The Peak Season

Summary In this solo episode, Luke takes listeners behind the curtain of PriceLabs and breaks down the features most hosts overlook—Market Dashboards and comp sets. Luke shares how he analyzes competitor pricing and occupancy, how he builds comp sets that reveal real market patterns, and why triangulating data leads to smarter, more profitable pricing decisions. If you’ve ever opened PriceLabs, cl...

Summary In this episode of the Peak Season Podcast, Luke walks through seven practical tips for making the most of your visits to your vacation rental property. He covers how to choose the right timing, why solo trips often lead to better efficiency, and how simple organization—like keeping running lists—can make each visit more productive. Luke also touches on the value of batching errands, hirin...

✨ Summary In this episode of The Peak Season Podcast , Tyler Kostich opens up about his inspiring journey from military service and a W2 career in human resources to becoming a full-time entrepreneur in real estate and consulting. He shares how short-term rentals became both a passion and a business, the role of family support in his transitions, and the lessons learned about fulfillment, gratitu...

🦃 Summary In this Thanksgiving special of the  Peak Season Podcast , Luke and Tyler dig into one of the most underrated levers in the STR world: holiday bonuses for cleaners. They break down how to decide on bonus amounts, why timing matters, and creative ways to show appreciation beyond cash. The duo highlights how gratitude, recognition, and treating your team like actual humans (wild concept,...

🎙️ Summary In this episode of the Peak Season Podcast, we dive into Luke’s real estate journey — from his early days in long-term rentals to discovering the world of short-term rentals and the markets that shaped him. Luke shares the wins, the mistakes, and the mindset shifts that helped him grow not just as an investor, but as a person. He opens up about the Smoky Mountains, why Northern Michigan...

📌 Summary In this episode of The Peak Season Podcast , Luke and Tyler explore the growing world of co-hosting — a smart alternative to traditional property management for Airbnb and Vrbo owners. They break down what co-hosting is, how it works, and why it’s becoming the go-to solution for property owners who want to maximize revenue, save time, and maintain control without the full workload of se...

In this episode of the  Peak Season Podcast , Luke and Tyler break down one of the most critical (and underrated) skills in the short-term rental industry:  handling difficult guests . From unexpected complaints to avoidable misunderstandings, they share real-world examples and proven strategies for keeping guest interactions smooth, professional, and empathetic. Listeners will learn how to deesca...

📌 Summary In this episode of The Peak Season Podcast , hosts Luke and Tyler get real about one of the most stressful operational challenges in the short-term rental world: losing trusted members of the cleaning team . When two key cleaners suddenly step away, it could feel like a major setback — especially while expanding a property portfolio. Instead of panicking, the guys break down how they tu...

📌 Summary In this episode of The Peak Season Podcast , hosts Luke and Tyler explore the growing influence of technology in the short-term rental industry. With countless tools promising more bookings and smoother operations, the real challenge is identifying which solutions truly add value — and which create unnecessary complexity. They break down the core tech categories every host should consid...

🎧 Episode Summary In this episode of  The Peak Season Podcast , Tyler and Luke break down what guests  really  want — based on insights from over 500 stays across multiple markets. They dive deep into guest psychology, unpacking why reviews matter more than price, how “value for money” actually works, and what separates a good stay from a great one. From spotless spaces and seamless communication...

🎧 Summary In this episode of  The Peak Season Podcast , Luke and Tyler dive into what it really takes to  survive and thrive in rural short-term rental markets  — drawing from their hands-on experience in Northern Michigan. From  guest acquisition and seasonality  to  maintenance challenges and small-town dynamics , they explore the unique factors that shape life as a rural host. You’ll hear prov...

Description / Summary: In this episode of  The Peak Season Podcast , Luke and Tyler break down the mystery behind the Airbnb algorithm—and how hosts can use it to their advantage. From pricing strategy and calendar management to conversion rates and guest engagement, they reveal the levers that actually move your listing up in search results. You’ll learn why success on Airbnb isn’t random, how to...

🎙️  Bonus Episode: Navigating the New Airbnb Fee Structure Keywords:  Airbnb, property management software, fees, short-term rental, hosts, pricing strategy, market impact, direct bookings, hospitality industry 💬 Summary In this  bonus episode  of  The Peak Season Podcast , Tyler and Luke tackle Airbnb’s major update to its host fee structure — a  15.5% service fee  that goes into effect on  Octo...

🎙️ Episode:  Avoid These Costly Hosting Mistakes Keywords:  short-term rental, hosting mistakes, pricing strategy, preventative maintenance, guest experience, Airbnb, direct bookings, vacation rentals, revenue management, property management 💬 Summary In this episode of  The Peak Season Podcast , Luke and Tyler break down the  five costly mistakes  that can quietly drain profits and momentum from...

🎙️ Episode:  Mastering Five-Star Reviews in Airbnb Hosting Keywords:  Airbnb, five-star reviews, guest experience, hospitality, short-term rentals, customer service, property management, guest communication, surprise and delight, feedback 💬 Summary In this episode of  The Peak Season Podcast , Tyler K. and Luke dive deep into what it really takes to earn and maintain five-star reviews as a short-...