News

The vacation rental software market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5%. This means hosts can expect continued development and potential improvements in software solutions for managing their STR businesses. It is important for hosts to stay informed about market trends and new software features.

This Lodgify Lowdown from November 2025 covers the evolving role of technology in travel planning, including agentic AI, platform updates, and policy shifts. Hosts should stay informed about these technological advancements and any potential policy changes that could impact their business.

This article discusses the importance of providing Vrbo receipts to guests and offers a free template for hosts to use. It's crucial to provide these receipts for transparency and possibly tax purposes, so hosts should consider downloading and using the provided template.

This article discusses how AI-powered maintenance tools can streamline the maintenance process for landlords and save time and money. Hosts should consider using AI tools like TurboTenant's new feature to automate maintenance requests and improve tenant communication.

This article profiles a host using OwnerRez to manage their equestrian and lodging venue. They highlight the benefits of automation, especially with automated messaging and calendar syncing, to streamline operations and enhance the guest experience. Consider how automation, such as that provided by OwnerRez, can improve your efficiency and guest communication.

This article discusses the benefits of using Steadily for landlord insurance, highlighting its ease of use, comprehensive coverage, and ability to manage multiple policies. Hosts can save time and potentially money by regularly reviewing their insurance coverage and exploring options like Steadily.

This BiggerPockets article discusses the evolving landscape of short-term rentals, highlighting the shift toward treating STRs as businesses. Hosts should focus on building strong operational systems, diversifying booking channels, and investing in direct booking to thrive in 2026 and beyond.

This article shares the story of an investor who chose to keep only one short-term rental property despite having the knowledge and resources to scale. The host emphasizes the importance of planning, self-management, and personal guest communication, which helps to maintain high-quality guest experiences. This story provides an alternative perspective for hosts who may not want to scale.

This Lodgify blog post highlights Black Friday deals for vacation rental businesses. Hosts should explore potential discounts on software and smart devices to save money and improve their operations.

This article discusses the prevalent issue of Airbnb scams, providing insights on how to identify them and protect yourself. Key topics include recognizing fraudulent listings and avoiding payment scams. Protecting personal information and verifying guest identities are crucial to avoid financial losses and reputational damage.

This article compares two property management systems (PMS) - Guesty and Uplisting - and highlights Hostfully as a strong alternative. It details feature differences, pricing models, and target audience for each, giving hosts insights into selecting the right software to manage their short-term rentals.

This article compares two property management systems (PMS), Lodgify and Uplisting, highlighting their features and target users. It then advocates for Hostfully as a better alternative, emphasizing its broad feature set, integrations, and customer service. Hosts should consider evaluating their current PMS and if they need more direct booking and marketing features, then Lodgify is best. If they prioritize automation and low costs, Uplisting is a good choice, but Hostfully may offer a wider range of services.

Digital twin technology, using AI to create 3D models of homes, is emerging as a tool to help hosts lower insurance costs in areas with high climate risks. Hosts can use these models to document improvements and potentially negotiate lower premiums. Consider using this technology as it gains prevalence.

This article profiles a successful STR host who built their business from one property to seven using OwnerRez. They emphasize the importance of automation features, particularly for managing guest communication, payments, and website hosting, to save time and focus on guest experience. Hosts can learn from her experience and consider automating tasks to scale their business.

This BiggerPockets article discusses the practical limits of self-managing rental properties, including STRs. It explores when to hire a property manager, based on the number of units and the demands on your time. Hosts should evaluate their current management load and consider the benefits of outsourcing to free up time for asset management.

This article from The Short Term Shop argues that self-managing your STR is often the smarter move, as it saves on management fees and offers tax advantages. It outlines tools and systems for successful self-management, emphasizing the importance of building a reliable local team and automating guest communication, and explains the advantages of being involved in the process yourself.

An Airbnb guest's refusal to check out or pay has left a couple in a difficult situation. This highlights the potential risks of hosting, including financial loss and the need for effective dispute resolution. Hosts should familiarize themselves with Airbnb's policies and have a plan for handling problematic guests to protect their income.

An Airbnb host's attempt to control energy costs by locking the thermostat was thwarted by a simple guest workaround, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in current smart home setups. This article serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the need for hosts to anticipate guest creativity when implementing restrictive measures within their properties to maintain guest satisfaction. Learn more about smart home best practices.

Airbnb is piloting a kitchen stocking service with Instacart in select cities. Hosts will unpack and organize groceries, earning $25 per order, but are also responsible for following USDA food safety guidelines. This pilot foreshadows a potential host services marketplace, so hosts should understand the operational and compliance implications.