Cape Cod Vacation Rental Market: 2025 Review, 2026 Preview

Cape Cod saw a small decline in summer bookings compared to 2024, according to our advertising partners at weneedavacation.com.  The frenzy of COVID bookings has clearly ended and now the vacation market is stabilizing, though at higher prices and higher demand than pre-pandemic levels. We expect 2026 to have similar booking rates to 2025 on Cape Cod.

Off-Season bookings, especially fall, are up.  This is good news for owners looking to maximize their rental’s potential and for small businesses looking to extend their seasons. This trend has been fairly consistent, with gains in fall bookings since the pandemic.  While it may be difficult to remember here in the depths of winter, September, and increasingly October, are wonderful times to visit the Cape and that message is getting out.

Renters are booking early.  At the time of writing (late January), more than 10% of our homes are booked at 85% or more. Many of these bookings are returning guests who call us year after year to book their favorite home; however many are new guests contacting us in July or August of the prior summer.  The lesson for renters looking to book? Get in touch early so you can be high on the list for any openings.

Interested in Chatelain Real Estate completely managing your vacation rental?  Looking to book your next favorite Cape Cod getaway?  Get in touch today.