News
Stay updated with the latest STR industry news and regulations
This article explains how to list your vacation rental on Google Vacation Rentals (GVR). It highlights that individual hosts can't list directly and should use property management software like iGMS to integrate, increasing direct bookings and control over listings.
This article provides a guide to the best corporate housing companies for 2025, detailing their features, fees, and ideal hosts. Hosts can use this information to diversify their rental strategy and tap into the growing demand for mid-term rentals, potentially increasing income and reducing turnover. Consider exploring these platforms to find the best fit for your property and target audience.
This article discusses a financial freedom blueprint for real estate investors using turnkey rentals, highlighting the benefits of a hands-off approach. Hosts should consider evaluating their current investment strategy and researching turnkey rental options or services like Rent To Retirement to streamline their portfolio growth.
Airbnb is shifting its strategy, adopting features from Booking.com, and focusing on AI and new services. Hosts should prepare for higher cancellation rates, dynamic cancellation policies, and an evolving platform by tightening minimum stays and using dynamic pricing.
This article discusses direct booking strategies, highlighting the importance of website design, trust signals, and user experience. It emphasizes the shift from an OTA-focused mindset to an e-commerce approach, encouraging hosts to build their brand and optimize the booking process on their own websites. Actionable advice includes focusing on trust and user experience and optimizing the booking flow for higher conversion rates.
Airbnb's "Airbnb-friendly" program, which allows part-time hosting in apartments and condos, is expanding with partnerships to help renters find these buildings. Hosts in the program are earning significant supplemental income, and new collaborations aim to streamline renter discovery. Consider finding out if your property is eligible and leverage these partnerships to attract renters.
This iGMS article explores the continued relevance of Airbnb business cards for marketing your vacation rental. It offers advice on what to include (name, description, contact info, website) and design tips to make them stand out, ultimately suggesting they can be a 'pocket rocket' directing guests to your property.
Airbnb's Newsroom announces that three Canadian Olympic legends will be hosting experiences for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. This partnership expands Airbnb's offerings for travelers attending the event. Find out how this collaboration aims to boost tourism and provide unique experiences during the games.
Premier Pads, a fast-growing STR management company, acquired Hoste, a Colorado Springs-based vacation rental company, expanding its portfolio. This acquisition highlights the growing trend of consolidation in the STR management space. Hosts considering selling their management business might explore partnership opportunities with companies like Premier Pads.
This article discusses the "Pulse Rate Factor" for better visibility, but the content is largely placeholder text. Hosts should focus on actionable information related to their listings and pricing strategies. Review your existing strategies and consider testing new ones.
This article provides 30 actionable, free marketing tips for Airbnb hosts to increase bookings without spending money on ads. It emphasizes leveraging social media, creating engaging content, and building relationships with local businesses to reach potential guests. Hosts should focus on video content, optimize their listings for search, and use emotional calls to action to drive engagement and bookings.
Airbnb is donating $425,000 to five San Diego nonprofits through its Community Fund. This shows Airbnb's commitment to community support, which can indirectly benefit hosts by fostering positive local relations. No specific action is needed, but it's worth noting Airbnb's involvement in the community.
This BiggerPockets article discusses a real estate investor's strategy of combining private money lending with rental properties to build a diversified portfolio. Hosts can learn from the investor's experience, including how he found private lenders, and the importance of vetting deals and having exit strategies. Consider exploring private lending opportunities to diversify your income streams.
Vrbo is updating its Premier Host criteria, making it harder to achieve and maintain this status. Hosts need to focus on booking acceptance rate and guest experience to gain visibility and benefits, including a Premier Host filter and priority support. Make sure to review the new requirements, and use available tools to improve your performance.
This article discusses creating marketing videos for your Airbnb listing, even though Airbnb doesn't directly support video uploads. Hosts should consider using third-party platforms like YouTube and other social media to showcase their properties and include a clear call to action within the video.
This article discusses vacation rental franchise opportunities for investment in 2026, including SkyRun. Hosts interested in scaling their business or diversifying their investments may find this information relevant to future growth plans.
This article explores top Vrbo alternatives like Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, and Houfy, emphasizing the benefits of diversifying listing platforms. Hosts should consider these alternatives to reach broader audiences, optimize their strategies, and protect against account issues on any single platform.
This article analyzes how Airbnb and Booking.com compare in 2025, highlighting features Airbnb is adopting and rejecting. This analysis from PriceLabs offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of short-term rental platforms. The article's focus is on market trends and provides actionable steps for hosts.
OwnerRez has integrated with HiChee, a price comparison platform, to help hosts attract direct bookings and reduce reliance on OTAs. This integration offers accurate pricing and calendar syncing, and verified OwnerRez hosts get a free HiChee Traveler Plan.
This article discusses the financial progression for real estate investors, specifically addressing how hosts with a few properties can transition from merely owning rentals to achieving financial freedom. It emphasizes the importance of setting goals and having a plan to generate active income, such as flipping houses, to fund long-term investment strategies.