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Get actionable advice and the essential fundamentals of running a profitable 5-star Airbnb side-hustle or full on business. Annette’s extensive background in business operations and Sarah’s experience in high-end hospitality management and interior design make them a powerhouse duo that will deliver high impact content. With almost a decade of combined hosting experience they will not only share their own stories welcoming thousands of guests from around the world but also those of other Superhosts to deliver you a wide array of stories, insights, and profitable and creative ideas to make your listing rise to the top. Whether you’...
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525. How to Boost Income in Slow Seasons: A Strategic Plan Every Host Needs
<p>Every market has a slow season—and no, it doesn’t mean your listing is broken. This week, Sarah and Annette break down how to use your slow season strategically so you can maximize revenue when demand returns.</p><p>In this episode, we cover:</p>What actually defines a slow season (and why every market has one)How to stop “panic pricing” when demand doesn’t existThe industry secret: using a slow season to get aheadThe operational tasks that matter most right nowWhy a deep clean isn’t just about your space—it’s about your numbersHow to reconnect with p...
524. Hosting Hotline: How to Align With the Right Guests Without “Screening”
<p>This week on the Hosting Hotline, Alexandra asks a common question: “How do you screen guests?”</p><p>Sarah and Annette break down why the word “screening” doesn’t belong in hospitality—and how hosts can shift their approach to something far more effective: guest alignment.</p><p>In this episode, we cover:</p>Why your language matters more than you thinkHow to approach bookings from a hospitality-first mindsetWhat Airbnb’s trust and verification system actually protectsWhy Instant Book can help—not hurt—your businessWhat red flags are worth reviewing (and which aren’t)The key question to ask every guest to confi...
523. How to Shop Your Competition Using ChatGPT (and Boost Bookings Fast)
<p>This week, Sarah and Annette break down a simple but powerful strategy every host should be using to stay competitive: analyzing your comp set the same way professional revenue managers do—without spending thousands on data tools.</p><p>Inside the episode, they walk you through a three-step workflow for using ChatGPT to read, synthesize, and analyze your competitors’ guest reviews so you can understand what travelers actually value, what’s frustrating them, and where you can immediately stand out.</p><p>But before the AI magic, they start by defining what a comp set really is—and why most hos...
522. Hosting Hotline: Should You Really Provide Shampoo in Every Bathroom?
<p>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?</p><p>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.</p><p>Inside the episode, they cover:</p><p>• The Nashville stay that proved why missing basics can sink an oth...
521. 2026 STR Predictions: What Hosts Need to Know Before the New Year
<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Whether you’re navigating new permitting rules, rethinking your guest experience, or finally committing to a revenue mana...
520. Hosting Hotline: How to Pick the Right Guest Avatar for Your STR
<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Sarah a...
519. Airbnb’s New Cancellation Rules: What Hosts Need to Do Now
<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Whether you’re managing a luxury...
518. Hosting Hotline: When to Outsource Your Cleaner (and How to Trust It’s Done Right)
<p>How long should you clean your own property before handing it off to a professional cleaner? In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette tackle one of the biggest questions for new hosts: when to outsource cleaning—and how to make sure your standards don’t slip once you do.</p><p>From systemizing your process to defining what a “done” bed actually looks like, the duo walks through the mindset shift every host needs to make: your guests should never be the ones to discover a bad clean. Learn how to document your cleaning routine, train your team with cla...
517. The 2025 Tax Rulebook for STR Hosts: What You Need to Know with CPA Amanda Han
<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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 identif...
516. Hosting Hotline: Airbnb Promotions: Visibility Tool or Discount Trap?
<p>When should you actually use Airbnb promotions—and are they really just discounts in disguise?</p><p>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.</p><p>They cover:</p>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% prom...
