Harrison, Michigan Short-Term Rental Market
Harrison, MI STRs averaged $161/night at 49.2% occupancy in April 2026, with a new STR licensing ordinance taking effect July 11, 2026.
Quick Answer: Harrison, Michigan is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 61%. average monthly revenue is $3,813. average daily rate is $248. the top operator is Evolve with 367 listings. market score is 80/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Michigan Area regional market, which includes Harrison. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Harrison.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Harrison is a small lakeside city of approximately 2,110 residents in Clare County, mid-Michigan, marketed under the tourism slogan ‘Twenty Lakes in Twenty Minutes.’ The market draws regional drive-market visitors from metro Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing, primarily for fishing, boating, swimming, snowmobiling, and off-road vehicle recreation. The 175-acre Budd Lake and Wilson State Park anchor summer water tourism, while winter brings snowmobilers and ice fishing participants. As of April 2026, the Harrison STR market recorded an average daily rate of $161 and occupancy of 49.2%, producing a RevPAR of $79. Year-over-year, occupancy slipped 0.2 percentage points while ADR rose 3.1% and average monthly revenue fell 2.2%, a pattern consistent with the market’s recent post-peak rebalancing. The active listing base totals approximately 9,130 units. Entire-place listings dominate at 8,475 (92.8% of supply), with 651 private-room listings and 4 shared-room listings. Bedroom mix leans toward 2-bedroom properties at 2,623 listings, followed by 3-bedrooms at 2,498, 1-bedrooms at 2,252, 4-bedrooms at 1,102, and 5-bedroom-plus properties at 630. By channel, 4,192 listings are Airbnb-only, 3,798 appear on both Airbnb and VRBO, and 1,140 are VRBO-only. The market’s total score of 79.7 out of 100 reflects a strong investability score of 97.3 and revenue growth score of 80.4.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39% | $144 | $1,621 |
| Feb | 44% | $146 | $1,641 |
| Mar | 44% | $136 | $1,696 |
| Apr | 48% | $143 | $1,717 |
| May | 52% | $172 | $2,023 |
| Jun | 62% | $214 | $3,176 |
| Jul | 71% | $218 | $4,112 |
| Aug | 64% | $214 | $3,777 |
| Sep | 46% | $187 | $2,375 |
| Oct | 45% | $164 | $2,116 |
| Nov | 42% | $148 | $1,770 |
| Dec | 45% | $150 | $1,815 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Harrison
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 367 | 11,455 | ★ 4.68 |
| 2 | Freshwater Vacation Rentals | 61 | 2,578 | ★ 4.85 |
| 3 | LiveSuites | 59 | 1,209 | ★ 4.67 |
| 4 | Short Term Rentals | 31 | 2,493 | ★ 4.68 |
| 5 | Simple Lyfe Stays | 29 | 2,365 | ★ 4.85 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Harrison?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 2,252 |
| 2 bed | 2,623 |
| 3 bed | 2,498 |
| 4 bed | 1,102 |
| 5 bed | 630 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $260 |
| Luxury | $447 |
| Professionally Managed | $291 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,328 |
| Entire Place | $3,984 |
| House | $4,148 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 45.9% |
| vrbo | 12.5% |
| both | 41.6% |
Investment Analysis
Harrison’s STR investment case is supported by a strong investability score of 97.3 and revenue growth score of 80.4, reflecting improving long-term revenue trends in a mid-Michigan lakes market. No housing value data was available for this market at the time of this analysis, so a gross yield calculation cannot be provided. At the April 2026 average monthly revenue of $1,955, the annualized run rate is approximately $23,460. The 2025 annual average revenue of $2,743 per month is higher than the April 2026 figure, reflecting the seasonality pattern where April is below the full-year average. ADR tiers show the following spread: the all-listings average was $161, entire-home listings averaged $173, professionally managed properties averaged $179, and luxury-tier listings averaged $335. The narrow $18 gap between professionally managed ($179) and all-listings ($161) ADR suggests the premium for professional management is relatively modest in this market compared to more resort-oriented destinations. The luxury tier at $335, however, shows significant upside for premium lakefront properties. Year-over-year revenue fell 2.2% in April 2026 after rising in 2025, but the multi-year trend is positive: annual average revenue has climbed from $2,483 in 2023 to $2,583 in 2024 and $2,743 in 2025. The revenue growth score of 80.4 reflects this improving trajectory.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
As of April 2026, the average booking lead time in Harrison was approximately 41 days, and the average length of stay was 4.2 nights. A 41-day lead window gives operators about six weeks to adjust pricing before a stay. The 4.2-night average stay is the longest of the five markets in this batch, suggesting guests are booking full-week vacations rather than weekend escapes, consistent with the cabin and lake-vacation profile. Minimum-stay policies of five to seven nights during July and August align well with the actual booking behavior and can significantly reduce peak-season turnover costs. For shoulder months (May, September, October), a three-to-four-night minimum balances yield optimization with the risk of gaps. Operators should list calendars 90 to 120 days out to capture the portion of guests who plan summer vacations well in advance, while using dynamic pricing tools to handle demand within the 41-day booking window.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
The City of Harrison adopted Ordinance 2026-02, its first dedicated Short-Term Rental License Ordinance, on June 1, 2026, effective July 11, 2026. Any dwelling rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days requires a city license before it can be advertised, offered, or rented on any platform. Only the property owner may hold a license (LLCs and trusts qualify); there is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement and no annual night cap. The license is valid for 12 months and must be renewed annually. License fees are set by council resolution: $100 initial license, $200 annual license-and-inspection fee, with reinspection and complaint-inspection fees of $50 to $75. A passing city inspection covering smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, egress, and exit access is required before issuance and at each annual renewal. Occupancy is capped at 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional per dwelling (children under age 2 excluded). Maximum occupancy, parking information, a fire-evacuation plan, and local-contact information must be posted inside the unit. Owners must designate a 24/7 local contact who responds to city notices within 48 hours, and must carry liability insurance. Enforcement follows a three-strike system within a rolling 12-month period, with civil fines up to $500 per violation per day. Existing operators must apply for a license within 90 days of the July 11, 2026 effective date. Michigan levies a 6% use tax on short-term lodging. Enforcement is classified as moderate.
Market Comparison
Against US STR benchmarks of approximately 55% occupancy and a median ADR near $220, Harrison’s April 2026 figures of 49.2% occupancy and $161 ADR are below both national medians. However, Harrison distinguishes itself with an investability score of 97.3 and a revenue growth score of 80.4, both well above market-score midpoints, signaling strong structural demand and improving revenue trends. The five largest operators collectively hold 547 listings, representing roughly 6% of the 9,130-unit market. Evolve leads with 367 listings and 11,455 reviews at a 4.68 average rating. Freshwater Vacation Rentals manages 61 listings with 2,578 reviews at a 4.85 rating. LiveSuites holds 59 listings with 1,209 reviews at a 4.67 rating. Short Term Rentals operates 31 listings with 2,493 reviews at a 4.68 rating. Simple Lyfe Stays rounds out the top five with 29 listings and 2,365 reviews at a 4.85 rating. The VRBO channel has meaningful traction here, with 1,140 VRBO-only listings and 3,798 dual-listed properties, suggesting savvy operators cross-list to maximize reach in a market where cabin and lake-vacation guests often search on VRBO.
Frequently Asked Questions About Harrison, Michigan
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