Why Occupancy Is a Vanity Metric

In this episode of the Tax Smart REI Podcast, Thomas Castelli sits down with Annette Grant and Sarah Karakaian, co-founders of Thanks for Visiting, to reveal what it really takes to run a profitable short-term rental business in today’s market. Annette and Sarah have coached thousands of hosts on how to build scalable, hospitality-driven operations that actually make money. Together, they unpack the truth behind STR success, from pricing and KPIs to bookkeeping and mindset, and why short-term rentals are not the “passive income” opportunity many think they are. You’ll learn: - The #1 reason most hosts leave money on the table (and how to fix it) - The five KPIs every short-term rental owner should track - Why running a short-term rental is running a business, not just owning a property - How clean bookkeeping and P&Ls protect you in an audit (and keep profits real) - The right mindset for long-term success and how to balance cash flow, tax savings, and lifestyle goals Whether you’re managing your first Airbnb or scaling a growing STR portfolio, this episode is packed with real-world advice on how to stop letting emotion drive decisions and start running your short-term rentals like a professional business. To become a client, request a consultation from Hall CPA, PLLC at go.therealestatecpa.com/3KSEev6 Subscribe to REI Daily & Enter to Win a FREE Strategy Call: go.therealestatecpa.com/41JuQBX Connect with Thanks for Visiting: https://thanksforvisiting.com/ The Tax Smart Real Estate Investors podcast is for general information purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Information on the podcast may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. No reader, user, or listener of this podcast should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this podcast without first seeking legal and tax advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. Only your individual attorney and tax advisor can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation. Use of, and access to, this podcast or any of the links or resources contained or mentioned within the podcast show and show notes do not create a relationship between the reader, user, or listener and podcast hosts, contributors, or guests. Any mention of third-party vendors, products, or services does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. You should conduct your own due diligence before engaging with any vendor.