Podcast
Thanks For Visiting
Hosted by Airbnb Superhosts Annette Grant & Sarah Karakaian · EN
Get actionable advice and the essential fundamentals of running a profitable 5-star Airbnb side-hustle or full on business. Annette’s extensive background in business operations and Sarah’s experience in high-end hospitality management and interior design make them a powerhouse duo that will deliver high impact content. With almost a decade of combined hosting experience they will not only share their own stories welcoming thousands of guests from around the world but also those of other Superhosts to deliver you a wide array of stories, insights, and profitable and creative ideas to make your listing rise to the top. Whether you’re experienced, new, or nervous to start your own Airbnb this podcast promises to be informative, fun, and from the heart.
33episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
553. How to Make Your Airbnb Look Expensive Without Overspending
6d ago00:13:59Tap to summarizeYou don’t need to spend more money to make your Airbnb look expensive. You need to spend in the right places.In this episode, we’re breaking down what actually makes a property feel elevated to guests and more importantly, what gets them to click, book, and leave better reviews.We’re sharing where hosts should invest, where they tend to overspend, and how to design with performance in mind so your property not only looks better, but earns more.If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to “upgrade” your space without blowing your budget, this episode will give you a clear roadmap.Resources mentioned: Download our essentials checklist!
Transcribe →552. The New Rules for Getting More Airbnb Bookings in 2026
2w ago00:14:27Tap to summarizeIf it feels harder to get bookings right now, you’re not imagining it.The Airbnb landscape has changed and the hosts who are still operating the same way they did a year ago are starting to feel it.In this episode, we’re breaking down the new rules for 2026 and what it actually takes to compete in today’s market. From mindset shifts to pricing strategy to understanding your numbers, we’re sharing what the top-performing hosts are doing differently and how you can start applying it right now.Because bookings aren’t gone. They’re just going to the hosts who are running their properties like real businesses.What you'll learn: Why hosting is no longer passive and what that means for your strategyWhat winning listings are doing differently right nowWhy Superhost status isn’t enough anymoreThe key metrics every host needs to understandHow to stop panic pricing and make data-driven decisionsWhy pricing tools aren’t a strategy on their ownThe difference between revenue and actual profitHow to use your Airbnb funnel to diagnose performance issuesResources Mentioned:Download our Know Your Numbers Worksheet!
Transcribe →551. How Laura Wegner Built a High-Performing STR Brand in Whistler
3w ago00:54:20Tap to summarizeLaura Wegner didn’t get into short-term rentals because it was trendy. She got into it because her business disappeared overnight during COVID.What started as a way to survive turned into a highly strategic hospitality business in Whistler, British Columbia. Today, Laura owns and manages premium ski-in/ski-out rentals and is preparing to expand into boutique property management with a very specific vision.In this episode, Laura breaks down:Why she stopped treating her STR like a side investmentHow understanding RevPAR changed her businessThe mistake she made with minimum stay requirementsWhat finally clicked with PriceLabsHow design, cleanliness, and hospitality justify premium pricingThe exact mindset shift that helped her outperform competitors in the same buildingShe also shares the real numbers behind her growth and how Strategic Host helped her increase RevPAR dramatically year over year.If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed by pricing strategy, or unsure how to compete in a crowded market, this episode is a masterclass in using data with intention.Resources Mentioned: Join the Priced & Profitable Bootcamp Waitlist Price Labs
Transcribe →550. From Weekend Side Hustle to 35% Growth: How One Host Optimized Before Scaling
4w ago00:40:17Tap to summarizeJosh Peterson didn’t start in short-term rentals by chasing deals. He started by solving a problem.After too many mediocre hotel stays visiting his daughter at UNC, he bought a home near campus. What started as a second home quickly turned into a high-performing short-term rental—and then a full-on business.But here’s where it gets interesting.Instead of rushing to scale, Josh hit pause. He went back, optimized his first property, and unlocked a 35% revenue increase and a major jump in occupancy.In this episode, we break down:Why optimizing one property can outperform adding moreThe exact pricing shifts that increased weekday bookingsHow data, not instinct, changed his strategyWhat “champagne taste” looks like in a profitable rentalWhy niche markets (like college towns) can be a long-term advantageHow to think about scaling without overextendingIf you’re thinking about your next property, this episode might change how you approach it.Resources mentioned: Check out Josh's STR at: https://phdstays.com/
Transcribe →549. From Burnout to Breakthrough: How Amy Ruocco Scaled Her Airbnb Business Without Losing Herself
Apr 3000:49:08Tap to summarizeWhat does it actually take to scale a short-term rental business without burning out?In this episode, we sit down with Amy Ruocco, founder of Hosted Guest, who went from running herself ragged in her business to building a more profitable, sustainable, and scalable operation.Amy shares how she transitioned from instinct-based decisions to data-driven strategy, what finally helped her let go of day-to-day tasks, and how hiring the right team member changed everything.We also dive into her journey from weddings to short-term rentals, the mindset shifts that unlocked major revenue growth, and how she’s on track to hit $1.4M this year without adding more properties.If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to grow, this episode will show you what’s possible.What you'll learn:How Amy scaled her business to nearly $1M and beyondWhy instinct alone won’t grow your Airbnb businessHow to stop panic pricing and trust your dataWhat finally helped her hire and let go of controlHow to train a team member to match your voice and standardsWhy your role as a host needs to evolve as you growThe importance of investing in yourself and your businessHow time blocking can reduce overwhelm and create balanceResources mentioned: Join our Strategic Host Coaching Program!
Transcribe →548. Airbnb Changed the Fees Again… Here’s What Actually Matters
Apr 2300:20:39Tap to summarizeAirbnb changed the fee structure again… and most hosts are asking the wrong question.Everyone is debating which option to choose, but almost no one is looking at what actually happened to their numbers after the last change.In this episode, we break down what Airbnb quietly updated, the biggest mistakes hosts are about to repeat, and the four audits you need to run before touching a single setting.Because this isn’t about opinions, it’s about your profit.What You’ll Learn:What Airbnb actually changed with fee structuresWhy the “recommended” label matters more than you thinkThe biggest mistake hosts made during the last fee switchWhy copying someone else’s markup strategy doesn’t workThe four key audits you must run before making changesHow to evaluate your performance vs your marketWhy pricing is only one part of the equationHow to make decisions based on data instead of panicResources mentioned: Submit your property for our next #STRShareSunday at strshare.comJoin our Priced and Profitable Bootcamp!Mentioned in this episode:Join us for our live Priced & Profitable Bootcamp.
Transcribe →547. Steal Our Airbnb Title Formula to Get More Clicks and Bookings
Apr 1600:16:24Tap to summarizeIf your Airbnb listing is getting views but not bookings, your title might be the problem.In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the fastest and most overlooked ways to improve your listing performance: your Airbnb title. Because your title isn’t there to describe your space, it’s there to win the click.We’re sharing the exact prompts we use (and teach our students) to create high-converting titles using AI, plus the strategy behind why they work. From understanding the click-through funnel to aligning your title with real-time demand, this episode will help you stop guessing and start optimizing.If you want more clicks, more visibility, and ultimately more bookings, this is where to start.Resources Mentioned:Thanks for Visiting Bootcamp - Join the Waitlist!Strategic Host Coaching Program - Sign up!Download our Airbnb Photo Shoot Shot ListMentioned in this episode:Join us for our live Priced & Profitable Bootcamp.
Transcribe →546. The Pre-Arrival Inspection Checklist That Protects Your 5-Star Reviews
Apr 900:21:55Tap to summarizeMost hosts think once the cleaner leaves, the property is ready for guests. But that assumption is exactly where five-star reviews start to slip.In this episode of Thanks for Visiting, we’re walking you through the exact pre-arrival inspection checklist we use across our properties to ensure consistency, elevate the guest experience, and protect our reviews.We break down the difference between “clean” and “guest ready,” why relying on one person to do both jobs creates gaps, and how introducing an inspector role can completely transform your operations.You’ll learn how to systematize your turnovers, catch the small details that matter most, and create a repeatable process that leads to better reviews, more referrals, and higher perceived value.If you’ve ever felt like something small keeps slipping through the cracks—this episode will show you exactly how to fix it.Mentioned in this episode:Join us for our live Priced & Profitable Bootcamp.
Transcribe →545. The New Rules of Buying Short-Term Rentals in 2026
Apr 200:47:21Tap to summarizeThe short-term rental market is shifting—and what worked even a few years ago won’t cut it anymore.In this episode, we sit down with Kenny Bedwell to break down the new rules of buying short-term rentals in 2026. From changing demand patterns to increased competition and rising guest expectations, we’re unpacking what’s actually happening in the market—and how to adapt.Kenny shares how he’s still finding profitable deals across the country, why average properties are falling behind, and what it takes to create a top-performing listing today.They get into:Where STR investors should be looking right nowWhy drive-to markets are outperformingThe biggest mistake people make when analyzing dealsHow to identify the right guest and design for themWhat separates top 10% properties from the restHow the industry is evolving and what to expect nextIf you’re thinking about buying—or trying to stay competitive—this episode will help you rethink your strategy and move forward with clarity.
Transcribe →544. Stop Guessing: Let Your Booking Window Tell You What To Do
Mar 2600:28:17Tap to summarizeAre you lowering your nightly rates because your calendar looks empty? If so, you might be panic pricing and leaving money on the table.In this episode of Thanks for Visiting, Sarah and Annette break down one of the most overlooked metrics in short-term rental pricing strategy: your booking window.Your booking window tells you when guests actually start shopping and booking their stay. If you don’t understand this data, you may be discounting too early, waiting too long to adjust pricing, or reacting emotionally instead of strategically.The hosts share the two biggest pricing mistakes they see hosts make, how to identify your booking window, and a simple framework to divide your calendar into zones so you can make better pricing decisions.If you’ve ever stared at an empty calendar and felt tempted to slash your prices, this episode will help you replace panic with data and turn your calendar into a revenue tool.Remember: there is cash in your calendar, you just need the right strategy to mine it.
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