524. Hosting Hotline: How to Align With the Right Guests Without “Screening”

This week on the Hosting Hotline, Alexandra asks a common question: “How do you screen guests?”Sarah and Annette break down why the word “screening” doesn’t belong in hospitality—and how hosts can shift their approach to something far more effective: guest alignment.In this episode, we cover:Why your language matters more than you thinkHow to approach bookings from a hospitality-first mindsetWhat Airbnb’s trust and verification system actually protectsWhy Instant Book can help—not hurt—your businessWhat red flags are worth reviewing (and which aren’t)The key question to ask every guest to confirm fitHow to communicate expectations without sounding accusatoryWhy consistency matters more than creating the “perfect” processWhether you’re new to hosting or refining your systems, this episode will help you evaluate bookings with confidence—without slipping into fear-based hosting.Resources mentioned:Truvi (identity verification for direct bookings)Priced & Profitable Bootcamp

This week, Sarah and Annette break down a simple but powerful strategy every host should be using to stay competitive: analyzing your comp set the same way professional revenue managers do—without spending thousands on data tools.Inside the episode, they walk you through a three-step workflow for using ChatGPT to read, synthesize, and analyze your competitors’ guest reviews so you can understand what travelers actually value, what’s frustrating them, and where you can immediately stand out.But before the AI magic, they start by defining what a comp set really is—and why most hosts get this part wrong. If you feel like your property has “no competitors,” this episode will challenge that thinking in a way that makes your marketing sharper and your operations more profitable.They also highlight one listener property, Snow Place Like Home, and walk through their smart paid marketing strategy using regional travel publications.Inside the episode you’ll learn:• What a competitive set actually is (and why 90 percent of hosts build it incorrectly)• How OTAs decide which listings you compete with• Why relying on intuition instead of data limits your revenue potential• A step-by-step workflow to extract and analyze 50–100 competitor reviews using ChatGPT• How to identify what guests consistently love, dislike, or wish was different• How to use review language to improve your listing copy and boost conversions• How to prioritize amenity upgrades based on real demand• How to refine your brand positioning using insights from your comp set• Why this AI-powered review analysis is like getting a free market research report• How to use your own reviews to stay ahead of guest expectationsThis is a practical, repeatable workflow you can implement today—and revisit every quarter—to stay sharp in your market without expensive consultants, tools, or guesswork.Mentioned in this episode:Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette answer a question from Susie, a host who’s leveling up her short-term rental and wants to know: should you provide shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in every bathroom?It seems simple, but this small decision says a lot about your professionalism, your brand standards, and the overall guest experience. The answer is yes—and Sarah and Annette dive into why this baseline amenity matters more than hosts often realize.Inside the episode, they cover:• The Nashville stay that proved why missing basics can sink an otherwise great property• How guest expectations have drastically evolved going into 2025 and beyond• Why amenities are less about luxury and more about clarity, consistency, and professionalism• How missing basics show up in reviews (and how providing them quietly prevents friction)• Why standardized bathroom setups reduce mental load and improve operations• The role of comp-set research when choosing what to provide• How to anticipate guest needs using hotel-level hospitality thinking• An inside perspective from Taylor at Minoan on why amenities directly impact five-star reviewsWhether you’re a new host or scaling a professional operation, this episode is a reminder that thoughtful basics are never optional. They are the foundation of a frictionless stay.Resources Mentioned: Minoan: Professional-grade supplies and better-than-trade pricing for hostsThanks for Visiting Bootcamp: Join the waitlistMentioned in this episode:Lodgify | Use code TFV20

In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down their data-backed predictions for the 2026 short-term rental market. After a recalibration year in 2025—marked by softened bookings, rising standards, and increased competition—they’re sharing the six major trends every host needs to prepare for.They cover what a “flat but stable” market really means, why guest expectations continue to climb, how regulations will tighten nationwide, the growing dominance of drive-to markets, shrinking traveler loyalty, and the economic factors shaping demand.Whether you’re navigating new permitting rules, rethinking your guest experience, or finally committing to a revenue management plan, this episode will help you build a smarter, more resilient hosting strategy for the year ahead.What You’ll Learn:Why 2025 was a recalibration year and what that means going into 2026What “flat is the new normal” means for hostsWhy guest standards continue to rise everywhereHow tightening regulations will impact your businessThe continued dominance of drive-to destinations and 3–4 night staysWhy traveler loyalty is fading and trust now drives bookingsWhat economic factors may shape demandHow to audit your 2025 data and plan intentionally for the new yearWhy 2026 is the “professional era” for hostsResources Mentioned:Rent Responsibly — An education and community-building platform for short-term rental operators that helps owners, hosts, and managers navigate their local laws and professionalize their hospitality businesses.Mentioned in this episode:Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

This week on the Hosting Hotline, Sarah and Annette answer a thoughtful question from Emily in Australia, who’s deciding between two strong guest avatars for her soon-to-launch short-term rental: a family-friendly, non-toxic stay or a high-demand wedding-guest retreat located just steps from one of the area’s most popular venues.If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re choosing the right avatar—or worried you might be leading with emotion rather than strategy—this episode breaks down exactly how to assess your market, understand your demand drivers, and choose an avatar that aligns with your goals.Sarah and Annette walk through the realities of both niches, how ADR and booking windows change based on guest type, and why “when you confuse, you lose” is one of the most important truths in STR marketing.Whether you're defining your avatar for the first time or rethinking your current strategy, this conversation gives you the clarity and confidence you need to position your property for success.In this episode we cover:How to evaluate whether your chosen guest avatar aligns with your market The difference between a family-friendly stay and a wedding/event traveler Why appealing to everyone leads to confusion and fewer bookings (“confuse and lose”) How to define what success looks like before choosing your niche (profitability vs. alignment) Key differences in ADR, booking windows, and seasonality across both avatars How proximity to a major wedding venue impacts demand and pricing strategy Why clarity in marketing, photography, and copy directly boosts conversions When (and how) to pivot if your current avatar isn’t performing Mentioned in this episode:Lodgify | Use code TFV20

Airbnb’s new 24-hour free cancellation policy is officially live—and if you’re not prepared, this change could mean a bumpy ride ahead. In this week’s episode, Sarah and Annette break down exactly what’s new, what’s going away, and how these updates impact hosts of every size.From understanding the shift toward guest-friendly policies, to forecasting cancellations as a standard cost of doing business, to tightening up your communication strategies—this conversation gives you the mindset, tactics, and next steps you’ll need to stay profitable and confident.Whether you’re managing a luxury cabin, an urban apartment, or an entire portfolio, this episode will help you adapt quickly and strategically to Airbnb’s platform-wide changes.What we cover in this episode:What Airbnb’s new 24-hour free cancellation policy includesWhy strict cancellation policies are being phased out for new listingsWhat existing hosts can expect moving forwardHow to forecast cancellations as a normal cost of businessThe importance of proactive guest communicationHow to reduce cancellations through relationship-buildingWhat these changes mean for larger or luxury propertiesSteps to stay prepared, not reactive, as the platform evolvesKey takeaway:You can’t control Airbnb’s policy decisions, but you can control how prepared you are. Anticipating cancellations, knowing your numbers, and communicating intentionally are now essential pillars of running a resilient STR business.Resources: Airbnb Help Center: Updated Cancellation PoliciesMentioned in this episode:Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you! Avalara | Book a demo to save $100

How long should you clean your own property before handing it off to a professional cleaner? In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette tackle one of the biggest questions for new hosts: when to outsource cleaning—and how to make sure your standards don’t slip once you do.From systemizing your process to defining what a “done” bed actually looks like, the duo walks through the mindset shift every host needs to make: your guests should never be the ones to discover a bad clean. Learn how to document your cleaning routine, train your team with clarity, and implement “trust but verify” systems that keep your short-term rental running like a pro.They also peek into the future of cleaning (yes, robot cleaners are coming!) and share tips for maintaining quality control, even from afar.Resources mentioned: Neo Cleaning Robot (coming 2026)Mentioned in this episode:Lodgify | Use code TFV20

This week, Sarah and Annette sit down with CPA and tax strategist Amanda Han to break down the major tax updates hosts need to know heading into 2025.From the newly passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” to evolving depreciation rules, Amanda explains what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and how short-term rental owners can use these updates to maximize savings and make smarter financial decisions.She also shares why bookkeeping is the “bad B word” no host can ignore, the truth about the short-term rental loophole (and why it’s not actually shady), and how to identify a CPA who truly understands the STR world.If you’ve ever felt intimidated by tax talk, this conversation will help you feel empowered, informed, and ready to approach 2026 with confidence.In this episode, you’ll learn:What the One Big Beautiful Bill means for STR investorsHow to qualify for the short-term rental “loophole” (and why that term can be misleading)Updates to bonus depreciation and cost segregationWhat “material participation” actually looks like in practiceHow to structure your bookkeeping and track expenses property-by-propertyTips for hiring your kids, using sub-accounts, and working with the right CPAThe growing role of AI in accounting and what not to trust it withResources mentioned:Amanda Han, Keystone CPARelay Financial: Business banking we use at Thanks for VisitingMentioned in this episode: Avalara | Book a demo to save $100Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

When should you actually use Airbnb promotions—and are they really just discounts in disguise?In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette clear up the confusion around Airbnb’s promotion tools and explain how to use them strategically to boost visibility, not slash profits.They cover:How Airbnb really calculates your “discount” (hint: it’s not off your nightly rate)Why promotions should be treated as a visibility lever, not a crutchWhen to activate a promo to surface higher in searchThe key data you must track—booking window, market demand, and median ratesWhy a 5–10% promotion can sometimes outperform a massive markdownIf you’ve ever wondered whether Airbnb promotions actually work, this episode will teach you how to use them to your advantage without undercutting your value.Resources mentioned:Airbnb Help ArticleLodgify — Create your direct booking website and connect your Airbnb listings (use code TFE20 for 20% off annual or biannual plans)Mentioned in this episode:Lodgify | Use code TFV20

If you’ve been collecting guest emails for years but never actually sent one—this episode is for you.Sarah and Annette are walking you through five repeatable guest email ideas to help you stay connected with past guests, strengthen loyalty, and drive more direct bookings—all without sounding pushy or salesy.From newsletters to new-amenity announcements, you’ll learn how to keep your property top of mind and build a marketing system that runs year-round.You’ll Learn:Why your email list is one of your most valuable business assetsHow to reintroduce yourself and your property with every emailThe five guest email types you can send over and over againHow to use these ideas across social media and your website for extra mileageWhy consistent communication builds trust (and more repeat stays)Resources mentioned:Lodgify: Build a direct booking website with no tech stress — use code TFE20 for 20% off annual or biannual plansMentioned in this episode: Avalara | Book a demo to save $100Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!