Your slow season isn’t a setback—it’s a tool for building a stronger, more profitable business. Most hosts try to “beat” their slow season. Sarah and Annette explain why that approach doesn’t work—and what to do instead. A slow season simply means this: market demand is lower overall. It’s not a reflection of your listing. When […]

A practical, hospitality-first approach to evaluating bookings and setting expectations. When Alexandra asked how to “screen” guests, Sarah and Annette immediately reframed the question. In the short-term rental space, words carry weight—and screening can unintentionally lead hosts toward a mindset of judgment or assumption. Instead, the goal is simple: make sure your property is the […]

Turn Your Competitors’ Reviews Into Your Most Valuable Business Asset Most hosts know they should understand their competition, but very few know how to analyze their market in a meaningful way. Instead, they rely on intuition, casual browsing, or guesswork. The result? Missed opportunities and unclear positioning. In this episode, Sarah and Annette reveal a […]

Should You Really Provide Shampoo in Every Bathroom? The Answer Might Surprise You. Every host wants to elevate their guest experience—but when it comes to stocking shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, many hosts still hesitate. Is it worth the cost? Does it matter? Are you just copying hotels? In today’s Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and […]

What hosts need to prepare for as the market continues to mature. As the short-term rental industry matures, hosts are entering a new era—one defined by higher standards, tighter regulations, and a market that rewards strategy over luck. After a year of normalization in 2025, Sarah and Annette are looking ahead to what 2026 will […]

How to decide which guest type will maximize your bookings—and your revenue. Choosing the right guest avatar is one of the most strategic decisions you’ll make as a short-term rental host. And while many hosts want to appeal to everyone, the truth is simple: when you confuse, you lose. Guests need to immediately know who […]

How to stay profitable, prepared, and level-headed as Airbnb shifts to guest-first cancellation policies. Airbnb has officially rolled out its new 24-hour free cancellation policy for all stays under 28 days. And while this move brings Airbnb in line with hotels and airlines, it also introduces a new layer of uncertainty for hosts—especially those who […]

Stop stressing over every speck of dust—start building systems that ensure five-star cleans, every time. If you’re still scrubbing toilets between turnovers, this episode of the Hosting Hotline is your permission slip to let go. But not without a plan. Sarah and Annette break down exactly when to hand off cleaning duties, what to document […]

CPA Amanda Han breaks down the new tax bill, what’s changing for hosts, and how to make smarter financial moves this year. Every host knows tax season can be daunting — but understanding your numbers is one of the most powerful ways to grow your business. In this episode of Thanks for Visiting, Sarah and […]

Promotions can help your listing surface in search—but only if you use them strategically. Here’s how to make them work for you. When most hosts think of running a promotion on Airbnb, they think “discount.” But Sarah and Annette want you to reframe it as a visibility tool. Airbnb’s promotion system doesn’t pull directly from […]

Stop Letting Your Email List Collect Dust—Start Using It to Drive Bookings Most hosts focus all their energy on optimizing listings—but forget to nurture the guests who’ve already stayed. In this week’s episode, Sarah and Annette share five simple email ideas you can copy, tweak, and send right away. These strategies will help you build […]

When one host’s new property was blocked for mysterious “violations,” Sarah and Annette shared exactly how to fight back—and protect your business from relying too much on one platform. Imagine buying a short-term rental, updating the design, and getting ready to launch—only to find your Airbnb listing suspended with no clear reason why. That’s what […]

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 […]