Rental Reset: What does the decline on short-term rentals mean for Asheville?
- Volume 31
- / Issue 38
Cover Design Credit:
Scott Southwick
Cover Photography Credit:
Thomas Calder
Recent data from AirDNA, a research and analytics platform that studies the short-term rental market, indicate that more than 1,400 STR units have left the WNC market in the months that followed Tropical Storm Helene — a reduction of 21% of active STR listings in 2025 compared with 2024. Despite the sharp decline, some experts think the upheaval could offer unexpected benefits for STR hosts and WNC residents.
arts
Smart Bets: Asheville Amadeus Festival
The 11-day, biennial celebration of music and the arts kicks off April 30 with a special-release beer and party at Appalachian Mountain Brewery in Mills River.Smart Bets: Hobbit Affair
The Middle Earth fantasy immersion happens Saturday, April 26, at Sweeten Creek Brewing.Smart Bets: Let It Be Art!
The April 25 performance from Ronald Rand brings famed drama critic, theater director and author Harold Clurman to life on the Black Mountain Center for the Arts stage.Smart Bets: William Matthews Poetry Prize reading
The April 23 event at Malaprop's celebrates Asheville Poetry Review's 30th anniversary.
food
Local organizations fight food waste and feed the community
Food Connection, 12 Baskets and WNC Food Waste Solutions work to keep food out of WNC landfills.How some Asheville restaurants weathered Helene
After Tropical Storm Helene, Asheville restaurants faced financial strain with low tourism and decreased local spending. Many adapted by offering affordable menus, diversifying revenue and focusing on community support.A Year in Beer: Elite athleticism at Sierra Nevada
The gang experiences the magic (and limitations) that a bocce ball court creates.What’s new in food: Asheville Bread Festival and a Crawdad Bash
Also in this week's food news: A pupusa fundraiser at Mamacita's Taqueria, Comedy Queens Drag Brunch, Children's Tea at Crown & Thistle and expansion news from Chai Pani.Rowan Coffee opens in West Asheville with on-site roastery and all-day hours
Beer and wine are on the beverage menu, as well as hot and cold coffee drinks, tea and chai.
living
New local tech venture supports sustainability for food-focused nonprofits
Born out of Tropical Storm Helene relief efforts, FastRoots creates technology to help blaze Western North Carolina's path to food resilience.Preventive Care: Ways to reduce exposure to toxins
"What was once a 'woo-woo' fad in the alternative medicine space, detoxification is a growing area of interest for doctors and patients who are trying to take better control of…Imagining Asheville in 2050: The benefits of native plants and landscapes
In a new series, Xpress spotlights local experts who have positive visions for the future and ideas about what Asheville could look like in 2050 if we invest in the…
news
Short-term rental market assesses new normal
Recent data from AirDNA, a research and analytics platform that studies the short-term rental market, indicate that more than 1,400 STR units have left the WNC market in the months…Sustaining community: A vision for the future of our public schools
"The vision I have of public schools is one where every child thrives — fully funded, fully staffed and resourced to meet every need," says Shanna Peele, president of the…Sustaining community: Get involved however you can
"We all have different strengths and ways we are able to contribute; but together we can, and are, making a difference," says Cheoah Landis, executive director of the Laurel Community…Updates on WNC parks projects delayed by Helene
Major recreation projects in Black Mountain, Hendersonville and Woodfin got delayed by Tropical Storm Helene. Where do they stand seven months later?Sustaining community: Things you can do to support local trails
"You don’t need to be a trail expert to help," says David Huff, councillor for communications of the Carolina Mountain Club.Sustaining community: Energy Savers Network branches out to reduce energy costs
"Since 2017 Energy Savers Network (ESN) has been hard at work weatherizing over 1,400 low-income homes in Buncombe County," says Steffi Rausch, director of operations for Energy Savers Network.U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards’ report outlines possible FEMA improvements
“Western North Carolina cannot afford for recovery to be interrupted by total terminations of critical recovery programs,” the report states. Its recommendations are intended to increase the functionality of disaster…Parents ask county to raise taxes for schools
Families of Asheville City Schools (FACS), a group made up of parents from every school in ACS, has launched a “Two Cents for AVL” campaign lobbying the Buncombe County Board…Feeling the burn: An exodus of staff has made it hard for NC Forest Service to fight wildfires
Extensive personnel shortages at the NC Forest Service hampered the agency’s ability to manage the wildfires that raged in Western North Carolina this spring, state and county officials say.
opinion
Letter: Don’t blame local officials for Raleigh’s actions
"Instead of detailing the continuing decrease in state funding that has resulted in the reduction in local programs, personnel and services, critics blame the city and county officials."The impossible bargain of feel-good politics
"Freezing communities in amber is largely why housing has become so expensive, and doubling down on this, even when well-intentioned, will only worsen the situation."Indirect currency
Letter: Parking requirements are a must
"Unless the City of Asheville doesn’t care about its indigenous residents, who have lived here many years, parking requirements must be a part of any rental property’s zoning laws."All aglow
Letter: We deserve a better I-26 Connector
"This will have tremendous negative impacts on our community for the next century and will significantly affect our ability to navigate in our own city."Letter: Don’t miss I-26 Connector session
"This project, while intended to improve regional connectivity, will undoubtedly have a significant and lasting impact on the character and landscape of West Asheville."
