News

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.

According to this article, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" tax code changes will likely cause STR markets to boom in 2026 and 2027 by allowing owners to write off 100% of the purchase price of eligible assets. Hosts should begin planning for depreciation before closing on properties and consult with their CPAs to maximize potential tax savings.

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.

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 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 article from the BiggerPockets blog discusses four signs that indicate you're ready to buy a rental property, focusing on financial readiness, avoiding analysis paralysis, and niching down your strategy. Hosts should assess their personal finances, understanding cash flow and debt management, to determine if they're prepared to invest in real estate.

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.

Kansas City is expecting increased demand for short-term rentals during the World Cup. Local residents are encouraged to learn how to host to meet this demand. This presents an opportunity for hosts to increase occupancy and revenue.

This article from the Columbus Commercial Dispatch answers questions regarding a new short-term rental ordinance in Columbus. Hosts operating in Columbus should review the new regulations to ensure compliance.

Duluth, MN has placed a moratorium on issuing new short-term rental licenses. This means it may be difficult or impossible to start a new STR in Duluth. Hosts should check local regulations for updates.

Sonder, a major tech-enabled hospitality startup, abruptly shut down operations, impacting guests and employees. The collapse highlights the risks of master-lease models and over-reliance on venture capital in the STR space. Hosts should understand the financial fragility of such models and consider the potential impact on their businesses.

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.

This article discusses the "short-term rental loophole," a tax strategy allowing hosts to use losses from short-term rentals to offset active income if certain conditions are met, such as average stays of seven days or less and material participation in managing the property. Hosts should carefully track their hours and activities and consult with a CPA experienced in STR tax strategies to take advantage of this potential tax benefit while staying compliant.

This article discusses the current state of the real estate market in 2025, with a focus on opportunities for investors. While the multifamily market is facing challenges, the article suggests small multifamily properties may offer a good investment opportunity for individual investors. Hosts should consider the potential for long-term wealth building through small multifamily purchases.

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.

Bellaire, TX has prohibited short-term rentals in residential districts under new guidelines. Hosts operating in Bellaire must comply with these new regulations or risk penalties.