

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

11 snips
Apr 21, 2025 • 37min
Ep 238 - How Ron Curtis Built a 50-Unit STR Empire While Working Full-Time
In this engaging discussion, Ron Curtis, founder of a thriving short-term rental management business in Washington, DC, shares his remarkable journey from one property to a 50-unit portfolio—all while maintaining a full-time government job. He reveals how he turned a $3,700 house hack into a success, emphasizing the importance of financial literacy and strategic planning. Ron also discusses the power of relationships over money, his efficient systems for scaling without burnout, and the mindset shifts that propelled him to new heights in the rental industry.

Apr 17, 2025 • 22min
The Hidden ROI in Your Airbnb...No One’s Talking About This | The STR Scale Show with Mike Reilly | Ep 10
Learn why most short-term rentals struggle in today's market and how focusing on your property can make a difference. Discover how a $700K property generated $45K in just five weeks and what specific amenities can drive bookings. Explore the importance of targeting unique traveler demographics and making your listing stand out in a crowded market. Plus, dive into simple ROI calculations on trendy features like saunas and cold plunges. Get insights into creating memorable experiences that resonate with guests.

Apr 14, 2025 • 47min
Ep 237 - He Bought 39 Units...Then Faced a Breakdown
HE BUILT THE DREAM AND ALMOST LOST HIMSELF IN IT.Emanuele Pani went from mopping floors and fixing leaks…to owning nearly every unit in his building.But success wasn’t what he expected.In this episode, you’ll hear:How he bought 39 out of 40 units using seller financing & hustleWhat happened when COVID hit, no grace period, no backup planThe creative deals that made it all possible (and profitable)Why burnout and identity loss followed after the winHow he rebuilt his purpose with long-term hospitality and legacy in mindThis isn’t a how-to. It’s a how-he-did-it.From broke to burned out and back to intentional growth.04:30 – From Cleaning Units to Closing Deals: The Hustle Years Begin09:00 – Bold First Move: Buying 12 Apartments with No Credit13:30 – Managing Chaos: Mortgages, Maintenance, and Mentality18:00 – Refinancing & Reinvesting: How One Refi Fueled the Next Level22:30 – Rising Too Fast: Distractions, Syndications, and Burnout27:00 – The Redemption Plan: 18-Unit Acquisition Through Sheer Will31:30 – Pandemic Pivot: Surviving COVID with Mid-Term Mastery36:00 – The Final Two: Closing the Hardest Sales with Strategic Leverage41:00 – Full Circle Wealth: STR Structure, Community, and Long-Term VisionGet FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:https://group.strsecrets.com

8 snips
Apr 10, 2025 • 35min
The Future of STR: Why Luxury Wins & The Middle Gets Crushed | The STR Scale Show with Mike Reilly | Ep 09
Tyler Coon, Founder of Savvy SGR Agents, shares his insights into the evolving short-term rental market. He discusses why luxury rentals are thriving while lower-end properties are vanishing. Listeners learn about lucrative renovation strategies yielding impressive returns and the importance of unique amenities to attract guests. Tyler also emphasizes the rise of boutique managers over large operators and shares tactics for maximizing investment returns. With market consolidation on the horizon, he warns only the best will survive the coming changes.

Apr 7, 2025 • 44min
Ep 236 - Why Hustling Won’t Make You Rich. Do this First with Adam Avenus
In this engaging discussion, mindset and manifestation coach Adam Avenus explains how shifting subconscious beliefs can lead to significant success, as he tripled his income within months without working harder. He emphasizes that it's not strategies or effort but one's identity that drives results. Listeners will learn about the power of emotional repetition to rewire limiting beliefs, the importance of daily practices for vibrational alignment, and how real-world manifestation begins in the mind. Discover how transforming your inner world can dramatically change your outer circumstances.

5 snips
Apr 3, 2025 • 32min
The Hidden Math That’s Quietly Draining STR Profits | The STR Scale Show with Mike Reilly | Ep 08
Discover how many property owners unknowingly hold 'dead equity' and the benefits of smart selling or refinancing. Learn a simple formula to identify dead money in your portfolio while increasing your annual income. Explore how current high interest rates can be turned into future advantages, plus master the debt-to-income ratio for improved buying power. Gain insights on enhancing property value through design and amenities and understand the true costs of holding equity with low returns. It's all about using math for smarter investment decisions.

4 snips
Mar 31, 2025 • 37min
Ep 235 - She Failed Fast—Then Built an STR Empire with Jodie Odin
Jodie Odlin, founder of Hospitable Hosts, shares her inspiring journey from a failed first rental to a thriving short-term rental empire. She reveals the mindset shift that fueled her persistence and the systems she implemented to scale her business without burnout. Jodie dives into handling tough guests and bad reviews while maximizing revenue. She emphasizes the importance of enhancing guest experiences through communication and community engagement, advocating for a guest-first approach to redefine hospitality excellence.

Mar 27, 2025 • 23min
How to Cash In on a Recession with STRs | The STR Scale Show with Mike Reilly | Ep 07
Uncover the secrets of thriving in the short-term rental market during a recession. Discover how to capitalize on early bookings and maximize profitability, as one property raked in $18,000 before even finishing renovations. Learn why booking windows matter and how to ensure 5-star reviews with a strategic pre-stay checklist. Explore the potential for boutique operators to shine while larger competitors falter. Get expert advice on leveraging economic downturns for wealth creation and future-proofing your real estate investments.

Mar 24, 2025 • 45min
Ep 234 - How Jeremy Werden Built a 7-Figure Cohosting Business from Scratch!
FROM BROKE TO STR SUCCESS...HOW HE BUILT A 7-FIGURE BUSINESS!Jeremy Werden never planned on becoming a short-term rental investor.After losing his private equity job due to COVID, he had no choice.His first move?Boat rentals inspired by the Ozark TV show.His real breakthrough?Accidentally discovering cohosting and STR investing.Now, he runs a 7-figure STR business.Owns multiple properties, and built BNB Calc, the must-have deal analysis tool for Airbnb investors.In this episode, Jeremy reveals:●︎ How he scaled from boat rentals to Airbnb empire●︎ The 3 business levels that take you from $10K to $100K/month●︎ How to grow a cohosting business WITHOUT owning property●︎ Why automation & hiring a team are the keys to STR success●︎ How he convinced banks to fund his first STR deals (even with no credit history)04:20 - Mastering Market Trends: Staying Ahead in STR Investments09:33 - Scaling Smart: Creative Funding and Bank Strategies10:18 - BNB Calc: The Revolutionary Tool for Investors14:50 - From Solo Hustle to Scalable Business: Growth Stages15:21 - Winning Clients: The Art of Persuasive Pitching19:13 - Optimizing Operations: Streamlining Management for Profit23:46 - Exceeding Expectations: Raising the Bar in STR Hospitality25:38 - Process Over People: Fixing Systems for Success31:53 - Leveraging Media: The Power of Podcasts for STR Growth35:01 - Property Selection Secrets: Finding the Right Fit38:13 - Untapped Markets: Atlantic Beach Investment PotentialGuest Bio:Jeremy Werden is the co-founder of BNBCalc, host of the short-term rental pros podcast, and 7-figure short-term rental co-host and investor.Guest Link:https://www.instagram.com/jeremywerdenGet FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:group.strsecrets.com

Mar 20, 2025 • 17min
The Pre-Stay Checklist That Guarantees 5-Star Reviews! | The STR Scale Show with Mike Reilly | Ep 06
5-STAR REVIEWS DON’T HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT...HERE’S THE SECRET!Most Airbnb hosts wait until it’s too late to fix problems.Leading to bad reviews, lost revenue, and angry guests.What if you could eliminate guest complaints BEFORE they happen?In this episode, we break down:●︎ The EXACT Pre-Stay Checklist that guarantees 5-star reviews●︎ Why most hosts don’t inspect their properties—and why that’s killing their ratings●︎ How to create a guest experience that WOWs from check-in to checkout●︎ The secret to spotting & fixing issues before your guests arrive●︎ Why small details = more repeat bookings and higher profitsWant to run a STR business that guests rave about?This checklist is non-negotiable.02:30 - Using AirDNA to Accurately Analyze STR Deals05:15 - Avoiding Pricing Mistakes That Kill Your Margins07:50 - The Power of Pre-Launching Listings for Maximum Bookings10:00 - The Strategy That Landed a $9,600 Booking Before Going Live12:15 - Why Professional Photos Aren’t Always Necessary at Launch14:30 - The Key to Standing Out in a Highly Competitive STR Market16:45 - Solving the 90-Day Restriction Problem on New Listings18:20 - The Power of Mood Boards to Secure Bookings Without Final Designs20:00 - Building a STR Brand That Instantly Attracts Guests22:30 - Creating an Unforgettable First Impression for Your Guests25:45 - Implementing a Rock-Solid Pre-Stay Inspection Process28:15 - The Game-Changing Checklist for Flawless STR Operations30:10 - Why Pre-Staying at Your Own Property is the Ultimate Quality Control33:00 - Final Advice: How to Set Your STR Business Up for Long-Term SuccessGet FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:group.strsecrets.com