Casa-Cast

In this episode of CasaCast, Steve Schwab sits down with Jeff Hurst, CEO of Furnished Finder, to talk about one of the fastest growing segments of the lodging market: mid-term rentals.Jeff shares his path from leadership roles at HomeAway, Vrbo, and Expedia to leading Furnished Finder, a platform that began by solving a simple problem for traveling nurses and has since grown into a nationwide network of furnished housing for professionals on the move.The conversation explores how changing work patterns, housing shortages, and a more mobile workforce are driving demand for 30-day-plus stays. Healthcare workers, construction teams, corporate travelers, and relocating families increasingly need flexible housing that sits somewhere between a hotel and a traditional lease.For property managers and owners, the opportunity is significant. Mid-term rentals can help smooth seasonal dips, diversify booking sources, and bring in reliable guests who stay longer and treat homes more like residents than tourists.Jeff and Steve discuss how the model works, why the market is expanding so quickly, and what operators should be thinking about as the line between short-term and longer-stay accommodations continues to evolve.

Laura Bowers grew up in the vacation rental business—literally answering reservation phones as a teenager while her mother built one of the Smoky Mountains’ early short-term rental companies. In this episode of CasaCast, Laura joins host Steve Schwab to share her multi-generation journey through the industry, from family-run operations to leadership roles at Vacasa and AvantStay, and now as a Partner Success Manager at Casago.Laura breaks down what it truly means to support franchise partners: diagnosing operational pain points, improving systems and processes, coaching teams, and showing up as someone who’s been in the trenches herself. She shares real-world examples of how small operational changes can unlock major efficiencies, why data and systems matter, and how Casago’s ecosystem helps partners build stronger, more resilient businesses.The conversation closes with Laura’s personal connection to Casago’s Credo—specifically “E for Excellence”—and her belief that raising standards, taking ownership, and working as a true team are what drive long-term success in this industry.A must-listen for franchise partners, operators, and anyone serious about building a sustainable vacation rental business with heart, discipline, and experience.

In this episode, Steve Schwab talks with Breezeway founder Jeremy Gall about the operational backbone of vacation rental management and how getting it right unlocks better hospitality, stronger owner relationships, and more efficient teams.Jeremy shares the arc of his career, from corporate attorney to travel-tech entrepreneur to accidental lumberjack, and how those experiences shaped Breezeway’s mission: empowering property managers with the tools, systems, and clarity required to deliver consistent, high-quality service at scale.They explore Jeremy’s seven principles of operational excellence, the essential balance between automation and human effort, why operators should rethink their relationship to “the grind,” and what Breezeway is building next for Casago partners.This episode offers a rare inside look at how the most progressive operators view operations: not as an afterthought, but as the foundation that allows hospitality, owner relationships, and revenue to flourish.

Meet Alex Johnson, whose journey is the key to understanding the depth of experience and operational expertise she brings to Casago. Her career has been shaped by a decade of industry leadership and a personal commitment to principle based decision making.Alex’s career began in the “big data” and new media sector at Rentrek (now CommCore), where she worked with television and movie studios. This role involved extensive travel, with up to 80% of her time spent on the road, which provided her with a strong analytical foundation. Her personal values were instilled in her by her mother, a “woman of principle” who dedicated herself to law school while raising two young children. This upbringing instilled in Alex a deep-seated commitment to doing what is right, a value she now shares with her own family.Alex Johnson’s role as VP of Franchise Operations is centered around a clear and actionable strategy: to provide tailored support to a diverse network of franchise partners. Her vision goes beyond a one-size-fits-all approach, focusing instead on empowering local operators with proven frameworks that they can adapt to their unique market realities.Alex’s  goal for her team is to be a “partner and their guide” for every franchisee. She sees her team, which includes Jackie Nord’s team of what she calls “the heroes to the franchises,” as a central business consultancy. The team’s mission is to provide consistent, knowledgeable support throughout the franchisee journey. Alex discusses “standardized flexibility.”  This concept is providing standardized principles and processes that serve as guardrails, which can then be adapted to meet the unique needs of different markets. The operational realities of a dense urban market like San Diego are vastly different from those of a mountain resort like Snowshoe. An inflexible, top-down approach can lead to the downfall of a portfolio by failing to build trust with homeowners and guests. By offering a flexible framework based on universal principles, franchisees can adapt their standard operating procedures (SOPs) to meet the specific demands of their community.Alex’s most significant value proposition stems from her firsthand experience at Vacasa. She has witnessed the company grow from 800 to 40,000 units, gaining a unique insight into the critical points of processes and systems. As she puts it, “It’s not always that the process is broken; it’s that the scale changes.” This perspective allows her to guide franchisees, regardless of whether they have 20 homes or 200, with proven strategies that align with their specific stage of development.Alex’s operational framework is built upon a strong foundation of personal and corporate values, which she believes are perfectly aligned with the Casago culture.

Maximizing Value: Insights from Senior Advisor David AngottiIn this episode of Casa Cast, host Steve Schwab welcomes David Angotti, a senior advisor at Casago, to discuss his extensive experience and the exciting developments. They delve into the recent merger that brought vacasa.com into the fold, highlighting its significant impact on franchisees and homeowners. David explains the strategies and investments being made in paid marketing and conversion optimization to drive bookings and enhance the value proposition for franchisees. The episode also highlights David's personal achievements as an ultramarathon runner and his relationships with key industry figures, such as Will Reynolds,  enriching the team's approach to achieving ambitious goals.00:00 Introduction to Kass Cast00:15 Meet David: Senior Advisor and Industry Veteran00:56 The Impact of Vac Casa Merger02:02 Driving Revenue Through Vac Casa03:25 Optimizing Conversion Rates03:54 Building a World-Class Team04:37 The Funnel Strategy06:59 The Role of Relationships in Business09:58 David's Ultra Marathon Journey15:04 Owner-Centric Philosophy15:53 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Mastering Five-Star Guest Experiences with Casa Cast: The North County San Diego Casago OfficeIn this episode of Casa Cast, host Steve Schwab sits down with Bert King, Eric Trojan, and David Carter, the owners of the North County San Diego Casago office, to discuss their success in the vacation rental management industry. They explore their two-and-a-half-year journey with Casago, emphasizing their Orange Credo philosophy of exceptional guest care and owner-centric services. The team shares their hybrid model inspired by renowned brands like Nordstrom and Costco and luxury hotels such as Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton. The conversation delves into their 11-step process designed to ensure a five-star experience for every guest, highlighting proactive communication, immediate issue resolution, and personal touches that make guests feel valued and seen. The episode also discusses the importance of nurturing relationships with guests, owners, and vendors for long-term success.00:00 Introduction to Casa Cast00:17 Meet the Team: North County San Diego Office00:55 Philosophy and Approach to Guest Services01:44 Setting Industry Standards02:58 Building Relationships with Guests04:09 The Importance of Customer Service04:52 Creating a Luxury Experience09:04 The 11-Step Process for Guest Satisfaction20:11 The Importance of Timely Responses20:46 Managing Guest Anxiety21:10 Setting Expectations with Appointments21:59 Immediate Response and Technical Expertise22:46 Mid-Stay Check-Ins23:46 Service Recovery and Guest Relations25:55 Pre-Checkout Text Message27:19 The IKEA Effect and Guest Participation29:25 Checkout Call and Final Impressions31:32 Prompting for Guest Reviews32:49 Responding to Reviews34:23 Reflecting on the Credo38:12 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Innovating Guest Experiences and Tech Partnerships with Casago: Insights from Ash and NashIn this engaging episode of Casa-Cast, host Steve Schwab leads insightful conversations with Ash from Adaptive and Nash, focusing on technological advancements in the vacation rental industry. Ash shares his background from Google, elucidating how Adaptive's AI platform enhances guest experiences for Casago users through data-driven personalization. Key topics include the platform’s impact on conversion rates, integration processes, and performance indicators. Nash adds to the conversation by emphasizing Casago’s forward-thinking mindset, their adoption of new technologies, and the importance of accountability in partnerships. Both guests highlight the promising potential for growth and improved bookings, concluding with a shared enthusiasm for the innovative journey ahead.00:00 Introduction to Casa-Cast00:14 Meet Ash from Adaptive00:20 Ash's Background and Journey00:55 What is Adaptive?01:30 How Adaptive Enhances Guest Experience01:40 Data Strategy and Learning02:09 Personalized Guest Experience02:56 Impact on Conversion Rates03:29 Cross-Channel Interaction04:16 Reporting and Insights05:15 Revenue Metrics and Proof of Concept05:51 Implementing Adaptive on Partner Websites06:05 Data Assessment and Integration06:40 Technical Aspects and Guest Experience06:53 Adaptive's Low Lift Implementation07:27 Casago Partnership and Forward Thinking08:24 Conclusion and Future Prospects

Unlocking Rental Success: Unique Design, Strategic Marketing, and Hero Features with Felipe CalderaIn this episode of CasaCast, host Steve Schwab interviews Felipe Caldera from Port Boulevard to explore the transformative impact of unique property design and strategic marketing on rental revenue. The discussion emphasizes differentiating properties with standout amenities such as hot tubs, game rooms, saunas, and cold plunges and creating eye-catching 'hero photos.' They delve into understanding the target market, effective property staging, and using actors in photos to enhance perceived experiences. Key points include leveraging platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, the importance of direct bookings and email marketing, and the role of RankBreeze in improving property rankings. Felipe underscores the shift towards providing unique experiences and thoughtful upgrades to succeed in a competitive market.00:00 Introduction to CasaCast00:15 Meet Felipe Caldera00:53 Felipe's Journey into Short-Term Rentals02:41 The Importance of Differentiation05:56 Design and Functionality in Vacation Rentals09:29 Understanding Your Target Market10:36 The Power of Storytelling in Property Marketing12:05 Essential Amenities and Upgrades15:53 The Impact of Marketing Strategies16:49 Creating Instagram-Worthy Features17:54 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Revolutionizing OTAs: Insights with Mike MearsIn this episode of Casa-Cast, host Steve Schwab interviews Mike Mears, co-founder of the innovative OTA, Vacay My Way. Mike shares his journey from VRBO and HomeAway to creating a new platform aimed at balancing benefits for property managers, hosts, and travelers. They discuss the evolution of the OTA market, strategies for sustainable growth, and the importance of transparent and competitive pricing models. Emphasizing trust and direct communication, Mike introduces VacayMyWay's tools and resources designed for success. This insightful conversation also touches on Mike's background in the Austin music scene and his memorable win in the John Lennon songwriting contest.00:00 Introduction to Casa-Cast00:17 Meet Mike Mears from Vacay My Way01:03 Mike's Journey in the Vacation Industry03:12 From Music to VRBO04:47 The Birth of Vacay My Way07:39 Challenges in the OTA Industry08:18 Marketing Strategies and Lessons Learned09:47 Future-Proofing with Rewards10:35 Commitment and Value Proposition10:56 Mindset Change in Merchandising11:48 Transparent Fee Structure13:14 Marketing Strategies for Growth14:30 Building Industry Confidence16:26 Reflections and Takeaways from Casa Con18:10 Final Thoughts and Contact Information