Luke Carl sits down with Jonathan to break down what’s really happening in the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan short-term rental markets heading into early 2026. They dig into where buyers are finding leverage right now, why condos are far more negotiable than single-family homes, how inventory can be both limited and overpriced at the same time, and what recent deal examples reveal about seller motivation, management performance, and realistic expectations in today’s market. The conversation also touches on tourism drivers like sports travel, infrastructure expansion, and local news that could impact future demand.

Connect with an agent: agents@theshorttermshop.com

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For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

• (00:00:02) - Gulf Shores vs Orange Beach: What's The Difference?
• (00:05:49) - Property Comparison: Luxury Condos vs. 3 bedroom House
• (00:07:11) - Where to Buy a Home in Fort Morgan
• (00:09:26) - House and condo prices in the Gulf Coast
• (00:15:37) - Single Family Homes and Condos
• (00:17:05) - Bay Area Real Estate: High Days on Market
• (00:18:42) - Real Estate Talk: The Real Deal
• (00:22:41) - Real Estate Tip: Self-Managers vs. Management Companies
• (00:27:12) - Gulf Shores Hangout Fest Cancelled for 2026

In the final episode of the series we'll be covering calendars and pricing for properties in Gulf Shores. We'll have some tips for the newbies, as well as advice for staying on top of the many events coming to the area. We'll touch on lead times and how they can vary based on season and property size.

Connect with Avery and the Short Term Shop:

www.theshorttermshop.com

www.strquestions.com

Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth Book - https://amzn.to/3Adg6PA

Short Term Show and Short Term Rental Management Show - https://linktr.ee/strmshow

The Short Term Show - https://linktr.ee/theshorttermshow

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https://theshorttermshop.com/cash-flow-calculator/

https://theshorttermshop.com/estimated-returns/

https://theshorttermshop.com/lp/gulfshores/

In this episode of the series we'll cover the common occurrences you should expect to deal with in the Gulf Shores market. We'll discuss the battle of HVAC vs salt water and why you should be rinsing yours off, hurricance cancellation policies, rules for night time lighting and more.

Connect with Avery and the Short Term Shop:

www.theshorttermshop.com

www.strquestions.com

Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth Book - https://amzn.to/3Adg6PA

Short Term Show and Short Term Rental Management Show - https://linktr.ee/strmshow

The Short Term Show - https://linktr.ee/theshorttermshow

https://www.facebook.com/groups/shorttermshop

https://theshorttermshop.com/cash-flow-calculator/

https://theshorttermshop.com/estimated-returns/

https://theshorttermshop.com/lp/gulfshores/