STR Intel

Dive into the world of vacation rental success with our latest episode of the STR Intel Podcast! In this engaging session, we explore the crucial strategies to boost your rental revenue, featuring insights from industry veterans, Craig and Killian.Marketing Mastery: Discover cutting-edge marketing strategies that can set your property apart in the competitive vacation rental market. Learn how to leverage digital platforms and targeted advertising to attract the right guests and keep your bookings flowing.Property Upgrades: Enhance the appeal and functionality of your properties with smart upgrades. Our experts share practical tips on renovations and additions that not only increase your property's value but also enhance guest satisfaction.Dynamic Pricing Tools: Unravel the complexities of dynamic pricing with a detailed discussion on tools that adjust your rental rates in real time. Understand how to use market data to optimize pricing and maximize your revenue throughout the year.Join Phill, Craig, and Killian as they delve into these topics, offering invaluable advice and real-world examples that can help you transform your vacation rental business. Whether you're a seasoned host or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable insights to elevate your rental strategy and achieve financial success.

In this episode of the STR Intel Podcast, we dive into Colorado's SB33 Lodging Tax Bill. Following up on our detailed analysis from Episode 34, we discuss the recent capital hearing, the reading of the bill, and its final outcome. Our guest, Craig, shares his firsthand experience from the capital, providing valuable insights into the legislative process. Don't miss this informative episode as we unpack the implications of SB33 for the short-term rental market in Colorado.

***The 20 Feb. hearing is postponed stay tuned for updates

In this episode, Phil and Killian delve into the vacation rental industry's evolution, focusing on AI and technological advancements. This discussion unravels the tech-driven shifts in the vacation rental landscape. Highlighting the pivotal role of AI and modern tech, it uncovers challenges faced by property managers in a market blurring the lines between traditional hotels and rentals.

Patience and Strategy: From Hands-on Experience to 'Get Rich Slow' — With Luke Carl of Short Term Rental Management Podcast — STR INTEL Episode 32In this talk, our guest unpacks the 'get rich slow' approach to real estate, emphasizing the power of patience and long-term thinking. Drawing from decades of experience, he sheds light on property management best practices, navigating guest challenges, and the lasting value of investments made in the past.Join us as we dive into the world of vacation rental platforms, from the robust features of Guesty Pro to managing bookings on Airbnb and VRBO. Discover the challenges and nuances of using multiple platforms, insights on Booking.com's recent changes, and the effects of full calendars on platform rankings.Check out Luke's podcast here:

The Importance of Specialized Property Services Within Short-Term Rentals — With Jonathan Wick of Well & Good Property Services!Every proprietor in the realm of short-term accommodations seeks enhanced property management standards. Our guest, Jonathan Wick of Well & Good Property Services illuminated the significance of specialized property services in this field. But what underpins these essential services? How do they elevate the guest experience? A parallel between the evolving standards of short-term rentals and those traditional to the hotel industry. What's driving the heightened expectations for professionalism and quality in this growing sector?

Every host of a vacation or short-term rental wants to mitigate risk. Guest screening is one way to spot potential red flags, from guests who are more likely to throw wild parties, to hardcore fraudsters using properties for sex trafficking and drug smuggling. But how does guest screening work? And how can it be done fairly?  Get extensive insights from our guest Ela Mezhiborsky, Co-Founder and CPO of Autohost. Autohost provides an identity and fraud prevention platform to hosts of Airbnb and similar vacation rentals. You'll learn the signs of “iffy” guests, plus various screening methods you can build into your own process. (Every host should have one!)

Meet Paul Zukauskas, Global Vice President of Customer Success at Guesty. Guesty is property management software for short-term and vacation rentals -- an end-to-end solution, simplifying a property manager's daily tasks: distribution across online travel agencies, automated guest messaging, collecting payments, calendar management & more. How many booking channels should your properties be on? Are smaller, niche channels worthwhile? Paul shares his input. We also discuss new players in booking platforms and where the extended stay market is going amid today's “nomad culture.” Plus: what's Google's next move in the short-term rental space?     

How might you increase your short-term vacation rental revenue by 13%? By making your AirBnB rental more accessible to people with disabilities – and those tweaks are easier and less expensive than you might think. People with disabilities and limitations are spending money on travel, particularly those age 65+, and it can pay to cater to their needs. Dr. Rosemarie Rossetti is the author of Universal Design Toolkit and an authority on designing and retroactively fixing spaces to be more accessible and marketable. In this episode, she'll open your eyes to details in the home that can increase your bookings and win more positive reviews. 

Do guests in short-term vacation rental properties get injured and sue their hosts? Yes. Should that scare you away from making money through platforms like AirBnB and VRBO? Not if you take the right approach, says Justin Ford. Justin is an international short-term rental safety expert and the Director of Safety & Certification Programs at Breezeway. In this episode, he gets super-specific about what you can do to maximize safety and minimize risk. Justin covers preventive details you may not have thought of, from proper lighting and unsecured carpets and mats, to fire hazards from appliances, water temperature, TV tip hazards and more. Justin knows his stuff! 

Do you host short-term vacation rentals on platforms like AirBnB and VRBO? Do you charge the same price for every night's stay, all year? To maximize your income, you may want to rethink that approach and explore dynamic pricing. We're talking with Anurag Verma, co-founder of PriceLabs, which provides a dynamic pricing tool and data solutions for property owners and managers. We go deep into how dynamic pricing works and how it can put more money in your pocket. We discuss how demand factors like seasonality can impact pricing, and how dynamic pricing can reveal if your rates are too high (resulting in low bookings), or if you're charging way less than the market can bear. 

Owners of the short-term vacation rental properties that we manage have lots of questions, and understandably so. We recently tapped every team in our organization, from guest communications to housekeeping, to find out what questions property owners most commonly ask. In this episode, we address the four biggies: - “What is dynamic pricing?” - “Why can't I get website links to all of the booking sites my home is advertised on?”- “Why do I see my property published at different prices across different listing platforms?”- “Why can't I access my property at free will?”Host Killian Gordon provides straightforward answers, some of which may impress and surprise you.

We're talking holidays with Bon Hewlett, Property Care Manager & Executive Chef with Hostē. Booking short-term vacation rental properties through platforms like AirBnB & VRBO is becoming a popular way for families to spend holidays together, especially in larger homes. We detail proactive, pre-holiday maintenance tasks that hosts and property managers should address to keep guests safe and comfortable, especially in anticipation of holiday meal prep. We discuss ways to elevate the vacation rental experience for holiday guests, and how to minimize putting staff to work on holidays, while still giving guests a delightfully memorable experience.

We're joined by Koryn Okey, VP of Client Experience for Breezeway, a property care and service platform for hospitality and property management providers. Koryn formerly worked with Flipkey, a channel that helps property owners collect and display guest reviews.We tap Koryn's insights into the short-term vacation rental property management industry, including how technology may disrupt guest reviews in the next 5-7 years. We discuss the challenge of satisfying guests with unrealistic expectations or disappointments beyond our control, plus Koryn shares her best advice for property owners. We also touch on who Breezeway can help, and how.

In this episode we're joined by Bon Hewlett, executive chef with Hostē Experiences, the newest arm of Hostē's hospitality services. With Hostē Experiences, guests of our 160 managed short-term vacation rental properties can book exceptional experiences to enhance their stay, including in-home chef-prepared meals, wine tastings, guided yoga sessions and more. Bon reveals what he learned in the trial-and-error process of refining Hostē's dining services, providing hints to AirBnB property managers who want to improve their bookings and reviews. He shares what he sees for the future of Hostē Experiences, including offerings that reach beyond our guests.

Thinking of buying a property to use as a short-term vacation rental on platforms like AirBnB? Do you manage vacation rentals and want to move into a new geographic area? You can maximize your chances for success by assessing a geographic area for clues that a vacation rental will (or won't) work there. In this episode, we'll touch on pertinent issues including permits, an adequate local labor force, competition, inventory, seasonality, and the "vacation demand" of a given area. We'll share tips for sidestepping disaster, and even tell you how to make the most of a slow season. Listen in. You'll be shocked by how savvy you'll become in under 30 minutes!

In this episode, we unpack some of what we learned at the 2021 conference of the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) as it applies to the management of short-term vacation rental properties offered through platforms like AirBnB. In a freeform discussion, we touch on insights gleaned from thought leaders in the short-term rental property management space. We talk about in-house cleaning crews vs. contractors; using all-in-one tech tools vs. building a proprietary tech stack; the importance of a human touch in owner onboarding; the use of short-term vacation rentals by human traffickers and how to recognize signs that a guest may be a victim, and more. 

Hostē's own Jorge Zarate joins us to talk about marketing and business development for short-term vacation rental properties. We discuss marketing to guests, as well as homeowners seeking management of their properties as vacation rentals. Jorge reveals how Hostē is using its online presence for business development, and why the right property photos and descriptions are key, not just for getting bookings, but for exponential growth. We discuss the importance of managing expectations for happier guests, and why it's a mistake to lean too heavily on just one or two booking platforms like AirBNB or VRBO. You'll learn why we call Hostē a “hospitality ecosystem” and how it's fueling our phenomenal growth.

Simon Lehmann, one of the world's foremost thought leaders on short-term vacation rentals, flew from Switzerland to share his insights on hosting and property management for short-term vacation rentals through platforms like AirBnB, VRBO, and HomeAway. The demand for vacation rentals skyrocketed throughout the COVID pandemic. Simon revealed his prediction for where the industry goes from here. Do people return to hotels as their default lodging option, or are short-term vacation properties here to stay? Simon also shared what he feels is the biggest problem for vacation rentals in the U.S., and how it can be overcome. You'll also learn about VRMA and how it can help you elevate your vacation property rental business.

Jillian Kimber has worn many hats at Hostē, working with both guests and property owners in the short-term vacation rental space. She's the creator of the Experiences arm of our business, offering guests of our managed AirBnb properties extra-special, in-home experiences, including chef-prepared meals, wine tastings, massages, facials, and yoga, as well as guided hikes. Guests can book experiences from our website, or on tablets provided in every short-term vacation rental property we manage. In this episode, we talk about our trial-and-error experiences in building these enhanced guest services and the technology to support them. We also touch on our new “squad leader” staffing structure and how it improves service to guests and property owners alike.

Are you the owner of long-term rental property who's thinking of making the switch to hosting short-term vacation rentals like those booked through AirBnB and VRBO? You'll want to listen as we chat with Craig Kallian, Hoste's Business Development Manager. Before joining Hoste, Craig worked in long-term rental property management, so he brings a well-rounded perspective to Hoste's world of managing vacation rentals for property owners. You may be wondering: Are short-term vacation rentals riskier than renting to long-term tenants? Which model is better for the preservation of my property? Don't vacation rentals attract partiers and invite trouble? You'll get answers to these questions and more as you consider making a change to your rental model. 

Thinking of turning one or more of your properties into short-term rentals through Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, etc.? There's a lot to learn, but in this episode, we offer you a powerhouse resource. Her name is Emily Farmer and she's one of the most integral people in our short-term rental property management business. Emily has worn many hats at Hostē, but her current area of focus is the onboarding of new clients. She specializes in helping property owners like you prepare their homes to “go live” on the short-term vacation rental market and generate maximum cashflow. If there's anyone who knows what you need to know, it's Emily. We asked her what advice she has for aspiring vacation rental property managers. Watch now to get her valuable and generous input. 

When it comes to managing a short term rental property, maintenance should be a top priority. In this episode, we share high-value intel on vacation rental property maintenance, including the three options you should consider for managing upkeep, and what tasks should be addressed on a weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly basis. We talk about the importance of keeping maintenance and cleaning responsibilities distinctly separate, why tracking the maintenance history of your property is crucial, and how using unlicensed contractors can lead to big trouble. When hosting an Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental property, following best practices for maintenance will protect you and your property, and help you earn glowing reviews leading to bigger profits.    

In this episode, we share updates on the short term rental property market and offer a peek into the latest improvements to our vacation rental property management services. Find out about the current trends we're seeing in short term rental occupancy and get our two cents on navigating a hot real estate market as an investor in Airbnb or VRBO rental properties. We'll also show you what our current pricing strategy looks like, because it's been working like gangbusters this summer. We'll share our newest innovations that make it easier and more profitable for you to host an Airbnb or other short term vacation rental, including tweaks to our squad structure that provide every managed property with a dedicated staff member overseeing the guest experience and property care.  

Today, we have some funny and unexpected stories that we've encountered since starting our short term rental management company. Tune in for stories about destructive rentals, gross discoveries in the hot tub, bears in the trash, overheated units in the summertime, illegal products left on properties and more! Plus, we provide valuable insight on how you deal with these issues when they do come up to provide a great experience for your guests.We aren't making these stories up...you won't want to miss out on these!

How do you determine the biggest KPI's to track the success of your short term rental home? First and foremost, reviews on the booking platform of your choice are clear indicators of what your guests think of the home. Whether a review is positive or negative, we dig deep into what the guest actually thought of the space in their comments and then take effective action on their criticism.Sometimes, it's as simple as staying in your AirBNB yourself and discovering what all could go wrong as a guest.Additionally, we discuss perceived value of the guest, the importance of good and bad reviews, and more. Tune in!

As an AirBNB property manager, managing guest communication can be a real challenge. How you handle guests and how quickly you respond before a guest even arrives sets their expectations for the property. Whether you manage on property or hundreds, you need to have a protocol for what it looks like to communicate with your guests.We take a multi-step approach to our communication: we begin with an initial email then get more detailed via text as they get closer to the day of their stay. You want your communication to appeal to the widest audience as possible.

Some Airbnb hosts have encountered bewilderment when attempting to insure their short term vacation rental properties. Insurance companies haven't always understood how to properly protect vacation rentals or short term rentals. Does an STR need homeowner's insurance? Landlord insurance? How is it covered? If you're thinking of investing in short term rentals or are currently hosting an Airbnb, this episode will open your eyes to how to protect your property and even your income. Special guest Darren Pettyjohn, co-founder of Proper Insurance and Waivo, saw the need for a new type of insurance policy designed specifically for Airbnb hosting and other short term rentals. He simplifies the complexities of insurance for Airbnb hosts and explains why a property's changing occupancy throughout the year can present different liabilities. He also discusses how insurance can protect your income from lost bookings due to unforeseen circumstances, from harsh weather to vandalism and more.  

When we discuss working with a property owner, it's essentially an interview on both sides. We want to make sure their property is a good fit for us, as well as us being a good fit for them. Some people may need an extremely custom fit and services that a general management company can't manage. AirBNB has shifted from hosting to making sure the customer has a smooth stay and great experience. If an owner wants to be heavily involved in the management process, it will typically not work well for them to use a management company. You must be willing to give up aspects of management for the relationship to thrive.However, if you don't want to invest in all of the backend costs to maximize your rental profit, then it's worth considering a management company. Companies like us have project management software, guest screening software, channel software, etc. If you've maxed out the revenue you can make on your own, it may be worth considering working with a short-term rental management company.

When it comes to AirBNB hosting, there's an art to keeping guests happy and earning stellar reviews, and it has everything to do with managing guest expectations. Whether you're thinking of investing in short term rentals or currently hosting an AirBNB, this episode shares valuable insights that will help you head off trouble and create a more consistently satisfying guest experience. Managing guest expectations can take many forms when hosting a vacation rental, such as making guests aware of property features that may impact those with physical limitations. It can mean providing detailed lists of amenities and conveniences, right down to what's in the kitchen drawers. It means striking the right balance when marketing an AirBNB property, highlighting your property's best features while providing accurate descriptions and photos that won't disappoint. We'll talk about these points and more in Episode 5, plus we'll discuss how to determine when to issue a refund to a disgruntled guest. Benefit from our wisdom in AirBNB hosting and start off strong when investing in a vacation rental or hosting a short term rental. 

There are so many details that go into managing an AirBNB. As a first time host, you may not think of telling your guest things like, Where's the thermostat? How do you use the fireplace? etc. You want your guest to have an easy experience in your home!Join us as we discuss slow months, profitability, tips for managing a short-term rental, and so much more. 

We're sharing some of the biggest mistakes that new AirBNB Hosts are making. First and foremost, people underestimate the amount of time they'll have to spend to have a good quality product. Cleaning alone can take up huge amounts of time. Another mistake is focusing too much on occupancy, rather than on the rate. We utilize a dynamic pricing tool that helps our owners get maximum profit on their rental. People also rush their marketing, rather than waiting until the listing is fully ready. Tune in to hear more!

Today, we're discussing the differences in managing different types of homes. The location, type of space, amenities, etc, can all really affect what it looks like to manage a property. For us managing 140+ homes, we have to keep information organized for guests and know what is feasible for each individual property's turnaround. Join us in this new episode as we share some inside scoop on our secrets to successfully managing short term rentals!

We discuss short term rentals and Airbnb's helping owners, hosts, or potential investors maximize both their knowledge and their returns