Top 17 Markets to Flip in 2026 — and How Travel Trends Reveal Opportunity

Hook: Why travel demand are the fastest early-warning system for profitable flips in 2026

Struggling to find flip deals that still make money after higher interest rates, rising material costs, and tighter timelines? You're not alone. In 2026, the best opportunities aren't just where prices are low — they're where travel demand and remote-work migration are creating fast ARV growth, higher short-term rental (STR) revenues, and buyer pools that pay premiums. This article shows how to merge 2026 travel hotspots with real estate demand signals to pick the top 17 markets to flip — plus the underwriting rules, renovation targets, and exit plans that actually work now.

The thesis — travel + remote work = early demand signal for flippers

Travel patterns reveal where people are choosing to spend time and money. Since late 2024 and into 2025, two durable trends hardened: leisure and bleisure travel rebounded strongly, and remote-work permanence (hybrid schedules, workation travel, and remote-worker visa expansions) continued to redistribute demand beyond major metros. In practice this means secondary and tertiary markets with increasing flight capacity, rising STR occupancy/ADR, and inbound change-of-address signals are often the first places where ARV and quick-sale buyer pools expand.

"Travel demand is the canary in the market's coal mine: seat growth, hotel occupancy, and short-term rentals start rising before sustained home-price appreciation."

How to read the signals (quick checklist)

1. Flight/Route Growth: Look for 10%+ year-over-year increases in seat capacity into regional airports (OAG, BTS trends).
2. STR Performance: Rising occupancy and ADR on AirDNA or Mashvisor for 2+ consecutive quarters.
3. Migration Data: USPS Change-of-Address, Zillow/Census population estimates showing net inbound migration.
4. Job Market + Remote Roles: Increasing remote job listings and tech/creative relocations reported in local papers and job boards.
5. Local Policy: Short-term rental regulation trending permissive or stabilized — or clear paths to legal/managed STR models.
6. Local Contractor Market: Trades are available within a 30–60 day lead time and material costs have steadied. Check supplier reviews and field-kit availability (lighting, adhesives, and compact tools) before committing.

How we chose the Top 17

We cross-referenced 2026 travel editorials (late 2025 flight and hotel expansions), STR performance, migration patterns, and on-the-ground flipper metrics from our community. The list balances: proven tourism draw, remote-work & digital-nomad appeal, STR upside (where allowed), and realistic flipping mechanics (rehab supply, comps, and exit appetite).

Top 17 markets to flip in 2026 — quick overview

Below are the markets and why they're attractive in 2026. For each market we list the primary demand signals, the most profitable flip types, and the main risks to vet.

1. Charleston, SC — Coastal tourism + remote-worker lifestyle

• Signals: Strong hotel occupancy, growing direct flights, inbound migration from Northeast metros.
• Flip types: Historic rowhouse cosmetic to moderate structural; vacation-ready 2-bed condos.
• Risks: Historic district restrictions and permit lead times.

2. Nashville, TN — Music tourism and weekend buyer pool

• Signals: High concert/bleisure travel, STR ADR increases, healthy local demand from relocations.
• Flip types: Bungalow gut-and-modernize, entertainment-friendly kitchens, outdoor living upgrades.
• Risks: Rapid competition — price comps move fast.

3. Asheville, NC — Mountain escapes meet remote work

• Signals: Rising STR occupancy and long-stay bookings; lifestyle migration from urban areas.
• Flip types: Cabin conversions, mid-century refreshes, energy upgrades for long-term rentals.
• Risks: Seasonal cash flow swings and permit constraints in protected zones.

4. Greenville, SC — Booming secondary city with commuter appeal

• Signals: New airline service and corporate relocations; lower entry prices than primary Sun Belt peers.
• Flip types: Infill single-family renovations and duplex conversions for hybrid STR/long-term use.
• Risks: Emerging market — comps thin in certain neighborhoods.

5. Tampa–St. Petersburg, FL — Year-round tourism + relocations

• Signals: Strong winter season demand, increasing direct international flights, inbound retirees and remote workers.
• Flip types: Coastal rehab with flood mitigation upgrades; condo flips with resort-style staging.
• Risks: Insurance and hurricane-related costs; STR regulation varies by municipality.

6. Miami & Fort Lauderdale, FL — international travel hub with premium ARVs

• Signals: International visitor growth, luxury second-home purchases, strong STR ADR.
• Flip types: High-end condos and luxury short-term units; targeted cosmetic luxury flips.
• Risks: High entry price and stricter condo/HOA STR rules.

7. Phoenix–Scottsdale, AZ — Sun Belt momentum + travel access

• Signals: Expanded nonstop routes, strong winter-season travel & golf tourism, inbound migration.
• Flip types: Pool-area makeovers, kitchen/bath upgrades, energy-efficient HVAC replacements.
• Risks: Water policy and lot-specific permitting.

8. Palm Springs, CA — Lifestyle travel, design-first buyers

• Signals: Bleisure & design tourism; short-term demand for mid-century modern homes.
• Flip types: Mid-century modern refreshes, indoor-outdoor renovations, landscape/pool updates.
• Risks: Higher capex per unit and niche buyer pool.

9. Sedona, AZ — High ADRs for boutique STRs

• Signals: Outdoor recreation and wellness tourism; strong ADR and long-stay interest.
• Flip types: Small cabins and casitas positioned for wellness/retreat stays — consider portable field kits and guest-experience kits for retreats.
• Risks: Limited building footprints and environmental regulations.

10. Santa Fe, NM — Arts/tourism + second-home demand

• Signals: Cultural tourism, increasing flight options from regional hubs, higher-end buyer interest.
• Flip types: Historic adobe restoration and gallery-ready interiors.
• Risks: Historic preservation rules, narrow buyer market.

11. New Orleans, LA — Year-round events and resilient tourism

• Signals: Festival-driven demand, healthy STR metrics when rules permit.
• Flip types: Townhouse rehab near event corridors; hospitality-style staging — use hybrid showroom and pop-up kits when previewing units.
• Risks: Local STR caps and event season volatility.

12. Denver, CO — Mountain gateway with business travel + leisure

• Signals: Continued flight growth, outdoor tourism, remote worker hires from tech hubs.
• Flip types: Suburban-to-urban renovations targeting hybrid buyers, energy upgrades for mountain climates.
• Risks: Higher labor and materials costs and increased competition.

13. Boise, ID — Stabilizing demand with continued inbound moves

• Signals: Slower appreciation but consistent inbound migration and reduced volatility compared to 2020–22.
• Flip types: Single-family cosmetic flips and densification projects (ADUs).
• Risks: Local political changes and regulatory responses to rapid earlier growth.

14. Outer Banks, NC — Seasonal short-term rental powerhouse

• Signals: Strong summer demand, rising long-stay interest in shoulder seasons.
• Flip types: Elevated coastal homes with hurricane-hardened renovations, multi-bedroom STR-ready homes.
• Risks: Seasonal cash flow and insurance fluctuations.

15. Tulum & Riviera Maya, Mexico — International travel hotspot for remote workers

• Signals: Post-2024 route expansions, digital-nomad visa interest, high tourism growth.
• Flip types: Boutique villa renovations and condo flips targeted at STR platforms.
• Risks: Ownership rules for foreigners, title insurance complexity, environment-related regulations.

16. Porto, Portugal — Digital nomads & inbound European travel

• Signals: Expanded remote-worker visas and increasing flights from North America and Europe.
• Flip types: Apartment conversions in central neighborhoods, tourist-oriented studios.
• Risks: Different tax/titling systems and rising local regulation on STRs — see how sustainable tourism is reshaping coastal Portugal for context.

17. San Juan & Puerto Rico — U.S. territory travel + tax-incentive seekers

• Signals: Strong winter tourism, improved air connectivity, and U.S. legal/financial interoperability.
• Flip types: Beachfront condos, historic Old San Juan renovations, hurricane-hardening upgrades.
• Risks: Copyrighting supply chain delays and insurance variability after storms.

How to underwrite a travel-driven flip in 2026 — rules that actually work

In 2026 you need a two-track underwriting model: one for the flip sale to owner-occupiers/investors and one for STR/seasonal exit scenarios. Build both and pick the most conservative outcome for your MAO.

Step-by-step underwrite

1. Estimate ARV with seasonal comps: Use 12–24 months of comps, weighting recent travel-season comps more heavily for tourist-heavy towns.
2. MAO (conservative): MAO = (ARV × 0.65) - Estimated Rehab - Holding & Closing - Sales Costs. Use 0.65 in travel-driven markets where buyer premiums & fees compress profit.
3. Rehab budget ranges (2026): Cosmetic flip $40–80/sqft; Gut/structural $100–220/sqft depending on market and coastal/mountain requirements. Adjust for local labor availability and compact toolkits for finishes (smart adhesives, fast-install adhesives and hot-melt tools).
4. Holding costs: Budget 1.5–2% of purchase per month for finance, insurance, utilities, HOA plus seasonality reserve in STR towns.
5. Exit plan stack: Primary exit = retail sale; secondary = managed STR or lease-to-own; tertiary = wholesale to rental investor.

Quick example (conservative)

ARV: $600,000; MAO factor 0.65 → $390,000. Rehab estimate $70,000. Closing/holding/sales = $40,000. MAO = $390,000 - $70,000 - $40,000 = $280,000. If your local comps support a $600k ARV, offer no more than $280k.

Renovation playbook for travel-driven flips

Design and scope should match the visitor profile and buyer pool. Use these priorities by market type:

• Weekend tourism + luxury buyers (Miami, Palm Springs): High-end finishes, outdoor living, low-maintenance landscaping, smart-home comfort.
• Outdoor/retreat markets (Asheville, Sedona): Durable materials, plug-and-play office spaces, multi-zone heating/AC, durable exteriors. Pack portable field kits and guest amenity kits for retreat guests.
• Historic & cultural markets (Charleston, Santa Fe): Period-appropriate upgrades, energy improvements that don't harm aesthetics, clear permit path.
• Coastal & hurricane-prone (Outer Banks, Puerto Rico): Elevation/mitigation, impact windows, flood-adapted landscaping, and clear insurance disclosures.

STR vs. retail sale — which exit do you plan for?

Always underwrite the retail sale first (more predictable ARV). If STR upside materially increases profit, build a contingency plan for STR management: local co-host, guaranteed revenue management contract, and a licensed property manager. But beware: STR regulations can change fast. Use STR upside as a bonus, not a base case unless the market has stable, permissive rules.

Risk checklist specific to travel-driven markets

• Local STR cap or registration changes in the past 12 months.
• Insurance availability and cost increases because of weather risk.
• Rapid shifts in airline seat capacity (temporary routes vs. permanent).
• Seasonal liquidity and shoulder-season vacancy.
• Supply chain or labor bottlenecks for specialized hospitality finishes.

Case study: a representative 2025–26 travel-driven flip (anonymized)

In late 2025 our community rehabbed a 3-bed bungalow in Charleston's rapidly growing visitor corridor. Key signals that tipped the decision:

• Direct flight capacity into CHS up ~12% YoY and several new hotel openings.
• AirDNA showed ADR up 15% and occupancy up 8% YoY for the neighborhood.
• Local USPS change-of-address filings showed net inbound moves from two Northeast counties.

Numbers: purchased $360,000; rehab $68,000; holding/closing/sales $40,000. ARV conservatively estimated at $575,000. Outcome: sold for $590,000 after 28 days. Net profit after all fees: ~ $80k (pre-tax). The keys: tight timeline, hospitality-oriented staging, and pro-active engagement with the local permitting office before closing. Consider using pop-up tech and hybrid showroom kits when you preview a furnished flip to buyers.

Advanced strategies for scaling travel-driven flips

1. Build partnered ops: Partner with a local STR operator or hospitality company — they provide revenue forecasts and can take short-term management while you flip.
2. Design templating: Create 2–3 flip templates (coastal, mountain, urban) that use the same subcontractors and materials pool to lower cost and speed up turnarounds. Keep a stocked kit of reliable materials and smart adhesives to speed installs.
3. Flight-seat monitoring: Automate seat-capacity alerts for target airports — a spike often predicts 6–12 month demand increases.
4. Hedged financing: Secure bridge financing with flexible payoffs; use conservative interest-rate buffers in your MAO math.
5. Compliance playbook: Keep an up-to-date regulatory brief per market (STR registration deadlines, occupant-per-night caps, local licensing).

What changed in 2025–26 that matters to flippers

• Remote work normalized: Hybrid schedules and expanded digital-nomad visas (Europe and parts of Latin America grew programs in 2025) mean longer visitor stays and more buyer relocation.
• Air connectivity grew selectively: Airlines added regional routes back to secondary airports — those markets saw the earliest STR and home-value rebounds.
• STR regulation matured: Many towns introduced pragmatic licensing and taxation instead of blunt bans; this clarity reduced regulatory risk in several travel destinations.
• Construction costs stabilized: Labor shortages eased in late 2025 and select regional contractors expanded capacity, shortening rehab lead times.

Actionable takeaways — what to do this week

1. Pick 3 markets from the Top 17 that match your budget and operational reach (1 local, 2 remote).
2. Run the 6-signal checklist (flight growth, AirDNA, USPS moves, jobs, STR policy, contractors).
3. Build a two-track underwrite (retail sale base case; STR upside case). Use MAO = ARV × 0.65 - rehab - soft costs.
4. Contact one local STR manager and one general contractor in each market. Get firm timelines and cost estimates before bidding.
5. Download or create templated reno packages (materials, finishes, and labor rates) to compare apples-to-apples between markets — stock adhesives and compact toolkits to speed turnarounds.

Final note on ethics and long-term value

Flipping in tourism-heavy markets requires sensitivity to local communities. Prioritize upgrades that add long-term housing quality (energy upgrades, resilience, ADA where feasible) and work with licensed local pros. Responsible flipping builds goodwill — and long-term access to the best deals.

Call to action

Ready to turn travel trends into repeatable deals? Join the flippers.live community to get our 2026 Travel-Driven Market Checklist, downloadable MAO calculator, and invites to a live case-study workshop where we walk a Charleston flip from lead to close. Click through to start sourcing smarter deals today — and book a seat at the next live underwriting lab.

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