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

In this Monday Market Data Report, Mark Lumpkin breaks down Gatlinburg, Tennessee, one of the most talked-about short-term rental markets in the country. Using real performance data, Mark walks through how revenue, occupancy, and nightly rates change as you move from three-bedroom cabins to six-plus bedroom luxury properties.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How three-bedroom STRs in Gatlinburg earn between $55K and $95K annually
• Why four-bedroom properties can generate $20K–$45K more per year than three-bedrooms
• How five-bedroom cabins separate average performers from true top-tier experiences
• Why six-plus bedroom properties show the largest revenue jump Mark has seen in any market
• How ADR and occupancy work together to drive outsized returns in Gatlinburg
• What the data reveals about guest expectations for larger, experience-driven homes

If you’re considering investing in Gatlinburg or already own in the Smokies, this episode breaks down exactly what size property performs best and why.

Tune in every Monday for market data reports and every Friday for expert guest interviews on the STR Investing Podcast.

Cody Cramer went from hotel revenue management to building a multi-market short-term rental co-hosting business, all while operating remotely. In this episode, Mark sits down with Cody to break down how he scaled across the Smokies and Florida markets, why systems matter more than location, and what actually drives guest satisfaction.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Cody transitioned from hotels into STR co-hosting
• What it really takes to manage properties remotely without sacrificing quality
• Why your cleaning and maintenance team is the most important hire you’ll make
• The exact tech stack they use: Hostaway, PriceLabs, Breezeway, and Happy Guest
• How non-traditional partnerships created early deal flow
• The four metrics that matter in any STR market: bedroom count, RevPAR, booking lead time, and amenity saturation
• How better communication reduces guest questions and improves reviews

Connect with Cody / Ascent Co-Hosting:
Website: www.ascentcohosting.com
IG: Ascent Cohosting
FB: Ascent Cohosting

In this Monday Market Data Report, co-host Mark Lumpkin breaks down the short-term rental numbers for Gulf Shores, a popular Gulf Coast vacation market with far more upside than many investors realize.

This episode walks through how revenue, nightly rates, and occupancy change as you move from 3-bedroom homes to 6+ bedroom properties, and why larger, well-executed homes dominate this market.

Inside the data, you’ll learn:

• What 3-bedroom homes earn at average vs. top-tier performance levels
• Why adding a 4th bedroom increases revenue even with slightly lower occupancy
• How 5-bedroom properties unlock a major jump in annual income
• Why 6+ bedroom homes in Gulf Shores can push $200K–$250K+ in annual revenue
• How higher nightly rates — not just occupancy — drive strong net returns

The numbers reveal a massive gap between average listings and top performers, proving that design, amenities, and bedroom count matter just as much as location in beach markets.

Whether you already own on the Gulf Coast or are underwriting your next STR deal, this episode gives you clear, data-backed insight into what’s possible in Gulf Shores when you do it right.

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

AI is changing short-term rental marketing—but not always for the better.

In this episode of the STR Investing Podcast, Taylor sits down with Conrad, founder of BuildUp Bookings, to break down what actually drives bookings in today’s crowded STR market.

They discuss how overused AI messaging can turn guests away, where automation still adds real value, and why authentic communication is becoming a competitive advantage for Airbnb hosts and property managers. Conrad shares practical insights from nearly a decade in STR marketing, helping operators rethink how they attract, convert, and retain guests.

Key topics covered:

• AI vs human messaging in STR marketing
• How to improve bookings without sounding automated
• Guest psychology and conversion fundamentals
• Marketing mistakes hurting Airbnb performance

If you want more bookings without relying on spammy AI tactics, this episode delivers clear, actionable insight.

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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 Austin, one of the most talked-about STR markets in the country.

This episode dives deep into how revenue, occupancy, and nightly rates scale as bedroom count increases, and why Austin strongly rewards larger, high-performing properties.

You’ll learn:

• What 3-bedroom properties earn at average vs. top-tier performance levels
• Why adding a 4th bedroom can unlock a major revenue jump—even with slightly lower occupancy
• How 5-bedroom homes outperform smaller properties by tens of thousands per year
• Why 6+ bedroom homes in Austin are producing some of the highest STR revenues we’ve seen nationwide
• How higher nightly rates and strategic occupancy can lead to stronger net returns

The numbers show massive gaps between average listings and top performers—ranging from under $40K per year to well over $300K—making Austin a clear example of how property size and performance drive outcomes.

If you’re investing in Austin, underwriting a deal, or deciding whether expanding your floor plan is worth it, this episode gives you clear, data-backed insights to guide your strategy.

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