Investor-friendly real estate agents in Hot Springs, AR
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Get matched in Hot SpringsVetted investor agents across the Hot Springs metro
Hot Springs is a tourism and lake town, not a growth market. The metro has about 100,000 people, the same as in 2019. More Americans move in than out each year, but the population still hasn't grown. Typical home values are about $244,000 and typical rent about $1,240, roughly 0.51% a month, so a median-priced long-term rental won't cash flow with a mortgage at today's rates. Home values have been flat since mid-2024 while rents rose about 4% last year. The national park, Bathhouse Row and the lakes drive visitor demand, which is why the city regulates short-term rentals closely: a conditional use permit in residential zones and a cap of 700. Arkansas law is landlord-friendly. Our vetted agent partners include a Hot Springs agent with commercial expertise and a mortgage background, and a Little Rock agent who also covers Hot Springs.
Investor purchases in Hot Springs and Central Arkansas, including from an agent with a mortgage background who can help you think through financing.
Commercial property purchases from a Hot Springs agent whose tagged expertise is commercial.
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Is Hot Springs worth investing in? The long-term trends
People, jobs, rents and prices for the Hot Springs metro, straight from the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Zillow. Hover or tap a chart for exact values.
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 96,089 |
| 2011 | 96,932 |
| 2012 | 97,129 |
| 2013 | 97,859 |
| 2014 | 98,015 |
| 2015 | 98,132 |
| 2016 | 98,596 |
| 2017 | 98,756 |
| 2018 | 99,439 |
| 2019 | 99,828 |
| 2020 | 100,259 |
| 2021 | 100,318 |
| 2022 | 99,975 |
| 2023 | 99,772 |
| 2024 | 99,910 |
| 2025 | 99,695 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2011 | +979 |
| 2012 | +428 |
| 2013 | +965 |
| 2014 | +349 |
| 2015 | +321 |
| 2016 | +694 |
| 2017 | +366 |
| 2018 | +980 |
| 2019 | +686 |
| 2020 | +711 |
| 2021 | +705 |
| 2022 | +379 |
| 2023 | +338 |
| 2024 | +555 |
| 2025 | +380 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 37,200 |
| 2011 | 37,100 |
| 2012 | 37,300 |
| 2013 | 37,600 |
| 2014 | 37,700 |
| 2015 | 37,400 |
| 2016 | 37,800 |
| 2017 | 38,100 |
| 2018 | 38,900 |
| 2019 | 39,500 |
| 2020 | 37,900 |
| 2021 | 39,500 |
| 2022 | 40,000 |
| 2023 | 40,400 |
| 2024 | 40,400 |
| 2025 | 40,900 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2021 | $995/mo |
| Dec 2022 | $1,019/mo |
| Dec 2023 | $1,108/mo |
| Dec 2024 | $1,157/mo |
| Dec 2025 | $1,189/mo |
| Sep 2026 | $1,236/mo |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2010 | $116,710 |
| Dec 2011 | $116,997 |
| Dec 2012 | $124,594 |
| Dec 2013 | $125,585 |
| Dec 2014 | $127,263 |
| Dec 2015 | $130,402 |
| Dec 2016 | $132,832 |
| Dec 2017 | $135,902 |
| Dec 2018 | $142,873 |
| Dec 2019 | $150,491 |
| Dec 2020 | $168,179 |
| Dec 2021 | $205,074 |
| Dec 2022 | $228,949 |
| Dec 2023 | $236,205 |
| Dec 2024 | $243,661 |
| Dec 2025 | $241,680 |
| Sep 2026 | $243,715 |
View data table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Dec 2021 | 17.2× |
| Dec 2022 | 18.7× |
| Dec 2023 | 17.8× |
| Dec 2024 | 17.5× |
| Dec 2025 | 16.9× |
| Sep 2026 | 16.4× |
Data retrieved October 16, 2026. Figures cover the Hot Springs metro area.
The numbers and rules that matter in Hot Springs
Zillow Home Value Index, Hot Springs metro, Sep 2026 (+0.5% YoY).
Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types, Sep 2026 (+4.0% YoY). Single-family 3-beds rent higher.
Typical rent ÷ typical home value. Well under the 1% rule; plan on cash flow from buying right, not from rents.
Over the past year: home values +0.5%, rents +4.0%.
Arkansas landlord-tenant basics
Arkansas is one of the most landlord-friendly states. The main rules are in the Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007 (Ark. Code Title 18, Chapter 17) and the deposit and eviction statutes in Chapter 16. The points investors ask about most:
- Security deposit: capped at two months' rent, and within 60 days after move-out you return it or send an itemized list of deductions. The deposit law generally applies only to landlords with six or more rental units.
- Minimum standards: since November 1, 2021 (Act 1052), leases entered into or renewed must provide hot and cold running water, electricity, potable drinking water, a sanitary sewer and working plumbing, a functioning roof and building envelope, and heat and air conditioning if the unit had them when leased. Use a move-in defect form; it helps document compliance.
- Eviction: the civil route is an unlawful detainer case, which starts with a three-day written notice to vacate. Arkansas also still has a criminal failure-to-vacate statute (Ark. Code § 18-16-101): a tenant who doesn't pay and stays past a 10-day written notice can be charged with a misdemeanor. Talk to an Arkansas attorney about which route fits.
- No local rent control: since 2025 (Act 459), cities and counties can't regulate rent, rental application fees or deposits.
- Squatters: since 2025 (Act 238), unlawful squatting is a crime, and police can act on a report from the owner or the owner's authorized representative.
Short-term rental rules in Hot Springs
The City of Hot Springs has regulated short-term rentals since June 1, 2021 (Ordinance O-21-26). Inside city limits, zoning and a citywide cap decide most of what you can do.
- Every STR needs a business license, renewed each year by January 1, and an inspection before the first license. In residential zones you also need a conditional use permit.
- Cap: no more than 700 STRs in residential zones per calendar year.
- Fees: the 2021 ordinance set the application fee and the annual business and occupation tax at $50 per bed.
- Operating rules: a local property manager who can be on site within 60 minutes, occupancy of two per bedroom plus two, off-street parking, and the city's trash and noise rules.
- Stays under 30 days owe state and local sales tax plus Arkansas's 2% tourism tax on lodging, and Hot Springs levies its own advertising and promotion tax on lodging.
- Lake property outside city limits falls under county or other city rules, not the city's. In 2025 a state bill (HB 1790) would have barred citywide STR caps; it died at the end of the session. HOA covenants can ban STRs regardless.
Last reviewed October 16, 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice — rules and fees change, so confirm with the city, the statute, or your attorney before you rely on them. Sources: Zillow Research data (ZHVI, ZORI) — Hot Springs metro; Arkansas Attorney General — Landlord and tenant rights; Arkansas Act 1052 (2021) — Minimum standards for residential rentals; Arkansas SB 25 (2017, Act 159) — Failure to vacate (Ark. Code § 18-16-101); Arkansas Act 459 (2025) — Local rent, fee and deposit control prohibited; Arkansas Act 238 (2025) — Unlawful squatting; City of Hot Springs — Short-term rental policies, rules and regulations; City of Hot Springs — STR good neighbor guidance; Visit Hot Springs — Advertising and promotion tax; Arkansas DFA — Gross receipts tax rules (2% tourism tax on lodging); Arkansas HB 1790 (2025) — Short-term rental preemption (died).
Before you make an offer on a rental property, you need more than a gut feeling. Here is the step-by-step framework serious investors use to stress-test a deal on paper first.
Buying a rental out of state comes down to one thing: the quality of your local agent. Here is the five-step process that keeps investors from getting burned.
An investor-focused real estate agent does far more than open doors and write offers. Here is exactly what separates them from a standard residential agent, and why it matters for your returns.
Questions investors ask about Hot Springs
Which areas do your Hot Springs agents cover?
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Our vetted agent partners cover Hot Springs and Central Arkansas. One is based in Hot Springs, has commercial expertise and a mortgage background, and works with investors, veterans and first-time buyers; the other is a Little Rock agent who also covers Hot Springs.
Is Hot Springs a good market for cash-flowing rentals?
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Not at median prices with a mortgage. Typical rent is about 0.51% of home value per month. Prices have been flat since mid-2024 while rents rise, which helps, but the economy is small and tourism-driven. Buy below median and underwrite on today's rents.
Can I run an Airbnb in Hot Springs?
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Inside city limits, yes, with an annual business license, an inspection, and in residential zones a conditional use permit. The city caps residential-zone STRs at 700 and requires a local manager who can be on site within an hour. Lake properties outside city limits follow different rules. Check HOA rules too.
Is Arkansas landlord-friendly?
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Very. Deposits are capped at two months' rent for larger landlords, cities can't impose rent control, and evictions can move quickly. Since 2021, leases must meet basic minimum standards such as water, electricity, sewer, a sound roof and working heat and air if provided.
Can I invest in Hot Springs if I live out of state?
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Yes, but for an STR you'll need a local manager anyway: the city requires one who can reach the property within 60 minutes. For any rental, pick an agent who walks properties for you and connects you with contractors and a property manager.
What does it cost to get matched with a Hot Springs agent?
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Nothing. Agents Invest is free for investors. The agent pays us a referral fee only if you close a deal with them.
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