That “extra guest” fee might be doing more harm than good. Here’s how to fix it. It sounds logical—more guests mean more mess, right? But adding per-person fees might be the silent reason your short-term rental isn’t performing as well as it could. With Airbnb’s all-in pricing model, per-guest fees now get baked into the […]

Are You Leaving Money on the Table? Hosts often equate success with five-star reviews—but as Colleen says, “You can’t pay your mortgage with reviews.” In other words, high ratings are great, but they don’t always reflect the health of your business. To truly understand how your property is performing, you need to look at your […]

How one entrepreneur built a thriving large-group rental on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail—after 40 banks said no What happens when you blend ice cream, muffins, and entrepreneurship with a healthy dose of persistence? For Andrew Llewellyn, the result was a 10,000-square-foot short-term rental in Louisville that now welcomes milestone celebrations, bachelor parties, and corporate retreats. […]

Can a company logo build guest trust—or is your face still your best marketing tool? This week on the Hosting Hotline, Sarah is flying solo—but not alone. With Annette on vacation, she’s joined by Colleen Prochaska, COO of Thanks for Visiting, to answer a listener question that hits at the heart of hospitality: should you […]

Getting booked first isn’t always a win—how to set far out premiums that protect your calendar and maximize revenue. If you’ve ever felt a rush of pride when your short-term rental got booked months (or even a year) in advance, you’re not alone. Many hosts see early bookings as a badge of honor—but the truth […]

Why the problem isn’t always the algorithm — and the steps you can take today to turn things around. Launching a short-term rental is exciting. You’ve poured time, energy, and money into getting your property guest-ready. But what happens when your listing goes live…and nothing? In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette answer a […]

Use local insights and dynamic pricing tools to maximize short-term rental revenue. When big events come to town, short-term rental demand doesn’t just rise—it explodes. Festivals, sporting events, conventions, and even smaller “sleeper” happenings can drive market compression, fill hotels, and leave travelers scrambling for alternative accommodations. That’s where smart hosts step in. In this […]

How to set the right strategy for event-driven demand at your short-term rental. When a big event comes to town — whether it’s a music festival, sports championship, or annual parade — short-term rental hosts know it’s an opportunity to earn big. But the question many hosts face is this: should you push for one […]

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 […]