STR Data Lab™ by AirDNA

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Latest Episodes:

What August STR Data Reveals About the Rest of 2026 Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

The U.S. short-term rental market may look weaker at first glance—but the latest data tells a more nuanced story. In this episode of The STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane and Bram Gallagher unpack August performance and explain why headline declines in demand and occupancy don't tell the whole story. A calendar shift around Labor Day significantly affected year-over-year comparisons, while underlying demand, ADR growth, and slowing supply point to a market that remains surprisingly resilient.

The conversation also digs into what rising mortgage rates mean for future STR supply, why World Cup-related listings have proven more durable than expected, and where operators may find opportunities as the market evolves. From coastal and mountain destinations continuing to see strong ADR growth to small-city and rural markets attracting demand and investment, the data reveals a growing divergence across markets—and a potential shift toward value-conscious travel.

You don’t want to miss this episode!

Key Takeaways

Look beyond headline numbers. Calendar effects, including the timing of Labor Day, can dramatically change year-over-year comparisons for demand and occupancy.
Supply growth is slowing. Rising mortgage rates are putting pressure on new STR supply, which could give existing operators more pricing power and reduce competition.
World Cup supply is proving durable. Roughly 80% of new listings in World Cup host cities that rented during the event also rented in August, suggesting much of the new supply is sticking around.
Opportunity is shifting geographically. Small-city and rural markets—particularly those near major demand generators like national parks—continue to show strong supply and demand growth.
Value may matter more. As consumers face persistent inflation and higher costs, well-positioned midscale and affordable properties may be especially well placed to capture demand.

https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy

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Connect with Jamie on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane

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Connect with Bram on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bram-gallagher/

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Connect with AirDNA on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdna

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co

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Episode 198

How to Scale a Short-Term Rental Management Business Without Sacrificing Quality Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

Doubling your property management portfolio is one thing. Doubling it while maintaining top-tier guest reviews is another. In this episode of The STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane sits down with returning guests Joe and Max Bachmeier, whose property management business grew from roughly 120 to 260 listings in just 12 months—while remaining among the highest-rated property managers in the country. They break down what actually drove that growth, from consistent local marketing and referrals to building a team capable of scaling the operation without sacrificing the guest or owner experience.

A major theme of the conversation is scaling intelligently rather than simply scaling quickly. Joe and Max explain how they use their “three C’s”—cash, care, and communication—to stay focused on what owners value most, while keeping guests, owners, and their team as three equally important priorities. They also share how AI and automation have changed their approach to guest communication, operations, and revenue management, allowing their team to spend less time answering repetitive questions and more time solving the issues that can have the biggest impact on guest satisfaction.

The Bachmeiers also dive into what it takes to compete in an increasingly sophisticated STR market. From redesigning properties around specific guest demographics to using technology to identify listing-level revenue opportunities, they share practical lessons for property managers approaching the 100+ listing mark. Throughout it all, their philosophy remains consistent: build the right team, stay close to your market, and don't let growth come at the expense of quality.

You don’t want to miss this episode!

Key Takeaways

Scale your team before you scale your portfolio. Build a management structure where team members can grow into new roles and train their replacements rather than making the founders the bottleneck.
Use the “three C’s” to understand owner priorities: cash, care, and communication. Identify what matters most to each owner and build your service around it.
Let AI handle the repetitive work—not the relationship. Automating routine guest questions can free staff to focus on complicated issues and guests who need more hands-on attention.
Stay local as you grow. The Buchmeiers have continued concentrating their business primarily in Fredericksburg and Austin rather than expanding indiscriminately into new markets.
Invest strategically in the property experience. Thoughtful design, distinctive amenities, and targeting a specific guest demographic can help a property stand out as competition increases.

https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy

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Connect with Jamie on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane

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Connect with Bach Bros Property Management

Website: https://www.bachbrosproperties.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bachbrosproperties/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bachbrosproperties/

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Connect with AirDNA on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdna

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co

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Episode 197

How to Build a 5-Star Property Management Business Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

What does it take to scale a property management business without sacrificing the guest experience? For Steve and Kim Resnick, co-founders of HeavenlyRez and AirDNA’s 2026 #1 Property Managers, the answer starts with one principle: hospitality comes first. What began with managing their own Ocean City, New Jersey vacation rental evolved into a 100+ property operation built around five-star reviews, operational discipline, and a relentless focus on improving the guest experience.

In this episode, Jamie Lane sits down with Steve and Kim to unpack the systems behind their growth—from centralized linen operations and three-point property inspections to interior design, proactive guest communication, KPI tracking, and the strategic use of AI. They also explain why they’ve chosen to stay focused on a single market, how they think about property-level ROI, and why scaling doesn’t have to mean letting service quality slip.

Whether you’re managing a handful of properties or building toward a much larger portfolio, this conversation offers a practical look at how better processes, the right people, and a hospitality-first mindset can create a more scalable and profitable STR business.

You don’t want to miss this episode!

Key Takeaways

Build systems before you scale. Standard operating procedures, clear accountability, and consistent processes can help maintain quality as your portfolio grows.
Treat hospitality as the foundation. From proactive communication to 24/7 support, creating a great guest experience requires more than simply providing a clean place to stay.
Centralize what you can control. HeavenlyRez’s decision to bring linens and consumables in-house gave the team greater consistency, quality control, and operational visibility.
Use data and AI to improve—not replace—the human experience. AI can help identify trends in reviews, surface property information, and monitor KPIs while people remain responsible for meaningful guest interactions.
Invest in the property experience. Thoughtful design, durable furnishings, smart bed configurations, and consistent amenities can improve marketability, guest satisfaction, and ultimately owner returns.

https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy

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Connect with Jamie on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane

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Website: www.heavenlyrez.com

Instagram: @heavenlyrez

Facebook: HeavenlyRez

TikTok: @heavenlyrez

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Connect with AirDNA on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdna

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co

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Episode 196

Inside AirDNA Adapt: Building the Future of Revenue Management Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

Revenue management is getting faster, smarter, and more accessible—but building the next generation of pricing technology comes with a surprising challenge: how do you get operators to trust the numbers? In this episode of The STR Data Lab, Chief Economist Jamie Lane sits down with AirDNA’s Data Science Manager Marc Moreno and Senior Product Manager Jordon Myers to go behind the scenes of building AirDNA’s new revenue management platform, Adapt.

The conversation explores what AirDNA learned from hundreds of conversations with STR operators, including the surprising number of hosts still managing pricing manually and the widespread frustration with opaque pricing recommendations. Marc and Jordon explain why explainability became a core design principle, how millions of listings and noisy data shaped the modeling process, and why some of the most promising AI approaches had to be reconsidered. They also unpack how AI has fundamentally changed the product development process—from months-long handoffs to rapid prototyping, testing, and iteration with real users.

Looking ahead, the team discusses where revenue management is headed as AI agents, APIs, and new data interfaces become more common. The future may not be about forcing operators into another dashboard—it could be about making reliable revenue management data and recommendations accessible wherever operators already work.

You don’t want to miss this behind-the-scenes look at how the future of STR revenue management is being built.

Key Takeaways

Trust is just as important as accuracy. A pricing recommendation is only valuable if operators understand where it came from and feel confident acting on it.
Clean data is the foundation of good pricing. With millions of listings across multiple channels, filtering noise and engineering the right signals can be just as important as the model itself.
Events require proactive pricing. Rather than waiting for demand to appear in the data, revenue management systems need to identify external signals early enough to adjust pricing before bookings happen.
AI is changing how products are built. Rapid prototyping and AI-assisted development allow teams to test ideas with real data and users much faster than traditional product-development cycles.
The future may extend beyond the UI. As operators increasingly use AI agents, APIs, and their own internal tools, revenue management data needs to be accessible wherever decisions are being made.

https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy

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Connect with Jamie on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane

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Jordon Myers - Senior Product Manager: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordon-myers/

Marc Moreno - Data Science Manager: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmorenol/

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Connect with AirDNA on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdna

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co

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Episode 195

The Insider Take: Why Growth at All Costs Is Failing in Short-Term Rentals Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

The short-term rental industry is entering a new phase—and the old playbook of growth at all costs may no longer be the answer. In this episode of The STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane sits down with Annie Holcombe and Alex Husner, to unpack how the industry has evolved, what operators have learned from the post-COVID growth boom, and why professionalism isn't necessarily about managing hundreds of properties. From individual hosts to large property managers, success increasingly comes down to building sustainable operations, delivering great guest experiences, and understanding what actually drives profitability.

The conversation also dives into some of the biggest forces reshaping the industry: AI, property management technology, local vs. national brands, and the changing relationship between operators and OTAs. Alex and Annie share their perspectives on where AI is already making an impact, why smaller operators may actually be better positioned to adopt new technology, and how property managers can balance direct bookings with the reach of OTAs and emerging AI-driven search. They also explore what professionalization really means—and why the industry needs to do a better job of bringing newer and smaller operators into the broader conversation.

The future of STR is changing quickly—and you don’t want to miss this episode!

Key Takeaways

Growth isn't the only measure of success: Sustainable operations, stronger margins, and better owner and guest experiences can be more valuable than simply adding units.
Professionalization is about fundamentals: Strong accounting, guest safety, consistent service, profitability, and intentional operations matter more than hitting a specific property count.
AI adoption will depend on the operator: Smaller businesses may have an advantage because they can implement new tools without having to overhaul a massive existing tech stack.
Local expertise still matters: The future may be less about choosing between local and national models and more about combining local market knowledge with the efficiencies of scale.
Marketing is becoming more complex: Operators need to think beyond individual OTAs and direct bookings, with SEO, reviews, social content, repeat guests, and AI-driven discovery all becoming part of the demand-generation strategy.

https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy

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Connect with Jamie on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane

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Connect with Alex and Annie on social media

Alex Husner, Founder and CEO of Directly Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-o-husner%F0%9F%8C%8E-1844306/

Annie Holcombe, Founder and CEO of Annie & Co. : https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-holcombe-vrgal/

Podcast page: https://www.alexandanniepodcast.com/

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Connect with AirDNA on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdna

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co

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Episode 194

How AI Is Transforming Short-Term Rental Bookings Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

The way travelers discover short-term rentals is changing—and the biggest shift may be happening before they ever visit Airbnb, Vrbo, or a property manager’s website. In this episode of The STR Data Lab, AirDNA Chief Economist Jamie Lane sits down with Jason Cincotta, co-founder of Kismet, to unpack how AI-powered search is reshaping travel discovery, how much revenue it may already be influencing, and why traditional attribution models could be missing a huge part of the picture.

The conversation goes beyond the headline numbers. Jamie and Jason explore why AI-driven guests may convert at higher rates, why so much AI research happens “in the dark” without appearing in traditional analytics, and how the rise of AI could change the long-standing balance between OTAs and direct bookings. They also discuss what property managers and hosts can do today—from improving imagery and website experiences to making their property data easier for AI systems to understand.

You don’t want to miss this episode if you want to understand where STR distribution is headed next.

Key Takeaways

AI search is already influencing STR bookings. Traditional referral and UTM data may dramatically undercount the impact of AI-driven travel research.
The travel “front door” is changing. Guests are increasingly using AI to research destinations, build itineraries, compare properties, and determine where they want to stay before visiting a booking platform.
Direct bookings could gain an advantage. AI can potentially compare OTAs with direct channels and surface properties based on the individual traveler’s needs, preferences, and previous experiences.
Your website still matters. More AI visibility only helps if your direct booking experience can convert the traffic. Strong imagery, compelling copy, mobile functionality, branding, and a seamless booking engine are becoming increasingly important.
Make your property easy for AI to understand. Structured, accurate information about your homes—including amenities, imagery, availability, pricing, and other commercial data—can help ensure your inventory is discoverable in emerging AI-powered search environments.

https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy

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Connect with Jamie on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane

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Connect with AirDNA on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdna

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co

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Episode 193

Why July Was So Strong for Short-Term Rentals Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

The U.S. short-term rental market is showing surprising strength—even as the broader economy sends mixed signals. In this episode of The STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane and Bram Gallagher break down July’s performance and explore what’s really driving growth across the STR market. U.S. RevPAR jumped 7.2% in July, with ADR emerging as the biggest contributor, while occupancy also moved into positive year-over-year growth.

The conversation goes beyond the headline numbers to separate the impact of the 2026 World Cup from broader market trends. While World Cup host cities saw significant gains in both rates and supply, the rest of the country also delivered strong rate growth—and supply growth outside host cities remained below 2%. Looking ahead, Jamie and Bram discuss why higher interest rates could keep supply growth constrained, why improving occupancy and ADR could support strong unit-level performance through the rest of 2026, and what changing booking behavior means for pricing strategy.

One of the most encouraging signals for operators is a reversal in the long-running trend toward shorter booking windows. Lead times have increased or held steady for four consecutive months, with coastal markets seeing particularly notable gains. For hosts and managers, that shift could create new opportunities to capture demand earlier and price more strategically.

You don’t want to miss this episode if you’re planning your STR strategy for the rest of 2026.

Key Takeaways

RevPAR is accelerating: U.S. RevPAR increased 7.2% in July, driven primarily by stronger ADR and supported by improving occupancy.
The World Cup boosted rates, but it wasn't the whole story: Rate growth was especially strong in host cities, but gains were broad-based across the country.
Supply growth is likely to remain limited: Outside World Cup host cities, supply growth was below 2% in June and July, with high mortgage rates and expensive real estate continuing to constrain new listings.
Longer lead times could change pricing strategy: Travelers are increasingly booking further in advance, reversing a years-long trend toward last-minute bookings. Hosts should pay attention to pacing and adjust pricing accordingly.
The outlook for unit-level performance remains strong: With occupancy trending upward, ADR growth remaining healthy, and limited new competition expected, operators could see continued gains through the remainder of 2026.

https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy

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Connect with Jamie on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane

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Connect with Bram on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bram-gallagher/

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Connect with AirDNA on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdna

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co

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Episode 192

The Truth About World Cup Rentals Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

Did the FIFA World Cup live up to the hype for short-term rental hosts—or did the headlines get it wrong?

After months of tracking booking trends, pricing, and occupancy across all 16 host cities, Jamie Lane sits down with AirDNA Senior Research Analyst Linda Rollins and Kansas City Short-Term Rental Alliance leader Susan Brown to separate fact from fiction. They unpack what actually happened during one of the biggest global travel events, why so many media narratives missed the mark, and what hosts can learn before the next major event comes to town.

From Kansas City's massive supply surge to the reality of last-minute booking behavior, this episode dives into the numbers behind the World Cup and explains why revenue growth wasn't driven by more travelers alone. Whether you're preparing for a major sporting event, concert series, or convention, these lessons will help you make smarter pricing decisions, set realistic expectations, and build a stronger hosting business.

Key Takeaways:

You don't want to miss this episode!

Why the World Cup became a rate-driven event rather than a demand-driven one—and what that means for host revenue.
How Kansas City successfully partnered with local government, OTAs, and hosts to rapidly expand STR supply.
Why many hosts underestimated the importance of pricing strategy and last-minute booking behavior.
How a surge in new listings lowered occupancy even as guest demand reached record highs.
Practical lessons hosts can use to prepare for future mega-events like the Olympics, World Cup, or major conventions.

https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy

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Connect with Jamie on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane

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Connect with AirDNA on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdna

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co

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Episode 191

How STR Property Managers Are Valued Today: EBITDA, Growth, and What Buyers Really Want Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

What is your short-term rental business really worth—and more importantly, what are buyers actually looking for right now? In this episode of The STR Data Lab, CEO of AirDNA Rohit Bezewada sits down with C2G Advisors' Managing Partner Jacobie Olin. They unpack the realities behind today’s M&A market for property managers, cutting through the noise of tech buzzwords and surface-level metrics. If you’ve ever wondered how growth, profitability, and operations translate into valuation, this conversation brings clarity where it matters most.

The truth is, buyers aren’t chasing shiny tools or trendy “AI-native” claims—they’re focused on fundamentals. Clean financials, predictable revenue trends, strong margins, and a capable team still win the day. But layered on top of that are evolving deal structures, shifting expectations around growth, and a competitive landscape where demand for quality operators continues to outpace supply. Whether you’re planning to sell soon or just building with the end in mind, understanding these dynamics can shape smarter decisions today.

Zooming out, they also explore where the STR industry is headed: continued consolidation at the top, rapid growth among mid-sized operators, and the role technology (including AI) may play in expanding margins—not valuations—over time. It’s a grounded, data-driven look at how to build a business that performs now and positions you for future opportunities.

You don’t want to miss this episode!

Key Takeaways:

Clean financials matter more than anything else—buyers prioritize clarity, consistency, and reliable performance over flashy tools.
Growth + profitability = premium valuations—steady portfolio expansion and strong EBITDA margins drive the most interest.
Revenue mix impacts your bottom line—ancillary income (like cleaning fees) can significantly boost margins since it’s not shared with homeowners.
Deal structure is just as important as price—offers with higher cash upfront and simpler terms tend to win over complex, contingency-heavy deals.
AI won’t boost your valuation—yet—it only matters if it clearly improves revenue or margins in your financials.

https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy

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Connect with Rohit on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-bezewada-3010b48/

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Connect with Jacobie on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobieolin/

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Connect with AirDNA on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdna

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co

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Episode 190

World Cup Boom, Rising Rates & What June’s STR Data Says About the Rest of 2026 Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

The first half of 2026 is in the books—and the latest data is telling a much stronger story than many expected. In this episode of The STR Data Lab, AirDNA CEO Rohit sits down with economist Bram Gallagher to break down June’s performance, the impact of the FIFA World Cup on short-term rentals, and why existing hosts may be entering one of the strongest competitive positions they've seen in years.

From record ADR gains and rising pricing power to slowing supply growth and stronger-than-expected travel demand, Bram explains why the industry's fundamentals remain healthy despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty. They also unpack which markets truly benefited from the World Cup, why many bookings arrived at the last minute, and what hosts should expect as the industry heads into a promising second half of 2026.

Whether you're managing one property or scaling a portfolio, this episode offers practical insights into pricing strategy, market timing, and where future demand is likely to emerge. Plus, Bram shares the biggest risks he's watching—and why he's still optimistic about what's ahead.

You don't want to miss this episode!

Key Takeaways

Established hosts are gaining pricing power. AirDNA's Repeat Rent Index climbed 6.8% year over year, showing experienced operators are raising rates well above inflation thanks to reviews, repeat guests, and stronger market positioning.
The FIFA World Cup delivered for hosts. Most host cities experienced meaningful demand increases and ADR growth exceeding 30%, with many bookings arriving just days before matches—reinforcing the importance of staying patient with pricing.
New supply is slowing dramatically. Listing growth has fallen below 2% for the first time since the pandemic as higher mortgage rates discourage new investors, creating a more favorable environment for existing hosts.
Demand is expanding beyond major cities. Smaller cities and rural destinations continue attracting travelers, proving that guests are seeking unique experiences beyond traditional urban markets.
The second half of 2026 is shaping up well. Easier year-over-year comparisons, strong event calendars, healthy pricing trends, and slowing supply point toward improving occupancy and continued revenue growth for hosts.

https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy

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Connect with Rohit on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-bezewada-3010b48/

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Connect with Bram on social media

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bram-gallagher

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Connect with AirDNA on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdna