The Weekly Topic: Style, Era & Guest ExpectationsSilvia opens with a common frustration: guests reviewing a property on its style, era, or theme rather than the quality of the stay. Ray shares how his minimalist Scandinavian studio in South Yarra attracts complaints about TV size and natural light, while Silvia explains how clear listings and face-to-face communication help set expectations in her shared home.

A Beach House with HeartNarelle grew up in the tiny fishing village of Keppel Sands and always remembered a little house nestled into the hill at Yeppoon's main beach. Returning home from a cancer appointment with no disease progression, she and her husband took a leap and bought that very house—now extended over 45-plus years into "Vibe on Vaughan".

From Nurse to HostAs an acute care mental health nurse covering central Queensland, Narelle explains how building rapport quickly and warmly translates directly into hosting. She shares her strategies for easing anxious guests, setting expectations early, and creating psychological safety long before check-in.

Social Media & StorytellingNarelle shares how free tools, trial reels, lifestyle photos, and local community pages drive bookings at zero advertising cost. Her tip: match your music and visuals to the vibe you want guests to feel, and tap into local events and community groups.

Pricing, Events & Beef WeekNarelle unpacks rookie pricing mistakes, the power of regional events, and Beef Week—a world-recognised event held every three years that books out accommodation within a 100km radius of Rockhampton. She explains how she plans to offer corporate stays with hampers and guest transport to stand out.

Two Listings, One PropertyWith three pavilions sleeping up to 11 guests, Narelle also runs "Afterglow"—a smaller standalone couples' space—to capture midweek bookings and give her family a break on busy weekends.

Lessons from Year OneFrom kids on the roof to a mystery smell she couldn't detect after losing her sense of smell to chemo, Narelle shares the surprises, the honesty, and the authenticity that earned her a perfect five-star rating.

Connect with Narelle Beavan:

• ​Vibe on Vaughan:

• ​Afterglow:

• ​Instagram:

Other Resources:

• ​Ray:

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Silvia and Ray discuss their differing views and personal experiences regarding pet-friendly short-term rentals:

• ​The City Apartment (Silvia): Does not allow pets due to space and building constraints. Silvia shares a cautionary tale from a fellow host involving a dog and a hallway wall.
• ​The Traveling Pet Owner (Ray): Traveling with a large Greyhound is tough. While Ray seeks pet-friendly spots on the road, his studio apartment isn't durable or large enough to host pets.
• ​The Farmhouse Approach (Lis): Welcomes pets with a sliding doggy door. She mitigates risks by checking for flea treatments, ensuring current vaccinations, and charging an extra cleaning fee.

From Magazine Editor to Host

Lis turned an investment property in Wairala into a thriving retreat known as the

Styling & Photography Insights

Drawing from her career as a decorating editor, Lis emphasizes that styling for the camera is everything.

• ​Ditch the iPhone: Professional lighting and photography are non-negotiable for making your listing stand out.
• ​Budget-Friendly Upgrades: Paint old pine furniture white and incorporate cotton tablecloths with distinct accent colors.
• ​Unique Touches: To help rural guests find the driveway, Lis creates custom, arty letterboxes through

Pricing and Technology

• ​Manual Pricing: Lis found that dynamic pricing tools didn't work for her rural market. She prefers firm cancellation policies and manual pricing.
• ​Direct Websites: Instead of relying entirely on OTAs, Lis built a custom direct booking website to host local maps and provide added value to guests.

Cleaning a massive farmhouse is time-consuming. Here is how Lis streamlines the process:

• ​Ditch the Long Checklist: Lis created a hidden page on her website with photos showing cleaners exactly how to arrange towels and set up rooms.
• ​Furniture Sliders: Put sliders under heavy furniture so cleaners can easily push them back to vacuum underneath.
• ​Robo-Vac: Invest in a robot vacuum to clean under beds while human cleaners tackle other tasks.
• ​Color-Coded Linens: Keep three sets of sheets on hand, color-coded by bed size.
• ​BBQ Fees: Leave a polite note with cleaning tips for the BBQ, including a warning that a small fee applies if left excessively dirty.

Connect with Lis:

• ​Direct Booking Website:

• ​Airbnb Listing:

• ​Custom Letterboxes:

• ​Instagram: @bigsunnyfarmhouse

Other Resources:

• ​Ray's Direct Booking Sites:

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