Thanks For Visiting

When people talk about starting a new business, one topic that doesn’t get enough attention is choosing your customers — but this is imperative to running a successful business. Co-hosting is one of the biggest opportunities out there for building a business, and you can start making money right away, but your success depends greatly on which hosting clients you choose to work with. Every property you add to your portfolio is essentially another business in itself. You need to be intentional, thoughtful, and cautious when taking on new clients. Trust your gut, and only work with people who have the same goals you do. That is the quickest way to growth and success.Resources:#STRShareSunday: @caserockcabinThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media. Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

Things are opening back up in the US! While we all take a moment for a collective sigh of relief, remember that COVID-19 hasn’t gone anywhere just yet. How can you prepare yourselves for a second wave and potential future stay-at-home orders?To talk about that we have returning guest Steve Trover. He’s been in the vacation rental industry for over 20 years, so we lean on him and his expertise in preparing for the future. Nobody saw COVID-19 coming, but now that it’s here we have a chance to look ahead and prepare for what could potentially come in the future.Resources:Learn more: laveerandco.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vacationrentalconsultantGRYPHON Guardian Advanced Parental Control System & WiFi Security RouterAmazon Eero Pro Mesh WiFi System#STRShareSunday: @avocadoacresThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.Hosting Handbook | Get everything you need to fast track your way to Superhost at thanksforvisiting.com/handbook

How do you juggle owning two businesses, starting your first short term rental, and filming a TV show at the same time? That’s what Brad and Heather Fox, a married couple who own Fox Homes & Realty and Foxwell Design, ended up doing. They share the story of how this all happened, what factored into their decision when buying a property, and tips to stand out from other listings.Resources:Learn more: www.eichlerpalms.comInstagram: @foxhomesmn#STRShareSunday: @vinn_montenegroThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.Hosting Handbook | Get everything you need to fast track your way to Superhost at thanksforvisiting.com/handbook

Catherine Williamson is one half of the very popular blog Beginning in the Middle. She and her husband are designers, renovators, and Airbnb Superhosts. In 2013, they moved from New York City to Columbus, Ohio, where they noticed a gap in the market for unique, well-designed spaces. They decided to pursue their passion for design and hospitality and have been working together to restore old homes ever since. What started as renting a single room grew over time into a whole fleet of short-term rental properties. She gives us tips and strategies to get started in the rental business and how to scale that business over time.Resources:Beginning in the Middle: @beginninginthemiddleCatherine’s Properties: @thevillagehost#STRShareSunday: @thecabinatscenichillsThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.Hosting Handbook | Get everything you need to fast track your way to Superhost at thanksforvisiting.com/handbook

Is downtime in your business leaving you feeling down? Don’t worry! We’re going to outline 5 things you can do during a downtime — whether it’s a slow season, you need to take a break from hosting, or for any other reason — to make your listing even better when you’re rarin’ to go. Downtime is the perfect time to take care of those “I’ve been meaning to do that” tasks, so take advantage of that time and make your listing and your property even better.Resources:Proper Insurance: proper.insurePricelabs: pricelabs.coWheelhouse: usewheelhouse.comBeyond Pricing: beyondpricing.com"Speak to the Manager" Haircut#STRShareSunday: @thebayfrontapartmentThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media. Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.Hosting Handbook | Get everything you need to fast track your way to Superhost at thanksforvisiting.com/handbook

We’ve talked about safety before, and we’ve talked about cleaning, but one thing is now clear in a COVID-19 world: Cleaning is safety. We have our safety expert, Justin Ford, back on the show this week to talk about how things have changed dramatically since his last appearance. Guests are concerned about the safety of short-term rentals, so how do we address those fears and concerns, while making sure our properties are as safe as possible for them?Resources:Breezeway: www.breezeway.io | Instagram: @breezeway.ioFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vacationrentalsafety/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/captjustinford#STRShareSunday: @westendwhiskawaynashvilleThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Handbook | Get everything you need to fast track your way to Superhost at thanksforvisiting.com/handbookHosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

Everyone wants their property to stand out from the crowd, and one way to do that is through experiential properties. These properties take their guest experience to the extreme. Bryndee Barton, the designer at Loma Homes, has an incredible Star Wars-themed rental that you can experience right now. She started in the more traditional real estate realm and now she focuses on managing Airbnbs that take their guests’ stay to the next level. We dive into all of the work that goes into creating these themes and properties, finding investors for your Airbnb rental, finding trustworthy people, and the extra staging that goes into a property as special as this.Resources:Learn more: loma-homes.comInstagram: @lomahomesFacebook:facebook.com/lomavacationrentals#STRShareSunday: @themuldrowhouseThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.Hosting Handbook | Get everything you need to fast track your way to Superhost at thanksforvisiting.com/handbook

It’s totally possible to build an epic rental business! Steph, the owner of EpicBnb — a Nashville-based hospitality company specializing in design, short-term rental management, and consulting — tells us all about how she is currently building out her own business, from picking which properties to manage, to building out a team, to working with her local associations to strengthen the rental industry.Resources:epicbnb.comInstagram: @epicbnb#STRShareSunday: @thelodgeonclearlakeThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.Hosting Handbook | Get everything you need to fast track your way to Superhost at thanksforvisiting.com/handbook

Is mid-term the new short-term? The typical length of stay, at this point in time, is drastically changing. How is your business going to adapt and pivot in order to have the best chance of surviving and thriving, now and into the future? Mid-term rentals are a great opportunity, so let’s talk about what they are and how you can take advantage of them.Resources:AirbnbHomeAwayVrboHousingAnywhereHouseStayNestpick2nd AddressHomelikeSpotahomeRoomster31 | InnTown Stays: A Unique Short-Term Rental Business That Helps People Recovering from a Disaster | with BJ Allmon#STRShareSunday: @the_hillside_houseThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

We are in a very weird time, and we don’t know exactly what the other side of it will look like.We’re going to go over nine ways you can pivot your short-term listing, whether that’s during a slow season, a huge event comes to your area, or any unexpected circumstance occurs. These tips are meant to be timeless and apply to any rapid change in direction.Resources:#STRShareSunday: @208studioThanks For Visiting is produced by Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

We are dealing with a virus that has taken the world by storm. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been alive, there hasn’t been anything quite like this in living memory. Not long ago, we talked about how you should handle cancellations. Now we are starting to settle into a new normal, and there have been several new updates to the situation we would like to address. Let’s take advantage of all of our resources until the short term rental business bounces back with a vengeance!Resources:250 Million to Support HostsSuperhost Relief FundAirbnb COVID-19 Relief#STRShareSunday: @sulfurridgeThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

We know adulting is hard but trust us: proper insurance is essential! It is going to benefit you, your guest, and your property (whether you own it or not). Darren Pettyjohn is a co-founder at Proper Insurance Services, which offers a custom insurance product designed for vacation rental and short-term rental owners. Darren is here to answer all of our questions about insurance as it relates to you and your short-term or vacation rental, wherever it is you fall in the process.Resources:Learn more about Proper Insurance here.House Fire Prompts $1 Million Dispute With AirbnbMan says short-term rental policy cost him thousands of dollars#STRShareSunday: @thebrasscactusazDisclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission on any purchases made using those links.Thanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

There’s one area of safety that pretty much everyone in the short-term rental game has to consider: dryer safety. To give us all the details, we are once again joined by our resident safety captain, Justin Ford!Justin tries to make safety exciting, and so far he’s done a great job of it. He’s a former US Coastguard safety officer, and he started the largest vacation rental company in the Northeast, which led him to what he does today as the director of safety and certification programs at Breezeway, a software company that makes it easier to manage property care and maintenance operations.Resources:Breezeway: www.breezeway.io | Instagram: @breezeway.ioFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vacationrentalsafety/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/captjustinfordAmazon: Nylon Chimney Cleaning Brush#STRShareSunday: @thecovecabinThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

Whatever your mission is in this journey of short-term rentals, revenue is going to be a common driving factor. One of the common shortcomings when it comes to vacation rentals is not properly compensating yourself for all the services you provide. You may be trying to pass on as much of the savings to your customer as possible, but if you aren’t taking care of yourself, you’re going to risk burnout. Sharon Keefe joins us today to talk about simple, actionable things you can do to raise the revenue of your rental properties so that you can grow effectively.Sharon has spent the last 17 years in the hospitality space and her passion for the last 14 years has been in the vacation and short-term rental industry. She coaches and teaches how to run the business more efficiently, increase positive guest reviews and make more money.Resources:VRM Advocate: https://www.vrmadvocate.com/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-keefe-what-you-measure-and-monitor-will-improve-37600a9/#STRShareSunday: @bungalow211Thanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard about the coronavirus disease. We wanted to address some of the questions and concerns hosts may be facing, including cancellations, cleaning questions, and how to handle reservations.Resources:WHO Advice for the Public: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-publicWhat if I need to cancel because of an emergency or unavoidable circumstance?: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1320/what-if-i-need-to-cancel-because-of-an-emergency-or-unavoidable-circumstanceAirbnb Cancellation Policies: https://www.airbnb.com/home/cancellation_policiesAirbnb Updated Extenuating Circumstances Policy: https://news.airbnb.com/updating-our-extenuating-circumstances-policy/Thanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

Do you want to grow your short-term rental side hustle into a full-time gig?Steve Trover is an expert at scaling businesses. He got into the vacation rental industry in 1997, where he started helping others manage their own properties. He eventually went on to scaling his own management business, eventually managing over 350 properties and 100 employees. He now helps vacation rental companies identify, hire, and retain the right people for the right seats. If you’re interested in scaling your STR business, what do you need to keep in mind? That’s what we’re here to talk about!Resources:Steve’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vacationrentalconsultant#STRShareSunday: @thehoneybearcabinThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

We’ve talked about this topic a TON, but we’ve yet to have a professional photographer on the show. That’s why we’re so excited to have Matthew Garsky, who has been photographing Airbnb properties for several years now — he’s even been hired by Airbnb to do photography!Resources:Instagram: @matthewgarsky#STRShareSunday: @_thepondhouseThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

We are on the road this week for a short term rental sponsored SLEEPOVER! And we are visiting Becky Rhey, a fabulous host with an impeccable sense of style. She talks about what the transition from flipping to rental was like, how she finds decor for her rental, allowing photographers to use her space, and collaborating with local businesses.Resources:Instagram: @rebeccarhey | @1920granddame#STRShareSunday: @bensondwellingThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

Sharon Keefe is back on the show! As a reminder, Sharon has spent the last 7 years conducting knowledge management in the vacation rental space and coaching others on how to run their rentals better and make more money. No matter where you are renting, we all have the same mission, and we all need to do better so our neighbors and communities can be excited to have short term vacation stays in their town. Sharon has spent the last 17 years in the hospitality space and her passion for the last 14 years has been in the vacation and short-term rental industry. She coaches and teaches how to run the business more efficiently, increase positive guest reviews and make more money.Resources:VRM Advocate: https://www.vrmadvocate.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-keefe-what-you-measure-and-monitor-will-improve-37600a9/#STRShareSunday: @adirondackserenitystaysThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

Hosting is a challenge, and we want to know if you’re up for it!We want to prepare you for what we call “hosting fatigue.” There are going to be challenges to deal with, but if you know they’re going to come, you can prepare for them.Resources:#STRShareSunday: @tokyofamilystaysThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

As promised, Justin Ford is back to talk about all things safety! We’re going to keep him on as a recurring guest all year, and today he’s going to talk about 8 danger zones in a short-term rental.In case you missed the first episode, Justin is a vacation rental safety expert. He works at a company called Breezeway, a property operations & services platform. He understands what it means to be a host, but he also understands why safety needs to be your top priority.Resources:Lofgren Family Initiative: www.lofgrencoinitiative.orgJustin’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/captjustinfordProper Insurance: proper.ositracker.com/145062/8728Breezeway: www.breezeway.io | Instagram: @breezeway.ioBreezeway CEO on the Today Show: www.today.com/video/homesharing-what-to-know-before-you-book-73130565982DwellSafe: www.facebook.com/dwellsafeNatural Gas Detector: www.amazon.com/Natural-Detector-Sensitivity-Detection-Monitor/dp/B081H1QVD8#STRShareSunday: @thedawsonhouse_Thanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

We are all about education here on the show, and when we are really experts on something, we want to share it with you. One of those things we want to share with you today is how to make more money and diversify your income using staging or designing skills applied to the short term rental industry. Today, we have 7 ways you can make more money as a stager, designer, or host.Resources:Sign up for our Stage to Rent Course: thanksforvisiting.me/stagetorent#STRShareSunday: @flippinwendyThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

Sharon Keefe has spent the last 7 years conducting knowledge management in the vacation rental space. She is a vacation rental property management pro, and we’re so excited to chat with her. She coaches other vacation rentals on how to do better, be better, and make more.While vacation rentals have been doing this for a while, their mission overlaps so, so much with short term rentals. But there are also a lot of misconceptions out there between a professional vacation manager and an Airbnb host. Sharon has spent the last 17 years in the hospitality space and her passion for the last 14 years has been in the vacation and short-term rental industry. She coaches and teaches how to run the business more efficiently, increase positive guest reviews and make more money.Resources:VRM Advocate: https://www.vrmadvocate.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-keefe-what-you-measure-and-monitor-will-improve-37600a9/#STRShareSunday: @mystudiobcThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

It is your responsibility to make sure your property is safe for your guests! To drive home the importance of safety, we talk with Justin Ford, Director of Safety at Breezeway, a software company that makes it easier to manage property care and maintenance operations. Justin focuses on the operations side specifically, helping property managers and owners maintain safety of vacation rental properties and short term rentals.Resources:Justin’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/captjustinfordProper Insurance: proper.ositracker.com/145062/8728Breezeway: www.breezeway.io | Instagram: @breezeway.ioBreezeway CEO on the Today Show: www.today.com/video/homesharing-what-to-know-before-you-book-73130565982DwellSafe: www.facebook.com/dwellsafe#STRShareSunday: @1920granddameBecky’s personal profile: @rustandfoundThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

Mistakes are going to happen when you have an Airbnb, and that can be kind of scary. We’re going to share the experiences we’ve had and how we bounced back in hopes of alleviating some of that fear. You are not alone if you’ve made a mistake. No matter how good you are, things are going to happen, and what matters in those moments is how you handle it.Resources:Automated Messaging: www.smartbnb.io#STRShareSunday: @thevermontaframeThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

We’re going to talk about a lesser-known strategy for growing your short term rental business: rental arbitrage. What exactly is it, what benefits can it provide, and what are the risks involved? We lay it all out, including our personal thoughts on it, so you can decide whether or not rental arbitrage is right for you.Resources:Check out www.niido.com#STRShareSunday: @enchantedviewcabinThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

What kinds of things could you learn from chatting with a former Airbnb employee?Well, Danny Rusteen is a former Airbnb employee, and this has opened a lot of doors for him! After working for them in accounting for two years, he ended up working in a marketing role bringing in hosts, and then for an outside company optimizing hosts’ listings.He has a ton of info to share with us, including a few tips from his book, Optimize Your Bnb.Resources:Book: Optimize YOUR BnbWebsite: https://optimizemybnb.com/Hostfully: https://www.hostfully.com/Airbnb Guide: Airbnbguide.com#STRShareSunday: @cabanacariocaThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

Do you have burning questions about starting up your first short term rental? What if your tenants throw a big party? What if someone gets hurt? The questions are endless!We had the pleasure of meeting Jesse Gross, CEO and co-founder of Makomi, which is a short term rental management company. He has so much experience, because they manage properties from all over.We’re going to talk about the “What If’s” that could happen to your property, and hopefully put your mind at ease!Resources:Find them at www.makomi.comE-mail and get in touch at [email protected]#STRShareSunday: @peachstatepadThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

How do you keep up high occupancy rates? You have to market!Kelly Rauch is a marketing expert. We want your short term rental to be the best that it can be, and offer the best guest experience it can, and for you to have high occupancy rates. Marketing your property is going to help keep your occupancy rates high.We’ve talked with Kelly before on social media marketing and having your own website, but today we’re going to be talking on of the most tried and true marketing methods: building an email list. We’re going to talk about some of the best ways to get those emails and then what the heck you should send them!Resources:Learn more at www.golocalanywhere.comKelly’s Instagram: @kellykrauchKelly’s STR: @casapalmarsayulitaMailchimp: www.mailchimp.comThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

We are big believers in hospitality when it comes to being a host. That’s why we were so excited to read about our guest, Joseph Michelli, on the Airbnb blog. He’s an internationally sought after speaker, author, and organizational consultant who transfers his knowledge of exceptional business practices in ways that develop joyful and productive workplaces with a focus on customer experience. His latest book, The Airbnb Way, shares the secrets for Airbnb’s success that can be applied to any business as well as rental properties.Resources:Check out his personal site: www.josephmichelli.comJoin the giveaway and buy the book: www.airbnbway.com#STRShareSunday: @mooncampjoshuatreeThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

Have you ever said to yourself, “Our weekends are rocking, but how do I get that weekday occupancy up?”We are all about the guest experience, but we are still trying to run a profitable business. Unless you’re in a big vacation spot, you’ve probably got some work to do to take advantage of those weekdays and make yourself some more money.We’ve got some great strategies you can use to keep your property booked all week long!Resources:Thanksforvisiting.meWant to open your own short-term rental? Then get your FREE copy of 7 Steps to Your First Guest at thanksforvisiting.me!#STRShareSunday: @thecoconutcasitaThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

This episode is all about the importance of booking all guests — including your mom, your grandma, and regular corporate clients — through the app, whether that’s with Airbnb or another platform.Sometimes hosts are tempted to take cash, PayPal, or Venmo bookings, but trust us — it’s way more trouble than it’s worth.Resources:Want to open your own short-term rental? Then get your FREE copy of 7 Steps to Your First Guest at thanksforvisiting.me!Instagram: @thanksforvisitingSmartbnb: https://www.smartbnb.io#STRShareSunday: @thelosthausCheck out The Lost Haus: https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/32692455Thanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

A few weeks ago, Kelly Rauch taught us about how we can utilize Instagram and Facebook to market your short-term rental — go check that episode out if you haven’t already — and today she’s back to share how you can leverage a personal website to grow your short-term rental business.Resources:Connect with Kelly on IG: @kellykrauchCheck out the website for the property that Kelly is managing: www.casapalmar.comCheck out the property on IG: @casapalmarsayulitaLearn more about Local Everywhere: www.golocaleverywhere.comThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

Jennifer and Jamey Ratcliff are an incredible couple — and an incredible couple of entrepreneurs in the Columbus area! They own a local restaurant, Arch & Eddie’s, and a local brewery, Sixth Sense, in addition to an adorable condo that they rent out using Airbnb.But, with three businesses, Jennifer and Jamey are obviously really busy! That’s why they wanted to hire a co-host to help their Airbnb, and they ultimately landed on Sarah. We get a lot of questions about what it means to be a co-host, so today we’re going to dig into what that partnership looks like, from both sides, and what Jennifer and Jamey were looking for when they were hiring.Resources:Check out Jennifer & Jamey’s Airbnb: abnb.me/NJhrbZQbSWInstagram: www.instagram.com/ohiobrewcouple#STRShareSunday: @old_city_hostingThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

When people start hosting short-term rentals, especially if they’re sharing their own home, they are usually worried about two things: damaged/stolen property and parties (which can lead to damaged or stolen property)!Unfortunately, things do happen, although less than you might think, but there are things you can do as a host to minimize any costs associated with the damage and ensure your hosting status isn’t damaged itself. But, really, we do want to emphasize that this happens very, very rarely — so don’t let this fear be what stops you from jumping into the short-term rental game!Resources:Want to open your own short-term rental? Then get your FREE copy of 7 Steps to Your First Guest at thanksforvisiting.me!Instagram: @thanksforvisiting_#STRShareSunday: @jointheranksThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

We have an exciting announcement that we just could not wait until next week to share with you: Sarah and her husband Nick were chosen by Airbnb to be the feature of a new program they’re launching called How to Host!So Nick joins us once again to talk all about the process and share five things every host should know for creating a business plan that will help them turn property into profit.Resources:Check out How to Host: Making a Hosting Business PlanThanksforvisiting.meWant to open your own short-term rental? Then get your FREE copy of 7 Steps to Your First Guest at thanksforvisiting.me!Thanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

There’s a question we get asked all the time: What the heck is a co-host?!At its core, a co-host is just a joint host — which means the role is open for interpretation!One of the reasons we think so many people find the idea of being a co-host so appealing is that it’s kind of a choose-your-own-adventure job, which means you’ll really have to sit down and talk to your partners to figure out what the arrangement looks like for you.But we know that’s not necessarily an easy conversation, especially if it’s your first time, so today we’re going to share some examples of what co-hosting partnerships might look like.Resources:Thanksforvisiting.meWant to open your own short-term rental? Then get your FREE copy of 7 Steps to Your First Guest at thanksforvisiting.me!#STRShareSunday: @tinycabinbythelakeThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

We met today’s guest, Kelly Rauch, at our most recent local Airbnb meetup — so, let that me a lesson to you: go to your local meetups, or if one doesn’t exist, start one. You can meet some really cool people there... and then, a week or two later, you might even be on their podcast!Kelly is a marketing expert who just blew us away when she told us how she used social media to launch a new high-end rental in Mexico, and how she’s been getting repeat guests to up their occupancy rate and bring in more income. These are FREE tools that can completely transform your short-term rental business — so if you aren’t taking advantage of social media marketing yet, take good notes and get ready to blow up your business and brand!Want to see what’s working for other people? Check out some of these popular Airbnb influencers: @flippinwendy, @thebeachlodge, @thegranvillebarn, @theboxhop.Resources:Connect with Kelly on IG: @kellykrauchCheck out Kelly’s property on IG: @casapalmarsayulitaLearn more about Local Everywhere: www.golocaleverywhere.comCasa Palmar: www.casapalmar.comLink Tree: linktr.eeThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

We often talk about strategies for hosts who are already in the game (how to welcome guests, how to set pricing, etc.), but we’ve missed an important step: getting the property you can use as an Airbnb! We also know that a lot of your are listening because you are still planning and working up the courage to open your first short-term rental — and the more you know, the less scary that becomes!So we sat down with Gillian Luce, Senior Marketing Manager for Homes.com. She helps us understand some data that we can use to strategize our side hustle goals for 2020, plus some other things that homeowners need to know if they are considering using Airbnb (like how it can help you pay your mortgage).Resources:Learn more at Homes.comRead: "How To Make Money With Airbnb – Best & Worst Cities"Read: “Side Hustles to Help Pay for Your Mortgage”Read: “Technology in Airbnbs”Thanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

We host an Airbnb meetup here in Columbus, and at our most recent one, we heard about BJ Allmon, co-founder of InnTown Stays — and we knew we had to talk to him! Because BJ is staking a unique niche in the short-term industry, and he’s solving a big need at the same time: homes for people who are recovering from a disaster.InnTown Stays is a service that makes it just as easy to lease a house as it is to vacation in one — and it was all born to help out a friend. It’s an incredible story and we’re excited to share it with you today, not just because it’s heartwarming but because it shows that there’s still so much opportunity in the short-term rental industry!Resources:Learn more at www.inntownstays.comStay in one of BJ’s Airbnbs: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/32366964?s=67&shared_item_type=1&virality_entry_point=1&sharer_id=8963103Check out Liberty Short House: https://www.instagram.com/lillibertyl80/Thanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

Cody Boyce and his wife recently started listing their home on Airbnb while they’re travelling for business, and Cody’s already automated this thing up — for free! So, we’re going to learn all about the Zapier automation that Cody is using to make his life easier and what it’s like when you’re listing your personal space.Resources:Learn more at crate.mediaInstagram: instagram.com/codydboyceThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

We met Marc Kade at a real estate investor meetup about a year ago — and, oh boy, this is the guy to talk to about all things lending! He’s a branch manager for PrimeLending and a real estate investor himself, and we brought him on because we know a lot of you want to know more about how to actually acquire the properties to use as short-term rentals.Now, even if you’re not in the real estate investing game (or not yet), we urge you to stick with this episode. Marc is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to buying properties of any kind, even if it’s a personal home for you down the road, and he just might give you some new ideas you can use to expand a fledgling Airbnb business!Resources:Learn more at www.hostfinancial.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marckade/Thanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

We are so excited to share our conversation with Tiffany Caliva, host of The Beach Lodge in Hollywood, Airbnb Superhost, and one of our Instagram Super Heroes!Tiffany tells us about her journey from new host to Superhost, how her account blew up on Insta (plus why an Instagram account is so vital for marketing your rental), all the work that went into transforming a beat down property into The Beach Lodge, and all the nitpicky details that you need to pay attention to if you want to blow up on Airbnb.Resources:Learn more at www.hollywoodbeachlodge.comInstagram: instagram.com/thebeachlodgeWatch: “How to go the Extra (S)mile”Read: “How to Host: Add Details Guests Love”The Venue ReportThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

Today we’re talking to a flippin’ Instagram celebratory in the real estate world, Wendy Doris, AKA @FlippinWendy!Resources:Learn more at flippinwendy.designInstagram: @FlippinWendyWant to learn more about flipping houses? You can get Wendy’s ebook if you send her an email: [email protected] Black makeup towels Smartbnb Thanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

We believe that true superhosts should endeavor to serve all guests, but sometimes, you just don’t know what you don’t know – so, today, we are going to learn about how to make a short-term rental space accessible to people of all abilities!Our guest is LeAnne Lavender, who herself learned so much about renovating or redesigning your space to be ADA compliant after her husband experienced an accident that left him paralyzed. Now, they share their journey with others to inspire and educate their audience on everything from renovation to food to healing.Resources: Learn more at lavenderslongshot.com Instagram: instagram.com/lavenderslongshot Read: “How can I make my space more accessible for guests with disabilities?"Get a Gymax Adjustable Non-skid Loading Wheelchair Telescoping Track Ramp Thanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

You don’t even have to own property to make Airbnb your side hustle or be part of the short-term rental industry – there are so many roles that need to be filled, and that means there are lots of opportunities and options!Whether you are interested in photography, turnover, co-hosting, staging, creating experiences, or hosting your own space, we have got you covered! Resources:Thanksforvisiting.me Want to open your own short-term rental? Then get your FREE copy of 7 Steps to Your First Guest at thanksforvisiting.me! Haven conference: https://www.havenconference.com Thanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

We’ve spent most of our show up to this point talking about Airbnb – but, today, we want to introduce you to some other short-term rental platforms that cater to a very specific niche: rentinting out your RV!So, Sarah’s husband Nick returns to discuss what it’s been like using Outdoorsy & RVShare to diversify their short-term rental business and how you can use these services to turn your dormant RV into an income stream.Resources:Check out Outdoorsy & RVShareLearn more at thanksforvisiting.meFollow Nick + Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/nestrs/Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanksforvisiting_/ Thanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

If you are in a relationship, you can’t just start letting strangers stay at your house – even if they’re helping you pay your rent or mortgage! You have to make sure it’s cool with your partner, first (and your landlord!).So, today, Sarah invited her husband, Nick, to join us and talk about his initial apprehension to let strangers stay in their place, why he ultimately decided to join Sarah in the short-term rental game, and what he thinks of the industry today.Resources:Learn more at https://thanksforvisiting.me/Follow Nick + Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/nestrs/ Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanksforvisiting_/Check out our favorite mattress: https://rstyle.me/cz-n/cxvic3cek4xThanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

With Summer in full swing, we wanted to touch on something that all Airbnb and short-term rental hosts need to consider: holidays! So, today, we’re going to share our tips for both taking a holiday for yourself and giving your guests that are on vacation a holiday they’ll never forget – while also maximizing your earning potential all year round!We’re also going to share some of our holiday horror stories so that you can learn from our mistakes, without making them yourself. Resources:Thanksforvisiting.me Want to open your own short-term rental? Then get your FREE copy of 7 Steps to Your First Guest at thanksforvisiting.me Thanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.

Even if you don’t own property, you can still be part of the short-term rental industry by managing properties for other people who want to take advantage of platforms like Airbnb but don’t have the time. It’s been a really successful part of Sarah’s business, but she needed some help keeping all of those properties up to her high cleanliness standards – so she turned to Properly (which also happens to be a great side gig if you also happen to be a detail-oriented person and want another foot into the short-term rental industry)!And, today, we are so excited to learn more about Properly and how it can help all of us by sitting down with Tammi Sims, VP of Customer Experience at Properly. But not only has Tammi been with Properly since the beginning, she’s also a bonafide Airbnb Superhost and frequent short-term rental user herself! So she knows first-hand how much this service is needed and she has some great tips for making the most out of it.Resources:Learn more at getproperly.com/nestrsWant to open your own short-term rental? Then get your FREE copy of 7 Steps to Your First Guest at thanksforvisiting.me! Thanks for Visiting is a production of Crate Media.Mentioned in this episode:Hosting Business Mastery Method | Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!HBMM | Sign up today at hostmasterclass.com.