314: Why Higher Short-Term Rental Rates Start With Better Design with Bri West

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene sits down with Bri West, co-founder of Somerled Designs, to explore how strategic design has become a competitive advantage in today's short-term rental market. Drawing on her background in marketing and real estate investing, Bri explains why design should be treated as a revenue-driving investment rather than a cosmetic expense.

The conversation dives into how niching down on a clear guest avatar, using data to guide design decisions, and prioritizing high-impact spaces can dramatically increase ADR—even if occupancy is lower. Bri also shares insights from managing and designing hundreds of short-term rentals nationwide, including common mistakes investors make, how to think about amenities and bed configurations, and why lifestyle photography and branding are no longer optional.

Listeners will come away with a clearer framework for evaluating short-term rental opportunities, aligning design with long-term investment goals, and standing out in increasingly saturated markets.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Why short-term rental design should start with data and investment strategy, not personal taste

• How niching down on a specific guest experience can outperform "general" properties

• The role of amenities, durability, and bed layout in guest satisfaction and reviews

• Why branding and lifestyle photography directly impact bookings and pricing power

• How to think about long-term competitiveness as markets become more saturated

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Supporting Resources

Connect with Bri:

Website: https://www.somerleddesigns.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somerled.designs/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/somerled-designs/

Connect with Jonathan:

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/streamlinen​j

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/jonathangreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - [e-mail]

This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.