Welcome back to the Hosting Hotline! This is an Ask Me Anything where each week we’ll answer your questions on Airbnb, STRs, real estate, and everything in between. Madison asks: I've just completed my first direct booking at a property that I own and manage, and I'm going through the process of remitting taxes to my county and state. How do you handle this for co-hosted properties? I'd like to offer direct bookings, but would I remit taxes on behalf of the owner or is that their...

We’re unpacking the biggest announcement of Airbnb’s 2024 Winter Release — their new co-host network. The network opens up fresh opportunities for you to grow your co-hosting business and earn extra money or find the right co-host for your property. Either way, you’ll optimize your business with this free tool. We break down how the network works, requirements to be a co-host, and the approval process. Plus, we talk about more Airbnb Winter Release updates, from new messaging features to...

Welcome back to the Hosting Hotline! This is an Ask Me Anything where each week we’ll answer your questions on Airbnb, STRs, real estate, and everything in between. Shaina asks: I have a quick question related to bedding. In the summertime, I have some light, colorful quilts. Going into winter, I was thinking about switching to duvets with white duvet covers. I'm wondering if you think we need to update the listing photos. (00:00:00) Introduction (00:01:58) The Importance Of Attention To...

Fall is in full swing and the holiday season is upon us. In this episode, we’re sharing six simple and seasonal strategies for your short-term rental. These tips will help you optimize your business, enhance your guest experience, and maximize your STR revenue. Apply these timely strategies now, and you’ll see the payoff for months — and years — to come! (00:00:00) Introductions (00:01:24) #STRShareSunday: @floridacamprentals (00:04:54) Maximizing Long Weekends (00:06:07) Preparing For...

Welcome back to the Hosting Hotline! This is an Ask Me Anything where each week we’ll answer your questions on Airbnb, STRs, real estate, and everything in between. Jenny asks: My first STR is undergoing some major construction, and we're hoping to launch it by this winter. I'm really lucky to say that I already have a social media presence as a travel and outdoor lifestyle blogger. We have around 50,000 followers across platforms, and I want to utilize this existing audience to promote the...

We want to help you make more money. That’s why we’re sharing a simple tip that can add about $1,500 a month to your STR revenue. You can be making an extra 5 figures a year without doing anything extra. In this episode, we break down what a gap night strategy is and how to optimize it. We share the 4 pillars of a gap night strategy. Plus, we explain how to effectively price, automate, and market your gap nights. This strategy is a no-brainer and a win-win for both you and your guests. We’re...

Welcome back to the Hosting Hotline! This is an Ask Me Anything where each week we’ll answer your questions on Airbnb, STRs, real estate, and everything in between. Jonathan asks: We began hosting a few months ago. We are getting in the swing of things, and I feel like we have our basic operation figured out, but I'm starting to look at tech. There's so much out there. What tech did you add first to your business? Do I need any of it? (00:00:00) Introduction (00:02:14) Financial Software...

We can’t wait for you to hear this conversation with Stephanie West, the COO of HostWise. After beginning her journey as a cleaner, Stephanie co-founded and grew HostWise into a business with over $4M in sales. HostWise manages more than 100 units in Pittsburgh and has an overall rating of 4.93. In this episode, Stephanie shares her wise secrets for building a cleaning business and finding a great cleaner for your properties. She shares why cleaners are the most important role in STRs, and...

Welcome back to the Hosting Hotline! This is an Ask Me Anything where each week we’ll answer your questions on Airbnb, STRs, real estate, and everything in between. Heather asks: I have a studio apartment that's attached to our house. We've had it on Airbnb since May of this year. I’m realizing I probably need an email address, domain name, and bank account for the rental. Should I have a Gmail business email, which costs money, or just create another free Gmail account? Any other advice?...

We’re thrilled to welcome Marc Hostovsky, the founder of Minoan — a brand that makes your property shoppable and helps you save up to 60% on furnishings. Minoan is a podcast sponsor and a longtime supporter of Thanks For Visiting. We use Minoan all the time to furnish and replenish our short-term rentals. They help us create beautiful, memorable experiences for our guests. In this episode, Marc tells us about something special the brand is launching — a new showroom that helps you showcase...

Welcome back to the Hosting Hotline! This is an Ask Me Anything where each week we’ll answer your questions on Airbnb, STRs, real estate, and everything in between. Danielle asks: I'm a new host. I would love for you guys to share some of those ‘aha moments’ of becoming first time hosts and falling into certain pitfalls. Can you share some examples where you have fallen for a trick or something to avoid while you're in your first stages of short-term rental hosting? (00:03:36) Hosting...

We’re excited to welcome Jon Styer, a real estate broker and owner of Styer Real Estate Professionals and Styer Hospitality Co., a short- and mid-term rental management company in Columbus, OH. Led by Jon and his wife, Sara, Styer Hospitality has grown to more than 50 doors under management in just over a year. But Jon has been in the real estate space for years before that. In this episode, we talk about Jon’s journey from managing LTRs to STRs — and why he finally landed on mid-term...

Welcome back to the Hosting Hotline! This is an Ask Me Anything where each week we’ll answer your questions on Airbnb, STRs, real estate, and everything in between. Leslie asks: I want to ask y'all about backup plans. I've heard you talk about what to do if internet goes down. I do not have a backup plan for this, so I wanted to hear about that. I can't wait to hear what you say about all of your backup plans. (00:02:48) Tybee Turtle Time Condo: @tybeeturtletimecondo (00:03:35) How To Not...

We’re thrilled to welcome Alexa Nota and Dave Krauss, co-founders of Rent Responsibly. Rent Responsibly is a community building and education platform on a mission to support short-term rental operators. They bring people in the STR community together, promote fair and reasonable regulation, and give hosts the tools they need to advocate for themselves. One of those tools is the new State Of The STR Industry Report, a comprehensive look at the latest data and trends on STR hosts and...

Welcome back to the Hosting Hotline! This is an Ask Me Anything where each week we’ll answer your questions on Airbnb, STRs, real estate, and everything in between. Diana asks: I am trying to furnish my first Airbnb, and I'm in the throes of figuring out which mattress to choose. You mentioned a hybrid, and I can't find links to the one you recommend. What do you suggest? (00:02:59) The Hybrid Mattresses We Use & Recommend • Helix Hospitality Mattress from HostGPO • Why HostGPO is...

Today, we’re excited to pass the mic to one of our longtime Hosting Business Mastermind members, Tanya Rooney. Tanya interviewed us for her podcast, Tribe Builders, and we’re sharing the full conversation here. Through our Hosting Business Mastermind, Tanya found her tribe in the short-term rental space. The women she met in the mastermind helped inspire her real estate, business, and personal growth. In this episode, we talk about the importance of community in buying and running...

Welcome back to the Hosting Hotline! This is an Ask Me Anything where each week we’ll answer your questions on Airbnb, STRs, real estate, and everything in between. Vanessa asks: I have a pet-friendly apartment on 5 acres in rural Florida and added 7 wildlife warnings to my welcome book. Is this too much information, or is it better to warn guests about potential risks? (00:01:42) The Importance of Providing Clear & Concise Safety Information to Guests • Validating the intent of providing...

Curious about what's going on behind our latest investment in the 134 acres of Hocking Hills? We’re diving into why we told our construction team to stop, how we're preparing to approach private money lenders, and the fun (and challenges) we’re facing with this glamping project. We also discuss how we approached working with someone to create financial models, lessons learned, and our next steps. We can’t wait to see how this project unfolds and catch you up again soon! (00:01:08)...

Welcome back to the Hosting Hotline! This is an Ask Me Anything where each week we’ll answer your questions on Airbnb, STRs, real estate, and everything in between. Delilah asks: How do I address concerns with property owners who constantly monitor security cameras and update me on guests' activities, without offending them or jeopardizing our working relationship? (00:01:03) Delilah Asks: How Do I Tell The Property Owners to Stop Checking Security Cameras? (00:02:31) How to Communicate the...

Today, we're excited to welcome back a familiar face, Colleen Prochaska, a key player in our property management team, managing everything from guest services to revenue management. In this episode you’ll get a peek inside our in-depth quarterly meetings where we review how things are going and where we're headed in our short term rental business. In this episode, we'll be diving into the past three months of key performance indicators, reviews, and team dynamics, as well as forecasting...

Welcome back to the Hosting Hotline! This is an Ask Me Anything where each week we’ll answer your questions on Airbnb, STRs, real estate, and everything in between. Matthew asks: Should I switch to a midterm rental strategy to address our slow winter season and if so, what’s the best website for leads? How can I protect my property against potential squatters? (00:01:36) Hosting Hotline Success Story Highlight • Youtube: Parent Child Listing (00:03:10) Matthew Asks: Should I Switch to a...

Today’s expert guest is Keith Brady. Owner of Florida Vacation Rental Law, he’s Florida's leading authority on vacation rentals. Keith has dedicated his career to the vacation rental industry and offers counsel to governments, businesses, and individuals. Keith’s here to give us the cold hard facts about vacation rental chargebacks. The truth is, you’re very likely to be at risk! More truths? Chargebacks are a scam. They make us feel powerless. They force us to question the good in the world....

Welcome back to the Hosting Hotline! This is an Ask Me Anything where each week we’ll answer your questions on Airbnb, STRs, real estate, and everything in between. John asks: I'm in a ton of Facebook groups, and the most common question I'm seeing is… Should I charge for this or that? It could be a stained towel, a broken plate, a mark on a chair, all the way to wall damage or broken tiles. There are just so many opinions; I'd rather hear from the experts. What's the cost of doing business...

Today’s expert guests are the owner/operators of Howzit Hostels, a growing brand of hostels based in the Hawaiian Islands. Michael and Nathan discuss their journey beginning with investing in short-term rentals to scaling up to commercial and hospitality properties. They currently own two hostels, one in Maui and the other on the Big Island of Hawaii, with a combined bed count of approximately 140 beds. Within only 3 years of opening, Howzit Hostels won the 2024 award for #1 Small Hostel in...