Short-term rentals-specific comparison
TrueCap vs DealCheck for Short-term rentals: which models seasonal ADR, occupancy, and STR tax loophole better?
Both calculators were built for long-term rentals first. Both let you model short-term rentals by overriding rent with a projected monthly STR revenue. This is the STR-investor cut: which one handles seasonal ADR + occupancy, supports AirDNA inputs cleanly, and models the STR tax loophole (cost segregation + bonus depreciation) properly.
TL;DR for Short-term rentals investors
Use TrueCap when
- You're underwriting a property as a potential STR.
- You want to compare LTR vs STR scenarios side-by-side.
- You want the STR tax loophole (cost seg + bonus depreciation) modeled.
- You want a free tier that covers basic STR underwriting.
Use DealCheck when
- You manage many STRs on mobile at properties.
- You're already a DealCheck Plus or Premium subscriber.
- You prefer DealCheck's listing-import workflow for STR sourcing.
Short-term rentals feature-by-feature
Where each tool wins on the Short-term rentals workflow specifically.
| Feature | TrueCap | DealCheck |
|---|---|---|
| LTR + STR scenario comparison | Yes — run two scenarios on same property in one workspace | Manual — duplicate the deal and override rent |
| ADR + occupancy input model | Editable rent field — plug AirDNA monthly projection | Editable rent field — same approach |
| Seasonal occupancy curve modeling | Pro — 12-month seasonal income breakdown | Annualized only |
| AirDNA / Mashvisor data integration | Manual — paste AirDNA's projected monthly revenue into rent field | Same approach |
| STR tax loophole (bonus depreciation) | Pro tax strategy — supports accelerated depreciation modeling | Standard tax view |
| Cost segregation impact modeling | Pro — accelerated depreciation in year 1-5 | Manual |
| Property management at 25% (typical STR PM rate) | Yes — adjustable management % | Yes |
| Higher utilities + cleaning fees | Yes — utilities + maintenance fields handle the STR overhead | Yes |
| Mobile UX | PWA installable | Native iOS + Android |
| Free tier covers STR underwriting | Yes — full cap rate / CoC / DSCR / cash flow on free | Limited free; full STR needs paid tier |
Common questions about TrueCap vs DealCheck (Short-term rentals)
Quick answers to the questions investors comparison-shopping these tools actually ask.
Which is better for short-term rentals — TrueCap or DealCheck?
Both work. TrueCap edges out on three STR-specific things: a 12-month seasonal income breakdown (Pro), accelerated-depreciation modeling for the STR tax loophole, and a deeper free tier. DealCheck has native iOS/Android apps which is the cleaner mobile experience.
Can TrueCap model AirDNA revenue projections?
Yes — every input in TrueCap is editable. Pull AirDNA's projected monthly revenue (annual ÷ 12, discounted for vacancy + cleaning + STR opex), plug it into the rent field, run the full cap rate / DSCR / cash flow analysis. Same approach works in DealCheck.
Does TrueCap support the STR tax loophole?
Yes — Pro tax strategy modeling supports accelerated depreciation scenarios, including bonus depreciation and cost segregation for STRs. The REPS / STR loophole framework can be incorporated into the projection. Always consult your CPA for the specific math; TrueCap provides the cash flow + depreciation timeline they need.
What management rate should I use for STR analysis?
Long-term rentals usually run 8-10% management. STRs run 20-25% management when using a full-service PM (channel management + guest comms + cleaning coordination). If you self-manage, you can drop it to 0-5% (just covering software + occasional cleaning coordinator) but be honest about your time. TrueCap's management field is editable to whatever you set.
Can I run LTR and STR scenarios on the same property?
Yes — that's the smartest STR workflow. Run TrueCap once with HUD long-term rent (LTR scenario), then again with your AirDNA-derived monthly STR revenue (STR scenario). Compare cap rate, cash flow, DSCR side-by-side. Some properties pencil better as LTR; some only work as STRs. The cap-rate gap tells you the answer.
Underwrite your next Short-term rentals deal — free.
Free covers the standard cap rate, CoC, DSCR, and cash flow. Pro unlocks projections, sensitivity, tax strategy, exit scenarios, deal score, MAO, and PDF exports.