It’s late—around 10:30 p.m.—when Mark gets a calm call no host ever wants: “We have a little problem…the cabinets just fell off the wall.” In Part 2 of our Halloween Special, operations pro Misty Schmidt walks us through a surreal scene: upper kitchen cabinets ripping off the wall, 24 place settings shattering, and a heroic guest scooping glass with a snow shovel…in flip-flops.

Misty shares:

• How she triaged a true “oh-no” moment with safety-first steps and on-site cleanup
• Why installation quality (anchors, weight, wall type) matters more than you think
• What thoughtful recovery looks like: immediate response, refund, and personalized gifts (yes, tequila and local cigars)—leading to a 5-star review

Plus, Mark wraps with real Reddit horror stories (from no-show hosts to “watched on camera” creepiness) and the big takeaway after dozens of convos at VRMA: genuine STR nightmares are rarer than the internet suggests—great systems and fast empathy go a long way.

You’ll learn: crisis playbooks for hosts, guest comms that defuse drama, and how to turn a disaster into loyalty.

Monday Market Data
Whitefish, MT

Airbnb Performance Data
___________________________________

3 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $45,990
75th Percentile: $62,555
90th Percentile: $88,592

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $380
75th Percentile: $474
90th Percentile: $585

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 33%
75th Percentile: 45%
90th Percentile: 55%
________________________________

4 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $64,538
75th Percentile: $87,028
90th Percentile: $114,867

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $493
75th Percentile: $607
90th Percentile: $875

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 34%
75th Percentile: 45%
90th Percentile: 58%
___________________________________

5 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $71,604
75th Percentile: $91,722
90th Percentile: $107,812

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $557
75th Percentile: $710
90th Percentile: $771

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 32%
75th Percentile: 44%
90th Percentile: 57%
_________________________________

6+ Bedrooms

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $124,603
75th Percentile: $160,987
90th Percentile: $183,155

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $816
75th Percentile: $965
90th Percentile: $1,321

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 38%
75th Percentile: 45%
90th Percentile: 57%
_________________________________

-Data provided by SummerOS-

Which market do you want to see next?

In this special Halloween episode of the STR Investing Podcast, Mark Lumpkin is joined by four seasoned hosts who have seen it all—ghosts, break-ins, nightmares, and even a guest covered in blood. From haunted houses in Pennsylvania to eerie first stays gone wrong, these are the stories that prove hosting isn’t for the faint of heart.

In this episode:

• A host shares the tale of a haunted Airbnb with guests seeing a mysterious little boy.
• Another one recalls a California stay gone wrong when guests woke up to find a stranger, covered in blood, asleep on their couch.
• One host tells how a simple wallpaper mishap convinced his very first guest that his home was haunted—and how he turned it into a five-star review.
• Lessons every host can take from these chilling, real-life encounters.

Grab your pumpkin spice, dim the lights, and settle in for the Halloween Special 2025: True STR Horror Stories. Because sometimes… the scariest part of hosting isn’t the guests—it’s the house.

Monday Market Data
Lake Harmony, PA

Airbnb Performance Data
___________________________________

3 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $31,627
75th Percentile: $45,433
90th Percentile: $63,586

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $255
75th Percentile: $300
90th Percentile: $368

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 33%
75th Percentile: 46%
90th Percentile: 58%
________________________________

4 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $37,724
75th Percentile: $50,205
90th Percentile: $69,371

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $328
75th Percentile: $410
90th Percentile: $518

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 32%
75th Percentile: 39%
90th Percentile: 50%
___________________________________

5 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $50,580
75th Percentile: $67,504
90th Percentile: $89,103

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $439
75th Percentile: $516
90th Percentile: $647

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 29%
75th Percentile: 39%
90th Percentile: 48%
_________________________________

6+ Bedrooms

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $83,587
75th Percentile: $118,890
90th Percentile: $152,819

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $770
75th Percentile: $948
90th Percentile: $1,130

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 29%
75th Percentile: 39%
90th Percentile: 46%
_________________________________

-Data provided by SummerOS-

Which market do you want to see next?

In this episode, Taylor sits down with Katie, marketing leader at Furnish Finder, to unpack how midterm rentals have evolved far beyond the travel-nurse niche. Katie shares her journey from commercial real estate to leading growth at one of the fastest-growing platforms for 30+ day stays, and why MTRs are now a must-have strategy for short-term rental investors.

In this episode:

• The expanding MTR guest base: from medical professionals to relocations, renovations, corporate travel, and insurance stays
• How Furnish Finder grew into a powerhouse marketplace connecting hosts and tenants with no booking fees
• The key operational differences between STRs and MTRs, and why MTRs can be a “breath of fresh air” for busy hosts
• What amenities actually matter for 30–90 day guests and how to stand out
• Simple ways to mix MTRs into your STR strategy to smooth cash flow and reduce turnover

If you’ve ever wondered how to reduce turnover and still maximize income, this episode shows you how midterm rentals can simplify operations and keep revenue flowing year-round.

Monday Market Data
Helen, GA

Airbnb Performance Data
___________________________________

3 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $35,190
75th Percentile: $44,438
90th Percentile: $61,218

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $239
75th Percentile: $293
90th Percentile: $348

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 40%
75th Percentile: 49%
90th Percentile: 59%
________________________________

4 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $42,591
75th Percentile: $58,551
90th Percentile: $78,875

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $334
75th Percentile: $373
90th Percentile: $436

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 37%
75th Percentile: 48%
90th Percentile: 55%
___________________________________

5 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $49,720
75th Percentile: $73,805
90th Percentile: $96,472

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $418
75th Percentile: $514
90th Percentile: $630

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 39%
75th Percentile: 46%
90th Percentile: 56%
_________________________________

6+ Bedrooms

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $67,185
75th Percentile: $109,034
90th Percentile: $137,560

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $544
75th Percentile: $729
90th Percentile: $865

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 36%
75th Percentile: 39%
90th Percentile: 46%
_________________________________

-Data provided by SummerOS-

Which market do you want to see next?

This week, Mark sits down with Rachel Allday, co-founder of Abode Luxury Rentals, managing nearly 200 high-end properties across Park City, Jackson Hole, and Sun Valley. Rachel shares how she and her husband built their company from scratch 18 years ago—long before Airbnb existed—and what “luxury” really means in today’s short-term rental market.

In this episode:

• How Rachel turned creativity into growth, from her first “wedding invite” mailer campaign to managing $10M+ estates
• What defines luxury: authenticity, maintenance, high-touch service, and staff-to-property ratios that ensure perfection
• Why attention to detail wins: triple inspections, white linens, local touches, and hospitality that feels human
• The importance of team culture, shared accountability, and never settling for 95%
• How Abode achieves consistent five-star reviews through inspections, standards, and guest-first thinking
• Marketing insights: why professional photography, consistent staging, and aspirational imagery matter
• VRMA’s impact on her business growth, profitability, and network of mentors and peers

Rachel also opens up about her role on the VRMA Board of Directors, where she’s helping shape the next generation of education and professionalism in the STR industry.

Connect with Rachel: abodeluxuryrentals.com
Follow Abode Luxury Rentals on Instagram
Catch Rachel at VRMA International in Las Vegas

___

Episode Sponsored By:
STR Search

STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 265+ profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

Monday Market Data
Catskills, NY

Airbnb Performance Data
___________________________________

3 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $37,641
75th Percentile: $56,369
90th Percentile: $76,893

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $302
75th Percentile: $375
90th Percentile: $478

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 36%
75th Percentile: 48%
90th Percentile: 60%
________________________________

4 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $46,630
75th Percentile: $71,077
90th Percentile: $100,026

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $420
75th Percentile: $550
90th Percentile: $708

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 31%
75th Percentile: 43%
90th Percentile: 55%
___________________________________

5 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $60,015
75th Percentile: $88,303
90th Percentile: $129,536

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $574
75th Percentile: $772
90th Percentile: $957

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 27%
75th Percentile: 40%
90th Percentile: 51%
_________________________________

6+ Bedrooms

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $68,666
75th Percentile: $113,367
90th Percentile: $169,686

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $701
75th Percentile: $988
90th Percentile: $1,370

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 28%
75th Percentile: 38%
90th Percentile: 47%
_________________________________

-Data provided by SummerOS-

Which market do you want to see next?