STR Data Lab™ by AirDNA

The Business Behind Hosting: Mergers, Margins & Management

Jul 3, 2025
Patryk Swietek, owner of The Cohost Company, manages 100 listings in Joshua Tree. He shares his entrepreneurial journey from a tech employee witnessing rapid growth to acquiring three property management companies. Patryk discusses the challenges of thin margins in short-term rentals and the significance of integrating technology for operational efficiency. He emphasizes the competitive dynamics in Joshua Tree, the importance of proactive hospitality, and the value of high-quality service for owner retention, all while leveraging data for strategic growth.
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ANECDOTE

Patryk's Journey Into Property Management

  • Patryk started in short-term rentals as a host with 5 properties before acquiring a management company.
  • He shifted from owning properties to managing contracts for scaling and operational efficiency.
INSIGHT

Why Buying Property Management Companies Is the Ultimate Short-Term Rental Growth Hack

Patryk Swietek shares a strategic insight into scaling in the short-term rental industry: instead of organically growing one portfolio, he rapidly expanded by acquiring multiple property management companies. This approach provides instant brand presence, contracts, and operational structure, allowing Patryk to focus on optimizing operations and adding value rather than building from scratch.

He explains that acquiring management contracts offers long-term stability, with clients typically retaining relationships for around 10 years, making these contracts highly valuable assets. Buying companies also gives access to established, high-quality properties and helps retain homeowners by improving management quality. This strategy not only accelerates growth but also improves margins through operational efficiencies and technology integration.

ADVICE

Buy to Skip Startup Challenges

  • Buying property management companies lets you skip early branding and contract building.
  • Focus your time on perfecting operations and increasing owner value.
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