Thanks For Visiting

This week’s Hosting Hotline question comes from Shaune, who has a short-term rental in a small town that hosts a massive week-long festival every year. The big question: should you require a full week-long stay during the event, or will multiple shorter bookings at premium rates bring in more revenue?Sarah and Annette break down three smart strategies to help you decide:Require a week-long stay (ideal if demand is strong for full-week bookings).Allow shorter stays at premium rates (often a higher revenue generator).Try a hybrid approach (adjusting minimum nights as the festival gets closer).Beyond the tactics, Sarah and Annette emphasize the importance of understanding your market and your goals. Do people actually stay for the entire week? Or are two- and three-night trips the norm? Do you want maximum revenue, or would a single booking simplify your life during the chaos of festival season?This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever wondered how to balance personal goals with smart business strategy. By analyzing demand patterns, testing different approaches, and staying flexible, you’ll learn how to maximize your revenue and still keep your sanity.Resources mentioned: Hosting Hotline – Submit your own question to be answered on the show.Mentioned in this episode:Lodgify | Use code TFV20

Midterm rentals are all the buzz right now, but before you pivot your short-term rental strategy, Sarah and Annette are pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like to run them. After years of managing hybrid stays, they’ve learned that midterm rentals come with their own set of challenges—and they’re sharing the top five realities every host needs to know.From unpredictable income and complex leases to heavier turnovers and ongoing maintenance, this episode breaks down what most people don’t talk about when it comes to midterm rentals. If you’ve been thinking this strategy is the “easy button” for your slow season, think again—and tune in for actionable insights that will help you decide if it’s the right fit for your business.You’ll learn:Why midterm rentals don’t guarantee steady incomeHow to juggle multiple platforms and keep reviews freshThe hidden costs of midterm rental turnoversLegal and leasing pitfalls that can catch hosts off guardHow to handle property maintenance when guests stay for monthsWhether you’re a full-time host or just exploring new ways to fill your calendar, this is your guide to going into midterm rentals with eyes wide open.Resources: Breezeway — Operations management software to streamline turnovers, maintenance, and property care.Furnished Finder — A platform connecting property owners with traveling professionals and midterm guests.Mentioned in this episode: Avalara | Book a demo to save $100Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

When you’re just starting out on Airbnb or launching a new property, one of the biggest challenges is building trust before reviews start rolling in. Should you put “new listing” in your title or description to explain why your property has zero reviews? Or could that actually backfire?In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette tackle a great listener question about whether to use “new listing” in your Airbnb description—and the best ways to overcome the objections that come with having little to no reviews. They share how to leverage Airbnb’s algorithm boost for new listings, avoid overpromising, and use smart marketing language to build credibility right out of the gate.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Whether or not to include “new listing” in your title or descriptionHow Airbnb’s algorithm favors new properties—and how to maximize that boostWhy accuracy in your listing copy matters more than hypeMarketing strategies to overcome the lack of reviewsTips for building guest trust from day one through responsiveness and communicationIf you’re launching a new property, or still figuring out how to make your first reviews count, this episode is a must-listen.Resources: Booked & Profitable Listing Audit Bootcamp – Learn how to optimize your Airbnb listing for conversions and overcome common guest objections. Join at: thanksforvisiting.com/bootcampMentioned in this episode:Lodgify | Use code TFV20

Kristen and Michael reveal how they carved a niche for their Joshua Tree rental in a competitive market. They share the risks taken and lessons learned while becoming self-sustaining through strategic upgrades like a hot tub and professional photography. Discover how their direct booking site, powered by Lodgify, reduced reliance on OTAs and transformed their business. As they reflect on evolving goals and the importance of quality in a cooling market, they inspire hosts to make long-term, thoughtful investments.

When it comes to short-term rentals, few topics spark more debate than photography. Do you really need to hire a professional—or can natural, well-lit DIY photos do the trick?In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette respond to a listener comment that challenges their long-standing belief: that professional photos are a non-negotiable for serious hosts. They explore the value of constructive feedback, how to use it to refine your marketing, and why your photos are more than just pictures—they’re a conversion tool.You’ll learn:Why professional photos often pay for themselves through higher bookings and ratesHow to balance feedback from guests who may not be your target audienceThe risk of overselling your space with overly edited or outdated imagesWhy investing in professional photos can increase your confidence as a hostHow photography ties into professionalizing the entire STR industryWhether you’re convinced or skeptical, this conversation will challenge how you think about your listing images—and what they say about your business.Resources mentioned: Learn more about Strategic Host — our newest program designed for hosts craving accountability, mentorship, and one-on-one guidance.Mentioned in this episode:Lodgify | Use code TFV20

The 2025 holiday season is a unique opportunity for short-term rental hosts—but only if you plan your pricing and calendar strategy the right way. In this episode of Thanks for Visiting, Sarah and Annette break down how the holiday calendar lines up this year and how you can use it to boost your bottom line without adding extra work.They’ll show you why setting minimum stays, adjusting rates on key dates, and preparing your team now can make the difference between leaving money on the table and having your most profitable holiday season yet.You’ll learn how to:Spot unique 2025 travel patterns that create bonus holiday weekends.Set three-to-four-night minimums to increase revenue and reduce turnover.Use dynamic pricing software like PriceLabs to automate smart adjustments.Prepare your property and team in advance so you can enjoy the holidays too.Shift your mindset to see the calendar not as dates, but as opportunities for revenue.Smart hosts don’t wait until December—they plan now and reap the rewards later.Resources:PriceLabs – Dynamic pricing software to automate rate adjustments and maximize your revenue.Mentioned in this episode:Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

The hosts celebrate their milestone of 500 episodes by sharing essential insights for aspiring and seasoned hosts. They discuss effective strategies like parent-child listings to boost revenue and the importance of ownership agreements in partnerships. Financial clarity is crucial, so they offer advice on hiring financial professionals and scaling your team. Additionally, they emphasize the need for a year-round pricing strategy and building an email list for guest communication. Lastly, they introduce a new mentoring program to help hosts achieve accountability and growth.

As the year winds down, the hosts emphasize the importance of proactive planning for short-term rental success in 2026. They share strategies like reviewing quarterly revenue to identify strengths and weaknesses, and the necessity of consulting financial experts for tax prep. Auditing the tech used can also save costs and enhance efficiency. Upgrading properties to improve guest experiences and scheduling deep cleans are essential too. The key takeaway? Act now, pivot intentionally, and prepare for a prosperous year ahead!

Discover effective strategies for attracting new homeowners to list their properties. Learn why treating co-hosting like a professional business is crucial for growth. From leveraging social media to sharing behind-the-scenes content, there's actionable advice that can help build your client base. Hear success stories of co-hosts scaling from one property to dozens, and understand the importance of tracking your sales funnel. Finally, get insights on maintaining visibility and the value of persistence in your marketing efforts.

Feeling overwhelmed by the quest for the perfect property management system? You're not alone! Discover what a PMS truly is and who should consider one. Learn about the core features that can streamline your operations and boost your direct bookings. Say goodbye to PMS hopping as the hosts highlight the importance of committing to your choice. Explore essential tips for evaluating vendors and implementing effective onboarding strategies. Plus, they remind us that while no PMS is flawless, taking action is better than waiting for perfection!