Midterm rentals are all the buzz right now, but before you pivot your short-term rental strategy, Sarah and Annette are pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like to run them. After years of managing hybrid stays, they’ve learned that midterm rentals come with their own set of challenges—and they’re sharing the top five realities every host needs to know.

From unpredictable income and complex leases to heavier turnovers and ongoing maintenance, this episode breaks down what most people don’t talk about when it comes to midterm rentals. If you’ve been thinking this strategy is the “easy button” for your slow season, think again—and tune in for actionable insights that will help you decide if it’s the right fit for your business.

You’ll learn:

• Why midterm rentals don’t guarantee steady income
• How to juggle multiple platforms and keep reviews fresh
• The hidden costs of midterm rental turnovers
• Legal and leasing pitfalls that can catch hosts off guard
• How to handle property maintenance when guests stay for months

Whether you’re a full-time host or just exploring new ways to fill your calendar, this is your guide to going into midterm rentals with eyes wide open.

Resources:

Breezeway — Operations management software to streamline turnovers, maintenance, and property care.

Furnished Finder — A platform connecting property owners with traveling professionals and midterm guests.

Mentioned in this episode:

 Avalara | Book a demo to save $100

Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

When you’re just starting out on Airbnb or launching a new property, one of the biggest challenges is building trust before reviews start rolling in. Should you put “new listing” in your title or description to explain why your property has zero reviews? Or could that actually backfire?

In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette tackle a great listener question about whether to use “new listing” in your Airbnb description—and the best ways to overcome the objections that come with having little to no reviews. They share how to leverage Airbnb’s algorithm boost for new listings, avoid overpromising, and use smart marketing language to build credibility right out of the gate.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Whether or not to include “new listing” in your title or description
• How Airbnb’s algorithm favors new properties—and how to maximize that boost
• Why accuracy in your listing copy matters more than hype
• Marketing strategies to overcome the lack of reviews
• Tips for building guest trust from day one through responsiveness and communication

If you’re launching a new property, or still figuring out how to make your first reviews count, this episode is a must-listen.

Resources:

Booked & Profitable Listing Audit Bootcamp – Learn how to optimize your Airbnb listing for conversions and overcome common guest objections. Join at: thanksforvisiting.com/bootcamp

Mentioned in this episode:

Lodgify | Use code TFV20

In a market some call “oversaturated,” Kristen and Michael have proven that storytelling, strategy, and smart reinvestment can still make a short-term rental shine. The husband-and-wife duo behind The Seventh Ray House in Joshua Tree join Sarah and Annette to share how they got started, the risks they took, and how they continue to grow in a competitive space.

From renovating while living on-site to launching a direct booking website with Lodgify, Kristen and Michael break down the reality of building a sustainable hosting business—what worked, what didn’t, and what they’d do differently if they had to start over.

You’ll learn how they:

• Balanced risk while betting on themselves in an uncertain market.
• Reinvested strategically with upgrades like a Nordic Warrior XL hot tub.
• Elevated their brand through professional photography and design.
• Built a direct booking strategy with Lodgify to reduce reliance on OTAs.
• Navigated discount requests, direct booking fears, and guest challenges.
• Shifted goals as their family and hosting journey evolved.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your hosting strategy, this episode will inspire you to think long-term, reinvest wisely, and bring pride and creativity to your rental.

Resources:

Lodgify – Build your own professional direct booking website and reduce reliance on OTAs.

The Seventh Ray House Direct Booking Site – Book directly with Kristen and Michael at their stunning Joshua Tree property.

Mentioned in this episode:

StayFi | Go to www.stayfi.com and enter TFV to get 50% off your first three months.

Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

When it comes to short-term rentals, few topics spark more debate than photography. Do you really need to hire a professional—or can natural, well-lit DIY photos do the trick?

In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette respond to a listener comment that challenges their long-standing belief: that professional photos are a non-negotiable for serious hosts. They explore the value of constructive feedback, how to use it to refine your marketing, and why your photos are more than just pictures—they’re a conversion tool.

You’ll learn:

• Why professional photos often pay for themselves through higher bookings and rates
• How to balance feedback from guests who may not be your target audience
• The risk of overselling your space with overly edited or outdated images
• Why investing in professional photos can increase your confidence as a host
• How photography ties into professionalizing the entire STR industry

Whether you’re convinced or skeptical, this conversation will challenge how you think about your listing images—and what they say about your business.

Resources mentioned:

Learn more about Strategic Host — our newest program designed for hosts craving accountability, mentorship, and one-on-one guidance.

Mentioned in this episode:

Lodgify | Use code TFV20

The 2025 holiday season is a unique opportunity for short-term rental hosts—but only if you plan your pricing and calendar strategy the right way. In this episode of Thanks for Visiting, Sarah and Annette break down how the holiday calendar lines up this year and how you can use it to boost your bottom line without adding extra work.

They’ll show you why setting minimum stays, adjusting rates on key dates, and preparing your team now can make the difference between leaving money on the table and having your most profitable holiday season yet.

You’ll learn how to:

• Spot unique 2025 travel patterns that create bonus holiday weekends.
• Set three-to-four-night minimums to increase revenue and reduce turnover.
• Use dynamic pricing software like PriceLabs to automate smart adjustments.
• Prepare your property and team in advance so you can enjoy the holidays too.
• Shift your mindset to see the calendar not as dates, but as opportunities for revenue.

Smart hosts don’t wait until December—they plan now and reap the rewards later.

Resources:

PriceLabs – Dynamic pricing software to automate rate adjustments and maximize your revenue.

Mentioned in this episode:

Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

This episode marks a major milestone—500 episodes of Thanks for Visiting! Sarah and Annette are celebrating by revisiting the most impactful strategies, tools, and lessons shared throughout the show. From pricing to partnerships, tech to team building, they highlight the must-know advice that separates hobbyists from professional hosts.

Tune in for a rapid-fire rundown of what’s worked for hundreds of hosts and how you can apply the same insights to your business right now.

You’ll learn how to:

• Use parent-child listings to increase revenue, especially in slower seasons.
• Set up ownership agreements that protect family and friend partnerships.
• Create a year-round pricing strategy that maximizes peak season profits.
• Boost visibility when bookings are slow without panic pricing.
• Gain financial clarity with the right bookkeeper and accountant questions.
• Know when to hire your first team member (and why it’s a milestone).
• Choose the right tech stack without drowning in options.
• Build and leverage your email list for long-term success.
• Create systems that turn chaos into consistency.

Plus, Sarah and Annette introduce Strategic Host, their newest program designed for hosts craving accountability, mentorship, and one-on-one guidance.

Learn more about Strategic Host

Mentioned in this episode:

Lodgify | Use code TFV20

The year’s not over yet—and that’s exactly why now is the perfect time to plan ahead. In this episode of Thanks for Visiting, Sarah and Annette break down five essential end-of-year steps that will help you finish 2025 strong and set your short-term rental business up for a profitable 2026.

From reviewing your revenue to auditing your tech stack, they’ll show you how small but intentional actions now can lead to less stress, smarter decisions, and more consistent profitability in the year ahead.

You’ll learn how to:

• Review your revenue and identify your best and worst performers.
• Meet with your financial team to get ahead on taxes, write-offs, and 1099 prep.
• Audit your tech stack to eliminate wasted costs and optimize your tools.
• Refresh property care and guest experience with strategic upgrades.
• Plan with purpose while leaving room for intentional pivots.

The hosts who thrive year after year aren’t the ones who wait until January to plan—they’re the ones who take action now.

Resources:

Don’t miss our free live host training on September 23 at 1 PM ET. Everyone who attends live gets our $491 Show-Up Pack filled with tools to grow your short-term rental business—available only during the event. Save your seat: https://thanksforvisiting.com/join

Mentioned in this episode:

StayFi | Go to www.stayfi.com and enter TFV to get 50% off your first three months.

This week’s Hosting Hotline question comes from Susan, who asks: “How do you go about attracting new homeowners to list their properties with you? What’s worked best for you when trying to grow your portfolio?”

In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down the strategies that have helped them—and other hosts—successfully land new co-host clients. From building long-term professional relationships to leveraging social media, they’ll share actionable advice you can start using today.

You’ll learn why persistence matters, how to confidently make the ask, and the importance of creating a strong first impression with potential clients. Plus, hear success stories from inside their coaching program that prove co-hosting can go from one property to dozens with the right systems and mindset.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale, this Hosting Hotline episode will help you build the foundation for a thriving co-hosting business.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why treating co-hosting like a professional business is essential
• How to confidently market yourself and “go for no”
• The role of social media and behind-the-scenes content in attracting leads
• Why tracking your sales funnel and conversion rates is critical

Resources:

• Don’t miss our free live host training on September 23 at 1 PM ET. Everyone who attends live gets our $491 Show-Up Pack filled with tools to grow your short-term rental business—available only during the event. Save your seat: https://thanksforvisiting.com/join
• Hosting Hotline – Submit your questions at hostinghotline.com for a chance to be featured on a future episode.
• Thanks for Visiting YouTube Channel – More tips and coaching: youtube.com/thanksforvisiting.

Mentioned in this episode:

Lodgify | Use code TFV20