare the list of services offered by multiple management companies and the fees they charge, including monthly fees and extra costs.
- Business model: Consider if you prefer to work with a local or nationwide manager, and what type of accountability you desire. Ensure the company is transparent and trustworthy.
- Reviews: Read online reviews from both property owners and guests. Try to speak with local investors who have worked with each company you are considering.
- Number of listings in New Mexico: Pick a company with an established presence in the New Mexico market but not overly busy or understaffed. Choose a seasoned professional with ample local capacity.
When interviewing potential New Mexico short-term rental property management companies, ask the following questions:
- Are you a local or nationwide company?
- How many years of experience do you have managing short-term rentals?
- How many properties are you currently managing?
- What is the size of your local team?
- Do you have an in-house management team or do you work with outside vendors?
- What is your success rate in increasing revenue in the local market?
- Do you assist with property preparation, interior design, furnishings, and licenses and permits, and taxes?
- Who collects payment from guests and remits to owners or do booking fees go directly to the property owner?
- Do you offer cleaning, laundry, and restocking services?
- Do you perform property inspections and maintenance work?
- Do you manage swimming pools and hot tubs?
- What is your Airbnb property management fee? What services are included? Are there additional fees and costs? Is there an onboarding or early-termination fee?
- May I review a copy of the property management agreement?
- What is the process for canceling your services?
- Will I keep my property reviews if I opt out?
Getting the answers to these questions will help you find the best New Mexico Airbnb property management company that meets your specific needs.
How Airbnb Management Works
There are two broad types of Airbnb property management companies: full-service and half-service.
Full-service property managers are those that take care of all the aspects of owning and running a short-term rental business.
The best full-service Airbnb management companies help investors achieve passive income while boosting performance.
Half-service Airbnb property managers usually focus on listings, marketing, revenue management, guest communication and support, and taxes. Some of them offer to connect property owners with vetted local vendors for the services they do not cover.
Vacation rental property management companies can be national (covering most US markets) or local (focusing on a specific city). Both come with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Property management fees range widely in the US market: between 10% and 50% of revenue, with 20-25% of revenue being the average for full-service providers. Some companies charge different rates for different markets and different property types. Property managers frequently charge extra for services outside the core package, like interior design, furnishing, insurance, linen, etc.
The top vacation rental management companies have flexible terms and do not require long-term commitment on behalf of property owners. However, some expect quarterly or annual commitments.
Some Airbnb property managers focus on specific property types, like luxury rentals, group travel rentals, apartments, etc., while others work with most residential properties. Different companies have different eligibility requirements; for example, half-service property managers work with furnished short term rentals, while some full-service companies prefer to be directly involved in design and furnishing.
One thing property owners should keep in mind is that most Airbnb management companies list rentals under their brand name, so hosts lose the reviews and rankings once they leave. A noticeable exception is Awning, which allows properties to keep reviews.
How to Start an Airbnb in New Mexico
In order to start an Airbnb business in New Mexico, investors need to:
- Choose the best New Mexico investment property location (where Airbnb is legal, and ROI is high)
- Find a high-potential property
- Verify that the zoning district allows for short-term rentals
- Engage an agent to assist with the property purchase
- Undertake renovation work (if required)
- Furnish the rental property
- Determine a suitable business structure
- Submit tax and employer identification documents
- Acquire a vacation rental condo or dwelling license from the New Mexico Department of Regulation and Licensing
- Secure the necessary local short-term rental licenses and permits by city (most New Mexico cities require local licenses or permits)
- Determine whether to manage the property independently or hire an Airbnb management company
- List the property and start accepting guests
- Provide ongoing services to guests and maintain the property.
The choice between self-management or hiring a property manager will determine the level of passive rental income.
New Mexico Airbnb Laws and Regulations
New Mexico has specific regulations for short-term rentals that vary by location. Local regulations include legality, permits, licenses, registrations, zoning, advertising, neighborhood notification, and building and housing standards. In Santa Fe, only one vacation rental permit per person is allowed in residential zones, and the number of short-term rental permits is limited to 1,000 citywide.
Short-term rentals rented for 29 days or less in New Mexico are required to collect Lodgers Tax and Gross Receipts Tax on the gross charge to the guest. Rental agreements exist when there is an agreement to exchange rent for inhabiting property in New Mexico. The agreement grants landlords the right to collect rent in a timely manner and to be reimbursed for costs from damages that exceed normal use.
As of April 23, 2021, Albuquerque has a Short Term Rental (STR) Ordinance in effect. Property owners must obtain a permit through the City's Division of Housing Preservation, which is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Violations of the ordinance may result in fines of up to $2,000.
In New Mexico, late fees cannot exceed 10% of the total rent for that term, and prepaid rent may be required by a rental agreement. New Mexico has adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to create some consistency in landlord-tenant law, but some states have enacted stricter tenant rights laws beyond URLTA.
Removing Exemption G from the Exemptions section of the Lodgers Tax Statute will formalize all short-term rental properties, streamline local enforcement efforts, and create a level playing field for the entire lodging community.
Takeaway
Starting an Airbnb business in New Mexico can be a lucrative venture in real estate. However, it's important to keep in mind that short-term rental properties are subject to regulations from both the state and individual cities, and face competition from other investors. To ensure success, it's crucial to have a well-optimized property management strategy. One option is to hire a professional Airbnb manager.