No Vacancy The Podcast with Natalie Palmer | Airbnb

Today we catch up with Marilynn Taylor on the latest Airbnb updates (remember her from episode 56?)... could this spell trouble for hosts and set you up for MAJOR liability risk?! I always do a solo episode whenever we have new Airbnb updates, but the summer release went right over my head. There was so much to break down, so many changing policies, so much that left hosts vulnerable... but luckily, Marilynn did the hard work of calling Airbnb and getting to the bottom of this so I didn't have to

Today I talk with Madi Johnson. If you don't know her already from STR Book Club and her growing brand, For The Love Of Upstate (FTLOU), you may remember her from episode 96 where we talked about how Madi's favorite deals are "the ones that don't pencil in AirDNA". When we last had her on No Vacancy in February 2024, Madi's idea of going all in on the Upstate NY market was just a gut feeling, but 15 months and 4 live properties later, she has proven her intuition true – this market, and her approach to it, is CRUSHING IT. Some quick stats: FTLOU is outperforming in winter 4x market projections Their summer months are outperforming their own high-end revenue goals by 30-40% Their social media presence has exploded, landing Madi over $18,000 in free furniture for their listings And over $5,000 in sales commission through her affiliate shop Over 600 DMs looking to book FTLOU properties directly I'm also so excited to announce that I'm now working with FTLOU to help find partners for their growing portfolio!!! If you're interested in partnering on our current or next deal, fill out this investor interest form. INVESTOR DINNER SERIES - Austin, TX | Wed, June 25th | 6:30-9pm Apply for our Austin dinner here!

On today's episode I sit with Federico Zimerman, a revenue management and pricing genius, who is launching his brand new company, revfactor.io today! Revfactor.io is a revenue management service, which is a fancy way of saying, Fede and his team will help you squeeze every dollar you can out of your listing calendar. You only have 365 days a year available for booking, and once a night is gone... it's GONE. Today, Fede breaks down the 4 factors you need to look at when determining each night's price, and he tells us exactly which settings he is taking advantage of inside PriceLabs and Airbnb. Apply for our Austin Investor Dinner here!

This week I chat with Bri & Jordan from Somerled Designs – an STR design firm where every design decision is backed by strategy. I almost didn't want to record this episode, because I worried that talking about design wouldn't come across on an audio-only podcast without having imagery examples. But after just a few minutes, I realized that was not going to be an issue at all! Bri & Jordan do not make a single design decision without first determining the strategy for the property, market, and guest avatar, and in this episode they walk us through that entire process. After this episode, I'll never approach a design project with "aesthetics" first again. The Somerled philosophy will have you convinced that if you follow these steps and do this research first... then your final design will always be a good return on investment! Click below to see some of the listings mentioned in this episode: The Pepper Place, Waco TX Disney House, Kissimmee FL Howdy House, Scottsdale AZ Thank you to my sponsors! Lodgify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans with code NoVacancy20 at checkout Proper - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit the link to claim your free risk assessment with Proper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Consider this week's episode your college-level course about investing in hotels. Today Neil Shah is an investor and operator of 10 hotels – but his journey started with him as an immigrant to the US who lived in his uncle's hotel near Disneyland. After grinding there for years, he decided to pursue a Hotel Management & Tourism degree in university... and it shows. After this episode, I'm convinced Neil will be Professor Shah before we know it. If you've been wanting to learn more about hotel investing, management, and franchising, look no further than today's knowledge-packed episode. Connect with Neil here. Thank you to my sponsors! Lodgify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠ Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans with code NoVacancy20 at checkout Proper - ⁠⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit the link to claim your free risk assessment with Proper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode I chat with partners (in marriage and in business) Matt and Amanda Sanderson – investors and co-founders of strIQ. You'll remember strIQ from episode 99 where we we broke down how you can go from sifting through thousands of potential STR deals... to, like 6. For real. You may have used other data analysis tools before to check on deals, but what makes strIQ different is how it instantly pulls MLS data. So you aren't just analyzing "markets", but actually finding profitable properties on sale now! strIQ's technology allows you to reverse engineer your investing goals. Only want properties that can do 30% CoC return? There's a filter for that. Want listings projected to do $200,000 in annual revenue? There's a filter for that! If you've been victim to the endless Zillow scroll... you need this. Use code NOVACANCY20 to save on your strIQ subscription. Invest with strIQ → investor interest form Thank you to my sponsors! Lodgify - ⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠ Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans with code NoVacancy20 at checkout Proper - ⁠⁠⁠Link⁠⁠⁠ Visit the link to claim your free risk assessment with Proper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I talk with Eric Moeller from Freewyld – a hospitality brand featuring a boutique collection of cabins in Idyllwild, CA, but soon expanding to other nature-based locations across California! Eric took an incredibly unique approach to building Freewyld. He started with the brand first, before he ever secured a property. In most cases, we hear from hosts who found a property, and then realized it could benefit from having a brand. But Eric is a testament to the reverse. By building the brand FIRST, he was able to (almost effortlessly) attract the perfect property, the perfect investor, the perfect team, and the perfect guests. Eric's story really shows that "branding" is more than a buzzword. It's the values that turn your entire vision into reality. If you've been procrastinating brand-building as something "to cross off your to-do list", this conversation will challenge you that your brand should be the start and end of every single move your business makes. Connect with Eric on LinkedIn Book a Freewyld stay Let's partner?! We're actively looking for 3-5 investors for our latest 5 bedroom, waterfront home in Upstate NY. → Fill out this interest form, and I'll send over the pitch deck! Thank you to my sponsors! Lodgify - ⁠⁠Link⁠⁠ Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans with code NoVacancy20 at checkout Proper - ⁠⁠Link⁠⁠ Visit the link to claim your free risk assessment with Proper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I can't wait for you all to hear from Dawn Asher from The Olive Jar, an experiential marketing and branding studio for STRs. We've all heard over and over and over again how critical branding is… but how do you actually brand your listing when you don't have the budget and resources that giant million dollar brands do?! Dawn has decades of experience in this field, and she's responsible for a lot of the special moments that have made you feel connection with some of your favorite brands. After a big career shift and leaving the corporate world to move into entrepreneurship, Dawn has found a way to bring her years of expertise to the world of STRs. She walks us through: 1. How to create a brand for your listing 2. How to make your listing more memorable 3. How to make your guests feel an emotional connection with your property 4. And most importantly, how to do this affordable and with a small team! Read to the blog post about Level Up Your Listing mentioned in this episode. Connect with Dawn here Book a free call with The Olive Jar Subscribe to the newsletter Thank you to my sponsors! Lodgify - ⁠Link⁠ Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans with code NoVacancy20 at checkout Proper - ⁠Link⁠ Visit the link to claim your free risk assessment with Proper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode is such a special treat for anyone who was at Level Up Your Listing Summit. You'll remember Marisa Grover, who was one of our incredible Rising Stars this year. When I asked her on stage during the Rising Stars Panel "what's next for you?", she shot her shot and said her 2025 goal is to be a guest on No Vacancy... and here it is! Our episode together! Marisa is a GENIUS when it comes to systems and SOPs (standard operating procedures). If you think you've figured out how to document your business practices... think again. Marisa breaks down for us what it actually looks like to have REAL systems that let you step away from your business. Work with Marisa → https://withmarisa.co/ Connect with Marisa Check out the Hello & Welcome podcast Thank you to my sponsors! Lodgify - Link Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans with code NoVacancy20 at checkout Proper - Link Visit the link to claim your free risk assessment with Proper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I get to talk with Jesse Ray from Growth House! Jesse has an incredible story of going from house hacking (literally, he filled his 5 bedroom home with strangers for roommates to cover his rent). Before he knew it, Jesse's house became an entrepreneur's mecca. The roommates he attracted were hosting masterminds in the living room, cold plunging in the morning, hosting free real estate meetups in the backyard... you name it. It worked so well, he launched a second co-living space, and just like that, "growth house" was born! Since then, Jesse has turned Growth House into a full-fledged brand, which now hosts exclusive and invite-only retreats for 7, 8, and 9 figure entrepreneurs and investors. Connect with Jesse here. Thank you to my sponsors! Lodgify - Link Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans with code NoVacancy20 at checkout Proper - Link Visit the link to claim your free risk assessment with Proper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're keeping up with the Karwells! You'll remember Sarah and Emily from episode 43 where they talked about partnerships and using other people's money to invest. A lot has changed in their business since that episode from two years ago, including... umm... having most of their portfolio WIPED OUT due to regulation, and now starting over with RV camps and micro resorts?! If there's anyone in this industry who knows how to pivot and adapt, it's these two. If you've been facing the same crippling regulation in your market, or are just ready or a change from single family STRs, you'll love this candid conversation about what the future of this industry looks like. Thinking of joining us at the Karwells' Retreat in Autocamp Zion? Use my discount code to save $150 on your ticket

On today's episode of No Vacancy I catch up with Johnny Robinson from Home Service Academy. If you attended Level Up Your Listing then you've heard from Johnny and the HSA team already – You'll recall that Home Service Academy is on a mission to help hosts add an additional revenue stream to their hosting business... with something that you're already doing everyday... managing cleaners! Johnny walks us through how hosts who have already done the hard work of finding, vetting, and training cleaners, can now use this to build a remote cleaning business. While results aren't guaranteed, Johnny has seen dozens of hosts use this strategy to add $20k+ of monthly revenue. If you want to learn even more, make sure to RSVP for the free webinar I'll be hosting with Johnny next Tuesday 4/8 at 4PST/7EST. Johnny will be walking through his exact process for building a remote cleaning business. The best part? This will be live so you can ask as many questions as you need to! REGISTER FOR FREE HERE → https://hubs.li/Q03cRWhs0 Thank you to my sponsors! Lodgify - Link Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans with code NoVacancy20 at checkout Proper - Link Visit the link to claim your free risk assessment with Proper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode is such a special treat… as this is our first ever LIVE podcast brought to you straight from Level Up Your Listing Summit! At LUYL I had the pleasure of sitting across from the one and only Kacia Ghetmiri, host of the EmpowerHER podcast. Before Kacia and her husband ever started investing in real estate, she had a long history of investing in start ups and small businesses – something I've been so interested in pursuing, but have had serious self-doubt around. I can project a profitable property all day long, but analyzing a business investment makes me freeze up immediately

This week you'll hear me talk to Collin Duffy from Easy Street Capital. Easy Street is a private money lender that can help investors get capital when other lenders aren't able too! What's so unique with Easy Street, is that while other lenders tell you that your current debt or portfolio is working against you... Easy Street will work with you to make your portfolio an asset that will help you secure more funding. The way Easy Street sees it, the bigger your portfolio is, the more it indicates that you're an expert who can be trusted with private money... so why should that be held against you?! If you've been convincing yourself that you can't keep scaling because you have too much "debt", think again! Thank you to my sponsors! Lodgify - Link Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans with code NoVacancy20 at checkout Fido - Link Get 1 month free with Fido! Proper - Link Visit the link to claim your free risk assessment with Proper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey listeners! So PUMPED for this episode - You'll get to meet Sara Nabozna, who is not only a badass, powerhouse, high W2 earner at Google, BUT has built an impressive portfolio in just 3 years owning in the Hamptons, Park City, and the Poconos. Not only that, but Sara has come onto the Level Up Your Listing team, as Head of Partnerships, and has been an incredible asset to the team and brand. I've been so inspired working alongside her since August, and cannot wait for you to fall in love with her the way I have! Connect with Sara here. Thank you to my sponsors! Lodgify - Link Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans with code NoVacancy20 at checkout Fido - Link Get 1 month free with Fido! Proper - Link Visit the link to claim your free risk assessment with Proper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on No Vacancy I bring on Parker Borofsky from Wealth Builders Mortgage Group to give us investors all the tips and tricks for how to keep scaling our portfolios! Parker has originated over $1.1 BILLION in loans, almost all of which have been for STRs. So it goes without saying that if anyone knows how to help you qualify for more capital... it's Parker! Parker busts some major myths out there on specific loans and who can qualify, and she even corrected some misconceptions that I had about DSCR loans and 2nd home loans

Hey hosts! This week we're chatting with Rachel Vigil of UpClose Marketing – a service you're going to be RUNNING to full force after you listen to this. UpClose Marketing helps hosts get FREE products in their listings... and there's no catch! Seriously! Rachel walks us through how she identified a gap in the market between brands wanting users to experience their products in a more hands-on way, and hosts who are always looking for better amenities to elevate the guest experience. And just like that, Rachel started UpClose Marketing. They do all the heavy lifting with negotiating these partnerships deals, and all you need to do as the host is receive and display your free products. Sign up for FREE products here. Rachel also shares about her personal investment journey in Big Bear and Hawaii, and she spills on which of her properties is more profitable! UpClose Marketing will be a sponsor at Level Up Your Listing Summit – less than 2 weeks away! We're down to our last few tickets so grab yours ASAP. See you in Phoenix, AZ, March 9-11th. Thank you to my sponsors! Lodgify - Link Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans with code NoVacancy20 at checkout Fido - Link Get 1 month free with Fido! Proper - Link Visit the link to claim your free risk assessment with Proper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HOLY COW YOU GUYS, do I have a GREAT episode in store for you this week. I have long admired what Tori & Seth Bolt (the visionaries behind Bolt Farm Treehouse) have created, and I finally got to ask Tori the burning questions I've had about what it takes to build a brand this iconic – if you're not already following them, please run to their Instagram right now and do so. You know I love a guest who isn't afraid to share numbers, and boy, did Tori reveal it all... How much do their custom domes cost to build? How much did they pay for the land? How much do they charge per night for their tree houses? How much do they spend on marketing?! Hint. A LOT. What percentage of their bookings are direct? Spoiler, it's 100%. The best part about this conversation was the fact that this was just a small taste of the value Tori brings, because her & Seth are officially locked in as speakers for the 2025 LUYL Summit! P.S. We are nearly 80% SOLD OUT on tickets to Level Up Your Listing Summit! Grab your ticket here where you can meet and learn from the Bolts in person. See you in Phoenix, AZ, March 9-11th. Thank you to my sponsors! Lodgify - Link Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans with code NoVacancy20 at checkout Fido - Link Get 1 month free with Fido! Proper - Link Visit the link to claim your free risk assessment with Proper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I got to interview Justin Pera, CEO of Fido. Fido is a home service company that helps hosts make sure their properties are guest ready with: Bin-to-curb trash service Junk removal Home inspections Justin's founder story is so simple... it all started with a bad Airbnb experience that got him thinking, "this could've been done better". After that, he spent some time bouncing the idea around with friends, who doubted how big this could be. But here he is, years later, having proved them wrong! Not only will you learn how Fido can help you elevate your listings, but you'll also walk away inspired to think about how your next negative experience could be the life-changing moment that takes you from hobby host to CEO. Connect with Justin! P.S. Got your ticket to Level Up Your Listing Summit yet? Fido will be there, and we have some epic ideas in store for their booth! Grab your ticket here, and we'll see you in Phoenix, AZ, March 9-11th. Thank you to my sponsors! Lodgify - Link Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans with code NoVacancy20 at checkout Fido - Link Get 1 month free with Fido! Proper - Link Visit the link to claim your free risk assessment with Proper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I sit down with Kerri Gibson of Chalets Hygge. Kerri details for us every step she took between purchasing her first STR which was supposed to be a simple side hustle... to expanding to 10 listings, kicking off a major direct booking strategy and brand, and now purchasing her first boutique motel with her husband. It's rare to find someone so willing to outline every single step of their journey, but Kerri doesn't hold back a thing. This conversation was such a good refresher that the "overnight successes" you see online are anything but that. Kerri's impressive portfolio took years of sacrifice and hard work to build, and if you ask her, she's still always learning and has a ways to go! Thank you Lodgify for sponsoring this episode! Lodgify - Link Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans with code NoVacancy20 at checkout Grab your LEVEL UP YOUR LISTING SUMMIT MARCH 9-11th, PHOENIX, AZ levelupyourlistingsummit.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on No Vacancy I catch up with Avery Carl (check out the last time she was on the show in episode 74) on what her next moves are since we last talked about her portfolio of 250 doors! One thing I found so refreshing about Avery's perspective was her idea that she's "only buying vacation rentals that are meant to be vacation rentals". In a time where midterm rentals, corporate housing, insurance stays, and other rental strategies are more and more trendy, I appreciated Avery's unabashed view on the idea that she's in the STR asset class to be an STR host – not to keep pivoting to the next hot thing! Avery gets candid with us about a big failure with a recent property and how she lost money on the deal. And she also dishes out some real talk to the hosts who are considering selling right now. Be the first to read her newest book, "Smarter Short-Term Rentals" published with Bigger Pockets by pre-ordering it now here. Thank you to my sponsors! Lodgify - Link Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans with code NoVacancy20 at checkout Fido - Link Get 1 month free with Fido! Proper - Link Mention No Vacancy to claim your free risk assessment with Proper. Grab your LEVEL UP YOUR LISTING SUMMIT before prices go up $100 on Feb 1st! MARCH 9-11th, PHOENIX, AZ levelupyourlistingsummit.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I got to chat with Kristen & Michael of the famous Joshua Tree listing, the Seventh Ray House. You may have seen them on their YouTube channel, where they quickly in popularity after documenting every up and down rollercoaster moment of the property renovation, which they did themselves with no prior experience! Kristen & Michael share the behind the scenes of how time consuming it is the manage a YouTube channel full time, but also how rewarding it can be. They talk about the struggles of putting the whole journey out there, even the ugly parts and the failures… and how nervous they were to start uploading content in the first place. You can find their YouTube channel here and their Lodgify direct booking site here. LEVEL UP YOUR LISTING SUMMIT Presented by Wayfair Professional MARCH 9-11th, PHOENIX, AZ levelupyourlistingsummit.com Thank you to my sponsors! Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans.  Use code NoVacancy20 at checkout! Get 1 month free with Fido!  Visit getfido.com/no-vacancy to sign up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I sit down with two LA hosts (and my dear friends) who have been on the ground since the moment the fires broke out last week. You'll remember Mercedes from episode 63 and Kaitlyn from episode 71. We sat down for a raw conversation about about The state of LA and the housing crisis Why STR and MTR hosts are so needed in times of crisis How hosts can help right now, and what victims need most Price gauging – and how you may accidentally be part of the problem and not even know it! What's next for LA in terms of rebuilding, housing needs, and the 2028 summer olympics. If you want to help, connect with Mercedes and Kaitlyn on Instagram ❤️ LEVEL UP YOUR LISTING SUMMIT Presented by Wayfair Professional MARCH 9-11th, PHOENIX, AZ levelupyourlistingsummit.com Thank you to my sponsors! Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans.  Use code NoVacancy20 at checkout! Get 1 month free with Fido! Visit getfido.com/no-vacancy to sign up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on No Vacancy I had the pleasure of catching up with Brent Phillips, the founder of Milk & Honey Ranch. And dammit, this man makes me cry every single time. Today's episode falls on the 1 year anniversary of his wife Daniela's traumatic car accident that almost left her for dead. Listen to episode 94 from last year to hear part 1 of this story... Now, exactly 1 year later, Brent is here to fill us in on how he, his family, and his business navigated this last year. Spoiler alert, they had their most profitable year EVER ($1.5 million in gross revenue) while also having the most charitable year ever, with dozens of nights gifted to guests, free workshops held for autistic kids, and retreats for TBI survivors. You'll love this story, and you will need tissues. Don't say I didn't warn you. And lastly... WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT LILY PHILLIPS (no relation to Brent LOL). Yes, that Lily Phillips – the OnlyFans model who slept with 101 guys in an Airbnb. Let's get into it. LEVEL UP YOUR LISTING SUMMIT MARCH 9-11th, PHOENIX, AZ levelupyourlistingsummit.com Book a stay at Milk & Honey Ranch with code NATALIE10 Thank you to my sponsors! Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans.  Use code NoVacancy20 at checkout! Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Podcast Producer: Kelsey Tran | kelsey@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

*THE ENDING OF THIS EPISODE MAY NOT BE SAFE FOR KIDS* In this episode of No Vacancy I give you the cold, hard facts of why your cohosting business is still just a dream – and more importantly, I give you actual solutions to make your cohosting business a reality. Explore the Cohosting Site Templates here Download my FREE Cohosting Scripts Join the Cohosting Crash Course Purchase my Cohost Contract Join 300 hosts at the Level Up Your Listing Summit 2025! Our 3rd annual summit will be held in Phoenix, Arizona, March 9-11th. Thank you to my sponsors! Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans.  Use code NoVacancy20 at checkout! Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Podcast Producer: Kelsey Tran | kelsey@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on No Vacancy I got to talk with Chantal Duame of Good Neighbor Realty. After renting out her basement on Airbnb, she realized how much power there was in real estate investing, and she became a licensed realtor herself. After a few years working under a broker, she saw how much more support investor-friendly agents needed from their brokers, and she set out to start her very own brokerage! Chantal's story is so inspiring, but beyond that, she lays out practical tips for what to look for in an agent, and how to make the entire purchase process as seamless as possible. Thank you to Lodgify for sponsoring this episode! Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans with code NoVacancy20 at checkout! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on No Vacancy we go through the 2024 Winter Release of Airbnb updates! And... whomp whomp... I kind of hate them

This week on No Vacancy we welcome back Ryan Bakke from @learnlikeacpa! Instead of talking about taxes today, Ryan comes on to break down his 7 steps to achieving financial freedom. Ryan has been teaching more and more about personal finance, so I had to get him to come share his insights with us! This episode is action packed with 7 steps you can take TODAY to turn your financial situation around, regardless of your starting point. Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Podcast Producer: Kelsey Tran | kelsey@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Strap in for our 3rd annual Haunted Airbnb episode! I scoured blogs and reddit to find the most bone-chilling paranormal stories out there, and let me be the first to say... I delivered. These stories will have you questioning if you should ever book or work in an Airbnb again. Happy hosting and Happy Halloween!

Interview with Marilynn Taylor -- a pioneer on the Airbnb platform, who once got kicked off Airbnb, and is now an Airbnb Ambassador. Reacting to a guest wanting to sue a host for leaving a bad guest review. Connect with Marilynn on Instagram Red Flags FREEBIE Download and Marilynn's Links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buckle in for a VERY candid conversation between me and my BFF (business friend forever) – Tatianna Taylor-Tait, award-winning interior designer, STR manager, and my partner for Level Up Your Listing Summit! This is our first public conversation since the last summit this past March, and holy cow do we have TONS of tea to spill and updates to fill you in on

I had so much fun interviewing Cheyenne of @strbkeep this week! Of course, I had to get the bookkeeping questions out of the way at the top, and this girl did not hold back on how to organize things to maximize those deductions (IRS, if you're reading this please stop) and how to make your CPA's job easier. After that, I asked her to spill on what she is seeing from her clients today: Who is still making money? Who is in the red? Which markets are profitable? What are hosts reinvesting in? Where are hosts cutting expenses? Let's be real, your realtor or favorite data software can hype up the projections all day, but your bookkeeper knows what's really going on... numbers don't lie! This episode is a peek behind the curtain of what the profitable hosts are doing today! Connect with Cheyenne on Instagram Host Like A Mother 10-Week Mentorship Program – Click HERE to apply!  Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Podcast Producer: Kelsey Tran | kelsey@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fouad Bazzi is hands down one of my favorite real estate investors in the STR space, and if you've had the pleasure of meeting him before, you know why! Fouad prioritizes family, wellness, and hospitality effortlessly... all while investing in properties that are generating over $200k per year. It's hard to come by someone who is crushing it like this guy, but who still stays so humble and willing to share his exact strategies. Fouad pulls back the curtain on his buy box, which markets he's investing in, and what factors make a market attractive to him. You'll love this conversation, and will absolutely walk away with a new nugget of real estate wisdom! Connect with Fouad on Instagram @fouad_airbnb Host Like A Mother 10-Week Mentorship Program – Click HERE to apply!  Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Podcast Producer: Kelsey Tran | kelsey@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I got to chat with Jonathan Wicks of Well & Good Professional Services. I've often said on this podcast that I DO NOT recommend every hiring a cleaning company, and always going with an individual cleaner instead... however, if you have a Well & Good branch in your market, throw that advice out the window. Well & Good is the only cleaning company that I can actually endorse and stand behind, and so much of that is due to the fact that they don't operate like a big cleaning conglomerate. Jonathan has a huge heart behind hosting, and is a big believer in using "services as marketing" (ie: if you provide great service, use that as a selling point!) If you're a host who cares about doing thing right and delivering quality experiences, you'll resonate with this conversation so deeply. Host Like A Mother 10-Week Mentorship Program – Click HERE to apply!  Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Podcast Producer: Kelsey Tran | kelsey@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on No Vacancy I get to speak with Annie Sloan, CEO and founder of The Host Co. This little tool is going to be your favorite new hosting secret weapon. The Host Co. was created to help hosts upsell extras in their listing to make additional revenue, but Annie soon found out how many hidden benefits there were to using this. From better reviews, more value to guests, and requiring LESS time and energy from you as a host, you'll be so excited to try out The Host Co. for yourself. Start using The Host Co. today! Host Like A Mother 10-Week Mentorship Program – Click HERE to apply!  Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Podcast Producer: Kelsey Tran | kelsey@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode I chat with Jeff Iloulian, CEO of HostGPO. If you've been a No Vacancy listener or attended Level Up Your Listing Summit, you know HostGPO's name already. But what you might not know is exactly how much hosts are SAVING on the back end... and how much more they are MAKING on the front end from having these killer amenities. Jeff came to this conversation well-equipped with the numbers behind why hosts need to be taking this stuff seriously. This is not another "fluff" conversation about why your listing just needs to be better – PROMISE. This episode will leave you with tangible action items for what easy swaps and improvements you can make to start filling your calendar TODAY. Check out HostGPO Host Like A Mother 10-Week Mentorship Program – Click HERE to apply!  Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Podcast Producer: Kelsey Tran | kelsey@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I interviewed Jamie Lane, chief economist at AirDNA. This guy is an encyclopedia of data and numbers about the STR industry, and the figures he shares will have you excited about what's to come for the industry, AND warn you about what markets and trends to AVOID in 2025 and beyond. This episode is a must listen for anyone planning to scale up and make their next real estate investment in the next 6-12 months! Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Podcast Producer: Kelsey Tran | kelsey@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I talk with Alex Shapiro, CEO and founder of CanMonkey. I am a huge CanMonkey fan, and have been raving for years about how genius this solution is for hosts, so it was about time we finally sat down to chat with Alex! If you've been struggling with how to manage trash in your listing, CanMonkey is your answer. Email alex@canmonkey.com and let him know that I sent you from No Vacancy for your first month free! Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Podcast Producer: Kelsey Tran | kelsey@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I talk with Noble Crawford about his unique midterm rental strategy, specifically targeting flight attendants and pilots with crash pads near airports. Noble, co-founder of a hospitality brand based in Texas, shares how he accidentally stumbled into this niche market and expanded his operations. We discuss the logistics of managing these rentals, including the importance of minimal amenities, creating a comfortable yet functional environment, and maintaining privacy for guests. Noble also highlights the financial viability of this strategy, differences in market approaches, and future plans for expanding his operations. Connect with Noble on Instagram Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Podcast Producer: Kelsey Tran | kelsey@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I sit down with Kassidy Warren, who went from renting a room in his house for $35/night, to now having an STR portfolio worth $12million. He also just recently pivoted into boutique hotels, and outlines his plan to achieve a $100million net worth in the next 5 years. I loved Kassidy's transparency in this conversation – he held nothing back and spills all the tea that has helped him reach success. SO MUCH of what he shares is advice I have NEVER heard from a podcast guest before! This is an episode that will really challenge how you've been approaching STRs, and will leave you thinking for a long time after you listen. Connect with Kassidy @qkassidyw Connect: Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Podcast Producer: Kelsey Tran | kelsey@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I interview Jeremy Werden, Co-Founder of BNBCalc and host of the STR Pros Podcast. Jeremy shares his unique journey into the short-term rental market from a boat rental business during the COVID-19 pandemic to managing a successful property portfolio. Key topics include overcoming financing challenges, the benefits of using BNBCalc for property investment analysis, and best practices for Airbnb hosting. Emphasizing the pitfalls of extra guest fees and the misuse of entry locks, the discussion offers practical advice for clear communication, simplified policies, and optimized guest experiences. This episode is packed with insights for both new and experienced investors and hosts. Thank you to my sponsors! Start using Turno today! Get 3 months of HostGPO for free!  Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Podcast Producer: Kelsey Tran | kelsey@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome, and thanks for checking in today to No Vacancy The Podcast! baselane.com Natalie sits down with Matias Korter and Saad Dar from Baselane to explore the features and benefits of their real estate investment management platform. Matias, CEO and co-founder, discusses his background in financial services and real estate, and the inspiration behind Baselane, emphasizing its core aims: saving time, providing visibility and control, and aiding growth for real estate investors. Saad Dar, leading business development and partnerships, shares his transition from frustration over the lack of integrated technology in real estate investing to contributing to Baselane. The conversation reveals Baselane's comprehensive approach in addressing the specific needs of landlords by streamlining bookkeeping, banking, and reporting — thereby maximizing passive income. Features discussed include automated categorizations, virtual debit cards for managing expenses, high APY on deposits, cashback rewards, and upcoming functionalities like automated transfers and multi-user access. The platform's dedication to real estate specificity and user feedback to constantly upgrade its services is highlighted. Listeners are guided on how to easily sign up and begin utilizing Baselane to optimize their real estate business operations. Thank you to my sponsors! Start using Turno today! Get 3 months of HostGPO for free!  Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I sit down with Zach Busekrus of StayWatch (formerly known as Sponstayneous), and the host of the Behind The Stays podcast! What is StayWatch? Think of it like Google Flight Alerts but for Airbnbs! Guests who love to travel can join the StayWatch newsletter and set filters around their favorite destinations and property size, and when listings that meet that criteria are still available last minute, guests get notified. Zach talks to us about how we can increase bookings as hosts by implementing StayWatch into our booking strategy. He also shares some insightful stats about which places he's noticing that guests are most interested in traveling to, and what sort of properties guests are looking for! Connect with Zach Zach's episode with AirDNA's Jamie Lane Listen to episode 55 with Zach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I'm reacting to a hilarious segment from Tim Dillon's show. He calls out a ton of BS in the retail industry, and as I listened I couldn't help but realize how much of this behavior hosts are also guilty of... MYSELF INCLUDED. I'm confessing some cardinal hosting sins I've committed and vowing to never be that kind of host again!!!

This week Katie Cline shares her extensive background in luxury hospitality, having worked with top-notch hotels like Ritz Carlton and W Hotels. Katie discusses her pivot into the STR market and offers valuable lessons on applying five-star hospitality standards to STRs. Learn about the importance of design narratives, professional photos, and understanding your guest avatar. Katie reveals how STRs can compete with hotels, create exceptional experiences, and build a loyal customer base. Connect with Katie and explore how branding and targeted marketing can elevate your STR game. Download this exclusive worksheet on building your own brand for No Vacancy listeners! Connect with Katie @bykatiecline | www.bykatiecline.com @troutlanding | www.trout-landing.com @gallantfoxsaratoga Thank you to my sponsors! Start using Turno today! Get 3 months of HostGPO for free!  Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of 'No Vacancy the Podcast,' Natalie brings on Isaac French, the visionary and creator behind Live Oak Lake, a stunning seven-cabin landscape hotel in Texas. Isaac shares his remarkable journey from finding the perfect piece of raw land on Zillow to building and eventually selling the property for an astonishing $7 million. He delves into the financials, design choices, challenges, and successes he encountered along the way. This episode provides insightful details about the value of building an engaged audience, leveraging social media for direct bookings, and running a highly profitable short-term rental property. The podcast concludes with valuable tips for aspiring vacation rental hosts and a segment where Natalie addresses an 'Am I the Airbnb Hole' query about guests asking for discounts. 00:00 Welcome to No Vacancy Podcast 00:31 Simplifying Short-Term Rental Setup with Host GPO 01:30 Introducing Isaac French and Live Oak Lake 02:48 Isaac's Journey: From Concept to Creation 04:25 Finding the Perfect Property 04:44 Financing and Building Live Oak Lake 06:10 Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success 16:40 The Power of Direct Bookings and Social Media 24:29 Navigating Financials and Scaling the Business 33:25 Emotional Connection and Bittersweet Decisions 33:38 Unexpected Offers and Appraisal Challenges 35:44 Negotiations and Closing the Deal 37:05 Investor Satisfaction and Profit Breakdown 38:22 Reflecting on the Journey and Future Plans 41:04 Building a Community and Sharing Knowledge 52:33 The Importance of Unique Vision in Hospitality 58:27 Closing Remarks and Future Projects 01:01:34 Am I the Airbnb Hole? Connect with Steph at these links: theweberco.com | @theweberco hostedbythewebers.com | @hostedbythewebers cabinsonthecumberland.com | @cabinsonthecumberland Until August 1st, DM the word PODCAST @theweberco to get $500 off any branding, marketing, or design service through The Weber Co! Thank you to my sponsors! Start using Turno today! Get 3 months of HostGPO for free!  Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome, and thanks for checking in today to No Vacancy The Podcast! This week I sit down with Steph Weber of The Weber Co and the visionary behind Cabins on the Cumberland. Steph has an extensive background in entrepreneurship, marketing, and branding, with an emphasis in influencer marketing. When she finally discovered the world of short-term rentals, she jumped all in and applied her marketing background to build a 6-figure cohosting biz in just 12 months – with a baby and a 3 year old! Today she shares with us what hosts should be doing to navigate the changing Airbnb landscape, and she breaks down the vision of the riverfront/9acre/11cabin/event venue she's building with partners in rural Kentucky. I loved hearing her exact marketing plans for this new project, and getting all the juicy, REAL marketing tactics from her, not just general advice. Connect with Steph at these links: theweberco.com | @theweberco hostedbythewebers.com | @hostedbythewebers cabinsonthecumberland.com | @cabinsonthecumberland Until August 1st, DM the word PODCAST @theweberco to get $500 off any branding, marketing, or design service through The Weber Co! Thank you to my sponsors! Start using Turno today! Get 3 months of HostGPO for free!  Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome, and thanks for checking in today to No Vacancy The Podcast! On today's episode of No Vacancy, I sit down to chat with Arthur Colker, CEO and founder of StayFi. This little device gets added to your wifi setup in your Airbnb listing, and simply requires that all guests input their email before gaining wifi access – yup, just like hotels and coffee shops! Sounds simple, but the possibilities this has for increasing bookings and guest experience are endless. Arthur walks us through each and every creative way he's found for StayFi to elevate your entire hosting operation. By the end of this episode, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it! Give StayFi a try | Use Code NOVACANCY to Get 50% Off Your First 3 Months Thank you to my sponsors! Start using Turno today! Get 3 months of HostGPO for free!  Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome, and thanks for checking in today to No Vacancy The Podcast! This week we have LOTS to catch up on. We're breaking down the official Airbnb 2024 Summer Release and going through all the updates to the platform – what I love, and what needs fixing. I also share a personal update about the last 5 weeks of my life since having my baby, and how his NICU stay has been going. Thank you all for the support as we've been navigating this journey

Welcome, and thanks for checking in today to No Vacancy The Podcast! On this week's episode: In this episode, Matt breaks down how he quickly grew his portfolio to 50+ units and how he's now strategically scaling back his portfolio size to only focus on the top-producing, least stressful listings. You'll learn so much from this conversation about how quick growth can lead to burnout and why it's important to tune out noise and pressure telling you investor growth has to look a certain way. AITAH for sending a message like this to my guest asking for a late checkout? Connect with Matt @mybrokermatt Thank you to my sponsors! Start using Turno today! Get 3 months of HostGPO for free!  Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Podcast Producer: Kelsey Tran | kelsey@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome, and thanks for checking in today to No Vacancy The Podcast! The Ghetmiri's were so much fun to interview! This couple shared how they went from burnt out and overworked in dentistry, to going all in on real estate. I loved hearing how they work together as a couple, and how they balanced this new venture while becoming parents in the last year. Their growth has been super fast, but super intentional, with just a few strategic investments. I ask them to breakdown their numbers with all the transparency, and they didn't hold anything back! Connect with Seena and Kacia on Instagram or at their podcast: Ghet Investing Thank you to my sponsors! Start using Turno today! Get 3 months of HostGPO for free!  Connect with Guests: Connect with Kacia Ghetmiri Connect with Seena Connect: Show Notes | Start Your Airbnb  Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices