Thanks For Visiting

Latest Episodes:

486. Hosting Hotline: How Much Control Is Too Much? Temp Settings and Turnover Tips Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette answer listener Dayne’s two-part question about couch cushion covers and temperature control settings in short-term rentals. First, they discuss the pros and cons of using removable couch covers vs. investing in performance fabric for sofas.

Then, they dive into the hot topic (pun intended) of thermostat control—should guests be allowed to set their own temperatures, or is it worth installing smart limitations to avoid outrageous utility bills?

Sarah and Annette share real-life examples, hosting philosophies, and best practices to help you make decisions that balance guest comfort with operational efficiency.

Resources Mentioned:

Eco Mode / Smart Thermostats: Consider models like Nest or Ecobee for features like motion detection, scheduling, and remote access.

Performance Fabric Sofas: Brands like Inside Weather, Burrow, and Article offer durable, easy-clean couches perfect for STRs.

Hosting Hotline: Have a question for Sarah and Annette? Leave them a voicemail at hostinghotline.com to be featured in a future episode.

Mentioned in this episode:

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

485. Are Influencer Stays Worth It? How to Know, What to Ask, and When to Say No Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

This week, we’re diving into one of the most common questions we hear from hosts: Should you say yes to that influencer asking for a free stay?

Whether you're actively seeking partnerships or you're flooded with DMs from creators offering “exposure,” this episode is packed with practical advice on how to approach influencer marketing with confidence—and boundaries.

We walk you through:

Setting clear goals for influencer partnerships (and how to track ROI)
Red flags to look for when influencers reach out
How to vet influencers beyond their follower count
What deliverables to request—and when to ask for them
Why contracts matter and what they should include
How to protect yourself if someone cancels last minute
Our thoughts on content creators, UGC, and SEO-based partnerships

Plus, we highlight a host who’s doing it right and using creative influencer partnerships to boost bookings and brand visibility.

Resources Mentioned:

Mentioned in this episode:

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

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

484. Hosting Hotline: Are You Really Covered by Airbnb Insurance? Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Airbnb’s AirCover might sound reassuring—but is it enough to truly protect your short-term rental? In this Hosting Hotline episode, we break down a YouTube comment that sparked an important conversation about insurance: what Airbnb does (and doesn’t) cover, why it’s not technically a policy, and the major risks hosts take when relying solely on platforms like Airbnb for protection.

We’ll walk through:

The common (and dangerous) misconception about Airbnb’s million-dollar liability promise
Why basic homeowner’s insurance may drop you if they find out you’re hosting guests
What coverage you actually need to operate a short-term rental safely
Why diversifying your booking platforms is just as critical as having proper insurance
The importance of reviewing your policy annually with a broker

If you’re not sure whether you’re truly protected, this episode is a must-listen. We want every host to operate with peace of mind—and avoid learning these lessons the hard way.

Resources Mentioned:

Proper Insurance – A leading provider of short-term rental insurance designed to replace a homeowner’s or landlord policy with comprehensive coverage for vacation rentals.
Steadily – Fast, affordable landlord insurance that also offers policies tailored specifically for short-term and vacation rental hosts. Get a quote in minutes.

Mentioned in this episode:

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

483. Are You Actually Covered? What Hosts Need to Know About Insurance with Darren Nix from Steadily Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

This week on Thanks for Visiting, we’re joined by Darren Nix, founder and CEO of Steadily, one of the fastest-growing landlord insurance companies in the U.S.

Darren’s story starts with a personal loss—his investment property burned down—and what followed was an eye-opening crash course in everything not to do when dealing with insurance. That experience inspired him to launch a company designed for landlords, by landlords.

In this episode, Darren shares the biggest mistakes he sees hosts make when it comes to insurance, the real risks that lead to major claims, and how to make sure you're actually protected—not just hoping you are.

In this episode, we cover:

What Aircover does (and doesn’t) cover
The most common (and costly) insurance claims for STRs
Why “actual cash value” could be a trap
How to know if your property is underinsured
When to consider an umbrella policy
What questions to ask your insurance agent
Why waivers might not protect you in court
The difference between risk and fear when choosing coverage

Whether you’re just getting started or scaling your portfolio, this episode will help you make smarter, more confident insurance decisions.

Resources:

Steadily – Landlord insurance built for real estate investors.
STRShare.com – Submit your property for a chance to be featured.

Mentioned in this episode:

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

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

482. Hosting Hotline: Can You Actually Sell Your STR as a Turnkey Business? Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

This week on the Hosting Hotline, Lori from Fort Wayne, Indiana calls in with a big-picture question: how do you prepare your short-term rental (STR) for sale—and is it possible to sell it as a functioning business, not just a piece of real estate?

In this episode, Sarah and Annette walk through everything you need to know before listing your STR, including how appraisers and lenders view short-term rentals, why finding the right realtor is essential, and how to identify—and package—your property’s intangible value. They also share strategies for maximizing your sale price by building out a direct booking system, collecting guest emails, and keeping historical data.

Whether you're thinking about an exit strategy or just want to better understand your business’s future value, this episode is packed with insight.

In this episode, we cover:

Why STRs are typically valued as residential properties, not businesses
How to find a short-term rental-friendly realtor
What makes your listing more appealing to investor buyers
The value of email lists, websites, and direct bookings in a sale
Creative ways to structure a win-win sale (including co-hosting transitions)
Why historical performance data adds credibility
Tips for networking your way to a buyer

Resources Mentioned:

StayFi – StayFi helps you collect guest emails for future marketing and direct bookings.
Google Vacation Rentals – A powerful way to generate direct bookings outside Airbnb.
Hosting Business Mastery – Learn how to run your STR like a business with Thanks for Visiting’s exclusive program.

Mentioned in this episode:

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

481. Fix Your Airbnb Title: Simple Changes That Drive More Bookings Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

This week on Thanks for Visiting, Sarah is flying solo to dig deep into one of the most powerful (yet overlooked) elements of your Airbnb listing: the title.

With only 50 characters to work with, your title has to do more than just describe your space—it needs to stop the scroll, spark curiosity, and drive clicks. In this episode, Sarah breaks down which words to ditch, how to use guest reviews for inspiration, and ways to craft headlines that convert.

In this episode, you'll learn:

– Why Airbnb listing titles matter more than you think

– Common words that waste space (and what to use instead)

– How to test and optimize your title for your ideal guest

– Real examples of titles that stand out in crowded markets

– Creative ways to rotate and update your title year-round

Whether you’re a seasoned host or just getting started, this episode is your crash course in title strategy that can lead to more bookings without spending another dime.

Resources mentioned:

– STRShare Sunday Submission – Submit your property to be featured

– Hosting Business Mastery Method – Join our signature program for serious hosts

Mentioned in this episode:

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

480. Hosting Hotline: Do You Really Need an LLC to Start Hosting? Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

This week on the Hosting Hotline, we’re tackling one of the most common legal questions new hosts face: Do you really need an LLC to start hosting?

Listener Jennifer is about to launch her first short-term rental and wants to make sure she’s protecting her personal assets and doing things the right way. We walk through how to approach this decision with confidence, who you should be talking to, and why the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all.

In this episode, we cover:

– Why it’s worth consulting your attorney, CPA, and insurance broker early on

– What an LLC can (and can’t) do for your business

– How your long-term goals impact your setup

– The mindset shift that comes with treating hosting like a real business

– Why it’s never too late to make your business structure legit

If you’ve been wondering whether to form an LLC, this episode is a must-listen.

Resources Mentioned:

– Proper Insurance: https://www.proper.insure/

Mentioned in this episode:

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

479. Airbnb Damage Claims 101 Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

No matter how well you prepare your space, accidents happen—and that’s just part of the short-term rental business. But when damage occurs, do you know how to handle it professionally, recover costs effectively, and keep your emotions out of the process?

In this episode, we walk you through how to navigate guest damage, from identifying what actually qualifies as a damage claim (versus normal wear and tear) to how to submit a successful claim with Airbnb’s AirCover. We also talk about communicating with guests, what to say (and what not to say), and how to prepare your systems before damage even occurs.

In this episode, we cover:

What doesn’t qualify as a damage claim (even if it’s frustrating)
Examples of true negligence and when to take action
How to approach your guest with professionalism and clarity
What Airbnb expects for reimbursement—and how to give it to them
Why speed and documentation are critical when filing a claim
How to prevent retaliatory reviews
Planning ahead: insurance, margins, and staying level-headed

Resources:

Mentioned in this episode:

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

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

478. Hosting Hotline: How Should You Handle TVs and Streaming Services in Your Rental? Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

is week on the Hosting Hotline, Amy from Canada calls in with a common (but often overlooked) question: How should short-term rental hosts handle TVs and streaming services?

We dive into:

Where you should place TVs in your rental (and why it matters)
Which streaming services to offer—and what to avoid
Smart tips to protect guest privacy and your own subscriptions
Operational systems for checking logins, batteries, and connectivity
How your STR's brand and guest profile should influence your entertainment setup

Whether you're running a cozy cabin or a large vacation rental, this episode will help you create a seamless, secure, and thoughtful guest experience around your in-home entertainment setup.

Mentioned in this episode:

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!

477. How Taylor Gates Scaled from Golf Cart Tours to Redefining Vacation Rentals Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

This week on Thanks for Visiting, we’re joined by hospitality entrepreneur Taylor Gates, whose journey from renting out rooms in Charleston to founding multiple thriving hospitality ventures is anything but ordinary. What started as a side hustle quickly grew into Stay Duvet, a premier property management company focused on elevating the guest experience through hotel-quality standards and operations. Taylor also founded Fluffy, a commercial laundry and housekeeping service that supports his mission to raise the bar in short-term rentals.

In this episode, Taylor walks us through:

How he went from giving golf cart tours to managing 200+ properties
The surprising ROI of clean bedding and intentional linens
What he looks for when hiring housekeeping teams
Why every host should be staying in their own property
The systems and values that keep his team aligned and guests coming back

Whether you’re managing one unit or scaling your business, this episode is packed with insight, transparency, and practical tips from someone who truly lives and breathes hospitality.

Stay Duvet – Taylor’s luxury short-term rental management company

Fluffy – Commercial laundry and housekeeping service built for STRs

Minoan – A platform for hosts to source and showcase shoppable furnishings for their STRs

Mentioned in this episode:

Make More Money This Year | Join our LIVE Workshop!