Airbnb indicated in a recent statement that there were 15,300 Airbnb hosts offering rooms and homes for rent in Montgomery County during 2018.  According to that statement, together these Airbnb hosts generated $2.3 million in earnings through rentals through Airbnb.

According to Ms. Liz DeBold Fusco, Northeast Press Secretary for Airbnb, Airbnb hosts in Montgomery County are quite diverse.  She noted that 59 percent of Airbnb hosts in Montgomery County are women, while 17 percent of Airbnb hosts locally are senior citizens (individuals older than 60 years of age).

“Ninety-five percent of Airbnb hosts have only one listing,” stated Ms. DeBold Fusco.  This “typically suggests that the vast majority of hosts [are] local residents who are sharing their own home.”

“In addition, 47 percent of listings are private rooms,” continued Ms. DeBold Fusco.  “Again, suggesting that hosts are largely local residents sharing a room in their own home.  A typical listing is shared for 49 nights per year, or just 4 nights per month – again, suggesting that hosts are sharing their home sporadically to make ends meet.”

The Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association notes that several studies have shown a different side of Airbnb.

“Many of the Airbnb hosts are not just individual families renting a room on occasion,” stated Mr. John Longstreet, President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association.  “Many of the Airbnb hosts are commercial operations set up specifically to rent hotel rooms in residential neighborhoods.”

On January 4, 2019, Airbnb rentals were available in a number of locations in Abington, Cheltenham, Springfield, and Upper Dublin Townships as well as in the Borough of Jenkintown.  (No Airbnb rentals appeared to be available in the Borough of Rockledge on that date.)

Airbnb rentals were available on January 4, 2019, for rates ranging from $65.00 to $400.00 per night in communities like Glenside and Wyncote.

Room and house rentals in communities like Elkins Park and Jenkintown were available for nightly rates ranging from $55.00 to $500.00 through Airbnb on January 4, 2019.

On January 4, 2019, Airbnb hosts had rentals available in Abington and Willow Grove for nightly rates ranging from $34.00 to $65.00.

Rentals through Airbnb were available at properties offered by Airbnb hosts for nightly rates ranging from $30.00 to $116.00 in communities like Hollywood, Meadowbrook, and Rydal on January 4, 2019.

On January 4, 2019, Airbnb hosts were offering Airbnb rentals ranging from $39.00 to $112.00 per night in neighborhoods from Laverock to Arlington.

The maps are provided courtesy of Airbnb, 2019.

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Contact Richard McDonough at tookanyvalleychronicles@gmail.com.

© 2019 Richard McDonough