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It’s Money-Making May—and today’s guest proves that revenue management doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We’re joined by Wendy Doris, founder of Mostess and a powerhouse co-host based in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona. Wendy manages a portfolio of 17 highly curated homes and has become a sought-after voice in the STR world for her detailed, data-driven approach to pricing and guest experience. In this...

Airbnb’s new Off-Platform and Fee Transparency Policy has left a lot of hosts wondering: Can you still use tools like StayFi to collect guest emails? Today on the Hosting Hotline, Natasha calls in with a smart and timely question—and we bring in the best person to answer it: Arthur Colker, CEO of StayFi. In this episode, we cover: How Airbnb’s updated policy affects communication and guest data co...

We’re hearing it from hosts everywhere: “I want more bookings.” But when we look behind the scenes, a big reason you’re missing out is your minimum stay requirements. You’re unintentionally telling guests “no” and pushing them to book with your competitors. This episode is a deep dive into how your calendar settings might be working against you—without you even knowing it. In this episode, we cove...

Big changes are coming to Airbnb's terms of service—and hosts need to take action. In this bonus episode, we break down Airbnb’s updated Off-Platform and Fee Transparency Policy , which officially goes into effect May 10, 2025 . From mandatory fees and upsells to off-platform communication, security deposits, and software compliance , we walk through the biggest updates, what they mean for your sh...

This week on the Hosting Hotline, we're digging into a question from Penny, a host of two jaw-dropping luxury rentals in Hocking Hills, Ohio. With properties clocking in at over 10,000 and 13,000 square feet, a saltwater pool, and four separate apartments, Penny’s homes are stunning — but she's stuck on one big question: how should she charge her cleaning fee? Should she bake the fee into the nigh...

Spring has sprung, and that means it’s time to give your short-term rental a seasonal refresh. In today’s episode, we're walking you through a host-focused maintenance checklist to ensure your property is not only clean and cozy but also safe and guest-ready as the temperatures rise. If you want to prevent emergency repairs, avoid guest complaints, and extend the life of your property’s key featur...

Are your Airbnb bookings slower than usual… or does it just feel that way? This week, Courtney calls in with a question we’ve heard from more and more hosts: “Is it just me, or are bookings down and cancellations up?” We’re digging into that exact question—because while it’s easy to blame the economy or the season, the truth might be hiding in your data (or your photos… or your minimum night stay...

It’s tax time, and if you're a short-term rental host, this episode is a must-listen. We’re breaking down the five biggest tax mistakes we see STR hosts make—and how to avoid them so you can keep more of what you earn. From understanding the seven-day rule to knowing how your cleaning schedule could trigger self-employment tax, we’re unpacking how STR income is classified and what actually qualifi...

Today’s question comes from Melody, and it is all is all about upsells: specifically, how should hosts collect payment for add-ons like early check-in and late checkout? In this episode, we cover: What qualifies as an upsell The pros and cons of using Airbnb’s Resolution Center Alternatives like Venmo, PayPal, QuickBooks, and property management software Why proper tracking is critical (especially...

Spring cleaning isn't just for your own home—your short-term rental deserves a deep refresh too. In this episode, we're giving you seven essential tips to help you roll up your sleeves and bring your Airbnb back to life after winter. From deep cleaning overlooked appliances to inventorying kitchen essentials, and refreshing outdoor spaces, we walk through a full-property plan to get your place spa...

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...