STR Investing, The Podcast

It’s late—around 10:30 p.m.—when Mark gets a calm call no host ever wants: “We have a little problem…the cabinets just fell off the wall.” In Part 2 of our Halloween Special, operations pro Misty Schmidt walks us through a surreal scene: upper kitchen cabinets ripping off the wall, 24 place settings shattering, and a heroic guest scooping glass with a snow shovel…in flip-flops. Misty shares:How she triaged a true “oh-no” moment with safety-first steps and on-site cleanupWhy installation quality (anchors, weight, wall type) matters more than you thinkWhat thoughtful recovery looks like: immediate response, refund, and personalized gifts (yes, tequila and local cigars)—leading to a 5-star reviewPlus, Mark wraps with real Reddit horror stories (from no-show hosts to “watched on camera” creepiness) and the big takeaway after dozens of convos at VRMA: genuine STR nightmares are rarer than the internet suggests—great systems and fast empathy go a long way.You’ll learn: crisis playbooks for hosts, guest comms that defuse drama, and how to turn a disaster into loyalty.

Monday Market DataWhitefish, MTAirbnb Performance Data___________________________________3 BedroomAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $45,99075th Percentile: $62,55590th Percentile: $88,592Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $38075th Percentile: $47490th Percentile: $585Occupancy50th Percentile: 33%75th Percentile: 45%90th Percentile: 55%________________________________4 BedroomAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $64,53875th Percentile: $87,02890th Percentile: $114,867Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $49375th Percentile: $60790th Percentile: $875Occupancy50th Percentile: 34%75th Percentile: 45%90th Percentile: 58%___________________________________5 BedroomAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $71,60475th Percentile: $91,72290th Percentile: $107,812Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $55775th Percentile: $71090th Percentile: $771Occupancy50th Percentile: 32%75th Percentile: 44%90th Percentile: 57%_________________________________6+ BedroomsAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $124,60375th Percentile: $160,98790th Percentile: $183,155Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $81675th Percentile: $96590th Percentile: $1,321Occupancy50th Percentile: 38%75th Percentile: 45%90th Percentile: 57%_________________________________-Data provided by SummerOS-Which market do you want to see next?

In this special Halloween episode of the STR Investing Podcast, Mark Lumpkin is joined by four seasoned hosts who have seen it all—ghosts, break-ins, nightmares, and even a guest covered in blood. From haunted houses in Pennsylvania to eerie first stays gone wrong, these are the stories that prove hosting isn’t for the faint of heart.In this episode:A host shares the tale of a haunted Airbnb with guests seeing a mysterious little boy.Another one recalls a California stay gone wrong when guests woke up to find a stranger, covered in blood, asleep on their couch.One host tells how a simple wallpaper mishap convinced his very first guest that his home was haunted—and how he turned it into a five-star review.Lessons every host can take from these chilling, real-life encounters.Grab your pumpkin spice, dim the lights, and settle in for the Halloween Special 2025: True STR Horror Stories. Because sometimes… the scariest part of hosting isn’t the guests—it’s the house.

Monday Market DataLake Harmony, PAAirbnb Performance Data___________________________________3 BedroomAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $31,62775th Percentile: $45,43390th Percentile: $63,586Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $25575th Percentile: $30090th Percentile: $368Occupancy50th Percentile: 33%75th Percentile: 46%90th Percentile: 58%________________________________4 BedroomAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $37,72475th Percentile: $50,20590th Percentile: $69,371Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $32875th Percentile: $41090th Percentile: $518Occupancy50th Percentile: 32%75th Percentile: 39%90th Percentile: 50%___________________________________5 BedroomAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $50,58075th Percentile: $67,50490th Percentile: $89,103Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $43975th Percentile: $51690th Percentile: $647Occupancy50th Percentile: 29%75th Percentile: 39%90th Percentile: 48%_________________________________6+ BedroomsAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $83,58775th Percentile: $118,89090th Percentile: $152,819Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $77075th Percentile: $94890th Percentile: $1,130Occupancy50th Percentile: 29%75th Percentile: 39%90th Percentile: 46%_________________________________-Data provided by SummerOS-Which market do you want to see next?

The discussion explores the rise of midterm rentals, revealing their appeal beyond just travel nurses. Katie shares insights on the growing guest demographic, including remote workers and insurance placements. Discover how Furnish Finder revolutionized the rental market without booking fees. Learn the operational advantages of midterm rentals and key amenities that attract 30 to 90-day guests. Finally, find out how to smoothly integrate them into your existing rental strategy, boosting cash flow and reducing turnover.

Monday Market DataHelen, GAAirbnb Performance Data___________________________________3 BedroomAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $35,19075th Percentile: $44,43890th Percentile: $61,218Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $23975th Percentile: $29390th Percentile: $348Occupancy50th Percentile: 40%75th Percentile: 49%90th Percentile: 59%________________________________4 BedroomAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $42,59175th Percentile: $58,55190th Percentile: $78,875Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $33475th Percentile: $37390th Percentile: $436Occupancy50th Percentile: 37%75th Percentile: 48%90th Percentile: 55%___________________________________5 BedroomAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $49,72075th Percentile: $73,80590th Percentile: $96,472Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $41875th Percentile: $51490th Percentile: $630Occupancy50th Percentile: 39%75th Percentile: 46%90th Percentile: 56%_________________________________6+ BedroomsAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $67,18575th Percentile: $109,03490th Percentile: $137,560Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $54475th Percentile: $72990th Percentile: $865Occupancy50th Percentile: 36%75th Percentile: 39%90th Percentile: 46%_________________________________-Data provided by SummerOS-Which market do you want to see next?

Rachel Allday, co-founder of Abode Luxury Rentals, shares her journey in managing nearly 200 high-end properties across coveted vacation spots. She discusses how creativity—like her unique wedding invite mailer—helped build their brand long before Airbnb. Rachel defines luxury in rentals through authenticity, meticulous maintenance, and high standards of service, emphasizing the importance of team culture and detail. With insights on the role of professional photography and the impact of industry organizations like VRMA, she inspires future operators to learn and grow.

Monday Market DataCatskills, NYAirbnb Performance Data___________________________________3 BedroomAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $37,64175th Percentile: $56,36990th Percentile: $76,893Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $30275th Percentile: $37590th Percentile: $478Occupancy50th Percentile: 36%75th Percentile: 48%90th Percentile: 60%________________________________4 BedroomAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $46,63075th Percentile: $71,07790th Percentile: $100,026Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $42075th Percentile: $55090th Percentile: $708Occupancy50th Percentile: 31%75th Percentile: 43%90th Percentile: 55%___________________________________5 BedroomAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $60,01575th Percentile: $88,30390th Percentile: $129,536Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $57475th Percentile: $77290th Percentile: $957Occupancy50th Percentile: 27%75th Percentile: 40%90th Percentile: 51%_________________________________6+ BedroomsAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $68,66675th Percentile: $113,36790th Percentile: $169,686Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $70175th Percentile: $98890th Percentile: $1,370Occupancy50th Percentile: 28%75th Percentile: 38%90th Percentile: 47%_________________________________-Data provided by SummerOS-Which market do you want to see next?

Annie Holcombe, a seasoned short-term rental operator and co-host of the popular Alex & Annie podcast, shares insights from her experience after 250 episodes. She discusses the journey of growing a global audience, emphasizing the power of consistency in content creation. Annie highlights how STRs can learn from hotel practices to enhance guest experience and explores common challenges for new property managers. She also announces her consultancy, Annie & Co, and her new role on the VRMA Board, focusing on education and member value.

Monday Market DataWilmington, NCAirbnb Performance Data___________________________________3 BedroomAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $24,51475th Percentile: $32,54190th Percentile: $42,374Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $17875th Percentile: $21290th Percentile: $253Occupancy50th Percentile: 45%75th Percentile: 57%90th Percentile: 70%________________________________4 BedroomAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $33,70075th Percentile: $44,62690th Percentile: $65,837Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $23175th Percentile: $29290th Percentile: $388Occupancy50th Percentile: 52%75th Percentile: 61%90th Percentile: 70%___________________________________5 BedroomAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $55,54875th Percentile: $71,78690th Percentile: $79,550Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $39375th Percentile: $46990th Percentile: $540Occupancy50th Percentile: 52%75th Percentile: 56%90th Percentile: 60%_________________________________6+ BedroomsAnnual Revenue50th Percentile: $68,01075th Percentile: $104,16990th Percentile: $140,984Average Daily Rate50th Percentile: $70675th Percentile: $71190th Percentile: $847Occupancy50th Percentile: 43%75th Percentile: 50%90th Percentile: 60%_________________________________-Data provided by SummerOS-Which market do you want to see next?