What if you could turn everyday travelers into a social media content army - one that boosts your visibility, drives direct bookings, and promotes the local experiences your guests already ask about?

In this episode, Mark sits down with Maddie Rifkin, founder & CEO of Mount, to unpack how she’s helping short-term rental operators, property managers, and even mom-and-pop vendors monetize recommendations and go viral without relying on big-budget influencers or OTAs.

They dive into:

• How Mount connects hosts with local vendors & turns recs into revenue
• Why normal travelers often outperform big influencers in content creation
• What it takes to launch your own “content army” and build massive brand awareness
• The truth about follower count vs. post performance
• How one host added $200K in direct bookings with a single viral strategy
• The best platforms to focus on for real ROI in the STR space
• How to prepare for a viral spike so it doesn’t fizzle out

Plus: Maddie reveals what makes a great content creator, how her team trains and deploys stewards across the country, and why now is the best time to build your brand on social media before it’s too late.

If you’re tired of the OTA hamster wheel and want to future-proof your business with better guest experiences, content marketing, and direct booking strategies, this episode is your jump start.

Connect with Maddie: LinkedIn
Learn more about Mount: www.mountlocks.com

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Episode Sponsored By:
STR Search

STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 255 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
Boulder, CO

Airbnb Performance Data
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3 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $61,792
75th Percentile: $87,580
90th Percentile: $122,967

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $347
75th Percentile: $445
90th Percentile: $550

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 53%
75th Percentile: 66%
90th Percentile: 78%
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4 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $93,943
75th Percentile: $104,806
90th Percentile: $148,924

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $563
75th Percentile: $623
90th Percentile: $706

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 51%
75th Percentile: 59%
90th Percentile: 76%
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5 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $92,914
75th Percentile: $152,938
90th Percentile: $195,129

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $664
75th Percentile: $796
90th Percentile: $1,197

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 44%
75th Percentile: 53%
90th Percentile: 60%
_________________________________

6+ Bedrooms

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $279,871
75th Percentile: $300,064
90th Percentile: $422,097

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $1,402
75th Percentile: $1,435
90th Percentile: $1,850

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 56%
75th Percentile: 60%
90th Percentile: 65%
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-Data provided by SummerOS-

Which market do you want to see next?

In this special co-hosted episode of the STR Investing Podcast, Mark Lumpkin and Taylor Jones sit down together for only the second time to deliver a real-time “State of the Union” for short-term rentals in mid-2025.

From front-end data and acquisitions to back-end renovations and management, they share what’s working, what’s not, and where the smart money is moving right now.

You’ll hear:

• Why investors are winning at the ends of the bedroom count spectrum and why 3-4 beds are becoming “no man’s land” in many markets
• How small, niche 1-2 bedroom getaways are rivaling the returns of mega properties
• The rising costs, permitting headaches, and contractor pitfalls impacting renovations
• Why picking the right property manager can make or break your investment
• How the “Big Beautiful Bill” is driving high-income earners into STRs for tax strategy and wealth building
• The design and amenity decisions that actually move the revenue needle
• How to think strategically about interest rates, seasonality, and timing your next purchase

If you want to understand the shifts shaping today’s STR market and how to adapt before you get left behind, this episode is packed with timely insights you can put into action.

What happens when the short-term rental playbook stops working? You adapt or you get left behind.

In this episode of the STR Investing Podcast, Mark sits down with Jeremy, founder of BNB Calc, property manager, mastermind host, and investor behind some of the most jaw-dropping “super properties” in the country.

Jeremy shares his journey from buying turnkey cabins and Florida pool homes in 2020 to chasing truly one-of-a-kind assets like a 7,000-sq-ft Kentucky estate with its own private lake, sports arena, and a Nerf war zone.

We dive deep into:

• How the STR game has evolved since 2021 (and why the old strategies don’t work anymore)
• The search process for unicorn properties that can’t be easily replicated
• Designing over-the-top amenities that drive bookings and social media buzz
• Leveraging viral marketing to fill calendars months in advance
• Long-term plans to scale a mega property into something completely unique in its market

If you’re ready to rethink your portfolio, out-amenitize your competition, and turn creative vision into serious revenue, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

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Episode Sponsored By:

STR Search

STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 255 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

Taylor sits down with one of the most in-demand short-term rental photographers in the U.S., Sam Smith.

From humble beginnings shooting real estate listings with his wife to becoming a go-to STR photography expert traveling cross-country, Sam shares what it really takes to create photos that sell the experience, not just the property.

You’ll learn:

• The key differences between real estate and STR photography (and why most hosts get it wrong)
• Why lifestyle shots, done correctly, can boost emotion, engagement, and conversions
• How to prepare for a top-tier photo shoot and what most hosts overlook
• The power of staging (without overselling) and the thin line between cozy and fake
• What traveling with 2 dogs, 8 cats, and a van full of gear taught Sam about grit and preparation
• Common traps photographers fall into and how to avoid them

Whether you’re launching your first listing or revamping a luxury portfolio, this episode is packed with practical tips and behind-the-lens insights you won’t find anywhere else.

Follow Sam on Facebook & Instagram
Want to book Sam? Reach out via social

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Episode Sponsored By:
STR Search

STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 255 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

Mark sits down with Connor Paton, CEO and co-founder of Noshable, a grocery concierge service designed specifically for short-term rentals. What started as a simple idea, stock the fridge before guests arrive, has grown into a national service that enhances hospitality, improves reviews, and opens up new revenue streams for STR operators.

You’ll learn:

• How Noshable partners with STR managers to provide a seamless, branded grocery experience
• Why stocked fridges are driving more 5-star reviews and repeat bookings
• What guests actually order (hint: beer and bagels lead the list)
• How property managers are using Noshable for upsells, loyalty perks, and surprise-and-delight moments
• The behind-the-scenes logistics of launching a national service with cleaning app partners
• Why magical moments - like a stocked fridge or surprise birthday cake—are the future of STR hospitality

Whether you run one Airbnb or manage 500, this episode will change how you think about check-ins, hospitality, and what’s possible with the guest experience.

Learn more: shopnoshable.com
Follow Connor on LinkedIn: Connor Paton
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Episode Sponsored By:
STR Search

STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

What if you could work directly with professional designers for free on your next short-term rental project? In this episode, Mark sits down with Erin and Asia from Wayfair’s Project Solutions team to explore one of the STR industry’s best-kept secrets: Wayfair Professional.

From full installs in the Bahamas to creating on-brand, photo-worthy spaces that drive bookings, Erin and Asia break down exactly how Wayfair’s team helps hosts and investors:

• Design rentals with hospitality-grade durability and residential comfort
• Source stylish, reliable furniture across ALL price points (not just budget buys!)
• Coordinate consolidated shipping, delivery, and white-glove installation
• Access commercial-grade goods, vanities, fixtures, even renovation materials
• Avoid common mistakes like short timelines and low-quality selections
• Create photogenic moments and amenities guests rave about

Whether you’re furnishing your first Airbnb or scaling a portfolio, this episode is loaded with practical insights on how to save time, elevate your design, and protect your investment.

Explore Wayfair Pro: https://www.wayfair.com/pro
Follow them on IG: @wayfairprofessional

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Episode Sponsored By:
STR Search

STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

Taylor sits down with Nico, a former tech sales executive turned short-term rental entrepreneur, to unpack one of the most creative and strategic STR journeys we’ve heard.

Nico shares how he:

• Went from selling software to CFOs of billion-dollar tech companies to flipping homes in Austin
• Used STRs to offset a major tax bill after a liquidity event—and never looked back
• Bought and converted a 110-year-old Piggly Wiggly grocery store into a cash-flowing Airbnb duplex
• Built a 12-unit portfolio, including midterm arbitrage units for corporate travelers
• Launched Live in Luxury, a white-glove service for high-earning W2 professionals
• Partnered with data-driven operators to scale his business and serve busy investors
• Leveraged cost segregation and depreciation to legally eliminate his tax burden

If you're looking for ways to optimize your tax strategy, generate consistent cash flow, and invest in memorable, high-performing STRs, this episode is packed with insight.

Learn more: LiveInLuxury.co

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Episode Sponsored By:

STR Search

STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com