
Short Term Rental Management
Welcome to Short Term Rental Management. The show about managing your short term rental from anywhere in the world. Tips in tricks to become a better host. With your host, Luke Carl, a real estate professional that began his career buying short term rentals in vacation markets in order to use the cash flow to purchase long-term rentals. Luke is the proud owner of the longest running “Airbnb” in the Smoky Mountains, and has hosted over 4000 stays in his career. He owns hundreds of units with no partners -including multi-family, single-family long terms, and of course, short term rentals.
Latest episodes

May 6, 2025 • 12min
Build a Dam with Your Money
On this week's episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke emphasizes the importance of proactive involvement in both real estate and personal finances. He urges listeners to avoid waiting for crisis moments—like missed mortgage payments or dwindling bank accounts—before taking action, drawing parallels between property management, money habits, and even relationships. Using a blend of personal anecdotes, quotes, and motivational energy, Luke encourages consistent attention and effort to "build a dam" before problems arise.
How to connect with Luke:
The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube
For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:
Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Apr 29, 2025 • 56min
Cleaner Pod 2
On this week’s episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke Carl brings together four professional short-term rental cleaners from diverse markets—Smoky Mountains, Gulf Shores, and Panama City Beach—to dive deep into the challenges and systems behind running successful cleaning operations. The conversation explores boundaries between cleaning and property management roles, scaling pains, communication systems, expectations from hosts, and the importance of deep cleans and trust.
How to connect with Luke:
The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube
For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:
Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

9 snips
Apr 22, 2025 • 1h 13min
Cleaner Pod 1
January Johnson, a real estate agent and Airbnb community expert on the Emerald Coast, shares her insights on the pivotal role of cleaners in vacation rental management. She discusses effective strategies for hiring and retaining reliable cleaning staff while navigating the pros and cons of small versus large operations. The conversation also features amusing horror stories from the cleaning front lines, emphasizing the importance of maintaining cleanliness and fostering positive relationships within the team to enhance guest experiences.

Apr 15, 2025 • 53min
How Gideon Spencer Added $200K in Value with a $50 Valve
On this week's episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke chats with tech professional turned real estate investor Gideon Spencer. Gideon shares his journey from renovating a San Antonio fourplex with his wife to acquiring a 24-key boutique hotel in Solvang, California. He dives into why he favors short-term rentals over long-term tenants, why he hired a VA with a smaller portfolio, and details the structure of his recent $6 million hotel syndication deal. They also discuss raising capital through a 506(b), the operational turnarounds he’s implementing, and his dream of acquiring a nature-immersed landscape hotel next.
How to connect with Gideon:
@gideonspencer_
How to connect with Luke:
The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube
For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:
Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Apr 8, 2025 • 20min
Current Market Conditions Spring 2025
On this week's episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke dives into the current real estate market conditions in spring 2025, highlighting a significant slowdown in home sales, particularly in the vacation rental space. He shares personal insights from his recent property shopping experiences, noting that many 2021-era "COVID hosts" are looking to sell, often at a loss, while new buyers are hesitant due to economic uncertainty and interest rate fluctuations. Luke emphasizes that while the market is slow, this presents a prime opportunity for savvy investors to acquire properties at a discount. He also reassures hosts that competition is decreasing as more short-term rental owners exit the market, making management easier for those who remain.
How to connect with Luke:
The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group!
Check out the Short Term Shop on Youtube
For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery Carl's Book, Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties
- https://amzn.to/3Adg6PA

Apr 1, 2025 • 15min
Renting an "AirBNB"
On this week's episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke discusses the power of brand genericization, focusing on how Airbnb has become synonymous with short-term rentals, much like Kleenex for tissues. He explores why people say they "rented an Airbnb" even if they booked through Vrbo and contrasts this with Zillow, which has not achieved the same linguistic impact despite its dominance in long-term rentals. Luke also makes a compelling case for Zillow to introduce a vacation rental listing option, arguing that hosts would benefit from the platform's visibility.
How to connect with Luke:
The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group!
Check out the Short Term Shop on Youtube
For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery Carl's Book, Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties
- https://amzn.to/3Adg6PA

Mar 25, 2025 • 17min
"I Don't Like My Landlord"
On this week's episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke discusses the perception of landlords and the misconceptions surrounding property ownership. He reflects on a social media thread filled with anti-landlord sentiment and shares his perspective on what it truly means to be a responsible and caring property owner. Luke emphasizes the importance of providing high-quality homes, excellent customer service, and maintaining a positive relationship with tenants and guests, even in the face of negativity.
How to connect with Luke:
The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group!
Check out the Short Term Shop on Youtube
For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery Carl's Book, Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties
- https://amzn.to/3Adg6PA

Mar 18, 2025 • 15min
Are You Overcompensating?
On this week's episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke explores whether short-term rental owners are overcompensating with excessive amenities like fire pits and pickleball courts. He questions whether adding expensive features truly boosts bookings or just increases maintenance headaches and guest complaints. Luke emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between providing value and keeping management simple, urging hosts to focus on smart investments rather than unnecessary add-ons.
How to connect with Luke:
The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group!
Check out the Short Term Shop on Youtube
For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery Carl's Book, Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties
- https://amzn.to/3Adg6PA

Mar 11, 2025 • 12min
Property Management is Like Raising Kids
On this week's episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke draws a humorous and insightful comparison between managing short-term rental properties and raising kids. He discusses how both require patience, persistence, and a willingness to take the harder path to achieve success. Through personal anecdotes, he emphasizes the importance of learning from challenges, taking pride in ownership, and committing to the process, whether it’s property management or parenting.
How to connect with Luke:
The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group!
Check out the Short Term Shop on Youtube
For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery Carl's Book, Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties
- https://amzn.to/3Adg6PA

Mar 4, 2025 • 14min
How to Find a "Deal"
On this week's episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke dives into what makes a real estate deal and how to find one in today's market. He emphasizes that deals aren’t just sitting around waiting to be snatched up—they require persistence, market knowledge, and a bit of obsession. Luke also discusses how the definition of a “deal” varies depending on individual goals and financial situations, encouraging investors to take action, do their research, and stay committed to finding opportunities that work for them.
How to connect with Luke:
The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group!
Check out the Short Term Shop on Youtube
For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery Carl's Book, Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties
- https://amzn.to/3Adg6PA