Why investors are quietly selling off their Big Bear & OC Airbnbs…

The era of easy cash-flow on short-term rentals in Southern California has hit a brick wall. Between 2020 and 2021, low rates and drive-to travel turned Orange County homes and Big Bear cabins into massive revenue generators. But the tide shifted fast: 1️⃣ The Regulatory Hammer: Cities across OC banned or strictly capped permits (Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach). 2️⃣ Market Oversaturation: Too many identical rentals chasing fewer off-peak bookings, tanking occupancy rates. 3️⃣ The Insurance Crisis: Fire-zone insurance spikes in mountain areas like Big Bear wiped out profit margins almost overnight. 4️⃣ The Mass Exit: Leveraged owners are now facing negative cash flow and off-loading turnkey vacation homes back onto the market. Are short-term rentals still worth the headache in 2026, or is the long-term rental market king again? Drop your thoughts below. 👇 Meghan Shigo, Realtor Century 21 Affiliated DRE 01243803 #meghanshigo #realestate #airbnb #rentalproperty #interestrates