Thanks For Visiting

Your property management system (PMS) is supposed to make hosting easier—but what happens when it feels like it's limiting what you can do on Airbnb? In this Hosting Hotline episode, we answer Leslie’s question about using HostAway and navigating PMS limitations when trying to run last-minute promotions or access Airbnb’s categories (like treehouse, cabin, or OMG stays). We break down: Why some Ai...

5 Mistakes Airbnb Hosts Are Making (And How to Fix Them) Many Airbnb hosts are unknowingly making mistakes that are costing them bookings, revenue, and guest satisfaction. In this episode, we’re breaking down the five most common mistakes we see over and over again—and more importantly, how to fix them fast. Mistake 1 : Chasing Hacks Instead of Focusing on Guests Are you joining wishlist groups or...

Hosting Hotline: How Do I Know If a Guest Is Scamming Me? In this episode of the Hosting Hotline, we're diving into a tough but important topic: how to handle guest claims that may not be true—specifically bed bug accusations. Francesca from Puerto Rico calls in to ask about a troubling trend she's noticing among fellow hosts: guests claiming bed bugs without evidence. Sarah shares her personal ex...

If you want to be the go-to expert in your community, build strong local relationships, and grow your hosting network, starting a meetup for Airbnb hosts is a game-changer. In this episode, we’re breaking down exactly how to plan, promote, and run a successful short-term rental meetup, based on our own experience hosting packed events for hosts in Columbus. We cover: Why hosting a meetup can help...

In this Hosting Hotline episode, Jane calls in with a question every host has to consider: What smart lock should I be using for my short-term rental? Sarah and Annette break down their most trusted smart locks, the brands they avoid, and the key factors to consider when choosing the right lock for your property. They also share their must-have backup system to prevent lockouts—because even the be...

Is It Time to Fire Your Airbnb Property Manager? Hiring a property manager or Co-Host can take a huge weight off your shoulders—but what happens when the relationship isn’t working? In this episode, we break down how to evaluate whether your property manager is helping or hurting your business. We cover: Common frustrations hosts have with property managers (and when they’re valid) The difference...

In this Hosting Hotline episode, listener Julia asks a smart and strategic question: When do guests actually book their stays? She’s noticing a trend of Sunday evening bookings and wants to fine-tune her marketing efforts based on real booking data. Since we didn’t have the hard numbers on hand, we called in an expert—Jeff Brown from Intellihost—who pulled data from 466,000 reservations across tho...

ChatGPT is more than just a tool—it’s like having an extra team member in your short-term rental business. Whether you’re optimizing your listing, handling guest communication, or strategizing pricing, AI can help you save time and make more money. In this episode, we’re breaking down six powerful ways to use ChatGPT in your Airbnb business. If you’re new to AI or hesitant to dive in, don’t worry—...

In this Hosting Hotline episode, we tackle a crucial question from host Julia: Should you proactively replace major appliances like HVAC systems and water heaters, or wait until they fail? Julia’s concern is common—her property is 20 years old, and she’s weighing the risk of unexpected breakdowns against the cost of upgrading early. We break down the key factors to consider, including: The hidden...

In this episode, we sit down with Koryn Okey , Vice President of Community & Engagement at Breezeway , to explore the tools and strategies that can help short-term rental hosts streamline their operations, improve efficiency, and increase revenue. Koryn has been in the vacation rental industry since 2008, starting at FlipKey , where she helped introduce guest reviews to the industry. Now, sh...

Getting organized as a short-term rental host can feel overwhelming, especially when you're managing bookings, guest communication, maintenance, and more. In this Hosting Hotline episode, we answer a listener’s question about the best tools and strategies for keeping everything on track—without the stress. We break down how we manage our own Airbnb businesses, from task management software to sche...

Revenue management is one of the most overlooked skills in short-term rentals, yet it’s the key to maximizing your earnings. Too many hosts rely on guesswork or reactive pricing strategies, leaving money on the table. In this episode, we’re diving into the single most important metric you need to track to confidently adjust your rates and increase revenue: your booking window. Your booking windo...

Hosting Hotline: The Best Pricing Strategy When You First List Your Airbnb When you’re launching your short-term rental, pricing can feel like a guessing game. Should you start with low rates to get more bookings and reviews? Or is that a fast track to leaving money on the table? In this Hosting Hotline episode, we answer a listener’s question about how to price their new Airbnb and whether loweri...

Why Your PMS is the Heartbeat of Your STR Business—A Conversation with Hostfully’s CEO Your Property Management Software (PMS) is more than just a tool—it’s the heartbeat of your short-term rental business. But how do you know you’re using the right one? And are you truly optimizing it to save time, increase efficiency, and drive more revenue? In this episode, we sit down with Margot Schmorak, CEO...

Which STR Upgrades Actually Increase Bookings? Investing in your short-term rental can be a big decision—so how do you know which upgrades will actually pay off? In this Hosting Hotline episode, we help a listener evaluate whether adding privacy fencing is worth the investment. We dive into when (and why) outdoor enhancements can increase bookings, how to analyze market data before making a major...

In this episode, we take a deep dive into short-term rental insurance, breaking down why having the right coverage is essential for protecting your property, income, and business. We welcome Nick Massey, Chief Sales Officer at Proper Insurance, who shares critical insights on what hosts need to know, from common misconceptions about platform-provided coverage to real-life case studies of claims an...

Attending in-person conferences is one of the best ways to network, learn, and level up your short-term rental business—but with so many options, how do you pick the right one? In this Hosting Hotline episode, we help listener Sarah decide which industry event is the best fit for her goals in 2025. We break down the top vacation rental conferences, including their unique focuses, vendor access, ed...

Safety isn’t just a checkbox—it’s essential for every short-term rental. In this episode, international safety expert Justin Ford returns to discuss the biggest safety risks hosts often overlook and how to protect your guests and business. From smoke alarms and fire extinguishers to hot tub safety and bunk beds, this episode is packed with actionable insights for hosts at every level. Justin has s...

Hosting Hotline: Can You List a New Construction Airbnb with Renderings? In this episode of the Hosting Hotline, we answer Donny's questions about launching a new construction Airbnb listing with renderings and strategies for securing month-long bookings. Whether you're in the process of building a short-term rental or exploring midterm stay opportunities, we’ve got tips to help you navigate these...

In this episode, we dive into one simple yet game-changing strategy to boost your Airbnb bookings in 2025: turning on Instant Book. Whether you’re hesitant about giving up control or ready to take your listing to the next level, this episode will show you how Instant Book can help you attract more guests, maximize revenue, and streamline operations—all while staying in control of your property. Ep...

Hosting Hotline: How Can I Organize My Hosting Business? Show Notes: Welcome to the Hosting Hotline! Today, we’re tackling a fantastic question from Jilayne about staying organized as a busy host and business owner. Whether you’re jotting down ideas on the go, managing multiple properties, or trying to streamline tasks, staying organized is essential for business success. In this episode, Sarah an...

Airbnb Shut Our Listing Down: Here’s What We Learned Welcome back to another episode of Thanks for Visiting! This week, we’re diving into a hosting nightmare that became a learning opportunity. Imagine waking up to find that Airbnb has not only shut down your listing but removed it entirely from the platform. That’s exactly what happened to us, and we’re here to share the entire story, how we hand...

Hosting Hotline: How to Accept Payments for Direct Bookings Without Zelle or Venmo? In this episode of the Hosting Hotline, Sarah and Annette tackle a question from a Canadian host managing a property in Maui. How can you simplify payment options for direct bookings when popular platforms like Zelle or Venmo aren’t available to you? Whether you're an international host or just exploring ways to le...

Welcome back to our latest land update! In this episode, we’re diving into the nitty-gritty of building Rich Hollow Retreat. From navigating septic system decisions to firing and rehiring construction teams, this update is packed with insights, challenges, and small wins. Plus, we share our ambitious goal to open early summer 2025—fingers crossed! Episode Highlights: [00:01:00] Sharing Rich Hollow...

Hosting Hotline: How Can I Encourage Guests to Leave a Review? Welcome back to the Hosting Hotline , where we answer your pressing hosting questions! Today’s caller, Shannon, asks two great questions: How do you handle Airbnb’s 15% service fee adjustment? And more importantly, how can she get her guests to leave reviews? We’re diving deep into actionable strategies to help you encourage reviews wi...