STR Investing, The Podcast

Cody Cramer went from hotel revenue management to building a multi-market short-term rental co-hosting business, all while operating remotely. In this episode, Mark sits down with Cody to break down how he scaled across the Smokies and Florida markets, why systems matter more than location, and what actually drives guest satisfaction.In this episode, you’ll learn:How Cody transitioned from hotels into STR co-hostingWhat it really takes to manage properties remotely without sacrificing qualityWhy your cleaning and maintenance team is the most important hire you’ll makeThe exact tech stack they use: Hostaway, PriceLabs, Breezeway, and Happy GuestHow non-traditional partnerships created early deal flowThe four metrics that matter in any STR market: bedroom count, RevPAR, booking lead time, and amenity saturationHow better communication reduces guest questions and improves reviewsConnect with Cody / Ascent Co-Hosting:Website: www.ascentcohosting.comIG: Ascent CohostingFB:  Ascent Cohosting

In this Monday Market Data Report, co-host Mark Lumpkin breaks down the short-term rental numbers for Gulf Shores, a popular Gulf Coast vacation market with far more upside than many investors realize.This episode walks through how revenue, nightly rates, and occupancy change as you move from 3-bedroom homes to 6+ bedroom properties, and why larger, well-executed homes dominate this market.Inside the data, you’ll learn:What 3-bedroom homes earn at average vs. top-tier performance levelsWhy adding a 4th bedroom increases revenue even with slightly lower occupancyHow 5-bedroom properties unlock a major jump in annual incomeWhy 6+ bedroom homes in Gulf Shores can push $200K–$250K+ in annual revenueHow higher nightly rates — not just occupancy — drive strong net returnsThe numbers reveal a massive gap between average listings and top performers, proving that design, amenities, and bedroom count matter just as much as location in beach markets.Whether you already own on the Gulf Coast or are underwriting your next STR deal, this episode gives you clear, data-backed insight into what’s possible in Gulf Shores when you do it right.Have a market you want us to break down next? DM Mark and we’ll bring the data.

AI is changing short-term rental marketing—but not always for the better.In this episode of the STR Investing Podcast, Taylor sits down with Conrad, founder of BuildUp Bookings, to break down what actually drives bookings in today’s crowded STR market.They discuss how overused AI messaging can turn guests away, where automation still adds real value, and why authentic communication is becoming a competitive advantage for Airbnb hosts and property managers. Conrad shares practical insights from nearly a decade in STR marketing, helping operators rethink how they attract, convert, and retain guests.Key topics covered:AI vs human messaging in STR marketingHow to improve bookings without sounding automatedGuest psychology and conversion fundamentalsMarketing mistakes hurting Airbnb performanceIf you want more bookings without relying on spammy AI tactics, this episode delivers clear, actionable insight.__Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 325+ profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

In this Monday Market Data Report, co-host Mark Lumpkin breaks down the short-term rental numbers for Austin, one of the most talked-about STR markets in the country.This episode dives deep into how revenue, occupancy, and nightly rates scale as bedroom count increases, and why Austin strongly rewards larger, high-performing properties.You’ll learn:What 3-bedroom properties earn at average vs. top-tier performance levelsWhy adding a 4th bedroom can unlock a major revenue jump—even with slightly lower occupancyHow 5-bedroom homes outperform smaller properties by tens of thousands per yearWhy 6+ bedroom homes in Austin are producing some of the highest STR revenues we’ve seen nationwideHow higher nightly rates and strategic occupancy can lead to stronger net returnsThe numbers show massive gaps between average listings and top performers—ranging from under $40K per year to well over $300K—making Austin a clear example of how property size and performance drive outcomes.If you’re investing in Austin, underwriting a deal, or deciding whether expanding your floor plan is worth it, this episode gives you clear, data-backed insights to guide your strategy.Have a market you want us to cover next? DM Mark and we’ll bring the data.

Cleaning issues, last-minute cancellations, and unreliable contractors are some of the biggest threats to STR performance. Chris Rule, VP of Customer Experience at Turno, joins the show to explain how top operators are solving these problems—and what’s coming next for the industry.Chris shares how Turno is helping hosts and property managers eliminate turnover chaos by connecting guest cleanliness reviews directly to cleaners, automating scheduling, and creating real accountability at scale. The conversation dives deep into why turnovers are one of the most stressful (and most overlooked) parts of short-term rental operations, and how better systems lead to better reviews, happier guests, and fewer late-night emergencies.We also explore Turno’s rapidly expanding ecosystem, including global contractor coverage, cleaner guarantees, faster payouts, tax compliance, and what’s next beyond cleaning—including maintenance and handyman services designed specifically for STR operators.Whether you’re managing one property or hundreds, this episode breaks down how professional operators are building reliable, scalable systems that protect performance and peace of mind.Topics covered:Why turnovers make or break guest experienceHow guest cleanliness reviews create real cleaner accountabilityPreventing last-minute no-shows and operational emergenciesScaling cleaning and maintenance without growing headachesTurno’s expansion into maintenance and contractor servicesWhat STR operators should expect in 2026 and beyondIf you’re serious about running a high-performing short-term rental, this is a must-listen episode.Get in touch with Chris:LinkedIn: Chris Rule Sign up at Turno here today!__Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 325+ profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

In this episode, co-host Mark Lumpkin breaks down the short-term rental numbers for Big Bear Lake, one of Southern California’s most well-known mountain vacation markets.This episode takes a data-driven look at how revenue, occupancy, and nightly rates shift dramatically by bedroom count — and why Big Bear Lake behaves very differently from many STR markets across the country.You’ll hear insights on:Revenue potential from 3-bedroom through 6+ bedroom homesHow much income each additional bedroom can unlockOccupancy trends that stand out compared to national averagesThe massive gap between average and top-performing propertiesWhy larger homes dominate revenue in this marketWhether you already own in Big Bear Lake or you’re underwriting a potential deal, this episode gives you clear, actionable data to understand where the real upside lives.

Nate Klatt, a CPA turned real estate entrepreneur and co-founder of HomeHop, shares his journey from flipping houses to managing over 50 short-term rentals. He addresses the importance of conservative underwriting and how they transitioned to larger properties with high-end amenities for better ROI. Nate discusses early mistakes, the power of design in boosting performance, and the structure of their investment fund. He highlights the essential tools for effective property management and the strategies driving HomeHop's future expansion.

It’s time for another Monday Morning Market Data Report — and this week we’re breaking down Flagstaff, Arizona.Mark walks through what the numbers actually say across 3-bed, 4-bed, 5-bed, and 6+ bedroom STRs, including how revenue, ADR, and occupancy shift as you scale up in size. And what makes this one interesting: Flagstaff looks like a “middle-of-the-country” baseline market… until you hit the bigger homes.In this episode, you’ll learn:What a “typical” 3-bedroom in Flagstaff earns vs. a top performerWhy 4-bed homes can earn more even with slightly lower occupancy (and why that’s not a bad thing)The real value of adding a 5th bedroom — and when it becomes a revenue multiplierThe wildest data point in this report: 6+ bedrooms nearly doubling 5-bedroom top-end revenueHow to use percentile data to set realistic revenue targets before you buyIf you’re trying to decide what size property you need to hit your STR goals — and whether it’s worth stretching into a bigger home — this Flagstaff breakdown makes it crystal clear.

Taylor sits down with Jacob — a Bay Area tech professional turned short-term rental investor — to unpack the real story behind taking a “big swing” on a remote, high-risk property… and having it pay off.Jacob shares how growing up in San Francisco made real estate feel impossible, why a single long-distance rental accidentally sparked his investing journey, and what finally pushed him from long-term rentals into STRs.Then it gets real: an $800K lakefront property in Northern Michigan, a massive footprint (with an indoor pool), limited comps, sky-high interest rates, and the kind of renovation logistics that make most investors freeze. Jacob walks through the stress, the surprises, the launch chaos, and the unexpected part of the business he thought would be hardest… but wasn’t.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why Jacob believes long-term rentals rarely deliver “real” cash flow (and what surprises most first-time landlords)How he chose a Midwest market before the data was obviousWhat underwriting looks like when you don’t have clean comps — and how to build guardrails anywayThe behind-the-scenes reality of renovating and furnishing from across the countryThe launch lessons you only learn when guests are arriving tomorrowWhy self-managing wasn’t nearly as hard as he expectedHow one deal can change your investing path faster than you thinkIf you’ve been stuck in analysis paralysis, this one is a reminder that you don’t need perfect certainty — you need the right protections, a real plan, and the willingness to get in the game.__Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 325+ profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

This week, the focus is on Miami's vibrant short-term rental landscape. Discover how 3-bedroom properties can drastically differ in performance. Averages jump significantly for 4-bedrooms, while 5-bedrooms showcase impressive earning potential, hitting six figures! Even 6+ bedroom luxury homes maintain strong occupancy. Overall, larger properties shine in this market, proving that investing in bigger homes can lead to higher revenues. Tune in for insightful data and trends that could influence your investment decisions!