2026 Peak Rental Season: What To Expect

As we move into peak rental season along the Alabama Gulf Coast, early indicators suggest a more measured pace than in record-setting years immediately following the pandemic. Increased inventory, more cautious consumer spending, and a longer booking window are all shaping a season that may feel slower to build, but still holds strong potential. Several broader factors are contributing to this shift, including higher travel costs such as fuel and airfare, lingering airline reliability concerns, and general economic uncertainty that is prompting guests to be more selective with discretionary spending. Guests are planning, but they are taking more time to commit, often waiting for the right combination of value, flexibility, and property quality before booking.

In this environment, differences in performance are becoming more apparent across properties and management approaches. Based on current data, iTrip Vacations is pacing ahead of the broader market, with booked occupancy for the 2026 peak summer months currently at least 26% higher than the market average. This reflects the impact of pricing strategy, marketing reach, and overall property condition in a more competitive landscape.

When advising investor clients, updated, well-maintained homes that are priced strategically continue to capture the majority of demand. For clients focused on maximizing rental income, pet-friendly properties are consistently outperforming, appealing to a broader segment of travelers and often achieving higher occupancy than comparable non-pet-friendly units. This trend is particularly notable in our market, where nearly every condominium association restricts pets, limiting overall supply.

At the national level, the property management industry continues to experience disruption, as Vacasa was recently sold to Casago, which has now undergone another shift to Avari. These repeated changes have created confusion and frustration for both property owners and guests. If any of your clients find themselves in a difficult position or are seeking more stability, we would be honored to speak with them about our locally owned, relationship-focused management program.

>> THANK YOU!!

Thank you to all of the agents who attended the Deep Dive into Rental Market Insights earlier this month. I enjoyed seeing you and hope the information shared was valuable. If you were unable to attend and would like to review the data, please reach out to me to schedule a time to connect.

I’m always available to support your efforts with accurate data and insights you and your clients can rely on.

~ Kathy Harr

Reach out to me directly, or find more information on our property management program here.

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