STR Data Lab™ by AirDNA

In this episode of the STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane interviews Hailie Anderson, founder of Airbnb Takeoff, about her journey in the short-term rental (STR) industry. Hailie, joining live from the Philippines, shares how she began her entrepreneurial journey at 19 during the COVID-19 pandemic. She graduated early from school and initially ran a content creation agency. Influenced by TikTok videos about rental arbitrage, she started her venture at 19, acquiring her first three units. Fast forward to now at 22, she has expanded to 58 units. Hailie explains the rental arbitrage model, noting it as a legitimate business strategy that allows property management sans ownership. She discusses her approach, which includes cold calling and emailing landlords to gain leasing agreements. Hailie also elaborates on the challenges and misconceptions of rental arbitrage, emphasizing the importance of legal and ethical operations. She highlights the critical role of building reliable local teams and leveraging technology, including PMS, dynamic pricing, and guest verification software. Hailie’s tech stack includes various tools like Price Labs, Hostaway, and True V to streamline operations. Moreover, she emphasizes the importance of understanding market differences and stresses on the entrepreneurial spirit of Gen Z, which she believes is characterized by boldness, a desire for fast ROI, and a passion for digital nomadism. Jamie and Hailie also debate the value of education from social media and the differences between Gen Z and older generations’ approaches to investment and risk. Hailie concludes by sharing her future plans, which include possibly expanding her portfolio further, staying in hospitality, and investing in properties for long-term stability. She encourages listeners to start pursuing their passions, emphasizing that success often comes from learning, failing, and trying repeatedly.You don’t want to miss this episode!https://www.tiktok.com/@hailiemaariehttps://www.youtube.com/@Hailiemaarie~~~~Signup for AirDNA for FREE👇https://bit.ly/3UoOgsv~~~~Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn and Twitter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane ~~~~Connect with Scott on LinkedIn: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagescott~~~~Connect with AirDNA on LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdna TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.co Episode 145

In this episode of the STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane sits down with Joe and Max, founders and operators of Bach Brothers in Fredericksburg, Texas. The Bachmeiers discuss winning the AirDNA 2025 Top Property Manager Award. They share their journey into short-term rentals, starting from their first property purchase in Fredericksburg and growing to manage over a hundred listings with an impressive average rating of 4.957. Initially working full-time jobs in different fields, their operation diversified from being property owners to full-fledged property managers by responding to the growing market demands. They chose Fredericksburg because of its rising popularity and central location near major Texas cities, enhanced by numerous wineries and amenities. The brothers emphasize their customer-centric approach, ensuring high guest satisfaction through proactive communication and problem-solving, which has contributed to their success. They also discuss strategies for maintaining high ratings and scaling operations through quality checks and team empowerment. They highlight the importance of hiring the right people, acting on guest feedback, and keeping lines of communication open with property owners, ensuring transparency and trust. Discussing the challenges posed by increased competition and market fluctuations, they reveal their data-driven approach and adaptability in pricing and property enhancements. They advise new property managers to focus on reviews, hire a quality team, and concentrate on local, manageable growth. The discussion concludes with the Bachmeiers attributing their success to their dedicated team and expressing their commitment to maintaining high standards and potentially winning future accolades.You don’t want to miss this episode!~~~~Signup for AirDNA for FREE👇https://app.airdna.co/data ~~~~Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn and Twitter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane ~~~~Connect with Scott on LinkedIn: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagescott~~~~Connect with AirDNA on LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdna TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.co Episode 144

In this episode of the STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane and Bram Gallagher discuss the midyear outlook for the economy and short-term rentals. They explore the updated forecast through 2026, addressing uncertainties surrounding recent economic events, inflation trends, and stock market fluctuations. Despite mixed signals, including recent inflation data and policy disagreements, the economy remains robust with low unemployment and solid job growth. The data shows a strong start for short-term rentals in 2024, with a 5.7% demand growth and 4.6% increase in listings, leading to slightly higher occupancy rates compared to last year. Supply growth, although slower since high interest rates and house prices have cooled the market, is experiencing a rebound.  The episode highlights the variance in performance across different markets, such as urban vs. resort areas, and discusses the impacts of international and domestic demand shifts. They also delve into the impact of changing booking lead times on pacing data and future demand predictions. Gallagher forecasts continued demand and occupancy growth into 2026, while closely monitoring economic indicators, particularly inflation, for any potential disruptions. The discussion culminates in an analysis of economic prospects and the potential impact of policy changes, tariffs, and consumer confidence on the short-term rental market. You don’t want to miss this episode! ~~~~ Signup for AirDNA for FREE👇 https://app.airdna.co/data  ~~~~ Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn and Twitter:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane  ~~~~ Connect with Scott on LinkedIn:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagescott ~~~~ Connect with AirDNA on LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdna  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co  Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.co  Episode 143

Henry Corell, founder of RevUp Rental, shares his insights on proactive revenue management in the short-term rental market. He emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making and forecasting to enhance booking rates. The discussion highlights key metrics like occupancy rates and consumer sentiment while addressing challenges like cancellation policies and fluctuating review scores. Corell also underscores the necessity of understanding client demographics and adapting strategies for optimal revenue management in a dynamic market.

In this discussion, tax guru Ryan Bakke, owner of Tax Strategy 365 CPA, shares his expertise in helping short-term rental investors navigate recent tax law changes. He delves into the implications of the Big Beautiful Bill, particularly focusing on bonus depreciation and its potential tax savings. Ryan explains how different depreciation schedules can supercharge investment returns and highlights the Qualified Business Income deduction's relevance for rental properties. Tune in for insights on smart financial strategies and innovative children's savings accounts!

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.

In this episode of the STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane and co-host Scott Sage discuss short-term rental trends and market performance for the month of May. Jamie shares insights from his personal experiences managing his short-term rental property in the North Georgia Mountains.  The discussion highlights a 6% year-over-year increase in STR listings, a 1% dip in occupancy, a 6% rise in ADR, and a 4.8% growth in RevPAR. They note that while nights booked are slightly down by 0.3%, shorter lead times for bookings are contributing to this trend. The conversation covers the implications of global events on travel and the STR market, including potential impacts on bookings from increased oil prices due to Middle Eastern conflicts. Jamie addresses how the economic landscape, job growth, and consumer confidence are influencing the industry. A key takeaway is that although demand and occupancy are fluctuating, shorter booking windows are becoming the norm.  Scott and Jamie also analyze review scores based on operator size, revealing that smaller operators tend to have higher review scores but larger operators are improving the most year-over-year. They attribute this to both Airbnb's efforts to remove underperforming listings and operators becoming more attentive to review management. The episode concludes with advice for hosts and managers to adapt their pricing and booking strategies based on these trends, encouraging vigilance and real-time market analysis to remain competitive. You don’t want to miss this episode! ~~~~ Signup for AirDNA for FREE👇 https://app.airdna.co/data  ~~~~ Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn and Twitter:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane  ~~~~ Connect with Scott on LinkedIn:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagescott ~~~~ Connect with AirDNA on LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdna  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co  Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.co  Episode 139

In this discussion, Michael O’Connell, the founder of Happy Guest and a pioneer in guest management systems, dives into enhancing guest experiences in short-term rentals. He highlights how a web-based check-in solution simplifies the rental process, eliminating the need for app downloads. Michael shares insights on strategic upselling, flexible cancellation policies, and the fusion of automation with personal service to improve satisfaction. His team’s focus on user-friendly technology ensures hosts can prioritize exceptional hospitality while increasing revenue effortlessly.

Alex Alioto, Head of Growth at Whimstay, is your go-to expert on last-minute bookings in the short-term rental space. He shares how Whimstay addresses the challenge of unsold gap nights while enhancing value for both hosts and travelers. Tune in as Alex discusses the changing travel habits among Gen Z and millennials, the demand for spontaneous trips, and the importance of dynamic pricing. Discover strategies for optimizing occupancy during shoulder seasons and the vital role of targeted marketing in attracting a new generation of travelers.

Jodi Odlin, founder of Hospitable Hosts and winner of the Rentalpreneur Award, shares her journey from hospitality to becoming a short-term rental expert. She discusses the pivotal role of community and empathy in the industry, contrasting it with pure investment strategies. Jodi reveals how she uses AI to manage her properties while maintaining a personal touch for guests. She provides practical tips like collaborating with local businesses and emphasizes the need for industry standards to boost professionalism and enhance guest experiences.