News

A recent study by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) analyzed five million Airbnb guest reviews, shedding light on guest concerns regarding crime and safety within short-term rentals. This research provides valuable insights into the guest experience, highlighting potential areas for hosts to improve. It underscores the importance of addressing safety concerns to enhance guest satisfaction.

Mid-term rentals (stays of 1 month to a year) are becoming popular, offering more predictable income and fewer turnovers. This article provides a guide to attracting, hosting, and managing mid-term guests, including tips on property suitability, pricing, and automation, and warns of the need for a separate rental agreement.

This article highlights the economic impact of Airbnb on Georgia's economy, showcasing significant revenue generation and job creation, especially in key travel destinations like Athens and coastal Georgia. Hosts should take note of the income potential, particularly during peak seasons like college football weekends and the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

This article discusses a new recession indicator that measures the financial health of the average American, emphasizing real wage growth and unemployment. Hosts should be aware of broader economic trends, as factors like inflation and employment impact guest spending and overall STR profitability.

A Michigan lawmaker proposed a 3% tax on short-term rentals booked online. This tax could impact your profitability. Hosts should stay informed about potential tax increases in their area and understand how it affects their pricing strategies.

A Michigan lawmaker has proposed a 3% tax on short-term rental bookings made online. This could impact your profitability as a host in Michigan. Stay informed about potential tax changes in your area.

Laketown Township is addressing short-term rentals. Hosts in the area should pay attention for potential regulatory changes. No specific details are provided in the article, so further research is recommended.

Airbnb's Newsroom announces 'Elphaba's Retreat,' a uniquely themed listing inspired by the musical Wicked. This initiative demonstrates Airbnb's ongoing effort to diversify listings and attract guests with memorable experiences. It encourages hosts to consider themed offerings for guest appeal, potentially enhancing listing visibility.

Arrived, a real estate startup backed by Jeff Bezos, raised $27 million to fuel a 'stock market' for rental properties. This is relevant to hosts because it indicates growing investor interest and potential new ways to finance or participate in the STR market.

This article discusses the state of legal certainty regarding short-term rentals, providing a briefing on relevant laws and regulations. It likely covers current legal landscapes, potential issues for hosts, and the impact of these regulations on the STR industry. The focus is to inform hosts about compliance and avoid potential legal pitfalls.

Travel spending contributed $2.6 billion to the Georgia economy. This highlights the economic impact of tourism, including short-term rentals, in the region. Hosts should understand the economic benefits their business contributes to the local community.

Vrbo is launching VrboCare to enhance traveler booking protection. This new policy likely provides a level of assurance for guests. Hosts should familiarize themselves with the VrboCare details to understand its impact on their listings and guest interactions. This initiative signals Vrbo's commitment to improving the booking experience.

This article from BiggerPockets discusses four key metrics for evaluating a market's potential for real estate investment, including employment statistics, demographics, tenant credit quality, and rent trends. Hosts can use these metrics, often found via tools like WDSuite, to assess market strength and make data-informed decisions about their STR investments.

This article discusses the increasing number of mortgage-free homeowners in the U.S. and its potential impact on the housing market and real estate investing. Hosts can consider leveraging their home equity via various strategies, like short-term rentals, and flippers may find opportunities in a market with fewer motivated sellers.

New York City is seeing a surge in office-to-residential conversions, driven by zoning changes and financial incentives. Hosts and investors should be aware of the structural, mechanical, and regulatory complexities of these conversions, but also consider debt-based investing to gain exposure without the operational burdens.

This article from Get Paid For Your Pad outlines an action plan for STR hosts to capitalize on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, emphasizing strategies for pricing, market monitoring, and guest experience to potentially generate a year's worth of revenue in the June/July period. Hosts should focus on raising base rates, protecting high-demand nights, and differentiating listings for specific fan bases. The article also touches on revenue management best practices.

This article details a host's journey from struggling to buy a primary home in a competitive market like Los Angeles to building a successful rental portfolio through house hacking and rental arbitrage. Hosts can learn how to find opportunities by thinking creatively, networking, and leveraging unconventional strategies like transforming underutilized spaces and using rental arbitrage to add more doors.

This article discusses an investor who transitioned from a high-risk job to real estate investing, leveraging out-of-state turnkey properties and the BRRRR method. Hosts can learn from the strategy of diversifying investments away from expensive markets and the appeal of turnkey properties, especially for those with limited time or seeking hands-off management. Consider evaluating turnkey investment opportunities and researching reputable providers.

A state Supreme Court has invalidated Hague's Short Term Rental Law. Hosts in the Hague area should review their operations to ensure they are compliant with the updated regulations or lack thereof.

Calistoga is tightening its existing ban on short-term rentals and plans to increase enforcement. This action underscores the growing trend of municipalities regulating the STR market. Hosts in Calistoga should be aware of these stricter rules and prepare for more stringent oversight.