Hortense, Georgia Short-Term Rental Market
Hortense, GA STRs averaged $175/night at 50.4% occupancy in April 2026, with an investability score of 96 out of 100.
Quick Answer: Hortense, Georgia is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 55%. average monthly revenue is $3,064. average daily rate is $202. the top operator is Evolve with 315 listings. market score is 77/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Georgia Area regional market, which includes Hortense. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Hortense.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
The Hortense, GA short-term rental market posted an average daily rate of $175 and occupancy of 50.4% in April 2026, generating average monthly revenue of $2,416 per listing. RevPAR came in at $88. Year-over-year trends show occupancy declined 8.6% while ADR rose 3.6%, leaving net revenue down 4.8%. This divergence reflects a market where rate increases are partially absorbing softening demand.
Hortense is an unincorporated rural community in Brantley County, southeast Georgia, anchored by outdoor recreation along the Satilla and Little Satilla Rivers and proximity to the Okefenokee Swamp. The STR inventory is strongly skewed toward entire-place listings (8,379), with private rooms at 1,086 and shared rooms accounting for just 5 listings. By bedroom count: 1-bedroom units lead with 2,841, followed by 3-bedroom (2,710), 2-bedroom (2,194), 4-bedroom (1,174), and 5-bedroom (547). Airbnb is the dominant channel with 5,047 listings, VRBO hosts 639, and 3,784 listings appear on both platforms. The market earned a total score of 77/100, with standout investability at 96/100 and seasonality at 85/100.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43% | $118 | $1,538 |
| Feb | 53% | $120 | $1,607 |
| Mar | 56% | $134 | $2,030 |
| Apr | 54% | $147 | $2,125 |
| May | 54% | $157 | $2,256 |
| Jun | 59% | $175 | $2,737 |
| Jul | 60% | $176 | $2,864 |
| Aug | 51% | $151 | $2,155 |
| Sep | 51% | $150 | $2,036 |
| Oct | 54% | $151 | $2,271 |
| Nov | 52% | $150 | $2,124 |
| Dec | 48% | $139 | $1,985 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Hortense
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 315 | 10,767 | ★ 4.66 |
| 2 | Orlando | 94 | 4,398 | ★ 4.70 |
| 3 | Patriot Family Homes | 70 | 3,671 | ★ 4.31 |
| 4 | Pine Mountain Chalet | 51 | 456 | ★ 4.13 |
| 5 | River Town Rentals | 46 | 937 | ★ 4.70 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Hortense?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 2,841 |
| 2 bed | 2,194 |
| 3 bed | 2,710 |
| 4 bed | 1,174 |
| 5 bed | 547 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $215 |
| Luxury | $389 |
| Professionally Managed | $256 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,038 |
| Entire Place | $3,271 |
| House | $3,362 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 53.3% |
| vrbo | 6.7% |
| both | 40% |
Investment Analysis
Hortense presents a compelling investment case driven by a low entry price point. The Zillow typical home value for this area was $202,000 as of April 2026. At average monthly revenue of $2,416 per listing, annualized revenue runs approximately $28,989. That implies a gross revenue yield of approximately 14.4% on typical home value, which is notably high relative to most STR markets. Investors should apply appropriate vacancy reserves, management fees, and operating expenses before drawing conclusions, but the raw ratio indicates favorable economics compared to higher-cost resort markets.
Tier premiums are meaningful. Entire-home ADR of $186 is 6% above the all-listing average of $175. Luxury-tier listings averaged $337/night, nearly double the market average. Professionally managed listings averaged $216/night, a 24% premium over the market, suggesting that management quality correlates with rate capture here.
The investability score of 96/100 is exceptional. The revenue growth score of 44/100 signals a more cautious outlook on near-term revenue trajectory, consistent with the -4.8% revenue trend in the latest period. The regulation score of 67/100 reflects a light regulatory environment with no identified county-level STR permit requirement.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Hortense guests book an average of 38 days in advance as of April 2026, a moderate lead window consistent with regional outdoor-recreation destinations. The 38-day window gives operators roughly five weeks to optimize pricing before bookings are set, which is sufficient to implement dynamic pricing during peak spring and summer months.
Average length of stay is 4.0 nights, slightly above the typical weekend trip and consistent with outdoor recreation itineraries where travelers combine paddling, fishing, and nature activities over several days. At 50.4% occupancy and a 4-night average stay, properties are turning over approximately 4 times per month in booked periods. Minimum-stay policies of 3-4 nights align well with the current booking pattern and can reduce cleaning-intensive one-night stays without meaningfully reducing demand.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Hortense is an unincorporated census-designated place in Brantley County, Georgia. No Brantley County ordinance specifically requiring an STR license or permit was identified in the profile data. Georgia has no statewide STR licensing requirement, leaving regulation to local jurisdictions, and Brantley County does not appear to have enacted a dedicated STR permitting regime as of the profile date.
The county’s 2016 Land Use Ordinance establishes land-use districts and a review process for special exceptions but does not appear to single out short-term or vacation rentals. No owner-occupancy requirement, primary-residence requirement, or annual night cap was identified.
For taxes: no confirmed Brantley County hotel-motel occupancy tax rate could be located. Georgia’s statewide accommodations fee and applicable sales taxes may apply to lodging revenue. Operators should confirm current tax obligations directly with the Brantley County Tax Commissioner (912-462-5723) before assuming a zero local lodging tax rate. Enforcement appears minimal in this rural market. No recent regulatory changes affecting STRs were identified.
Market Comparison
Hortense’s April 2026 ADR of $175 is below the national STR median of approximately $220, but its 50.4% occupancy is close to the US median of roughly 55%. The market’s most distinctive attribute is its investability score of 96/100, driven by low property values relative to rental revenue potential. The typical home value of approximately $202,000 positions this market as an accessible entry point compared to high-cost coastal or mountain resort markets.
Operator concentration is moderate. Evolve leads with 315 listings and 10,767 reviews (rated 4.66). Orlando holds 94 listings with 4,398 reviews (4.70). Patriot Family Homes manages 70 listings with 3,671 reviews (rated 4.31). Pine Mountain Chalet and River Town Rentals round out the top five with 51 and 46 listings respectively. The top five operators together account for 576 listings out of a market dominated by Airbnb-listed inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hortense, Georgia
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