How Much Can My Wimberley Property Earn?
It’s the question we get asked more than any other. And we always answer it the same way. Honestly.
Sometimes that honesty is surprising.
The Conversation Nobody Else Is Having
We recently pulled comps for a beautiful Wimberley property. Thoughtfully decorated, great location, genuinely lovely home. The owner wanted to know what it could earn.
The honest answer? As it sits today only around $60,000 a year. At best. Maybe a little more with sharp revenue management and great listing copy. But not much more.
That’s not a bad number. But it’s probably not what they were hoping to hear.
Here’s where it gets interesting though. The same property — with a pool — could realistically earn well over $120,000 a year.
Same home. Same location. Double the revenue.
That’s not a guess. That’s what the comp data shows, consistently, in this market right now.
Why the Wimberley Market Has Changed
Wimberley has always had charm. The river, the rolling hills, the small town feel that makes people want to slow down and stay awhile. That hasn’t changed. What has changed is the guest.
Today’s traveler is comparing your property against dozens of others before they ever click “book.” They’re making decisions in seconds based on what they see. What they’re choosing, consistently, are properties with standout outdoor amenities.
Private pools. Hot tubs. Outdoor living spaces that feel like an extension of the home. Spaces that photograph beautifully and make guests feel like they arrived somewhere truly special.
A beautifully decorated interior gets you in the game. But in a market this competitive, outdoor amenities win the booking.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
The gap between a property with top amenities and one without isn’t small. In many cases it’s the difference between a $60,000 year and a $120,000 year — or more.
We’ve seen it firsthand with our own portfolio. The same property with a different approach, can outperform the rest.
The market rewards the properties that give guests something to talk about. Something to photograph. Something they can’t find anywhere else.
A Pool Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank
Here’s something we tell every owner who hears “pool” and immediately thinks six figures: it doesn’t have to cost that much.
At our own Cowboy Surf Lodge property in Wimberley, we took what some would classify as a gaudy above ground pool and transformed it into something guests genuinely love — by adding a beautiful stone surround that made it feel intentional, elevated, and completely on brand with the property’s aesthetic.
Is it a custom gunite pool? No. Does it check the box, photograph beautifully, and give guests the outdoor water experience they’re looking for? Absolutely.
The lesson isn’t “cut corners.” It’s that thoughtful design and smart investment can get you to the same place without the same price tag. We know how to do this — and we love helping owners figure out the most efficient path to the amenities that actually move the needle.
So Is a Pool Worth It?
For a property you plan to operate as a short term rental long term — the math often makes a compelling case.
If a pool adds $60,000 or more in annual revenue, the return on that investment becomes very hard to ignore. Especially when there are creative, cost effective ways to get there.
That’s a conversation we love having with owners. Because the answer is almost always more encouraging than they expected.
What We Actually Do
At Wonderlodge we don’t just take your listing and hope for the best. We pull the real comp data, tell you honestly what your property can earn today, and show you what it could earn with the right improvements and strategy.
And while we’re talking about Wimberley specifically here, this dynamic plays out in short term rental markets across Texas and beyond. The principles are universal — guests everywhere are choosing amenities, design, and experience over square footage alone.
Sometimes the path forward is a pool. Sometimes it’s smarter pricing or better listing copy. Sometimes it’s a stone wall and a vision.
What matters is knowing where you are, where you could be, and what it would take to get there.
If you’re wondering what your property could really earn — let’s find out together.
Book a free property review with Jen →
Stay in wonder. 🤍