Good question — Santa Barbara’s a tricky market for that. Short-term rentals can make good money in summer but drop hard off-season, plus you’ll deal with cleaning, reviews, and local regulations. I switched to a long-term setup and used one of the
Property Management Companies in Santa Barbara, CA to handle it. They screened tenants, took care of paperwork, and set up automatic rent deposits. Now I have zero turnover stress and steady income all year. Plus, they know local zoning rules, which is huge — Santa Barbara’s strict on short-term rental permits. I’d say if you want stability, go long-term with professional help.