Thanks For Visiting
Thanks For Visiting provides actionable advice and essential fundamentals for running a profitable 5-star Airbnb side-hustle or full-time business. Hosts Annette Grant and Sarah Karakaian bring extensive backgrounds in business operations, high-end hospitality management, and interior design. With nearly a decade of combined hosting experience, they share their own stories and those of other Superhosts, offering insights and creative ideas to make your listing stand out. Whether you're experienced, new, or nervous about starting your own Airbnb, this podcast promises informative, fun, and heartfelt content.
Episodes
565. 11 Airbnb Expenses Hosts NEVER See Coming
Most Airbnb hosts plan for the obvious costs: the mortgage, furnishings, cleaning fees, and maybe a few supplies.But the expenses that hurt the most are usually the ones no one planned for.In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down 11 short-term rental expenses that commonly catch hosts off guard. Some are small recurring costs. Others can wipe out thousands of dollars if they are missing from
564. She Turned Her Family Ski House Into a Top-Tier Airbnb
Gale Golden did not start with a perfect short-term rental strategy.She started with a family ski house in the Adirondacks, a property that sat empty for years, and a decision: rent it or sell it.In this episode, Sarah and Annette sit down with Gale to talk about how Five Star Lodge went from a beloved family property to a more intentional, more profitable short-term rental business. Gale shares h
563. How a 700-Square-Foot Airbnb Hit $84K
Steve Marquis did not stumble into short-term rental success.Before buying his first Gulf Shores property, he was running seven or eight pro formas a day, studying markets, comparing opportunities, and trying to find the right investment. But once he finally bought his first condo, the real work started.In this episode, Sarah and Annette sit down with Steve to talk about how he went from teacher t
562. How One Host Got 70% Direct Bookings
Kim Kelley did not buy her Annapolis home with an Airbnb business plan.She bought it so her family could be close to their daughter, Lizzie, while she attended the United States Naval Academy and played varsity lacrosse. After Lizzie graduated and was commissioned into the Navy, Kim had a decision to make: sell the house or turn it into something more.So she “threw it on Airbnb.”In this episode, S
561. How to Make $100K on Airbnb Without Buying Another Property
You do not need to buy another property to build a six-figure Airbnb business.In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down the path they would take if they were starting with one property in 2026 and wanted to make $100K. Their answer is not buying more doors, taking on more debt, or jumping into rental arbitrage. It is co-hosting.Before you manage someone else’s property, your own listing needs
560. Why Wealth Builds Faster After One Rental Property
Short-term rentals are not passive income. They take work, systems, pricing strategy, guest experience, and real operational discipline.But that work is also what creates the opportunity.In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down why short-term rentals can build wealth faster than traditional long-term rentals when they are run like a business. They compare the revenue ceiling of a fixed monthl
559. The Airbnb Payout Routine Every Host Needs
Your Airbnb payout hitting your bank account is not the same thing as knowing your business is profitable.In this episode, Sarah and Annette walk through the monthly payout routine they use to track revenue, catch missing money, compare actual payouts against forecasts, and move income into the right financial buckets.They break down why every hosting business needs a dedicated business bank accou
558. Why Your Airbnb Isn't Getting Bookings
Your Airbnb might be beautiful, but that does not mean guests are going to book it.When hosts struggle to fill their calendars, they often blame demand, competition, or the Airbnb algorithm. But the real problem may be sitting right inside the listing.In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down six common mistakes that cause guests to scroll past a property or abandon it before booking. They cov
557. How to Beat the Airbnb Algorithm Without Guessing
If you've ever blamed the Airbnb algorithm for slow bookings, this episode might completely change how you think about your listing.Sarah and Annette break down what the Airbnb algorithm is actually looking for—and why most hosts are focusing on the wrong things. Instead of chasing algorithm "hacks," they explain the five controllable factors that determine how often your listing appears in search
556. 4 Hotel Upsells Airbnb Hosts Are Giving Away for Free
Most Airbnb hosts are leaving money on the table without realizing it.In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down four common guest requests that hotels routinely charge for but short-term rental hosts often provide for free. From early check-in and late checkout to pool heat, grocery stocking, and celebration setups, these services take time, coordination, and operational effort.The hosts share
555. Never Turn On These Airbnb Settings (They're Costing You Bookings)
Think your bookings are down because of the algorithm, seasonality, or increased competition? The real problem might be hiding inside your Airbnb settings.In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down the Airbnb features that could be creating friction for potential guests and limiting your visibility in search. They share three settings they recommend turning off immediately and five settings eve
554. 6 Silent Mistakes Destroying Your Airbnb Reviews (And Costing You Bookings)
If your Airbnb rating is sitting at 4.6, 4.7, or even 4.8 and you're wondering why bookings aren't growing, this episode is for you.The truth is that most review-damaging mistakes aren't obvious. In fact, experienced hosts often make them because they're too close to their own properties to see the gaps.In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down six silent mistakes that can cost you five-star r
553. How to Make Your Airbnb Look Expensive Without Overspending
You don’t need to spend more money to make your Airbnb look expensive. You need to spend in the right places.In this episode, we’re breaking down what actually makes a property feel elevated to guests and more importantly, what gets them to click, book, and leave better reviews.We’re sharing where hosts should invest, where they tend to overspend, and how to design with performance in mind so your
552. The New Rules for Getting More Airbnb Bookings in 2026
If it feels harder to get bookings right now, you’re not imagining it.The Airbnb landscape has changed and the hosts who are still operating the same way they did a year ago are starting to feel it.In this episode, we’re breaking down the new rules for 2026 and what it actually takes to compete in today’s market. From mindset shifts to pricing strategy to understanding your numbers, we’re sharing
551. How Laura Wegner Built a High-Performing STR Brand in Whistler
Laura Wegner didn’t get into short-term rentals because it was trendy. She got into it because her business disappeared overnight during COVID.What started as a way to survive turned into a highly strategic hospitality business in Whistler, British Columbia. Today, Laura owns and manages premium ski-in/ski-out rentals and is preparing to expand into boutique property management with a very specifi
550. From Weekend Side Hustle to 35% Growth: How One Host Optimized Before Scaling
Josh Peterson didn’t start in short-term rentals by chasing deals. He started by solving a problem.After too many mediocre hotel stays visiting his daughter at UNC, he bought a home near campus. What started as a second home quickly turned into a high-performing short-term rental—and then a full-on business.But here’s where it gets interesting.Instead of rushing to scale, Josh hit pause. He went b
549. From Burnout to Breakthrough: How Amy Ruocco Scaled Her Airbnb Business Without Losing Herself
What does it actually take to scale a short-term rental business without burning out?In this episode, we sit down with Amy Ruocco, founder of Hosted Guest, who went from running herself ragged in her business to building a more profitable, sustainable, and scalable operation.Amy shares how she transitioned from instinct-based decisions to data-driven strategy, what finally helped her let go of day
548. Airbnb Changed the Fees Again… Here’s What Actually Matters
Airbnb changed the fee structure again… and most hosts are asking the wrong question.Everyone is debating which option to choose, but almost no one is looking at what actually happened to their numbers after the last change.In this episode, we break down what Airbnb quietly updated, the biggest mistakes hosts are about to repeat, and the four audits you need to run before touching a single setting
547. Steal Our Airbnb Title Formula to Get More Clicks and Bookings
If your Airbnb listing is getting views but not bookings, your title might be the problem.In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the fastest and most overlooked ways to improve your listing performance: your Airbnb title. Because your title isn’t there to describe your space, it’s there to win the click.We’re sharing the exact prompts we use (and teach our students) to create high-converting
546. The Pre-Arrival Inspection Checklist That Protects Your 5-Star Reviews
Most hosts think once the cleaner leaves, the property is ready for guests. But that assumption is exactly where five-star reviews start to slip.In this episode of Thanks for Visiting, we’re walking you through the exact pre-arrival inspection checklist we use across our properties to ensure consistency, elevate the guest experience, and protect our reviews.We break down the difference between “cl
545. The New Rules of Buying Short-Term Rentals in 2026
The short-term rental market is shifting—and what worked even a few years ago won’t cut it anymore.In this episode, we sit down with Kenny Bedwell to break down the new rules of buying short-term rentals in 2026. From changing demand patterns to increased competition and rising guest expectations, we’re unpacking what’s actually happening in the market—and how to adapt.Kenny shares how he’s still
544. Stop Guessing: Let Your Booking Window Tell You What To Do
Are you lowering your nightly rates because your calendar looks empty? If so, you might be panic pricing and leaving money on the table.In this episode of Thanks for Visiting, Sarah and Annette break down one of the most overlooked metrics in short-term rental pricing strategy: your booking window.Your booking window tells you when guests actually start shopping and booking their stay. If you don’
543. The 3 Questions Every Smart STR Host Is Asking Right Now
If you’re hosting in 2026, chances are you’ve asked yourself at least one of these questions:Am I underpriced if my calendar is filling faster than everyone else’s?Should I switch to midterm rentals during the slow season?Why is my listing cheaper than the competition but still not getting booked?In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down three real questions from hosts inside the Priced and Pr
542. How to Actually Hire a Five-Star Cleaner (Without the Headache)
If your cleaner controls your calendar… this episode is for you.Today, we’re breaking down how to actually hire a five-star cleaner (not reactively, not desperately, and definitely not based on price alone).Because here’s the truth: You are not hiring a cleaner. You are hiring the guardian of your five-star brand.In this episode, we walk you through:The four hiring questions you must answer before
541. Stop Leaving Money on the Table: The Pricing Mistakes Hosts Keep Making
If you feel like you’re working harder than ever but not seeing the profit you want from your short-term rental, this episode is for you.Today, we’re breaking down the pricing mistakes we still see hosts making every single day and how those mistakes are quietly costing you thousands in missed revenue.We cover:Why seven-day pickup is the most underused pricing lever in your businessWhy your base r
540. World Cup 2026 Airbnb Strategy: How Hosts Can Maximize Revenue
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to the United States, and for short-term rental hosts, this is not just another busy weekend.It is a multi-week, multi-city revenue opportunity.In this episode, we break down what is really happening behind the headlines, including those $17,000 Airbnb listings near MetLife Stadium, and what smart hosts are doing differently.This is not about price gouging. It is
539. Host Friendly or Host Risky? How Local Regulations Can Make or Break Your STR Business
Where you host matters, but how you operate matters even more.In this episode of Thanks for Visiting, Sarah and Annette break down what it really means to host legally and responsibly in today’s short-term rental landscape. From host-friendly states to high-risk markets, they explain why relying on outdated advice, spreadsheets, or assumptions can cost you everything.You’ll learn how state and cit
538. How to Use a Virtual Assistant to Grow Your Hosting Business
If the idea of hiring a virtual assistant feels overwhelming, or like something only “big hosts” do, this episode will change how you think about leverage.In this episode, we break down five practical ways short-term rental hosts can use virtual assistants to improve follow-through, stay organized, and grow their business without handing over the keys or losing visibility.Virtual assistants aren’t
537. The Airbnb Metrics That Actually Drive Bookings (And the Mistake Most Hosts Make)
Many hosts say “I feel like my listing is buried.” But feelings don’t get bookings—data does.In this episode, we break down the four Airbnb metrics that actually impact bookings and show you how to use Airbnb’s Professional Hosting Tools to pinpoint exactly where guests are dropping off in your funnel.Instead of randomly tweaking photos, prices, or descriptions and hoping for the best, you’ll lear
536. Unconventional Ways Hosts Are Making Money Without Overnight Guests
What if your short-term rental could make money without guests sleeping there?In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down unconventional — but proven — ways hosts are generating additional revenue by leveraging their properties during the day, shoulder seasons, or slower periods.From commercial photo shoots to coworking days, private events, pool rentals, and wellness experiences, this conversat
535. How to Plan Your 2026 Holiday Pricing Without Leaving Money on the Table
If you haven’t looked at the 2026 calendar yet, this episode is your wake-up call.In 2026, major holidays fall on Fridays and Saturdays — and that one detail changes how guests book, arrive, and leave. If you price holidays the same way you always have, you risk blocked calendars, forced turnovers, or sitting empty on some of the biggest revenue weekends of the year.In this episode, Sarah and Anne
534. Hosting Hotline: Why We’re Sunsetting the Hotline and What Comes Next
This Hosting Hotline episode looks a little different.Instead of answering a listener question, Sarah and Annette are pulling back the curtain on a big decision: sunsetting the Hosting Hotline format and refocusing their time, energy, and creativity on deeper ways to support hosts.In this episode, they share the real reasons behind the shift, what they’ve learned from years of Hotline questions, a
533. How AI Is Changing the Way Guests Find and Book Your Short Term Rental
AI is no longer a future concept for hosts. It is already shaping how guests search, discover, and choose where to stay.In this episode, Sarah and Annette sit down with AI strategist Rick Mulready to break down what hosts actually need to understand about AI right now and how it impacts visibility, bookings, and direct booking websites. From generative engine optimization to answering guest search
532. Hosting Hotline: Does Renaming Airbnb Photos Actually Improve SEO?
Should you rename your Airbnb listing photos with SEO keywords before uploading them? In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette break down when photo naming actually matters and when it doesn’t.They explain how Airbnb and other OTAs interpret image data, why guest search behavior matters more than marketing adjectives, and how intentional photo naming can support long-term visibility and
531. Where to Splurge and Where to Save When Furnishing a Short-Term Rental
Furnishing a short-term rental can feel overwhelming and expensive, especially when you’re trying to stand out in a competitive market. In this episode, we break down exactly where hosts should splurge and where they can save when furnishing their properties.After furnishing dozens of short-term rentals and helping hosts across the country do the same, we’ve seen the same costly mistakes over and
530. Hosting Hotline: Should You Adjust Airbnb Fees in PriceLabs or Airbnb?
Airbnb’s host fee changes have left many hosts wondering where, and how, to make adjustments without breaking their pricing strategy.In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette answer a question from Jenna Louise about whether management fee changes should be handled inside PriceLabs or directly through Airbnb or a PMS.They walk through why your base rate must remain stable, why there’s no
529. The Top Short-Term Rental Hosting Lessons of 2025: Pricing, Profit & Strategy
What do the most-downloaded Thanks for Visiting episodes of 2025 have in common?They weren’t about shortcuts or trends. They were about pricing, revenue, and running a smarter hosting business.In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down the top-performing episodes of 2025 and what they reveal about how hosts are thinking differently. From pricing strategy and upgrades to insurance, taxes, cancel
528. Hosting Hotline: Choosing Your Lane—Revenue, Experience, or Both?
This week on the Hosting Hotline, Vanessa brings a highly unique scenario: an off-grid cabin by the river and a big decision to make: stay fully off grid or add water to potentially increase demand.Rather than treating this as a technical upgrade question, Sarah and Annette zoom out to what really matters: your goals, your values, and the kind of hosting business you actually want to build.In this
527. The Real Risks of Using AI in Your Short-Term Rental Business
AI is everywhere—and short-term rental hosts are using it more than ever. But where does AI actually help, and where can it quietly create risk?This week, Sarah and Annette are joined by attorney Scott Brown to break down what hosts need to understand before relying on AI in their business, especially when it comes to legal agreements, contracts, and compliance.In this episode, we cover:How AI is
526. Hosting Hotline: Hosting Hotline: What to Do Before You Get the Keys to Your First STR
This week on the Hosting Hotline, Randa writes in with a question many new hosts face: What should I be focusing on while I’m waiting to take possession of my first short-term rental?Sarah and Annette walk through exactly how to use this in-between time wisely—so you’re not scrambling once the first guest checks in.In this episode, we cover:Why buying an STR means starting a business—not just furn
525. How to Boost Income in Slow Seasons: A Strategic Plan Every Host Needs
Every market has a slow season—and no, it doesn’t mean your listing is broken. This week, Sarah and Annette break down how to use your slow season strategically so you can maximize revenue when demand returns.In this episode, we cover:What actually defines a slow season (and why every market has one)How to stop “panic pricing” when demand doesn’t existThe industry secret: using a slow season to ge
524. Hosting Hotline: How to Align With the Right Guests Without “Screening”
This week on the Hosting Hotline, Alexandra asks a common question: “How do you screen guests?”Sarah and Annette break down why the word “screening” doesn’t belong in hospitality—and how hosts can shift their approach to something far more effective: guest alignment.In this episode, we cover:Why your language matters more than you thinkHow to approach bookings from a hospitality-first mindsetWhat
523. How to Shop Your Competition Using ChatGPT (and Boost Bookings Fast)
This week, Sarah and Annette break down a simple but powerful strategy every host should be using to stay competitive: analyzing your comp set the same way professional revenue managers do—without spending thousands on data tools.Inside the episode, they walk you through a three-step workflow for using ChatGPT to read, synthesize, and analyze your competitors’ guest reviews so you can understand w
522. Hosting Hotline: Should You Really Provide Shampoo in Every Bathroom?
In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette answer a question from Susie, a host who’s leveling up her short-term rental and wants to know: should you provide shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in every bathroom?It seems simple, but this small decision says a lot about your professionalism, your brand standards, and the overall guest experience. The answer is yes—and Sarah and Annette dive
521. 2026 STR Predictions: What Hosts Need to Know Before the New Year
In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down their data-backed predictions for the 2026 short-term rental market. After a recalibration year in 2025—marked by softened bookings, rising standards, and increased competition—they’re sharing the six major trends every host needs to prepare for.They cover what a “flat but stable” market really means, why guest expectations continue to climb, how regul
520. Hosting Hotline: How to Pick the Right Guest Avatar for Your STR
This week on the Hosting Hotline, Sarah and Annette answer a thoughtful question from Emily in Australia, who’s deciding between two strong guest avatars for her soon-to-launch short-term rental: a family-friendly, non-toxic stay or a high-demand wedding-guest retreat located just steps from one of the area’s most popular venues.If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re choosing the right avatar—or w
519. Airbnb’s New Cancellation Rules: What Hosts Need to Do Now
Airbnb’s new 24-hour free cancellation policy is officially live—and if you’re not prepared, this change could mean a bumpy ride ahead. In this week’s episode, Sarah and Annette break down exactly what’s new, what’s going away, and how these updates impact hosts of every size.From understanding the shift toward guest-friendly policies, to forecasting cancellations as a standard cost of doing busin
518. Hosting Hotline: When to Outsource Your Cleaner (and How to Trust It’s Done Right)
How long should you clean your own property before handing it off to a professional cleaner? In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette tackle one of the biggest questions for new hosts: when to outsource cleaning—and how to make sure your standards don’t slip once you do.From systemizing your process to defining what a “done” bed actually looks like, the duo walks through the mindset shif
517. The 2025 Tax Rulebook for STR Hosts: What You Need to Know with CPA Amanda Han
This week, Sarah and Annette sit down with CPA and tax strategist Amanda Han to break down the major tax updates hosts need to know heading into 2025.From the newly passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” to evolving depreciation rules, Amanda explains what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and how short-term rental owners can use these updates to maximize savings and make smarter financial decisions.She
516. Hosting Hotline: Airbnb Promotions: Visibility Tool or Discount Trap?
When should you actually use Airbnb promotions—and are they really just discounts in disguise?In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette clear up the confusion around Airbnb’s promotion tools and explain how to use them strategically to boost visibility, not slash profits.They cover:How Airbnb really calculates your “discount” (hint: it’s not off your nightly rate)Why promotions should be
515. How to Copy Our Guest Marketing Emails (and Actually Hit Send)
If you’ve been collecting guest emails for years but never actually sent one—this episode is for you.Sarah and Annette are walking you through five repeatable guest email ideas to help you stay connected with past guests, strengthen loyalty, and drive more direct bookings—all without sounding pushy or salesy.From newsletters to new-amenity announcements, you’ll learn how to keep your property top
514. Hosting Hotline: What to Do When Airbnb Suspends Your Listing (and Won’t Tell You Why)
This Hosting Hotline question comes from Renee, a Superhost in Tucson, Arizona, who found herself in an incredibly frustrating situation: after purchasing a new property, Airbnb deactivated the listing—citing “violations” she couldn’t see and refusing to explain why.In this episode, Sarah and Annette unpack what to do if this ever happens to you. They’ll walk through practical next steps for appea
513. Why Per-Guest Fees Are Killing Your Conversion Rate
Think charging extra per guest is helping you make more money? Think again.In this episode, Sarah and Annette reveal how per-guest pricing could actually be hurting your short-term rental business—and why it’s one of the most common (and costly) settings hosts overlook.They’ll break down:Why Airbnb’s new “all-in” pricing model makes per-guest fees confusing and expensive for guestsHow hidden fees
512. Hosting Hotline: Are You Charging Enough? Pricing Strategies Every Host Should Know
If your guests keep telling you your place is too cheap, this episode is for you.This week on the Hosting Hotline, Sarah is joined by COO and revenue management expert Colleen Prochaska to unpack one of the trickiest parts of hosting—pricing your short-term rental.They break down:How to know if your property is truly “doing well” (spoiler: five-star reviews don’t pay the bills)The difference betwe
511. Inside a 10,000-Square-Foot STR: Lessons from Andrew Llewellyn
What does it take to turn a 10,000-square-foot building into a thriving short-term rental that can host up to 42 guests? For Andrew Llewellyn, the answer included grit, rejection, and relentless problem-solving.In this episode, Sarah and Annette sit down with Andrew to hear how he went from running ice cream shops and a food truck to becoming a real estate developer along Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail.
510. Hosting Hotline: Should You Use a Company Logo on Airbnb?
Should you use your company logo instead of your photo on Airbnb? It’s a question that comes up often—and in this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah is joined by a special guest: Thanks for Visiting’s Chief Operations Officer, Colleen Prochaska.With Annette out on a well-deserved vacation, Sarah and Colleen team up to tackle Samantha’s question about whether Airbnb hosts can (and should) use their com
509. Stop Leaving Money on the Table: Mastering Far Out Premium Pricing
Are you bragging about being the first to get booked for a big event or next year’s vacation season? If so, you might be losing money without even realizing it.In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down Far Out Premium Pricing—their favorite feature in dynamic pricing software (like PriceLabs) that has saved them from missed revenue and tough conversations with guests.You’ll learn:What “far out
508. Hosting Hotline: What Should You Do If Your New Listing Isn’t Getting Bookings?
In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette take on a question from a new host who’s been live on Airbnb for a month without a single booking. Frustrated, they’re wondering if the problem is market saturation, high guest fees, or simply the fact that the neighbor’s house has a pool.If you’ve ever launched a property and heard crickets, you’re not alone. Sarah and Annette walk through the mi
507. How to Capture Event-Driven Demand with PriceLabs
Local events are one of the biggest missed opportunities for hosts. Whether it’s a football game, a concert, or a citywide convention, event-driven demand can skyrocket your revenue—if you know how to capture it.In this episode, Sarah and Annette share their system for spotting demand spikes and making the most of them with the help of dynamic pricing software like PriceLabs. From annual football
506. Hosting Hotline: Is One Week-Long Booking Better Than Multiple Short Stays?
This week’s Hosting Hotline question comes from Shaune, who has a short-term rental in a small town that hosts a massive week-long festival every year. The big question: should you require a full week-long stay during the event, or will multiple shorter bookings at premium rates bring in more revenue?Sarah and Annette break down three smart strategies to help you decide:Require a week-long stay (i
505. The Truth About Midterm Rentals: What Hosts Need to Know Before Pivoting
Midterm rentals are all the buzz right now, but before you pivot your short-term rental strategy, Sarah and Annette are pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like to run them. After years of managing hybrid stays, they’ve learned that midterm rentals come with their own set of challenges—and they’re sharing the top five realities every host needs to know.From unpredictable income and comple
504. Hosting Hotline: How Do You Build Trust Without Reviews?
When you’re just starting out on Airbnb or launching a new property, one of the biggest challenges is building trust before reviews start rolling in. Should you put “new listing” in your title or description to explain why your property has zero reviews? Or could that actually backfire?In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette tackle a great listener question about whether to use “new lis
503. How Kristen and Michael Built a Standout STR Brand in Joshua Tree
In a market some call “oversaturated,” Kristen and Michael have proven that storytelling, strategy, and smart reinvestment can still make a short-term rental shine. The husband-and-wife duo behind The Seventh Ray House in Joshua Tree join Sarah and Annette to share how they got started, the risks they took, and how they continue to grow in a competitive space.From renovating while living on-site t
502. Hosting Hotline: Do You Really Need Professional Photos for Your STR?
When it comes to short-term rentals, few topics spark more debate than photography. Do you really need to hire a professional—or can natural, well-lit DIY photos do the trick?In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette respond to a listener comment that challenges their long-standing belief: that professional photos are a non-negotiable for serious hosts. They explore the value of construct
501. How to Maximize Your Holiday Pricing Strategy for 2025
The 2025 holiday season is a unique opportunity for short-term rental hosts—but only if you plan your pricing and calendar strategy the right way. In this episode of Thanks for Visiting, Sarah and Annette break down how the holiday calendar lines up this year and how you can use it to boost your bottom line without adding extra work.They’ll show you why setting minimum stays, adjusting rates on ke
500. Hosting Hotline: What Every Host Needs to Know After 500 Episodes
This episode marks a major milestone—500 episodes of Thanks for Visiting! Sarah and Annette are celebrating by revisiting the most impactful strategies, tools, and lessons shared throughout the show. From pricing to partnerships, tech to team building, they highlight the must-know advice that separates hobbyists from professional hosts.Tune in for a rapid-fire rundown of what’s worked for hundreds
499. 5 End-of-Year Steps to Boost Your Short-Term Rental Success in 2026
The year’s not over yet—and that’s exactly why now is the perfect time to plan ahead. In this episode of Thanks for Visiting, Sarah and Annette break down five essential end-of-year steps that will help you finish 2025 strong and set your short-term rental business up for a profitable 2026.From reviewing your revenue to auditing your tech stack, they’ll show you how small but intentional actions n
498. Hosting Hotline: What’s the Best Way to Land New Co-Host Clients?
This week’s Hosting Hotline question comes from Susan, who asks: “How do you go about attracting new homeowners to list their properties with you? What’s worked best for you when trying to grow your portfolio?”In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down the strategies that have helped them—and other hosts—successfully land new co-host clients. From building long-term professional relationships t
497. How to Choose the Right PMS Without Losing Your Mind or Your Bookings
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to choose a property management system (PMS), this episode is for you. Whether you're a one-property host or looking to scale, your PMS is the backbone of your business—and picking the right one can be the difference between growth and chaos.Sarah and Annette break down exactly what a PMS does, who needs one, and how to choose a system that fits both where yo
496. Hosting Hotline: How Should Hosts Respond to Airbnb’s New 15.5% Fee?
The Hosting Hotline is buzzing with questions about Airbnb’s new 15.5% host-only fee. Starting October 27, 2025, all property management software (PMS)–connected hosts will be switched to this single-fee structure. But what does that mean for your business, your pricing, and your profitability?Sarah and Annette are joined by Thanks for Visiting COO and revenue management expert, Colleen Prochaska,
495. Stop Slashing Your Rates: Why Lower Prices Don’t Create Demand
Too many hosts believe that lowering their nightly rate will magically generate bookings. The truth? Dropping your price doesn’t create demand—it only leaves money on the table. In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down why cutting rates doesn’t work, what demand actually is, and the smarter levers you can pull to increase bookings and profitability.You’ll learn:Why lowering your price doesn’t
494. Hosting Hotline: Should You Team Up with Another Host?
In this Hosting Hotline episode, listener Jan calls in with a creative question: what if she and her neighbor teamed up to offer both of their homes as a combined rental experience? One property has a pool and putting green, the other has a hot tub—together, they could make the ultimate Tucson getaway.We walk through the upsides of partnering with another host, from expanding guest offerings to bu
493. Mastering Short-Term Rental Finances with REI Hub’s Adam Hamilton
REI Hub — Bookkeeping software built for real estate investors and STR hosts.Bookkeeping doesn’t always top the list of exciting short-term rental responsibilities—but it’s one of the most important. Without clean and accurate financials, it’s nearly impossible to know how your STR is really performing, plan for future growth, or take advantage of opportunities like refinancing or selling.In this
492. Hosting Hotline: What Happens to Bookings When You Buy a Short-Term Rental?
This week on the Hosting Hotline, we’re answering Renee’s question about buying a property that’s already operating as a short-term rental—and what to do about the future bookings that come with it.If you’ve ever considered purchasing an “active STR,” you’ll quickly find out there’s a lot more to it than inheriting a calendar full of reservations. Sarah and Annette explain why listings follow the
491. Why Your Airbnb Listing Might Be in Trouble (and You Don’t Even Know It)
This week, we’re diving into a behind-the-scenes feature on Airbnb that too many hosts don’t know exists: listing issues. These hidden alerts could be silently hurting your visibility and even putting your listing at risk of suspension.Sarah and Annette break down what listing issues are, how to find them, and—most importantly—how to resolve them. They also share two real-life examples from their
490. Hosting Hotline: Are You Doing Enough to Market Your Midterm Rental?
This week on the Hosting Hotline, we’re answering Kelsey’s question about how to market a midterm rental beyond just listing on Airbnb or Furnished Finder. If you want to stay competitive in the midterm rental space, you can’t just “set it and forget it.”We break down why marketing your MTR should be part of your daily business routine, how to track what’s working, and why “fortune is in the follo
489. Chargebacks 101: Spotting Red Flags and Safeguarding Your Bookings
This week on Thanks for Visiting, we’re diving deep into a topic no host wants to deal with—but every host needs to understand: chargebacks.Whether you’ve faced one before or you’re hearing the term for the first time, this episode will equip you with the knowledge to protect your business from costly disputes. We’re breaking down what a chargeback is, why it happens, and the difference between wh
488. Hosting Hotline: How Can You Monetize Your Property’s Most Unique Feature?
This week on the Hosting Hotline, listener Mike calls in with a creative question about syncing Airbnb calendars—but what he really unlocks is a much bigger opportunity for short-term rental hosts.Mike and his wife host three cabins in the highly competitive Hocking Hills market and recently added an escape room to one of their properties. While Airbnb doesn’t currently allow you to sync an experi
487. Strict vs. Flexible: Which Airbnb Cancellation Policy Should I Chose?
If you’ve ever second-guessed your Airbnb cancellation policy—or gotten a refund request that threw you off—this episode is for you.We’re diving into the pros and cons of each Airbnb cancellation policy option (from Flexible to Super Strict), what they actually do to your listing’s visibility and booking velocity, and how to decide which one is best for your business. We're also sharing real-life
486. Hosting Hotline: How Much Control Is Too Much? Temp Settings and Turnover Tips
In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette answer listener Dayne’s two-part question about couch cushion covers and temperature control settings in short-term rentals. First, they discuss the pros and cons of using removable couch covers vs. investing in performance fabric for sofas. Then, they dive into the hot topic (pun intended) of thermostat control—should guests be allowed to set the
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