Podcast
STR Investing, The Podcast
Hosted by Mark Lumpkin & Taylor Jones · EN
Unlock financial freedom through short-term rental investing with hosts Mark Lumpkin and Taylor Jones. Each week, they sit down with the biggest names in the STR industry to uncover what’s working right now — from acquisitions and design to operations, marketing, and scaling portfolios.
Taylor has helped acquire and manage over 500+ STRs, while Mark brings years of hands-on experience transforming properties into high-performing investments.
Together, they break down real strategies, real numbers, and real stories that help investors grow smarter and faster.
Whether you’re buying your first Airbnb or expanding a multi-market portfolio, this show is your roadmap to building wealth and freedom through short-term rentals.
Subscribe and start turning your STR goals into results.
32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How To Master Your 4 Hour Window From Check Out to Check In
5d ago00:47:30Tap to summarizeWhat does it actually take to keep a short-term rental guest-ready - not just clean?In this episode, Mark Lumpkin sits down with Jonathan Wicks, Founder of Well & Good, one of the largest vacation rental cleaning and servicing companies in the industry.Jonathan breaks down the systems behind operating STRs at scale, from cleaning and off-site laundry to restocking, inspections, maintenance issues, and the tight turnover window between guests.They cover:Why “clean” doesn’t always mean guest-readyThe biggest mistakes STR owners make with cleanersWhy cleaning, laundry, and restocking should be separate processesHow Well & Good handles hundreds of turnovers during peak seasonWhat owners should expect from their boots-on-the-ground teamHow to build operating systems that scaleWhether you own one STR or manage hundreds, this episode is packed with practical ways to improve your operations and deliver a better guest experience.__Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR 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
Transcribe →Monday Market Data: Breakdown of Indianapolis, IN Market
1w ago00:07:13Tap to summarizeIs Indianapolis a good market for short-term rentals?In this week's Market Monday, Mark Lumpkin breaks down the numbers behind one of the Midwest's most event-driven STR markets. From the Indianapolis 500 and NFL games to NCAA tournaments and major conventions, Indianapolis offers strong revenue potential—but only if you understand the seasonality, pricing strategy, and what it takes to stand out.Mark covers the latest market data, revenue by bedroom count, and the amenity stack that's helping top-performing properties generate well into six figures.In this episode, you'll learn: Why Indianapolis is a strong event-driven STR market Revenue potential by bedroom count Which property sizes generate the highest returns The amenities that separate average listings from top performers Why dynamic pricing is critical in this market How to build a "super property" with minimal competition Whether you're considering your first investment in Indianapolis or looking to optimize an existing property, this episode gives you the data you need to make smarter decisions.
Transcribe →STR Law
2w ago00:36:10Tap to summarizeOwning a short-term rental is exciting - but are you legally protected?In this episode, Mark Lumpkin sits down with Katie Johnson, Founder of STR Law, to discuss the legal side of owning and operating vacation rentals. From LLCs and rental agreements to insurance, guest safety, and changing regulations, Katie shares the steps every STR owner should take to protect their investment before a problem ever happens. You'll learn: How to legally protect your short-term rental business The four pillars every host should have in place Why LLCs and rental agreements matter Common legal mistakes investors make before buying a property How to reduce liability around pools, hot tubs, and guest safety What the future of STR regulation could look like Whether you're buying your first Airbnb or managing a growing portfolio, this episode will help you protect your business, your guests, and your peace of mind.__Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR 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
Transcribe →Monday Market Data: Breakdown of College Station, TX Amenities Market
2w ago00:07:11Tap to summarizeIn this week's Monday Market Data Report, Mark Lumpkin breaks down the short-term rental market in College Station, Texas—home of Texas A&M University and one of the country's most seasonal STR markets.Football weekends, graduation, and major sporting events create huge demand, making pricing strategy just as important as the property itself.In this episode, Mark covers:* Revenue potential by bedroom count* Why 4 and 5-bedroom homes outperform the rest* The unique seasonality of a college-town STR market* Which amenities help properties stand outThe data shows:• 1–2 Bedrooms → ~$35K/year average• 3 Bedrooms → ~$41K/year average• 4 Bedrooms → ~$53K/year average• 5+ Bedrooms → ~$70K/year averageAmenity penetration:* Fire Pits → 42%* Game Rooms → 16%* Pools → 9%* Pool Tables → 8%* Hot Tubs → 8%* Pickleball Courts → 2.5%* Mini Golf → 3%* Movie Theaters → 4%The takeaway?In College Station, your biggest advantage isn't just amenities—it's owning the right-sized property and maximizing revenue during peak football and graduation weekends.Subscribe for new Market Data Reports every Monday and expert guest interviews every Friday.
Transcribe →From Peru to 15 Million-Dollar Fund
3w ago00:38:09Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Mark Lumpkin sits down with George Salas, Founder of Empress Capital, to discuss what it really takes to build a scalable short-term rental business.George shares his incredible journey from immigrating to the United States with almost nothing, to starting with rental arbitrage, surviving the challenges of COVID, and building a vertically integrated hospitality company focused on experiential short-term rentals, boutique hotels, and institutional-quality operations.You'll learn:How to think beyond buying individual AirbnbsWhy unit-level economics are critical for long-term successThe systems and financial tracking every STR investor should haveHow George evaluates deals, manages seasonality, and scales operationsWhy execution—not just acquisitions—is the key to building enterprise valueThe mindset shifts that helped him grow from operator to CEOWhether you're buying your first STR or building a large portfolio, this conversation is packed with practical insights on scaling smarter, operating more efficiently, and creating a business built to last.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another STR investor looking to take their business to the next level.
Transcribe →Monday Market Data: Breakdown of St. Louis, MO Amenities Market
Jul 1300:06:36Tap to summarizeIn this week's Monday Market Data Report, Mark Lumpkin breaks down the short-term rental market in St. Louis, Missouri—and the data reveals one of the biggest opportunities we've seen all year.With more than 25 million annual visitors, growing STR occupancy, and an incredibly under-amenitized market, St. Louis may be the perfect place to build a true "super property."In this episode, Mark covers:Revenue potential by bedroom countWhy 4, 5, and 7-bedroom homes see the biggest revenue jumpsThe current STR regulations and market trendsThe amenities your competitors have—and more importantly, the ones they don'tThe numbers are shocking:• Game Rooms → Less than 7% of listings• Playgrounds → Less than 7%• Pickleball Courts → 2%• Mini Golf → 1.5%• Pools, Hot Tubs, Saunas, Fire Pits & Home Gyms → Less than 1%The takeaway?Most St. Louis Airbnbs have almost no amenities. That means investors willing to build something unique have an opportunity to create a true one-of-one property with very little competition.Subscribe for new Market Data Reports every Monday and expert guest interviews every Friday.
Transcribe →Monday Market Data: Breakdown of Destin, FL Amenities Market
Jul 600:09:14Tap to summarizeIn this week's Monday Market Data Report, Mark Lumpkin breaks down one of the most requested short-term rental markets in the country: Destin, Florida.With more than 8 million annual visitors across the Destin and Fort Walton Beach area, this Emerald Coast destination continues to be one of the strongest beach markets for STR investors.In this episode, Mark covers:Revenue potential by bedroom countWhy larger homes dramatically outperform condos and smaller propertiesThe amenities every Destin investor needs to competeWhich upgrades still help you stand out in a crowded marketHere's what the data shows:• 1 Bedroom → ~$50K/year average• 2 Bedrooms → ~$80K/year average• 3 Bedrooms → ~$103K/year average• 5 Bedrooms → ~$164K/year average• 8 Bedrooms → ~$250K+/year averageOn the amenity side:Pools → 92% of listingsHot Tubs → 45%Game Rooms → 22%Waterfront → 22%The biggest opportunities?Less than 10% of properties have pickleball courts, gyms, or playgrounds, while movie theaters, mini golf, and saunas remain extremely rare.If you're buying or optimizing an STR on the Emerald Coast, this episode is your roadmap to standing out and maximizing revenue.Subscribe for new Market Data Reports every Monday and expert guest interviews every Friday.
Transcribe →Your Next Booking is Coming From ChatGPT
Jul 300:29:50Tap to summarizeAI is changing the way travelers discover short-term rentals—and it’s happening faster than most hosts realize.In this episode, Mark Lumpkin sits down with Gil Chan, Founder & CEO of Crafted Stays, to discuss how AI search, direct bookings, and modern website strategies are reshaping the future of the STR industry.Gil explains why relying solely on OTAs is becoming increasingly risky, how AI platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini are influencing guest booking behavior, and what hosts can do today to position their properties for the next generation of search. He also shares how Crafted Stays is helping operators build high-converting direct booking websites that are optimized for both traditional SEO and AI-powered discovery.Whether you're managing one property or hundreds, this conversation is packed with practical insights to help you future-proof your business.In this episode, you'll learn: Why AI is changing how guests search for vacation rentals How direct bookings compound over time while OTA bookings stay transactional The importance of identifying your ideal guest avatar What SEO, AEO, and GEO mean—and why they matter How to build a website that's ready for the future of travel search Why hospitality and guest experience still matter more than ever If you're serious about growing your direct bookings and staying ahead of where the industry is headed, this is an episode you won't want to miss. __Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR 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
Transcribe →Monday Market Data: Breakdown of Asheville, NC Amenities Market
Jun 2900:10:07Tap to summarizeIn this week's Monday Market Data Report, Mark Lumpkin breaks down the short-term rental market in Asheville, North Carolina, combining revenue by bedroom count with amenity data to show investors exactly where the biggest opportunities are.Despite the challenges following Hurricane Helene, Asheville continues to be one of the country's fastest-growing mountain destinations, welcoming millions of visitors each year and showing strong signs of recovery.In this episode, you'll learn:How revenue changes by bedroom countWhy 5 and 6-bedroom properties dramatically outperform smaller homesWhich amenities are becoming must-havesHow to differentiate your property from the competitionThe data shows:• Fire Pits → 71% of listings• Hot Tubs → 53%• Game Rooms → 24%• Saunas → 11%• Pools → 5.5%• Pickleball & Mini Golf → Less than 2%The takeaway?A fire pit and hot tub help you compete. Adding amenities like a sauna, pool, pickleball court, or mini golf is how you create a true standout property.If you're considering investing in Asheville, this episode provides a data-driven blueprint for building a top-performing STR.Subscribe for new Market Data Reports every Monday and expert guest interviews every Friday.
Transcribe →The Airbnb Taxes You Likely Don't Know About
Jun 2600:30:53Tap to summarizeMost short-term rental owners assume Airbnb and Vrbo handle all of their lodging taxes.They don't.In this episode, Mark Lumpkin sits down with Julie Banting Rogers from Avalara to uncover one of the biggest blind spots in the STR industry: lodging tax compliance.Julie explains why thousands of hosts and property managers unknowingly fall out of compliance, how platform-collected taxes actually work, and why failing to file the right paperwork can result in massive penalties, interest, or even liens on your properties.In this episode, you'll learn: How Airbnb and Vrbo handle lodging taxes (and what they don't do) The difference between state, county, and local lodging taxes Why many STR operators unknowingly owe back taxes The costly mistakes property managers make How to stay compliant without spending hours on paperwork What every STR owner should know before buying their next property If you own, manage, or are planning to invest in short-term rentals, this episode could save you from an expensive mistake.__Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR 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
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