520. Hosting Hotline: How to Pick the Right Guest Avatar for Your STR

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!

This Hosting Hotline question comes from Renee, a Superhost in Tucson, Arizona, who found herself in an incredibly frustrating situation: after purchasing a new property, Airbnb deactivated the listing—citing “violations” she couldn’t see and refusing to explain why.In this episode, Sarah and Annette unpack what to do if this ever happens to you. They’ll walk through practical next steps for appealing the decision, plus the smart moves every host should make before a problem like this arises.Here’s what they cover:How to navigate Airbnb’s opaque appeal process (and what might actually move the needle)Why violations often follow the property address—not the ownerHow AI and private feedback now influence listing reviews behind the scenesWhy diversifying beyond Airbnb is no longer optionalSteps to build your direct booking presence and safeguard your incomeIf you’ve ever wondered how much control Airbnb really has over your business, this episode is your wake-up call.Mentioned in this episode:Lodgify | Use code TFV20

Think charging extra per guest is helping you make more money? Think again.In this episode, Sarah and Annette reveal how per-guest pricing could actually be hurting your short-term rental business—and why it’s one of the most common (and costly) settings hosts overlook.They’ll break down:Why Airbnb’s new “all-in” pricing model makes per-guest fees confusing and expensive for guestsHow hidden fees tank your conversion rate without you realizing itA smarter alternative that keeps your pricing clear and competitiveHow to create “parent” and “child” listings that attract different guest groups—without frictionIf you’ve been wondering why your bookings have slowed down lately, this episode might reveal the small tweak that makes a big difference.Mentioned in this episode:Lodgify: Use code TFE20 for 20% off annual or biannual plansMentioned in this episode:Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you! Avalara | Book a demo to save $100

If your guests keep telling you your place is too cheap, this episode is for you.This week on the Hosting Hotline, Sarah is joined by COO and revenue management expert Colleen Prochaska to unpack one of the trickiest parts of hosting—pricing your short-term rental.They break down:How to know if your property is truly “doing well” (spoiler: five-star reviews don’t pay the bills)The difference between feeling successful and being profitableHow to use dynamic pricing tools like PriceLabs the right wayWhy pricing is never “set it and forget it,” and how to make data-driven tweaks that keep you ahead of the marketWhether you’re new to hosting or a seasoned pro, this conversation will help you rethink your pricing strategy so you can stop leaving money on the table and start running your property like a real business.Tune in to learn how to confidently charge what your space is worth.Resources mentioned: PriceLabs – Dynamic pricing software that automatically adjusts your rates based on real-time demand. Mentioned in this episode:Lodgify | Use code TFV20

What does it take to turn a 10,000-square-foot building into a thriving short-term rental that can host up to 42 guests? For Andrew Llewellyn, the answer included grit, rejection, and relentless problem-solving.In this episode, Sarah and Annette sit down with Andrew to hear how he went from running ice cream shops and a food truck to becoming a real estate developer along Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail. Andrew shares how he convinced a bank to back his vision (after 40 rejections), why he leans on parent-child listings to maximize occupancy, and the systems his team uses to pull off back-to-back turnovers for massive groups.You’ll learn:How Andrew pivoted from muffins to multi-unit rentals during COVID.Why defining your ideal guest avatar matters for large group stays.How to set up parent-child listings that increase revenue and flexibility.What it takes to build cleaning systems that can handle 42-guest turnovers.Why direct bookings and SEO fuel long-term sustainability.Andrew’s hard-won advice for dealing with city regulations and securing financing.This conversation is packed with inspiration and actionable strategies—whether you host a one-bedroom cottage or are dreaming about your own large-scale project.Resources:PriceLabs – Dynamic pricing software that automatically adjusts your rates based on real-time demand. SuperStay STR – Andrew’s direct booking site for large group stays in Louisville, Kentucky.Mentioned in this episode:Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!