Ep 248 - From Airbnb Suspension to 90% Occupancy with Midterm Rentals & AI Automation with Amanda Williams

4 snips

Jun 30, 2025

Amanda Williams, known as The Traveling Realtor, is a real estate entrepreneur and founder of Carolina Furnished Rentals. In this discussion, she reveals how being banned from Airbnb prompted her to pivot to midterm rentals, achieving an impressive 90-95% occupancy. Amanda shares insights on developing an AI tool to automate operations and enhance marketing, alongside strategies for building a resilient brand and attracting relocation clients. She emphasizes the importance of balance, personal branding, and nurturing mental wellness in the fast-paced rental market.

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ANECDOTE

Airbnb Suspension Story

Amanda Williams was kicked off Airbnb due to a co-host with a 20-year-old felony on her account.
Airbnb did not notify her before shutting down her account for two years, causing major business disruption.

ADVICE

Avoid Platform Dependence

Don't build your whole business on someone else's platform to avoid major risks.
Pivot quickly in crisis situations to avoid bankruptcy and survive business shocks.

ADVICE

Benefits of Midterm Rentals

Midterm rentals attract higher-end clients and generate up to 90–95% occupancy.
They require less guest turnover work, reducing stress and operational burden.

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Amanda Williams branded herself as The Traveling Realtor and built a thriving rental business, only to be banned from Airbnb overnight.

In this episode, she shares how that crushing moment forced her to pivot into midterm rentals, automate with AI, and rebuild a better business that runs with less stress, higher profits, and total platform independence.

What You’ll Learn:

Why Airbnb banned her (and what you can do to prevent it)
How midterm rentals (MTR) gave her 90–95% occupancy
The AI tool she built to automate listings, guest comms & content
How she balances business with nervous system regulation & wellness
Her playbook for turning burnout into purpose-driven success

Tools & strategies for STR → MTR pivots, burnout recovery, and branding with integrity.

00:35 - Never Build Your Whole Business on Someone Else’s Platform

06:03 - Building a Strong Real Estate Brand Identity

07:01 - How to Be Known in Your Network to Grow Your Business

13:00 - Choosing the Right Community to Plant Roots for Business & Life

16:17 - Growing from STR to MTR: Changing Ownership Structures

17:33 - Airbnb Kicked Me Off: The Risk of Platform Dependence

19:20 - Switching from Short-Term to Mid-Term Rentals: Why & How

25:00 - Why Midterm Rentals Mean Better Clients & Less Work

26:12 - Using AI and Custom GPTs for Marketing and Operations

30:51 - Becoming a Relocation Specialist: Multiple Income Streams

33:02 - Smart Branding: Pick a Consistent Name & Handle

34:28 - Niche Marketing: Speaking Directly to Your Avatar

39:46 - Sharing Authentic Life Stories to Build Audience Trust

43:53 - First Aid Kit for Burnt Out Hosts: Breathwork, Meditation, Nervous System Health

48:35 - Success Secret: A Never-Quitting Mindset

Guest Bio:

Amanda Williams, widely known as The Traveling Realtor, is a seasoned real estate entrepreneur, eXp Realty agent, and visionary behind Carolina Furnished Rentals (CFR). Founded in 2019, Carolina Furnished Rentals skyrocketed in 2020 as demand for longer stays surged during the pandemic. This pivotal success became a lifeline in 2021 when Amanda was unexpectedly removed from Airbnb through no fault of her own—a common challenge for many hosts relying solely on third-party platforms.

Rather than seeing it as a setback, Amanda turned this challenge into an opportunity to take full control of her business, doubling down on the mid-term rental (MTR) model. She transformed Carolina Furnished Rentals into a thriving enterprise, proving the power of owning your brand and building a business independent of volatile platforms.

Today, Amanda uses her expertise to help Airbnb hosts with 5+ properties transition to the stability and profitability of MTRs. Through her 30-Day MTR Sprint Program, she provides hands-on coaching, automation strategies, and proven systems to help property owners scale smarter, reduce headaches, and create a business they truly own.

Amanda’s mission is simple: empower others to build wealth, freedom, and a brand they’re proud of while navigating the ever-changing rental landscape. From coaching clients to speaking at events, Amanda inspires hosts to take control of their future and achieve financial independence on their own terms.

Guest Link:

https://www.instagram.com/amandathetravelingrealtor/

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