

Short Term Rental Secrets Podcast
MICHAEL SJOGREN
The Short Term Rental Secrets Podcast is dedicated to providing actionable content to help new and seasoned real estate investors launch, automate and scale their Airbnb business and fast track their journey to financial freedom. You can enjoy the podcast and other free resources at www.STRsecrets.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 24, 2025 • 30min
Most STRs Fail Because They Cut Corners (Here’s the Math) | The STR Scale Show with Mike Reilly | Ep 22
Discover how investing in short-term rentals requires a solid strategy and a budget of at least $150K–$200K for success. Learn how one team transformed a $715K property into a cash-flow winner and why outdated listings are struggling. The episode spills secrets on the new rules for furnishing, revealing that the old $6K per room guideline is out. Find out why waiting to add amenities could mean failure and explore the game-changing approach of securing direct bookings over relying solely on platforms like Airbnb.

11 snips
Jul 21, 2025 • 41min
Ep 251 - The Airbnb Roll-Up Strategy No One’s Talking About with Patryk Swietek
Patryk Swietek, a 28-year-old entrepreneur and thought leader in the short-term rental industry, shares his innovative roll-up strategy for acquiring property management companies. He reveals how to evaluate these businesses and the secret formula for top performers. Patryk also discusses creating additional revenue streams from unique opportunities like filming shoots and emphasizes the importance of real hospitality and local expertise. He believes partnerships are essential in this saturated market, likening them to marriages built on trust.

Jul 17, 2025 • 19min
The Tax Loophole That Can Wipe Out $40K (Even With 1 Property) | The STR Scale Show with Mike Reilly | Ep 21
Get ready to dive into the world of short-term rental tax strategies! Learn about the exciting tax loophole that can save you over $40K per property, thanks to the revived 100% bonus depreciation. Discover the essential criteria for qualifying for tax deductions, and find out how active management can unlock even more benefits. The episode also covers how cost segregation studies can supercharge your deductions and offers tips to avoid common pitfalls with IRS compliance. Don't miss these valuable insights!

8 snips
Jul 14, 2025 • 47min
Ep 250 - Why Hosts Are Ditching Airbnb for Midterm Rentals with Furnished Finder CEO Jeff Hurst
Jeff Hurst, the President and CEO of Furnished Finder and former leader at Expedia and Vrbo, dives into why many hosts are leaving Airbnb for midterm rentals. He discusses the untapped potential of monthly rentals and offers insights on pricing strategies for maximum profit. Hurst breaks down the types of hosts thriving in this market, highlights the role of technology in enhancing guest experiences, and addresses common misunderstandings about returns in hosting. This conversation is a goldmine for both casual and professional rental operators looking to adapt and succeed.

Jul 10, 2025 • 14min
Airbnb Just Changed Your Cancellation Policy…And You Might Not Even Know It | The STR Scale Show with Mike Reilly | Ep 20
Airbnb quietly changed the rules, and if you’re not paying attention, you could be giving refunds you didn’t agree to.In this episode, we break down exactly what changed and what to do about it.Here’s what you’ll learn: • Why Airbnb is auto-switching hosts to a “Firm” policy, without clear consent • What happened to the original Strict policy (spoiler: it’s weaker now) • The difference between “Strict,” “Firm,” and the new “Limited” cancellation options • Real refund scenarios, who gets paid when guests cancel • Why Mike is switching to “Limited” on all new listings • How to check if your policy was changed (and how to fix it)Don’t let Airbnb rewrite your house rules without you knowing.Want to get the latest Airbnb Policy One-Pager?Just click the link below and DM the word "Policy".Link: https://ig.me/m/mike.sjogren?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Captivate&utm_campaign=T020&utm_content=Policy00:00 - Airbnb Cancellation Policy Changes & How To Adapt 01:24 - Choosing the Right Cancellation Policy: Strict vs Firm vs Limited 02:49 - How To Use Rank Breeze To Track Your Airbnb Rankings 04:14 - Opting Out of Airbnb’s Forced Policy Changes 05:39 - How New Listings Are Affected By Airbnb’s Updated Rules 07:04 - Strategies for Competing in Saturated STR Markets 08:29 - Building Repeat Clients & Getting Direct Bookings 09:54 - Protecting Against Chargebacks With Rental Agreements 11:19 - Know Your Market’s Booking Window & Adjust Policies 12:44 - Using Tools Like AirDNA & Rank Breeze To Optimize RevenueGet FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:https://group.strsecrets.com

Jul 7, 2025 • 39min
Ep 249 - How They Went from Helping One Homeowner to Building a Thriving STR Portfolio with Joe Rohne
Joe Rohne, a dedicated Realtor from St. Louis and Florida, shares his journey from helping one homeowner to building a thriving short-term rental portfolio. He discusses the importance of setting realistic expectations for first-time hosts and reveals his secret to transforming rundown listings into profitable ones. Listeners will learn about the critical five checks for investors, how to negotiate seller credits, and the mindset change that turned a financially difficult year into a record-breaking success. Rohne's insights mix honesty with actionable advice for aspiring STR owners.

Jul 3, 2025 • 18min
How Mark Quit His Job, Scaled to 37 Units, and Doubled Revenue Without Spending a Dime | The STR Scale Show with Mike Reilly | Ep 19
Mark's inspiring journey saw him grow from 11 to 37 Airbnb units while quitting his full-time job. He pivoted away from a struggling arbitrage model to a more profitable co-hosting strategy. Discover how he transformed losses into leverage and nearly doubled revenue on one property. Learn about the Underserved Investor Method for discovering hidden opportunities and the importance of precision over volume. His story reveals actionable insights that can help anyone feeling stuck in the short-term rental world.

9 snips
Jun 30, 2025 • 49min
Ep 248 - From Airbnb Suspension to 90% Occupancy with Midterm Rentals & AI Automation with Amanda Williams
Amanda Williams, known as The Traveling Realtor, is a real estate entrepreneur and founder of Carolina Furnished Rentals. In this discussion, she reveals how being banned from Airbnb prompted her to pivot to midterm rentals, achieving an impressive 90-95% occupancy. Amanda shares insights on developing an AI tool to automate operations and enhance marketing, alongside strategies for building a resilient brand and attracting relocation clients. She emphasizes the importance of balance, personal branding, and nurturing mental wellness in the fast-paced rental market.

Jun 26, 2025 • 26min
How to Win STR Clients in a Down Market (Even If Bookings Are Slowing Down) | The STR Scale Show with Mike Reilly | Ep 18
Most co-hosts are blaming the market. But it’s not the market......it’s your offer.In this episode, we walk through how to dominate even when bookings slow down, using frameworks that helped our clients grow from 0 to 100+ properties (without lowering their standards).Inside, you’ll learn:The 2 sales you must make to land AND grow every clientHow to niche down with an offer big managers can’t touchWhy “boutique” isn’t enough (and what to say instead)ChatGPT + Hormozi = your unfair advantageThe COHOST sales framework that turns owners into clients fastIf you’re tired of feeling stuck in the cohosting middle zone…This is the episode that unlocks your next 10 doors.Want to generate your Perfect Offer? Just click the link below to get the ChatGPT Prompt:https://ig.me/m/mike.sjogren?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Captivate&utm_campaign=T018&utm_content=Prompt00:00 – Stand Out or Stay Stuck: Why Differentiation Is Non-Negotiable 00:12 – The COHOST Framework: A Proven Sales Funnel for STR Growth 00:45 – Survive the Booking Slump: Why Traditional Markets Are Struggling 02:44 – Don’t Panic Price: How to Maximize Occupancy Without Slashing Rates 04:48 – The #1 Mistake: Thinking Being Small Automatically Wins Trust 05:15 – Riches in Niches: Hyper-Focus Your Property Strategy 07:00 – The Plus-One Strategy: Tiny Add-Ons That Win Big Contracts 10:33 – STR Takeover Transformation: Craft an Offer They Can’t Refuse 14:59 – Risk-Reversal Guarantees: The Ultimate Owner Conversion Tactic 21:00 – Make STRs Great Again: Why Boutique Operators Are the Future Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:https://group.strsecrets.com

14 snips
Jun 23, 2025 • 32min
Ep 247 - The Identity Shift That Unlocks Everything (And How to Use AI to Scale Smarter)
The conversation dives into how internal dialogue can either propel or hinder success. The hosts share transformative strategies for reprogramming self-talk to align with aspirations. Discover practical AI tools that streamline operations—from optimizing sales calls to automating guest messaging. Learn how to conduct effective market research and enhance team training with custom AI solutions. This insightful discussion provides actionable steps for anyone looking to elevate their short-term rental business and personal growth.