The Cohost Coach

Merritt Harris, the founder of Merit Badge Property Management, shares his journey from managing long-term rentals to creating a luxury-focused short-term rental business. He reveals the importance of building a robust tech stack and shares insights into growth strategies, including his preference for a centralized market in upstate New York. Merritt discusses moving upmarket, handling difficult property owners, and the value of co-hosting. He emphasizes community collaboration and raises industry standards, reminding aspiring managers to stay persistent on their paths.

Discover the secrets to creating unforgettable guest experiences in your short-term rental. Learn how holiday bookings can influence summer reservations. Enhance your space with essentials like coffee bars and cozy robes. Explore the magic of seasonal touches, like hot cocoa bars and festive decorations, to delight your guests. Joe shares tips on outdoor amenities like fire pits for winter markets. Plus, find out how to encourage repeat bookings with direct incentives. Elevate your hospitality game and keep guests coming back!

Explore the future of short-term rentals with insights for 2026. Discover how bachelorette-themed properties are outpacing others by 20-30% in popularity. Joe shares his own $80,000 renovation experience, along with booking trends indicating high demand. Learn about essential design features that create Instagrammable moments and increase appeal. He also discusses the risks of party bookings, the need for minimum stays, and the saturation of beach themes. Dynamic pricing strategies for maximizing revenue are highlighted as well.

Explore powerful mindset lessons from past guests Emanuele Pani and Mike Kitko. Joe shares his journey in short-term rentals and his ambitious income goals, including surpassing initial targets. Hear about investing in education, the challenges faced in 2023, and the importance of perseverance. Discover strategies for finding quality properties and setting purposeful, multi-year goals. Joe emphasizes the power of collaboration with partners and encourages listeners to write down their visions and commit to their growth.

Emanuele Pani, a real estate entrepreneur and short-term rental expert, dives into the power of mindset in business. He shares his journey from starting in STRs to becoming a successful coach, emphasizing how self-image and emotional frameworks shape our realities. Emanuele discusses the importance of aligning desires with disciplined actions and the value of choosing inspired work over hustle culture. He also encourages listeners to pause negative self-talk and harness faith-based imagination, highlighting the need for commitment and continuous growth.

Join Mike Kitko, a former Fortune 500 executive, Marine veteran, and author, as he shares his profound journey from rock bottom to recovery and purpose. He dives into the importance of mindset and nervous-system work, outlining daily practices for achieving harmony in life. Mike discusses his transformative 'heart set' concept and the significance of community through masterminds. He also reveals insights on rebuilding relationships and embracing life fully, urging founders to shift from hustle to a meaningful existence.

Dive into the world of short-term rental burnout, where overwhelming guest complaints can lead to stress. Discover how organization and standard operating procedures can help prevent this fatigue. Joe emphasizes the importance of managing guest communication, hiring virtual assistants, and automating responses to streamline operations. Outsourcing pricing can also enhance profitability. Finally, he stresses the need to reassess fees to sustain a healthy business model while managing overhead.

Explore the best off-season strategies for property upgrades! Discover why this quiet time is perfect for impactful renovations that attract more guests. Joe recommends enhancing outdoor spaces with pools and stylish amenities for maximum appeal. Transforming spare rooms into fun game areas can also boost interest. Learn the power of lifestyle photography to turn potential guests into bookings. Plus, find out which high-value features, like hot tubs and saunas, can elevate your listings while staying within budget!

Dive into the ever-evolving real estate market as the host explores recent Fed rate cuts that enhance buying power. Discover why short-term rentals are hot right now and learn how bonus depreciation can boost your investment returns. The discussion highlights the challenges of finding turnkey properties and addresses the influx of rentals back on the market due to underperformance. Plus, get tips on how to avoid analysis paralysis and make quick, informed decisions in your property investments. Don't miss insights on building generational wealth through real estate!

Discover the secrets to creating unforgettable guest experiences! Joe emphasizes the importance of outdoor spaces and how they often enhance guest satisfaction more than interiors. He shares compelling guest reviews and highlights the revenue benefits of backyard renovations. Learn how combining amenities drives repeat bookings and why captivating photos can elevate your property listings. Lastly, Joe underscores that outstanding outdoor experiences lead to five-star reviews, making every guest feel at home.