Thanks For Visiting

In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette answer a question from Susie, a host who’s leveling up her short-term rental and wants to know: should you provide shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in every bathroom?It seems simple, but this small decision says a lot about your professionalism, your brand standards, and the overall guest experience. The answer is yes—and Sarah and Annette dive into why this baseline amenity matters more than hosts often realize.Inside the episode, they cover:• The Nashville stay that proved why missing basics can sink an otherwise great property• How guest expectations have drastically evolved going into 2025 and beyond• Why amenities are less about luxury and more about clarity, consistency, and professionalism• How missing basics show up in reviews (and how providing them quietly prevents friction)• Why standardized bathroom setups reduce mental load and improve operations• The role of comp-set research when choosing what to provide• How to anticipate guest needs using hotel-level hospitality thinking• An inside perspective from Taylor at Minoan on why amenities directly impact five-star reviewsWhether you’re a new host or scaling a professional operation, this episode is a reminder that thoughtful basics are never optional. They are the foundation of a frictionless stay.Resources Mentioned: Minoan: Professional-grade supplies and better-than-trade pricing for hostsThanks for Visiting Bootcamp: Join the waitlistMentioned in this episode:Lodgify | Use code TFV20

In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down their data-backed predictions for the 2026 short-term rental market. After a recalibration year in 2025—marked by softened bookings, rising standards, and increased competition—they’re sharing the six major trends every host needs to prepare for.They cover what a “flat but stable” market really means, why guest expectations continue to climb, how regulations will tighten nationwide, the growing dominance of drive-to markets, shrinking traveler loyalty, and the economic factors shaping demand.Whether you’re navigating new permitting rules, rethinking your guest experience, or finally committing to a revenue management plan, this episode will help you build a smarter, more resilient hosting strategy for the year ahead.What You’ll Learn:Why 2025 was a recalibration year and what that means going into 2026What “flat is the new normal” means for hostsWhy guest standards continue to rise everywhereHow tightening regulations will impact your businessThe continued dominance of drive-to destinations and 3–4 night staysWhy traveler loyalty is fading and trust now drives bookingsWhat economic factors may shape demandHow to audit your 2025 data and plan intentionally for the new yearWhy 2026 is the “professional era” for hostsResources Mentioned:Rent Responsibly — An education and community-building platform for short-term rental operators that helps owners, hosts, and managers navigate their local laws and professionalize their hospitality businesses.Mentioned in this episode:Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

This week on the Hosting Hotline, Sarah and Annette answer a thoughtful question from Emily in Australia, who’s deciding between two strong guest avatars for her soon-to-launch short-term rental: a family-friendly, non-toxic stay or a high-demand wedding-guest retreat located just steps from one of the area’s most popular venues.If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re choosing the right avatar—or worried you might be leading with emotion rather than strategy—this episode breaks down exactly how to assess your market, understand your demand drivers, and choose an avatar that aligns with your goals.Sarah and Annette walk through the realities of both niches, how ADR and booking windows change based on guest type, and why “when you confuse, you lose” is one of the most important truths in STR marketing.Whether you're defining your avatar for the first time or rethinking your current strategy, this conversation gives you the clarity and confidence you need to position your property for success.In this episode we cover:How to evaluate whether your chosen guest avatar aligns with your market The difference between a family-friendly stay and a wedding/event traveler Why appealing to everyone leads to confusion and fewer bookings (“confuse and lose”) How to define what success looks like before choosing your niche (profitability vs. alignment) Key differences in ADR, booking windows, and seasonality across both avatars How proximity to a major wedding venue impacts demand and pricing strategy Why clarity in marketing, photography, and copy directly boosts conversions When (and how) to pivot if your current avatar isn’t performing Mentioned in this episode:Lodgify | Use code TFV20

Airbnb’s new 24-hour free cancellation policy is officially live—and if you’re not prepared, this change could mean a bumpy ride ahead. In this week’s episode, Sarah and Annette break down exactly what’s new, what’s going away, and how these updates impact hosts of every size.From understanding the shift toward guest-friendly policies, to forecasting cancellations as a standard cost of doing business, to tightening up your communication strategies—this conversation gives you the mindset, tactics, and next steps you’ll need to stay profitable and confident.Whether you’re managing a luxury cabin, an urban apartment, or an entire portfolio, this episode will help you adapt quickly and strategically to Airbnb’s platform-wide changes.What we cover in this episode:What Airbnb’s new 24-hour free cancellation policy includesWhy strict cancellation policies are being phased out for new listingsWhat existing hosts can expect moving forwardHow to forecast cancellations as a normal cost of businessThe importance of proactive guest communicationHow to reduce cancellations through relationship-buildingWhat these changes mean for larger or luxury propertiesSteps to stay prepared, not reactive, as the platform evolvesKey takeaway:You can’t control Airbnb’s policy decisions, but you can control how prepared you are. Anticipating cancellations, knowing your numbers, and communicating intentionally are now essential pillars of running a resilient STR business.Resources: Airbnb Help Center: Updated Cancellation PoliciesMentioned in this episode:Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you! Avalara | Book a demo to save $100

Discover the best strategies for deciding when to outsource your cleaning duties. Learn how to prevent guests from encountering subpar cleanliness and the importance of documenting your cleaning processes. Explore the 'trust but verify' approach to ensure quality control, including creative low-cost strategies for oversight. Plus, get a glimpse into the future with exciting advances in cleaning technology, like upcoming robot cleaners. This conversation is a must for anyone looking to elevate their hosting game!

This week, Sarah and Annette sit down with CPA and tax strategist Amanda Han to break down the major tax updates hosts need to know heading into 2025.From the newly passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” to evolving depreciation rules, Amanda explains what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and how short-term rental owners can use these updates to maximize savings and make smarter financial decisions.She also shares why bookkeeping is the “bad B word” no host can ignore, the truth about the short-term rental loophole (and why it’s not actually shady), and how to identify a CPA who truly understands the STR world.If you’ve ever felt intimidated by tax talk, this conversation will help you feel empowered, informed, and ready to approach 2026 with confidence.In this episode, you’ll learn:What the One Big Beautiful Bill means for STR investorsHow to qualify for the short-term rental “loophole” (and why that term can be misleading)Updates to bonus depreciation and cost segregationWhat “material participation” actually looks like in practiceHow to structure your bookkeeping and track expenses property-by-propertyTips for hiring your kids, using sub-accounts, and working with the right CPAThe growing role of AI in accounting and what not to trust it withResources mentioned:Amanda Han, Keystone CPARelay Financial: Business banking we use at Thanks for VisitingMentioned in this episode: Avalara | Book a demo to save $100Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

When should you actually use Airbnb promotions—and are they really just discounts in disguise?In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette clear up the confusion around Airbnb’s promotion tools and explain how to use them strategically to boost visibility, not slash profits.They cover:How Airbnb really calculates your “discount” (hint: it’s not off your nightly rate)Why promotions should be treated as a visibility lever, not a crutchWhen to activate a promo to surface higher in searchThe key data you must track—booking window, market demand, and median ratesWhy a 5–10% promotion can sometimes outperform a massive markdownIf you’ve ever wondered whether Airbnb promotions actually work, this episode will teach you how to use them to your advantage without undercutting your value.Resources mentioned:Airbnb Help ArticleLodgify — Create your direct booking website and connect your Airbnb listings (use code TFE20 for 20% off annual or biannual plans)Mentioned in this episode:Lodgify | Use code TFV20

If you’ve been collecting guest emails for years but never actually sent one—this episode is for you.Sarah and Annette are walking you through five repeatable guest email ideas to help you stay connected with past guests, strengthen loyalty, and drive more direct bookings—all without sounding pushy or salesy.From newsletters to new-amenity announcements, you’ll learn how to keep your property top of mind and build a marketing system that runs year-round.You’ll Learn:Why your email list is one of your most valuable business assetsHow to reintroduce yourself and your property with every emailThe five guest email types you can send over and over againHow to use these ideas across social media and your website for extra mileageWhy consistent communication builds trust (and more repeat stays)Resources mentioned:Lodgify: Build a direct booking website with no tech stress — use code TFE20 for 20% off annual or biannual plansMentioned in this episode: Avalara | Book a demo to save $100Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

A Superhost faces frustration as Airbnb suspends her listing without clear reasons. Learn the importance of addressing violations linked to the property rather than the owner. Discover how AI and private feedback can flag issues unnoticed by hosts. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of diversifying income streams by exploring other booking platforms. The hosts share practical advice on documenting communications and preparing for unexpected challenges. This episode is a crucial guide for Airbnb hosts navigating potential setbacks.

Think charging extra per guest is helping you make more money? Think again.In this episode, Sarah and Annette reveal how per-guest pricing could actually be hurting your short-term rental business—and why it’s one of the most common (and costly) settings hosts overlook.They’ll break down:Why Airbnb’s new “all-in” pricing model makes per-guest fees confusing and expensive for guestsHow hidden fees tank your conversion rate without you realizing itA smarter alternative that keeps your pricing clear and competitiveHow to create “parent” and “child” listings that attract different guest groups—without frictionIf you’ve been wondering why your bookings have slowed down lately, this episode might reveal the small tweak that makes a big difference.Mentioned in this episode:Lodgify: Use code TFE20 for 20% off annual or biannual plansMentioned in this episode:Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you! Avalara | Book a demo to save $100