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
Photo of Chris Thile by Josh GolemanSmart Bets: Hobbit Affair
Photo courtesy of Warriors of AshSmart Bets: Let It Be Art!
Photo of Ronald Rand as Harold Clurman courtesy of RandSmart Bets: William Matthews Poetry Prize reading
Photo of Keith Flynn courtesy of Flynn
food
Local organizations fight food waste and feed the community
FREE FOR ALL: “We strongly believe that no fresh food should end up in the landfill when our neighbors don’t have enough to eat,” says Food Connection Executive Director Marisha…How some Asheville restaurants weathered Helene
STAYING AFLOAT: Asheville's award-winning Cúrate restaurant survived the post-Helene downturn by being creative, says co-owner Felix Meana. Photo courtesy of CúrateA Year in Beer: Elite athleticism at Sierra Nevada
STIFF COMPETITION: It's every man for himself as, from left, Craig Hack, Alan West, Tom Bleick and Bill Kwochka vie for the most meaningless title in sports history: Cross Country…What’s new in food: Asheville Bread Festival and a Crawdad Bash
Design by Scott SouthwickRowan Coffee opens in West Asheville with on-site roastery and all-day hours
COFFEE BREAK: Jessi Lee Cord, left, and Bow Smith are pictured in the newly opened West Asheville location of Rowan Coffee and Rowan Roastery. Photo by Danny Lebsock of Heirloom…
living
New local tech venture supports sustainability for food-focused nonprofits
ROOTED IN COMMUNITY: Addison Fuller, left, and Matt Corzine, right, launched FastRoots as a way to support local food-security nonprofits through technology. Photo by Lyndi HewittPreventive Care: Ways to reduce exposure to toxins
AREA OF INTEREST: "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…Imagining Asheville in 2050: The benefits of native plants and landscapes
NATIVE 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…
news
Short-term rental market assesses new normal
TRAVEL RESET: The most in-demand short-term rentals (STRs) are higher-end, large homes, often with amenities like hot tubs, pools or pickleball courts. Meanwhile, smaller homes with few or no amenities…Sustaining community: A vision for the future of our public schools
NEEDS MET: "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…Sustaining community: Get involved however you can
GIVE WHAT YOU'VE GOT: "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…Updates on WNC parks projects delayed by Helene
PROJECT DENIED: Plans to renovate and repair basketball courts at Cragmont Park have been scrapped. Photo courtesy of Town of Black MountainSustaining community: Things you can do to support local trails
ALL ARE WELCOME: "You don’t need to be a trail expert to help," says David Huff, councillor for communications of the Carolina Mountain Club. Photo courtesy of HuffSustaining community: Energy Savers Network branches out to reduce energy costs
SHELTER FROM THE STORM: "Since 2017 Energy Savers Network has been hard at work weatherizing over 1,400 low-income homes in Buncombe County," says Steffi Rausch, director of operations for Energy…U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards’ report outlines possible FEMA improvements
RECOMMENDATIONS: U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards released a report that says FEMA is needed in Western North Carolina. Photo by Thomas CalderParents ask county to raise taxes for schools
TAXES FOR SCHOOLS: Christina Shimrock holds a megaphone at a walk-in March 19 for third-grader Alex Small, who reads a letter written by his classmates at Claxton Elementary about why…Feeling the burn: An exodus of staff has made it hard for NC Forest Service to fight wildfires
FIREFIGHTER SHORTAGE: As the N.C. Forest Service struggles to keep personnel, the Deep Woods Fire torched 3,969 acres through Polk and Henderson counties. North Carolina Forest Service / Provided
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."
