496. Hosting Hotline: How Should Hosts Respond to Airbnb’s New 15.5% Fee?

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to choose a property management system (PMS), this episode is for you. Whether you're a one-property host or looking to scale, your PMS is the backbone of your business—and picking the right one can be the difference between growth and chaos.Sarah and Annette break down exactly what a PMS does, who needs one, and how to choose a system that fits both where you are now and where you're headed. They also share common pitfalls (like PMS hopping) and a checklist of must-have features to look for.Tune in to learn:What a PMS actually is (and why it’s not just for big hosts)Core and advanced features to prioritizeHow to evaluate customer support, integrations, and pricingTips to avoid decision paralysis and confidently move forwardPlus: real talk about onboarding, hacks when features fall short, and why no PMS is perfect—but progress is better than perfection.Resources Mentioned:Shire Home Co. Direct Booking Inspiration: shirehomeco.comPMS Features Checklist (Coming Soon): Get our PMS comparison tool at thanksforvisiting.meMentioned in this episode:Make More Money This Year! Join us for a Boot Camp!Make More Money This Year! Join us for a Boot Camp!Make More Money This Year! Join us for a Boot Camp!Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

The Hosting Hotline is buzzing with questions about Airbnb’s new 15.5% host-only fee. Starting October 27, 2025, all property management software (PMS)–connected hosts will be switched to this single-fee structure. But what does that mean for your business, your pricing, and your profitability?Sarah and Annette are joined by Thanks for Visiting COO and revenue management expert, Colleen Prochaska, to break down what this change really means for hosts. They share their firsthand experience of being forced onto the new fee structure last year, how they adjusted without losing revenue, and why your pricing strategy matters more than ever.From PMS considerations to direct booking diversification and preparing for 2026, this episode will help you navigate Airbnb’s fee update with confidence.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why ditching your PMS isn’t the answerHow to reframe the 15.5% fee as part of your overall pricing strategyTactics for co-hosts and property managers to address fees with ownersWhy focusing on your booking funnel is just as important as pricingHow to future-proof your hosting business with diversification and forecastingResources: Booked & Profitable Bootcamp – Learn how to optimize your pricing, calendar, and booking funnel so you can thrive in any market. thanksforvisiting.com/bootcampAirbnb Fee Structure Update – Read Airbnb’s official announcement here: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1857/service-feesMentioned in this episode:Make More Money This Year! Join us for a Boot Camp!Make More Money This Year! Join us for a Boot Camp!

Too many hosts believe that lowering their nightly rate will magically generate bookings. The truth? Dropping your price doesn’t create demand—it only leaves money on the table. In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down why cutting rates doesn’t work, what demand actually is, and the smarter levers you can pull to increase bookings and profitability.You’ll learn:Why lowering your price doesn’t change guest search behaviorHow to understand supply, demand, and occupancy forecasts in your marketThe risks of attracting the wrong guests with discount pricingWhat a true “try everything” strategy looks like (and what it doesn’t)Practical steps to audit your listing, amenities, and calendar managementHow to take control of your demand through marketing, referrals, and direct bookingsIf you’re tired of feeling like your only option is slashing rates, this episode will help you rethink your approach and start running your rental like the business it is.Resources: Booked & Profitable Bootcamp – Five days of live training with Sarah and Annette to help you increase revenue and improve your hosting business. PriceLabs – A dynamic pricing tool that helps you understand occupancy forecasts and market demand so you can price smarter. Learn moreMentioned in this episode:Make More Money This Year! Join us for a Boot Camp!Make More Money This Year! Join us for a Boot Camp!Make More Money This Year! Join us for a Boot Camp!StayFi | Go to www.stayfi.com and enter TFV to get 50% off your first three months.

In this Hosting Hotline episode, listener Jan calls in with a creative question: what if she and her neighbor teamed up to offer both of their homes as a combined rental experience? One property has a pool and putting green, the other has a hot tub—together, they could make the ultimate Tucson getaway.We walk through the upsides of partnering with another host, from expanding guest offerings to building community instead of competition. But we also cover the less glamorous side: liability, financial considerations, calendar coordination, and making sure you and your partner are aligned on guest experience.You’ll learn:How to think about “parent-child” listings and when they make sense.Key financial, legal, and insurance questions to sort out before teaming up.Why guest feedback should guide whether a joint listing adds value.Creative ways to collaborate with other hosts without merging your listings.Marketing strategies that make a joint offering easier to communicate.Partnerships in hosting can be powerful, but they take careful planning. Tune in to hear our tips for turning a fun idea into a smart business move.Resources: Jan’s Website — Madrona Stays – Beautiful properties in Tucson and the Pacific Northwest.Thanks for Visiting Bootcamp — Learn how to up-level your STR listings with actionable strategies and a supportive host community. Join hereParent-Child Listing Resources — Watch our YouTube videos explaining how to structure joint or linked listings. Watch hereMentioned in this episode:Make More Money This Year! Join us for a Boot Camp!Make More Money This Year! Join us for a Boot Camp!Make More Money This Year! Join us for a Boot Camp!

REI Hub — Bookkeeping software built for real estate investors and STR hosts.Bookkeeping doesn’t always top the list of exciting short-term rental responsibilities—but it’s one of the most important. Without clean and accurate financials, it’s nearly impossible to know how your STR is really performing, plan for future growth, or take advantage of opportunities like refinancing or selling.In this episode of Thanks for Visiting, we sit down with Adam Hamilton of REI Hub, a bookkeeping platform designed specifically for real estate investors and short-term rental hosts. Unlike traditional accounting tools, REI Hub understands the unique needs of property owners and makes it simple to track your income, expenses, and property performance.You’ll learn:Why generic accounting software often falls short for STR hosts.The most common financial mistakes hosts make—and how to fix them.How to use bookkeeping as a decision-making tool, not just a tax-time scramble.Practical ways to save time and reduce stress with systems that work in the background.How clean financials can help you secure better loans, attract investors, or prepare for an eventual exit.Whether you’re managing one listing or a growing portfolio, this episode will give you clarity on how to manage your money like a pro and set your business up for long-term success.Mentioned in this episode:Make More Money This Year! Join us for a Boot Camp!Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!MinoanMinoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!Make More Money This Year! Join us for a Boot Camp!

This week on the Hosting Hotline, we’re answering Renee’s question about buying a property that’s already operating as a short-term rental—and what to do about the future bookings that come with it.If you’ve ever considered purchasing an “active STR,” you’ll quickly find out there’s a lot more to it than inheriting a calendar full of reservations. Sarah and Annette explain why listings follow the host (not the property), what that means for your ability to transfer bookings, and the negotiations you’ll need to have with the seller before closing.You’ll learn:Why STR listings and reviews don’t automatically transfer with a property sale.How to negotiate booking transfers, co-hosting arrangements, or guest rebookings.The tax, payout, and guest experience factors you need to consider.How to involve OTAs (Airbnb, VRBO) in a booking transition.Why getting everything in writing is non-negotiable.If you’re thinking about buying a short-term rental, this episode will help you navigate the booking handoff process and avoid the pitfalls that can derail a smooth transition.Mentioned in this episode:Make More Money This Year! Join us for a Boot Camp!Make More Money This Year! Join us for a Boot Camp!Make More Money This Year! Join us for a Boot Camp!

This week, we’re diving into a behind-the-scenes feature on Airbnb that too many hosts don’t know exists: listing issues. These hidden alerts could be silently hurting your visibility and even putting your listing at risk of suspension.Sarah and Annette break down what listing issues are, how to find them, and—most importantly—how to resolve them. They also share two real-life examples from their own properties, including one that was flagged for a surprise reason (hint: it involved kittens).Tune in to learn:How to activate Airbnb’s professional host toolsWhy private guest feedback still impacts your listingWhat red/yellow/green status lights mean for your listing healthHow to avoid getting flagged by Airbnb’s AIAnd don’t forget: now’s the time to diversify your booking strategy beyond Airbnb.Prefer to watch? We walk you through where to find the listing issues tab in your Airbnb dashboard and what to do if you’re flagged: Watch the full episode on YouTubeResources Mentioned:Airbnb Professional Hosting Tools Setup: Airbnb Help ArticleTFV YouTube Tutorial on Listing Issues: Watch hereCustom Pencils by Lucky Pencil Co.: Shop on EtsyMentioned in this episode:Booked & Profitable Boot Camp | Get on the waitlist now at thanksforvisiting.com/waitlistBooked & Profitable Boot Camp | Get on the waitlist now at thanksforvisiting.com/waitlistStayFi | Go to www.stayfi.com and enter TFV to get 50% off your first three months.

This week on the Hosting Hotline, we’re answering Kelsey’s question about how to market a midterm rental beyond just listing on Airbnb or Furnished Finder. If you want to stay competitive in the midterm rental space, you can’t just “set it and forget it.”We break down why marketing your MTR should be part of your daily business routine, how to track what’s working, and why “fortune is in the follow-up.” You’ll learn:How to set up a referral system that keeps past guests thinking about your property.The right way to build relationships with insurance companies, relocation agencies, hospitals, and universities.Why local Facebook groups, real estate meetups, and professional associations are gold mines for leads.Creative ways to get press and leverage SEO to drive direct bookings.How to stay top-of-mind by following up—over and over again.Whether you’re brand new to MTRs or ready to scale, this episode will help you shift your mindset from passive listing manager to proactive business owner—and start filling your calendar with profitable bookings.Resources mentioned: ALE Solutions – A leading provider of temporary housing for displaced homeowners. Mentioned in this episode:Booked & Profitable Boot Camp | Get on the waitlist now at thanksforvisiting.com/waitlistBooked & Profitable Boot Camp | Get on the waitlist now at thanksforvisiting.com/waitlistBooked & Profitable Boot Camp | Get on the waitlist now at thanksforvisiting.com/waitlist

This week on Thanks for Visiting, we’re diving deep into a topic no host wants to deal with—but every host needs to understand: chargebacks.Whether you’ve faced one before or you’re hearing the term for the first time, this episode will equip you with the knowledge to protect your business from costly disputes. We’re breaking down what a chargeback is, why it happens, and the difference between when an OTA is the merchant of record and when you are.We’ll share:Real-world scenarios where chargebacks occur (including Sarah’s firsthand story)9 practical prevention strategies to deter fraud and false disputesHow to set up guest agreements, SOPs, and red-flag awarenessThe reality of winning a chargeback—and why you should always tryWhy this shouldn’t stop you from diversifying your booking platformsFrom spotting last-minute fraud attempts to resolving guest conflicts before they escalate, this episode is your playbook for keeping more of your hard-earned revenue where it belongs—in your pocket.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Stripe – Payment processor used for direct bookings and OTAs like Vrbo and Furnished Finder.Furnished Finder – A popular platform for finding mid-term tenants.Mentioned in this episode:Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!Booked & Profitable Boot Camp | Get on the waitlist now at thanksforvisiting.com/waitlistBooked & Profitable Boot Camp | Get on the waitlist now at thanksforvisiting.com/waitlistBooked & Profitable Boot Camp | Get on the waitlist now at thanksforvisiting.com/waitlist

This week on the Hosting Hotline, listener Mike calls in with a creative question about syncing Airbnb calendars—but what he really unlocks is a much bigger opportunity for short-term rental hosts.Mike and his wife host three cabins in the highly competitive Hocking Hills market and recently added an escape room to one of their properties. While Airbnb doesn’t currently allow you to sync an experience calendar with a listing calendar, this episode dives into the mindset shift that can turn unique amenities like escape rooms into powerful marketing tools.We discuss:Why relying too much on Airbnb’s ecosystem might hold you backCreative ways to promote unique features without using Airbnb ExperiencesHow to leverage your existing guest list for repeat visitsUsing special events to fill orphan nightsUnderstanding what revenue opportunities are actually worth your timeMike’s question sparked a much larger conversation about thinking like a business owner, not just a host. If you’ve built something special into your property, this episode is your blueprint for maximizing its impact.ResourcesMike’s Instagram (@hillsideamble): Follow to see how he markets his cabins and escape room in Hocking Hills, Ohio.Thanks for Visiting Bootcamp: Learn how to optimize your listings and increase revenue with smart pricing, calendar management, and creative marketing. https://www.thanksforvisiting.com/waitlistMentioned in this episode:Booked & Profitable Boot Camp | Get on the waitlist now at thanksforvisiting.com/waitlistBooked & Profitable Boot Camp | Get on the waitlist now at thanksforvisiting.com/waitlistBooked & Profitable Boot Camp | Get on the waitlist now at thanksforvisiting.com/waitlist