Renovations can make—or break—your short-term rental. In this episode, real estate attorney and host Katie Johnson sits down with Minnesota investor Tanya Rooney to share a practical playbook for managing construction on STR properties.

They explain how vague scopes create chaotic bids and walk through what to include in a detailed scope (counts, locations, specs, exclusions) so proposals reflect the same work. You’ll hear the real differences between commercial and residential contractors, how contracts with timelines and payment milestones prevent surprises, and why licenses, insurance, permits, and final inspections are non-negotiable.

Tap the 🔔 for new episodes, leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating, and share this with a host planning a renovation—then save it for your next contractor meeting.

#STRLaw #ShortTermRental #AirbnbHostTips #RealEstateInvesting #Renovation #ContractorVetting #Permits #Inspections #CodeCompliance #ConstructionLaw #ProjectManagement #PropertyManagement #TanyaRooney

Short-term rentals are booming, but financing them is where a lot of hosts get tripped up. In this episode, Katie talks with Parker, a lender licensed in 45+ states, about how STR buyers can actually qualify using traditional QM (Qualified Mortgage) loans, more flexible non-QM products (bank-statement, 1099, full-doc non-QM), and DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans that rely on projected STR income or AirDNA data.

This episode also explains when you can safely buy in your own name and deed it into an LLC, how to tell if a seller-credit or rate-buydown is actually helping you or just “lipstick on a pig,” and the exact point where lenders treat occupancy as non-negotiable so you don’t drift into mortgage-fraud territory.

#STRLaw #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbInvesting #RealEstateInvesting #DSCR #NonQM #QualifiedMortgage #InvestorLoans #SellerCredits #LLC #MortgageCompliance

Get in touch with Parker Borofsky:

• Here is her website!

Short-term rental operators can find the deals — the tricky part is bringing in investors without creating legal or partnership headaches. The questions start fast: How long is the hold? Who manages? What if someone wants out early?

In this episode of STR Law, Katie Johnson sits down with Natalie Palmer (No Vacancy Podcast, Level Up Your Listing Summit) to break down a real deal she raised for an upstate New York STR. They walk through why they chose a 7-year exit, how they kept terms the same for every investor, using a manager-managed LLC, DSCR loans, and how to say “no” to non-ideal partners — without losing momentum.

If you’re moving from “I own a couple of Airbnbs” to “I raise capital and partner,” this will help you set it up cleanly. #STRLaw #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbInvesting #CapitalRaising #RealEstatePartnerships #LLCStructure #RealEstateAttorney #NataliePalmer

• Natalie Palmer’s website: hostwithnatalie.com

• The conference Level Up Your Listing Summit: levelupyourlistingsummit.com

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What if your Airbnb guest won’t leave?

An overstaying guest can quickly create legal and financial headaches if you don’t know your rights.

In this episode of STR Law, I’m joined by John Voss, with over 30 years representing property management companies and landlords in both residential and commercial cases. He explains the legal challenges that arise when short-term rental guests overstay, and how hosts can protect themselves from being pulled into landlord–tenant disputes.

What you’ll take away:

• Eviction vs. ejection: why the distinction matters for STRs

• What really happens when guests refuse to leave

• How landlord–tenant laws can affect short-term rentals

• The contract language that helps safeguard your property

• Practical steps hosts can take to stay compliant and reduce risk

🎙️ Stay ahead of the risks—discover how the right legal steps can protect your rental business.

#ShortTermRental #AirbnbHost #STRLaw #VacationRental #RentalProperty #PropertyManagement #RealEstateLaw #LandlordTenant

katiejohnsonplc.com

Taxes can make or break your short-term rental business, and most hosts are leaving thousands of dollars on the table.

In this episode, licensed CPA, Ryan Bakke, explains how Airbnb and vacation rental investors can use smart tax planning to keep more of what they earn. From bonus depreciation and cost segregation to entity structuring and the STR loophole, Ryan breaks down strategies in a way every host can understand:

• How the 2025 return of 100% bonus depreciation could unlock huge upfront tax savings

• The short-term rental loophole that allows you to offset W-2 income with STR losses

• Why most hosts should use LLCs (not S corps) to protect assets and avoid tax traps

• The truth about partnership deals and guaranteed loans—and who really gets the tax benefits

• What new tax law changes mean for STR hosts, from personal deductions to business planning

Want to learn more with Ryan with his real estate investment and tax-saving tips? Check out his podcast channel at The Ryan Bakke Show 🎙️

Get in touch with Katie through her website: katiejohnsonplc.com

#ShortTermRental #AirbnbHosting #TaxStrategy #VacationRentalInvesting #RealEstateTaxes #AirbnbTips #RentalIncomeProtection #TheRyanBakkeShow #STRLaw

In this episode of STR Law, Attorney Katie Johnson sits down with Arizona realtor and attorney Mike Stone to explore his journey to real estate, property management, and short-term rental entrepreneurship. We dig into:

• How Mike transitioned from litigation and insurance defense to Airbnb investing

• The lessons learned (and money lost) from arbitrage deals — and why he now champions co-hosting

• Smart strategies for negotiating with property owners and protecting yourself with contracts

• The process of selling a property management company and structuring clean, fair deals

• The growing opportunity of fractional real estate and luxury short-term rentals in Arizona

From contracts to co-hosting, Mike’s journey offers practical takeaways for anyone looking to grow and protect their short-term rental business.

🎙️ Don’t miss this episode—gain the legal and business insights every short-term rental host needs to stay competitive and protected.

#ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHosts #STRInvesting #VacationRentalTips #PropertyManagement #STRLawPodcast #RealEstateInvesting

Short-term rentals are booming, but one wrong insurance move can sink your business. In this episode of STR Law, I sit down with Nick Massey from Proper Insurance—the “Lamborghini of STR insurance”—to unpack how hosts can avoid costly mistakes.

We cover:

• Why most homeowners and landlord policies won’t protect you as a host

• The #1 pool and hot tub requirements you can’t ignore

• What really happens when a guest gets injured (from cliff falls to carbon monoxide claims)

• How LLCs, waivers, and safety measures strengthen your defense

• The truth about umbrellas, riders, and liability limits

Nick shares real-life cases—including a $2M cliff fall, a celebrity CO poisoning, and even bat-related rabies shots—that highlight why the right insurance is non-negotiable for hosts.

🎙️ If you’re a host, investor, or property manager, this episode is a must-listen to protect your rental business, your guests, and your peace of mind.

🔗 Learn more about Proper Insurance at www.proper.insure

#ShortTermRental #AirbnbHost #VacationRental #STRLaw #ProperInsurance #AirbnbTips #VacationRentalHost #RentalProperty #HostTips #AirbnbLife #RealEstateInvesting #VacationRentalTips #AirbnbCommunity #PropertyManagement #AirbnbSuccess

In this eye-opening episode of STR Law, attorney and Airbnb investor Katie Johnson sits down with short-term rental safety expert Justin Ford of Breezeway to break down what may be the largest jury verdict ever involving a short-term rental — a staggering $11.6 million.

We dig deep into the case details:

• The incident that led to a guest’s life-changing injury

• The safety oversights and legal missteps that proved costly

• How the absence of proper signage, LLC protection, and tailored rental agreements played a role

• Why “duty of care” isn’t just a buzzword — it’s your legal lifeline

• The most common STR claims (slip-and-falls, pool drownings, fire hazards) and how to prevent them

Whether you’re a seasoned STR owner, property manager, or new investor, this episode is packed with real-world lessons to protect your property, your guests, and your business.

🎧 Listen now to learn how to keep your rentals safe, compliant, and lawsuit-resistant.

#ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHosts #STRInvesting #VacationRentalTips #PropertyManagement #SafetyFirst #STRLawPodcast