Short-term rental guest expectations are rising fast — and “manual everything” breaks the moment you try to scale.

This week, Mark is joined by Frank from Hostfully to talk systems, PMS strategy, and what it really takes to run a professional operation as you grow from 1–2 properties to 10+.

Frank shares how his luxury hotel background (Ritz, W, Westin) shaped his view of STR operations — and why structure, branding, and professionalism are now non-negotiable if you want to win your market.

We cover:

• The biggest differences between luxury hotels and mom-and-pop short-term rentals
• Why guest expectations keep moving toward “hotel-level” standards (and won’t go back)
• When it becomes impossible to manage without a PMS
• How a PMS helps reduce operational friction and scale without chaos
• Why “growth at all costs” is dead — and sustainable growth is the new edge
• What to look for when choosing a PMS (and why there’s no one-size-fits-all)

If you’re serious about scaling your STR portfolio, this episode is a must-listen.

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Episode Sponsored By:
STR Search

STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 325+ profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

In this Monday Market Data Report, co-host Mark Lumpkin breaks down the short-term rental numbers for Park City, one of the most in-demand ski towns in the country.

This episode reveals some of the largest performance gaps we’ve seen in any market — where top-performing properties earn more than double what average listings make in the same bedroom category.

Inside the data, you’ll learn:

• What 3-bedroom homes earn at average vs. top-tier performance levels
• Why performance matters more than bedroom count in Park City
• How 4- and 5-bedroom homes can push well into six figures annually
• Why 6+ bedroom properties are producing $300K+ per year
• How nightly rates and occupancy combine to create massive revenue swings

The takeaway is clear: in Park City, average properties get crushed, while well-designed, well-executed homes dominate the market.

If you’re investing in ski towns, underwriting luxury STRs, or deciding whether Park City is worth the premium buy-in, this episode gives you the real numbers behind the hype.

Have a market you want us to break down next? DM Mark and we’ll bring the data.

The short-term rental market has changed fast. The old “furnish it cheap and it still books” playbook is fading—and Merritt Harris breaks down what actually wins now.

Merritt shares how he went from long-term rentals in New York to building a property management company during the COVID peak, then adapting as competition intensified and guest expectations rose.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why “corporate” posting and insider jargon doesn’t convert—and what to post instead
• The shift from selling a bed to selling an experience-driven stay
• Amenities vs. design: what matters most and how to decide
• Why larger properties are outperforming smaller ones in many markets
• How to find value-add opportunities (basements, egress, bonus rooms) to increase revenue
• The systems-first approach to management: automation, cleaners, and scaling without burnout
• A practical tech stack for operators and property managers (PMS, pricing tools, cleaning ops, comms)

If you’re trying to compete in today’s market—whether you own one property or manage dozens—this episode will help you rethink what “good enough” looks like in 2026.

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Episode Sponsored By:
STR Search

STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 325+ profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com