Kenny Bedwell explains why short-term rentals are harder today—and how data, design, and discipline still create outsized returns.

In this episode of RealDealChat, Kenny Bedwell—short-term rental investor, former Citibank data analyst, and founder of STR Insights—breaks down what has actually changed in the Airbnb market over the last eight years.

Kenny shares his journey from house hacking a duplex in Buffalo to owning short-term rentals across multiple states and even operating a hotel. We dive into why the “throw it on Airbnb and print money” era is over, how competition and regulation reshaped the landscape, and why data—not hype—must drive every STR decision today.

This conversation covers how Kenny uses nationwide data to identify high-ROI markets most investors overlook, why regulated markets can still outperform, how to self-manage STRs without burning out, and what amenities and design choices actually move the revenue needle. Kenny also shares his most expensive mistakes, why parking and neighbors matter more than Instagram aesthetics, and how to think about guest avatars instead of generic “travelers.”

If you’re considering short-term rentals—or already in the game and feeling squeezed—this episode will reset your expectations and sharpen your strategy.

🌐 Learn more about Kenny & STR Insights: 👉 https://strinsights.com

📸 Follow Kenny on Instagram: 👉 @kenny_bedwell

If this episode helped you think more clearly about short-term rentals, share it with one investor friend—and learn more at https://realdealcrew.com

Keywords: short term rental investing, Kenny Bedwell, Airbnb investing, STR data analysis, vacation rental investing, short term rental mistakes, Airbnb competition, STR market analysis, self managing short term rentals, real estate data investing, STR regulation, RealDealChat podcast

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