Thinking about buying a short-term rental in Point Venture on Lake Travis? The rules shifted recently, and success now comes from careful due diligence across the Village, the POA, and recorded deed restrictions. In this guide, you will learn what changed in 2026, how POA and deed rules work, what taxes and costs to plan for, and how to model revenue in a seasonal lake market. Let’s dive in.
What changed in 2026
Point Venture launched a municipal short-term rental registration program in 2021, but the Village Council adopted an ordinance on January 20, 2026 that repealed those STR regulations and the related fee schedule. You should treat the old registration packet as historical context and confirm today’s process directly with Village staff. Start with the Village’s posted materials, including the original registration packet and the repeal ordinance, then verify current expectations by contacting Village Hall in writing. You can review the Village documents on the registration resource page and the repeal ordinance for clarity on recent changes.
- Review the Village’s STR page for background: Village registration resources
- See the 2026 repeal ordinance: Ordinance repealing STR regulations
POA rules and amenity access
The Point Venture Property Owners Association controls most community amenities, including the marina, 50-acre park, pool, fitness center, tennis and pickleball, and golf. Amenities are private and reserved for owners in good standing, renters, and invited guests, and the POA enforces use rules that impact how you host. In practice, many owners provide guest or amenity cards for renters, and some spaces have separate use policies. Before you buy, get the POA resale packet and amenity rules, confirm any guest-card processes, and ask about current fees and restrictions.
- Read amenity rules and policies: PVPOA general rules
- Request resale and Realtor info: POA resale and transfer information
Deed restrictions by section
Point Venture is made up of multiple sections, each with recorded Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions that run with the land. Some sections have recorded amendments that limit rental durations, and Section 3-1 was the subject of litigation about minimum rental periods. This means municipal permissiveness is not enough. You must review the recorded CC&Rs and any amendments for the specific lot you plan to purchase.
- See background on Section 3-1 deed amendments: Deed restriction resources
Practical tip: request the seller’s full CC&R packet, order a title search, and check Travis County real property records for any recorded amendments on the parcel. The POA resale certificate is a good starting point, but the county records are the authority.
Taxes and basic compliance
Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT)
Texas imposes a state Hotel Occupancy Tax of 6% on stays shorter than 30 days. Local lodging taxes can also apply and may differ by jurisdiction. Some booking platforms collect certain taxes, but you are ultimately responsible for filing and recordkeeping. Confirm whether any municipal or county lodging tax applies to your property and verify what marketplaces collect for you.
- Learn the state HOT rules: Texas Comptroller HOT guidance
Safety and on-site expectations
Even with the Village’s 2026 repeal, you should plan for core safety measures that protect guests and your asset. Install and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, place fire extinguishers on each level, and post clear house rules and emergency instructions. If you use a manager or co-host, name a 24/7 local contact who can handle issues quickly. Confirm any fire district or POA noise and parking expectations before you open your calendar.
- Past Village packets show common safety expectations: Village registration resources
Insurance and lending
Standard homeowner policies often exclude business-use or short-term rental losses, so discuss a dedicated STR policy or endorsement with your insurance agent. If you plan to finance, be clear about intended use. Lenders classify properties as a principal residence, second home, or investment, and rules differ by product. Some second-home loans restrict professional management or frequent rental use, so align your loan choice with your plan from day one.
- Review occupancy type guidance: Fannie Mae occupancy types
Federal tax basics for vacation rentals
IRS rules affect how you report income, expenses, and personal use. The “14-day rule” can exclude income in limited cases, and mixed personal and rental use changes how you allocate deductions. Work with a CPA who understands STRs, and keep meticulous records of personal and rental days.
- Read the IRS guide: IRS Publication 527
Revenue, seasonality, and guest demand
Seasonality on Lake Travis
Point Venture sits in a classic lake market with peak demand from late spring through early fall, plus strong holiday weekends. Shoulder seasons can perform well with the right pricing and amenities. Winter is generally the slowest period, so build a conservative model with lower winter occupancy and strong summer pacing.
- See market-level signals for Point Venture: Lake-area STR seasonality
What drives nightly rates
Waterfront or near-marina homes typically command higher nightly rates and book faster in peak months. Private docks, walkable access to amenities, multi-bedroom layouts, and outdoor living spaces are common revenue drivers. Inland homes and condos without a dock tend to be more price sensitive, but strong amenity access and group-friendly layouts still support steady demand.
Who your guests are
Expect multi-family groups, lake and watersports travelers, Austin weekenders, and families drawn to community amenities. Corporate retreats and wedding-adjacent stays can fill off-peak gaps. Align house rules and features to your ideal guest profile, including clear parking guidance and quiet hours.
Budgeting: startup and ongoing costs
Create a full pro forma before you commit. Line items often include:
- Furnishings, linens, kitchen outfitting, and outdoor seating
- Startup services: photography, listing setup, safety equipment
- Insurance: STR endorsement or policy; consider loss-of-income coverage
- Property taxes and lodging taxes; filing systems or software
- Utilities, internet, landscaping, pool or spa service
- Cleaning, restocking, and preventative maintenance
- Management fees if you hire a local manager
- POA dues and any guest-card or amenity fees for renters
Your due-diligence checklist
Work this list in order and keep everything in writing.
- Confirm today’s Village stance on STRs and whether any replacement process exists after the 2026 repeal. Ask about registrations, fees, and enforcement. Start here: Village STR resources and the repeal ordinance.
- Obtain the POA resale certificate and amenity rules. Ask about guest passes, amenity-card processes, and any fees tied to renter use: POA rules and Realtor/resale info.
- Pull recorded CC&Rs and amendments for the exact lot. Do not rely only on the POA website. Section-level amendments can limit short stays: Deed restriction background.
- Verify lodging taxes. State HOT is 6%; ask the Village and county if any local tax applies and confirm what platforms collect: Texas HOT guidance.
- Align financing and insurance with your plan. Confirm loan classification and any restrictions on rental activity: Fannie Mae occupancy types.
- Model revenue conservatively. Pull address-level comps and reflect strong summer and softer winter trends: Market overview and comps guidance and seasonality signals.
- Build an operations plan. Confirm parking, quiet hours, trash, and septic capacity, and name a 24/7 contact to reduce neighbor friction.
- Plan your tax reporting. Track personal and rental days from day one and consult a CPA: IRS Publication 527.
Make it work with a local plan
Point Venture rewards hosts who pair great guest experiences with tight compliance. Deliver clean listings, clear house rules, and seamless amenity access, and you will earn strong summer bookings and repeat guests. Pair that with exact title work, POA diligence, and a tax plan, and you will protect your downside while you grow returns. If you want a second set of eyes on sections, streets, and amenity tradeoffs, a local Lake Travis agent can help you compare options by address and season.
Ready to find the right fit on Lake Travis? Schedule a neighborhood strategy call with Todd Massey to review sections, deed rules, amenity access, and revenue models before you write an offer.
FAQs
What did Point Venture change about STR rules in 2026?
- On January 20, 2026, the Village adopted an ordinance that repealed the prior municipal STR regulations and fee schedule; confirm current processes with Village Hall and review posted documents for context.
Do renters get access to Point Venture amenities?
- The POA states amenities are for owners in good standing, renters, and invited guests, but use is subject to POA rules; ask the POA about guest or amenity cards and any related fees before you buy.
Can deed restrictions limit nightly rentals even if the Village allows them?
- Yes. Recorded CC&Rs by section can impose minimum rental durations or other limits; always pull the specific lot’s recorded documents and check for amendments.
What lodging taxes apply to a Point Venture vacation rental?
- Texas imposes a 6% state Hotel Occupancy Tax on stays under 30 days; local lodging taxes may also apply, and you should verify collection responsibilities with the Texas Comptroller and local officials.
How should I model seasonality for a Lake Travis STR?
- Expect strong demand from late spring through early fall, plus holiday weekends, with softer winter occupancy; use address-level comps and price for peaks and shoulder seasons accordingly.
What loan and insurance issues should I plan for as an STR buyer?
- Lenders classify homes as principal residence, second home, or investment with different rules, and standard homeowner policies often exclude STR activity; confirm financing terms and secure an STR-specific insurance policy or endorsement before closing.
