Midterm rentals promise steady income—but the reality is far more complex The buzz around midterm rentals is hard to ignore. For many hosts, it sounds like the perfect solution to slow seasons or unpredictable booking windows—longer stays, fewer turnovers, and less work. But as Sarah and Annette share in this week’s episode, the truth is […]

Why “New Listing” Might Not Mean What You Think Launching a new short-term rental is exciting, but it also comes with a big challenge: earning guest trust without the cushion of glowing reviews. A recent Hosting Hotline question asked if hosts should write “new listing” in their title or description to explain why there are […]

Lessons on risk, reinvestment, and branding from the hosts of The Seventh Ray House. Joshua Tree may be a crowded market, but Kristen and Michael prove that with the right mix of creativity, strategy, and storytelling, you can still stand out. Their journey into hosting started with risk—living in their property during renovations and betting […]

The debate over professional vs. DIY listing photos—and why the choice matters for your business. If you’ve been listening to us for a while, you know we don’t shy away from taking a strong stance. And one of the things we’ve always believed in? Professional photos. To us, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to […]

Strategic pricing now means more profit—and more peace—this holiday season. The 2025 holiday calendar is working in your favor, but only if you know how to use it. With Christmas and New Year’s Eve falling midweek and leading into bonus long weekends, travel demand will spike in ways many hosts won’t be prepared for. In […]

We’re sharing the biggest lessons from 500 episodes and how to apply them to your hosting business today. After 500 episodes of Thanks for Visiting, one thing is clear: successful hosting requires more than just listing your property—it requires strategy, systems, and a professional mindset. In this milestone episode, Sarah and Annette reflect on the […]

Five practical steps to close out 2025 strong and start 2026 with confidence. If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling in January wishing you had prepared earlier, this episode is for you. Sarah and Annette are walking you through five powerful end-of-year considerations that can help you feel more organized, less stressed, and better positioned for […]

Growing a co-hosting business takes more than luck When it comes to scaling your short-term rental business, one of the biggest challenges is attracting new homeowners who trust you to manage their properties. This week on the Hosting Hotline, Sarah and Annette answer Susan’s question about how to grow a co-host portfolio and share the […]

Ready to Get Serious About Hosting? Here’s How to Choose the Right PMS If short-term rental hosting is becoming more than a hobby for you, it’s time to start thinking like a business—and that starts with choosing the right property management system (PMS). A PMS is more than just a tech tool. It’s the operational […]

What the new 15.5% host-only fee structure it means for your short-term rental business—and how to respond strategically. Airbnb’s recent fee update has hosts buzzing. Starting October 27, 2025, PMS-connected hosts will be automatically switched to a single host-only fee of 15.5%. By December 1, “most hosts” not using PMS will follow. Understandably, this change […]

Lowering your rates isn’t a strategy—here’s what to do instead. As a short-term rental host, it can feel tempting to hit the panic button when bookings slow down and drop your nightly rate. But here’s the truth: lowering your price doesn’t create demand. If travelers aren’t searching in your market, a cheaper rate won’t suddenly […]

The Benefits and Challenges of Partnering with Another Short-Term Rental Host One of the best parts of hosting is the creativity it allows—and listener Jan from Tucson brought us a fresh idea. After meeting a fellow host on her street, Jan started to imagine what would happen if they joined forces. Her home has a […]

How REI Hub Helps Hosts Take Control of Short-Term Rental Finances When it comes to running a short-term rental, most hosts put their energy into the guest experience—clean spaces, welcoming touches, five-star reviews. But behind the scenes, one of the most overlooked parts of hosting is also one of the most important: your finances. Without […]

Why you can’t just inherit someone else’s Airbnb calendar—and how to handle bookings when buying an active STR. Buying a property that’s already an active short-term rental sounds like a dream—instant income, five-star reviews, and a ready-made calendar full of guests. But here’s the reality: short-term rental listings belong to the host, not the property. […]

The Airbnb Feature You’re Not Checking (But Should Be) If bookings have slowed or your property seems buried in search results, it might be time to dig into a little-known section of your Airbnb dashboard: the Listing Issues tab. Hosts Sarah and Annette recently discovered this feature when one of their beautifully maintained properties was […]

Why listing on Airbnb isn’t enough—and the daily actions that will actually fill your MTR calendar. If you own a midterm rental, simply having a listing on Airbnb or Furnished Finder isn’t enough to guarantee consistent bookings. In this episode of the Hosting Hotline, Kelsey from Arizona—who owns a Wisconsin MTR—asks how she can get […]

How to Protect Your Rental from Costly Chargebacks If you’re in the short-term rental game long enough, you’ll hear the term “chargeback.” And while it’s not the most glamorous topic, understanding how to prevent and handle chargebacks can save you hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars. A chargeback occurs when a guest disputes a charge with their […]

Turning Unique Amenities Into Revenue: Why Your Escape Room Is More Than Just a Perk This week on the Hosting Hotline, listener Mike from Hocking Hills, Ohio, called in with a smart question about whether he could sync his Airbnb listing calendar with an Airbnb Experience. Mike recently added a full escape room to one […]

Strict vs. Flexible: Which Airbnb Cancellation Policy Should I Choose? Choosing the right cancellation policy for your Airbnb listing can feel like a high-stakes decision. Go too strict and you risk losing bookings. Go too flexible and you may lose money when guests cancel last minute. In this episode, we’re unpacking the real-world implications of […]

How Much Control Should You Really Give Your Guests? Let’s Talk Couch Covers and Thermostats When it comes to setting up your short-term rental, every detail matters—including your furniture choices and thermostat settings. In this episode of the Hosting Hotline, we hear from Dayne, a new host who just took over management of his mom’s […]

Should You Partner with Influencers? What Every Host Needs to Know Before Saying Yes It starts with a flattering DM: “Hey! I love your space and would love to collaborate…”Before you block off your peak weekend and offer up a free stay, take a beat. In this episode of Thanks for Visiting, we’re unpacking the […]