Houfy for direct bookings in Hot Springs

Houfy charges no booking commission to hosts or guests. In exchange, you handle payments, taxes and protection yourself.

How Houfy works

Create and verify your listingHoufy charges a one-time $5.99 verification fee. Optional paid plans add visibility, but a basic listing has no ongoing cost and no commission.
Connect your own paymentsHoufy doesn't process payments. You connect your own processor and set your deposit and balance terms, so you handle failed payments and chargebacks.
Sync your calendarsIf you also list on Airbnb or Vrbo, sync calendars through iCal or a channel manager so a booking anywhere blocks the dates everywhere.
Share your listing linkHoufy is most useful for guests who already know you. Give past guests and referrals your Houfy link for their next stay.

What you take on

Taxes. Airbnb collects Arkansas and Hot Springs lodging taxes on its bookings. On a direct booking you must collect and remit them yourself: in city limits that's 6.5% state sales tax, 2% state tourism tax, 1.5% county and 1.5% city sales tax, and the city's 3% Advertising and Promotion tax.
The city license. Direct bookings of less than 30 days inside city limits still need the city's Short-Term Residential Rental Business license.
Insurance and screening. You don't get a platform guarantee such as AirCover. Carry your own short-term rental insurance, use a written rental agreement, verify ID, and consider a security deposit.

The fee comparison

Here's a $600 stay (three nights at $200, no cleaning fee), using each platform's published rates. Actual amounts depend on what each fee is calculated on.

Booking route	Fees on a $600 stay
Airbnb split fee	About $18 from the host (3%), plus a guest service fee of about $85 to $99 (14.1% to 16.5%)
Airbnb single fee	About $93 from the host (15.5%), no guest service fee
Vrbo from October 29, 2026	About $72 from the host (12%)
Houfy with Stripe card processing	No commission; Stripe's standard 2.9% + 30¢ is about $17.70

Common questions

Is Houfy really free?

There's no booking commission for hosts or guests. You pay a one-time $5.99 verification fee, plus card processing through your own payment provider, and optional paid plans if you want more visibility.

How do I collect payment?

Through your own payment processor. Houfy doesn't handle the money. Set clear deposit, balance and refund terms in your rental agreement.

Will Houfy bring me new guests?

Its audience is much smaller than Airbnb's or Vrbo's. Treat it mainly as a tool for repeat guests and referrals.

Do I still owe lodging taxes on Houfy bookings?

Yes. No platform is collecting them for you, so you register with the state and the city's Advertising and Promotion Commission and remit them yourself.

Questions about direct booking?

Tell us what you're setting up and we'll point you to the right resource.

Sources

Questions about short-term rentals in Hot Springs?

Call or text 501.365.1001, or send a note and we will get back to you.

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