Negative reviews can crush your short-term rental’s visibility, but what if you could get them removed? In this episode, we dive into Airbnb’s evolving review dispute process (now powered by AI!) and reveal practical tactics to fight back against unfair ratings. Learn how to protect your listing, even in today's tougher review climate. • Discover how Airbnb’s new AI dispute process works and why it changes everything • Learn the exact terms and proof Airbnb requires to remove negative reviews • ...
Jul 08, 2025•15 min•Ep. 295
Grow your short-term rental management business without burning out! In this episode, we unpack 13 actionable strategies to help you scale, from building referrals and optimizing Google presence to leveraging tools like AirDNA and creating content that drives results. Whether you’re new or established, this episode is packed with must-know tactics. • Discover how signing up for Airbnb’s co-host network boosts your visibility instantly • Learn how a CRM system and proactive outreach can unlock ne...
Jul 01, 2025•17 min•Ep. 294
Where are short-term rentals thriving, and why? In this data-packed episode, AirDNA’s Chief Economist Jamie Lane reveals surprising trends in booking windows, top-performing markets, and how STRs are evolving post-pandemic. If you're wondering where to invest next or how to outperform the competition, this one's a must-listen. Ready to unlock smarter, data-driven decisions? • Discover how STR supply trends have shifted from urban cores to rural hotspots—and what that means for your portfolio • L...
Jun 25, 2025•35 min•Ep. 293
Short-term rental rules are tightening fast and ignoring them can cost you big. This episode reveals 7 critical steps to ensure your Airbnb or vacation rental stays on the right side of the law. Whether you manage one unit or dozens, avoiding fines and keeping your STR compliant starts here. Learn why zoning changes could cost you your STR rights overnight Discover all the layers of STR rules: city, county, HOA, and more Get smarter about permits, licenses, and ongoing inspections Hear a real-li...
Jun 17, 2025•17 min•Ep. 292
What do 10 million new Airbnb guests mean for your STR? A lot, especially if you're unknowingly filtering them out. In this episode, we unpack why welcoming first-time guests isn’t a risk, it’s a missed opportunity if you’re not prepared. Learn how to vet, host, and profit from new users with confidence. • Find out why so many top hosts are missing out on high-paying, first-time guests. • Learn the pros and cons of accepting new users and how to screen smartly. • Discover the red flags that matt...
Jun 10, 2025•16 min•Ep. 291
How could rising tariffs at the Canadian and Mexican borders possibly affect your Airbnb? Turns out, quite a lot. In this episode, we break down how new 25% tariffs could increase your renovation and furnishing costs—and what you can do to prepare for a tighter margin environment. • Discover how new tariffs can increase your construction and renovation costs by 10% or more. • Learn why your furniture and appliance budget needs to grow—and how to plan for it. • Understand how these price hikes im...
Jun 03, 2025•13 min•Ep. 290
How do you build a short-term rental business when you have kids, a full-time job, and almost no time? In this episode, we break down a real story. I interview Lydia and unpack her journey, the systems she uses, and the lessons she wishes every host knew from the beginning. Discover the lessons every host should hear before starting. How Lydia scaled from backyard host to full-time STR owner in Florida Choosing the right market remotely and why it matters Tools Lydia uses to stay organized: Clic...
May 23, 2025•34 min•Ep. 289
Think long-term tenants cause less damage than short-term guests? Think again. In this episode, we dive into surprising data from Tim’s personal portfolio showing how short-term rentals can actually reduce your maintenance costs. Discover the real numbers, real stories, and real savings that might change your rental strategy forever. Why long-term rentals may cost you more in the long run—especially after tenant turnover Real-world maintenance savings Tim uncovered over 10+ years of STR operatio...
May 20, 2025•15 min•Ep. 288
What happens if a guest damages your short-term rental and they booked through Booking.com? Good news: they now offer host protection. But it’s not as great as it sounds... In this episode, we break down the truth behind Booking.com’s new damage policy, what’s covered, and why you still might want to stick with deposits. 5 Key Takeaways: • The Damage Policy Breakdown: Booking.com now offers a host damage protection program, but it’s filled with fine print and limitations. • Deposits vs. Damage P...
May 13, 2025•16 min•Ep. 287
Your reviews don't just reflect guest experiences—they create them. In this essential episode, we're breaking down how guest expectations (shaped by prior reviews) can make or break your reputation. Discover the psychology behind reviews, how many you need for protection, and actionable ways to build your "safety net." Key Takeaways: Why guest reviews are shaped more by expectations than just the actual stay How negative reviews influence new guests to look for flaws The critical "40 review" mil...
May 06, 2025•12 min•Ep. 286
Want to unlock up to 30% more revenue from your short-term rental or boutique hotel? This week, we're diving into the powerful concept of "stacking wins" — small optimizations that, when combined, lead to massive growth. Tune in to learn the simple steps you can take today to maximize earnings and future-proof your property. 5 Key Takeaways: Why optimizing your listing photos, descriptions, and titles is the first big win for better bookings. How multi-channel distribution not only boosts revenu...
Apr 29, 2025•13 min•Ep. 285
We’ve talked about Booking.com before, but in 2025, it’s more important than ever to take it seriously as a revenue-driving channel for your short-term rental. In this episode, we’re diving deep into why Booking.com deserves a place in your strategy this year—and how to set it up for success. Whether you're brand new to the platform or you've tried it before and tapped out, we’re covering everything you need to know: Why Booking.com is a gold mine (especially for international and business trave...
Apr 22, 2025•18 min•Ep. 284
Think your dynamic pricing tool is doing all the heavy lifting? Think again. In this episode, we expose five major flaws that could be silently draining your rental revenue. With insights from managing properties in 20+ cities worldwide, Tim breaks down why pricing automation isn’t truly “set it and forget it”—and what to do instead. Get ready to plug the leaks and boost your bottom line. • Discover the #1 reason pricing tools misfire—and why their data isn't as accurate as you think • Learn why...
Apr 15, 2025•13 min•Ep. 283
Struggling to fill your calendar for the summer season? This episode breaks down 7 essential steps to refresh your short-term rental listing, outshine the competition, and ensure your property is booked solid. Discover the tweaks and tools you need now to capture attention and secure high-value guests. Don’t wait—peak season is just around the corner. Why refreshing your listing and completing every OTA section could skyrocket your visibility The #1 way to understand why guests aren’t booking—st...
Apr 08, 2025•12 min•Ep. 282
The short-term rental market has evolved, and unique properties are leading the way! This week, Tim Hubbard welcomes back Dave Zook of Zook Cabins to discuss how modular cabins are reshaping STR investments. Discover why smaller, high-quality units can generate massive returns and how turnkey solutions simplify the process for investors. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why modular cabins outperform traditional STR properties How investors can test the waters with a single unit before scaling ...
Apr 03, 2025•26 min•Ep. 281
Are you a short-term rental host with stellar reviews? If so, you might be sitting on a goldmine! In this episode, we break down how a perfect 5-star rating can significantly boost your pricing power. Using real data from cities like Palm Springs, Las Vegas, and Paris, we explore how top-rated listings perform and what pricing strategies you can implement to maximize your revenue. What You’ll Learn: How review scores impact your booking rates and pricing potential The percentage of listings with...
Mar 25, 2025•14 min•Ep. 280
Pricing your short-term rental is no easy task—but with the right tools, you can maximize revenue and occupancy. In this episode, Tim welcomes Anurag Verma, co-founder of PriceLabs, to discuss how dynamic pricing has evolved, why data-driven decisions matter, and how hosts can optimize their strategies in an increasingly competitive market. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How PriceLabs grew from a beta tool to managing 450,000 properties worldwide Why pricing flexibility leads to higher earnings ...
Mar 18, 2025•36 min•Ep. 279
Property management is evolving, and virtual management is leading the way. In this episode, Tim welcomes Justin Winfield, a real estate veteran and co-founder of Corzly Inc, to discuss why the traditional model is broken—and what the future holds for property owners. Justin shares his global real estate journey, from China to Vancouver to Colombia, and why he believes technology-driven management is the key to maximizing revenue while reducing headaches. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why tradi...
Mar 11, 2025•30 min•Ep. 278
The short-term rental market is evolving rapidly, and in this episode, we dive deep into the world of vacation rental management with Marcus Rader, CEO of HostAway. With over $365 million in recent funding and a $924 overall valuation, HostAway is leading the charge in property management automation and software integration. Marcus shares his journey in defining what makes a great PMS and how technology is reshaping guest experiences. The Evolution of PMS Software – How HostAway became a top vac...
Mar 04, 2025•42 min•Ep. 277
Housekeeping is one of the biggest contributors to short-term rental success. Yet, large property managers are consistently failing in this area, leading to bad reviews and lost revenue. In this episode, we look at national review averages from over 5,000 vacation rentals in the most popular areas and why they have averages from 4.02 to 4.62! Tim Hubbard discusses why property owners should consider hiring their own housekeepers to maintain higher standards and create better guest experiences. H...
Feb 25, 2025•11 min•Ep. 276
One of the biggest mistakes short-term rental (STR) owners make is assuming their STR manager is handling repairs in the most cost-effective way. The truth? Many property managers either mark up repair costs, delay small fixes until they become major problems, or use their own preferred vendors who charge higher rates. If you’re not reviewing your Airbnb repair expenses, you could be losing thousands of dollars every year without realizing it. The key to running a profitable short-term rental is...
Feb 18, 2025•23 min
Hosting on Airbnb is an amazing way to make passive income, but it’s not always smooth sailing. Most guests are great, but every now and then, you’ll get a guest who leaves you completely speechless. Airbnb horror stories are rare, but when they happen, they’re unforgettable. Recently, Brian Chesky, the CEO of Airbnb, shared a bizarre guest complaint—someone wanted a refund because a ghost was "harassing them." Funny enough, the Airbnb listing actually mentioned the ghost (his name was Stanley)....
Feb 11, 2025•14 min
If you’ve ever set a revenue target for your Airbnb, you’re not alone. A lot of short-term rental hosts aim for a specific income—maybe six figures a year or $10K a month. And while setting goals can be motivating, the truth is revenue targets might be costing you money. That’s because your Airbnb revenue isn’t based on what you want to earn—it’s determined by supply and demand. If you’re using last year’s numbers or a random target, you could be underpricing or overpricing your property, leadin...
Feb 04, 2025•8 min
Is 2025 the right time to jump into the short-term rental (STR) game? It’s a question I get asked a lot, especially as the STR market continues to evolve. With rising competition, new regulations, and changing guest expectations, it’s natural to wonder if Airbnb is still a good investment. The truth is, while the industry has shifted, the opportunity to create a profitable Airbnb business is very much alive —if you know how to adapt. After nearly a decade in the short-term rental space, I’ve lea...
Jan 28, 2025•14 min
If you’ve ever wondered how to scale your short-term rental business or pivot into a new real estate niche, boutique hotels might be the perfect opportunity for you. Boutique hotel investing combines the fundamentals of STRs—guest experience, revenue management, and location—but on a much larger scale. And the best part? Unlike single-family STRs, boutique hotels are valued based on income, not comps, giving you more control over asset appreciation. In this episode of Short Term Rental Riches, T...
Jan 21, 2025•46 min
I’m excited to have you here because today’s episode is all about improving your short-term rental game with practical, actionable tips. I’ve been in this business for years, and if there’s one habit that’s made a huge difference, it’s taking notes on everything—whether I’m listening to a podcast, attending an event, or watching STR success stories on YouTube. I recently went through my inbox, where I save all my ideas, and pulled out 12 incredible tips to help you boost Airbnb visibility, impro...
Jan 14, 2025•15 min
Welcome back to Short-Term Rental Riches! I’m excited to be home in Medellin after visiting California, where I got to check in on my first short-term rental properties from 2015. This episode is all about the big takeaways from 2024 and what to expect in 2025. If you’ve been hosting Airbnb guests or managing short-term rentals, you know that market trends change fast—and understanding STR market trends for 2025 can be your key to maintaining high occupancy and revenue. This year, I’ve seen a si...
Jan 07, 2025•15 min
Today, we’re unpacking all things short-term rental profitability with a special guest, John Bianchi, who’s mastered the art of finding profitable Airbnb markets and avoiding risky investments. Over the years, I've received countless messages asking, “Is this property worth the purchase?” or “Is this STR market too crowded to make money?” While I’d love to dive into everyone’s listings, it’s a time-consuming process that requires detailed research. That’s why experts like John are game-changers—...
Dec 31, 2024•25 min
Finding profitable Airbnb properties in 2025 might seem like a challenge, but it’s far from impossible with the right tools and strategies. Today, we’re joined by Airbnb investing expert Jon Bianchi, who has helped direct over $90 million in STR investments across 200+ properties. From real estate data analysis to selecting the right markets, Jon has fine-tuned a process to identify cash-flowing STR properties that outperform others. In this episode, we break down Jon’s strategies for using plat...
Dec 24, 2024•28 min
Real estate markets are constantly evolving, and short-term rental investing adds another layer of complexity. As an Airbnb host or STR investor, it’s not just about demographics and trends. You also need to consider unique factors like oversupply in short-term rentals, the potential for unfavorable regulations, and even crime rates in your chosen market. These risks, if overlooked, can undermine the success of your investment. In this video, we’ll unpack four reasons why some markets are just t...
Dec 17, 2024•14 min
