Want to learn how to launch an Airbnb? Join the Launch Party and get 20% off of all products! Promocode: LAUNCHPARTY

In this episode, I am sharing a very real behind the scenes look at what the past week has looked like in our short term rental business. Between a dishwasher claim, rude guest messages, and review threats, it has felt like when it rains it pours.

Instead of letting it spiral, I used these situations as a reminder of why being proactive instead of reactive is everything in this business. I walk you through two real guest scenarios, exactly what was said, how I handled it, and what I did behind the scenes to protect our listings, reviews, and sanity.

If you have ever felt stressed by a guest, worried about a bad review, or unsure how to handle a tricky cancellation situation, this episode will help you think 3 steps ahead instead of constantly putting out fires.

Because hosting is not about avoiding problems. It is about having a plan before problems happen.

I break down a situation where a guest refused to cancel and openly admitted he wanted to leave a bad review. Instead of panicking, I called Airbnb immediately, documented everything, and had a note placed on the reservation. If he leaves a retaliatory review, it gets removed. That is proactive hosting.

I also share how I handled a dishwasher breaking mid bookings, what I did to soften the inconvenience, and how one guest still pushed back. These are the moments that test you as a host.

We also talk about the power of reviews and where the whole review culture actually started, shoutout to Michelin for creating the original rating system that evolved into the Michelin Star system. Wild, right?

This episode is equal parts strategy and real life hosting therapy session.

Airbnb
Vrbo
Booking.com
Hospitable
Michelin

Thinking about how to protect your Airbnb reviews or handle difficult guests? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your progress! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.

If you want systems, scripts, automation, and proactive hosting strategies built out step by step, check out the Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator. I teach you how to protect your time, your revenue, and your sanity while building a 5 star short term rental business.

00:00 Life update and guest chaos
05:00 Guest threatens bad review over cancellation
10:00 Calling Airbnb and documenting everything
15:00 Dishwasher drama and handling inconvenience
20:00 Why refunds can protect long term income
24:00 The origin of reviews and why they matter
27:00 Protecting your property with proof and photos
30:00 Final thoughts on proactive hosting

If this episode helped you feel more confident as a host, make sure you subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another short term rental owner who needs to hear this.

The more proactive you are, the less reactive you have to be.

Want to learn how to launch an Airbnb? Join the Launch Party and get 20% off of all products! Promocode: LAUNCHPARTY

In this episode, I am sharing exactly what I tell every first time investor who calls me wanting to buy a short term rental in Wisconsin. From understanding state, county, and township regulations to septic capacity, negotiations, inspections, and writing strong offers, I break down the full process step by step.

If you have ever thought about buying a $600,000 cabin near Wisconsin Dells, Baraboo, or Castle Rock, this is your behind the scenes look at what actually happens from first phone call to closing day.

And yes, there is a little life update in the beginning involving a dishwasher disaster and a flooded kitchen. Because real life still happens while building businesses.

Because buying a short term rental is not just about finding a cute cabin in the woods.

It is about understanding local regulations, septic ratings, conditional use permits, resident agents, and knowing how to structure your offer correctly so you do not get blindsided later.

If you want to invest in Wisconsin and avoid expensive mistakes, this episode is your crash course.

Thinking about buying your first Airbnb in Wisconsin? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your progress. I would love to cheer you on and help you out.

If you are ready to buy a short term rental in Wisconsin, I cover anywhere in the state. I walk my clients through regulations, numbers, offer strategy, and everything in between.

Want the full roadmap before you even start shopping? Check out my Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator course where I break down finding, analyzing, launching, and scaling your STR the right way.

00:00 Dishwasher disaster and life update
06:45 First call with a new STR buyer
08:30 Wisconsin state level licensing explained
12:00 County and township regulations
16:30 Septic capacity and occupancy limits
18:45 Running the numbers and cash flow expectations
21:00 How I preview properties for out of state buyers
23:30 Offer strategy and negotiation tactics
27:00 Due diligence and inspections
29:30 What happens after closing

If this episode helped you understand the Wisconsin short term rental process, share it with someone who is thinking about investing.

Want to learn how to launch an Airbnb? Join the Launch Party and get 20% off of all products! Promocode: LAUNCHPARTY

In this episode of The Airbnb Roadmap Podcast, I am breaking down Airbnb cancellation policies in real life terms, not just the fine print. This episode was inspired by a recent midterm guest who booked for 3 months and left after only 2 weeks, plus ongoing damage claim frustrations with Airbnb support.

I walk through what actually happens when guests cancel short stays versus long stays, why rejecting an alteration can sometimes protect you financially, and how different cancellation policies impact both hosts and guests. I also share personal stories from my own properties, including extreme cold weather stress, property damage realities, and how distance from your rentals forces you to become a better manager instead of a reactive host.

If you have ever been confused, frustrated, or blindsided by Airbnb cancellations, this episode will give you clarity and confidence moving forward.

If you host short term or midterm rentals and want to avoid losing thousands of dollars due to misunderstandings around cancellations, this episode is a must listen. I explain Airbnb policies using real numbers, real scenarios, and real outcomes so you can make smarter decisions for your listings.

This episode is especially helpful if you are considering midterm rentals, traveling nurse stays, or longer bookings and want to understand how to protect your income while still staying guest friendly.

Thinking about Airbnb cancellation policies or midterm rentals? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your experience. I would love to cheer you on and help you out.

If you are looking to buy, sell, or scale a short term rental, or if you want access to my Airbnb Roadmap course and resources, reach out. I also connect investors with STR focused agents across multiple states because there is a huge difference between a regular agent and one who truly understands short term rentals.

00:01 Life update and recent guest damage
02:18 Temporary fixes and real world hosting decisions
04:40 Managing properties near vs far
07:05 Midterm guest cancellation story
10:29 Why Airbnb cancellations are confusing
12:50 Airbnb 24 hour cancellation rule
14:24 Flexible cancellation policy explained
19:12 Moderate cancellation policy explained
21:28 Limited cancellation policy explained
23:56 Firm and strict short stay policies
31:35 Airbnb policy changes in 2025
39:46 Choosing the right policy as a host
44:30 Long stay cancellation policies
46:53 Why rejecting alterations matters
51:02 Firm vs strict long term stays
54:03 Airbnb resort for sale opportunity
55:22 Courses, resources, and next steps

If this episode helped you understand Airbnb cancellations better, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another host who might be confused or stressed about cancellations. I will see you in the next episode of The Airbnb Roadmap Podcast.

Want to learn how to launch an Airbnb? Join the Launch Party and get 20% off of all products! Promocode: LAUNCHPARTY

This episode is a full vacation recap turned Airbnb reality check. I’m sharing what happened when I traveled with a baby, lost my voice, and still had to manage multiple Airbnbs from Mexico while dealing with extreme cold, frozen pipes, surprise early check ins, guest damage, and a very expensive plumbing bill. Normally my systems are automated and smooth, but this trip was back to back shenanigans that no amount of prep could have fully prevented. If you think owning Airbnbs means passive income with zero stress, this episode brings you right back to reality.

Owning Airbnbs does not mean nothing will ever go wrong, even with great systems
Extreme cold can expose hidden issues in older properties
You need backup contacts and solutions when contractors are unavailable
Clear check in boundaries matter and early arrivals can create real problems
Guest damage can happen fast, even with families and short stays
Automations are helpful but can backfire if you forget they exist
Vacations are still worth it, even when things go sideways

If you own or want to own short term rentals, this episode is a real behind the scenes look at what can happen when life, travel, weather, guests, and maintenance all collide at once. I walk through how I handled each issue, what frustrated me the most, and what I learned from it all. This is the honest side of hosting that rarely makes it to Instagram.

Thinking about managing Airbnbs while traveling or dealing with guest damage? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your progress. I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.

If you want help building systems that actually support your lifestyle and not run it, check out my Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator. I teach you how to set up, automate, and manage your short term rentals with confidence, even when things go wrong.

00:00 Losing my voice and recording anyway
04:00 Getting sick before vacation and traveling with a baby
06:00 Midterm guest issues and washer dryer expectations
08:45 Extreme cold and frozen toilet pipes
13:30 Plumber chaos and a $450 bill
20:45 Early check ins and cleaner boundaries
23:00 Guest damage and burned countertops
27:30 Unauthorized re entry after checkout
31:00 Airbnb reimbursement and review frustration
33:40 Dishwasher issues and wrapping up the trip

If this episode felt real, relatable, or helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another Airbnb host who needs to hear that even the messy weeks are survivable. I’ll see you next week, hopefully with my voice back.

Want to learn how to launch an Airbnb? Join the Launch Party and get 20% off of all products! Promocode: LAUNCHPARTY

In this episode, I’m getting real about something no one loves to talk about: Airbnb maintenance. Fancy amenities like hot tubs, arcade games, golf simulators, saunas, and movie theaters can absolutely boost your average daily rate—but they also come with nonstop upkeep, guest messages at inconvenient hours, and real risk to your reviews.

I’m sharing real stories from my own Airbnbs—what broke, what I removed, what I kept, and why I now prioritize simple, durable, and low-maintenance setups over flashy features. If you’re deciding what amenities to add (or skip), this episode will save you money, stress, and late-night headaches.

If you’re debating whether to add a hot tub, sauna, arcade game, or golf simulator—or you already have one and feel overwhelmed—this episode will help you think like an investor, not just a designer. I break down what actually works long-term and how to protect your time, sanity, and reviews.

Thinking about Airbnb maintenance or amenities?
DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share what features you’re debating! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.

Want to build an Airbnb that actually makes money without owning a full-time tool belt?

👉 Bonus: Buy the course, purchase an Airbnb with one of my recommended agents, and get the course refunded 100% after closing. Yes—completely free.

Links are in the show notes or DM me for details.

00:00 – Testing the mic + life update
02:30 – Why this episode exists
07:45 – Fancy Airbnbs vs. maintenance reality
11:00 – Hot tubs: the biggest offender
15:00 – Arcade games that didn’t last
18:30 – Saunas: worth it or risky?
22:45 – Games that don’t break
25:15 – Golf simulators gone wrong
27:30 – Movie theater & Roku issues
30:00 – Real maintenance from back-to-back bookings
33:00 – The lifestyle cost of “resort-style” Airbnbs
35:00 – Course launch party + refund bonus

If this episode saved you from buying a hot tub (or validated your regret 😅), please subscribe, leave a review, and share this with a friend who’s designing their Airbnb right now. It helps more than you know.

Want to learn how to launch an Airbnb? Join the Launch Party and get 20% off of all products! Promocode: LAUNCHPARTY

In this episode of The Airbnb Roadmap Podcast, I’m breaking down why Airbnb and Vrbo reviews are everything, especially when you’re launching a new property. I share real-life examples from our most recent Airbnb launches, including how we intentionally lowered pricing to stack reviews fast, why we accepted a 3-month midterm stay, and the pros and cons of sacrificing short-term reviews for guaranteed spring cash flow.

We also dive deep into the psychology behind reviews, why asking for them isn’t awkward (or pushy), and the exact systems I use to consistently earn five-star feedback, even when small issues pop up. If you’ve ever stressed over a four-star review or felt weird asking guests to leave feedback, this episode is for you.

If you’re launching a new Airbnb, struggling to recover from a less-than-perfect review, or unsure how to ask for reviews without sounding desperate, this episode gives you real-world strategies you can use immediately. I’m sharing exactly what’s worked (and what didn’t) across multiple properties—no fluff, no theory, just experience.

Thinking about Airbnb reviews or launching a new property?
DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your progress! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.

Want the exact guest messages that have helped me earn hundreds of five-star reviews?
The Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator walks you through everything—from finding the property to launching it with systems that actually work.

🎉 Launch Party Bonus: Get $100 off for a limited time
Seats are limited (because I still want time with baby Melanie—and daycare isn’t cheap 😅)

00:00 – Life update & launching two new Airbnbs
02:30 – Why we accepted a 3-month midterm stay
05:45 – The review vs. cash flow tradeoff
08:30 – Why reviews matter more than you think
10:45 – How (and when) to ask for reviews
14:00 – Subtle messaging that works
18:15 – WiFi password hack
20:30 – The danger of early four-star reviews
23:00 – Airbnb vs. Vrbo review systems
26:00 – Final thoughts & course invite

If this episode helped you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another Airbnb host who needs to hear this. Reviews matter—on podcasts too 😉

Want to learn how to launch an Airbnb? Join the Launch Party and get 20% off of all products! Promocode: LAUNCHPARTY

Episode Summary

This episode is a full zoom-out reflection on 2025, a year that completely reshaped how I look at short-term rentals, success, systems, and family. From having Baby Melanie, launching multiple Airbnbs, renovating while pregnant (yes, really), traveling, and still growing the business… this year forced me to stop hustling harder and start building smarter.

I’m sharing what actually changed after becoming a mom, how automation became non-negotiable, why things never “calm down,” and how that realization led me to finally finish and refine the Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator. This one’s honest, personal, and very real.

If you’ve ever thought:

This episode is for you. I walk through what scaling actually looks like in real life — not the Instagram version, and how systems, boundaries, and clarity make growth sustainable.

Thinking about starting or scaling an Airbnb in 2026?
DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your progress! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.

If you’re ready to:

The Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator walks you through everything I actually use — from finding the right property to launching, automating, and growing with confidence.

The 4-week Launch Party includes live access to me for questions, feedback, and real-time support.

00:00 – Holiday chaos & daycare closures
02:30 – Reflecting on 2025
04:30 – Hustle vs motherhood
06:30 – Buying another Airbnb while pregnant
09:00 – Why systems became non-negotiable
10:30 – Traveling while payouts roll in
12:45 – Why we bought another property
15:30 – Choosing to pause growth
16:45 – Things never calm down — you just build smarter
19:00 – Why I created the Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator
23:00 – What’s inside the course
26:00 – 4-week launch party details
29:30 – Growth, family, and priorities
30:45 – Looking ahead to 2026

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this message. Your support means more than you know 🤍

Want to learn how to launch an Airbnb? Join the Launch Party and get 20% off of all products! Promocode: LAUNCHPARTY

In this episode, I’m sharing a real-time mindset shift I’ve been going through as an Airbnb owner, investor, and mom. After a year of podcasting, learning from top producers, academy students, and coaches, my expectations for what an Airbnb should look like quietly skyrocketed. And honestly? I had to reel it back in.

We’re talking about the pressure to make every Airbnb Instagram-worthy, why “quietly performing” properties are often the best ones, and how guests actually compare your listing (hint: it’s usually not to viral Airbnbs). I also share lessons learned from buying existing Airbnbs, backend organization mistakes I made early on, and why I’ve developed a new respect for property managers—especially in this season of life with baby Melanie.

This episode is part reflection, part reality check, and part permission slip to stop overcomplicating your Airbnb.

If you’ve ever felt like:

This episode will help you reset expectations, refocus on what actually matters, and make smarter decisions based on your market—not social media pressure.

Thinking about simplifying your Airbnb, setting realistic expectations, or scaling without burnout?
DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your progress! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.

If you want to learn how to set up systems that let you manage your Airbnb in 15–30 minutes a week, early bird access for my Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator is coming soon.

This course walks you through:

And the best part? I keep it affordable because I believe your money is better spent buying your first Airbnb—not overpriced education.

I also have turnkey Airbnb retreats for sale in La Crosse, Wisconsin. If you want details, just reach out.

00:00 Welcome & life update
02:30 One-year podcast reflection
05:00 Expectations rising from high-level exposure
08:30 What guests actually care about
12:00 Existing Airbnb inspection reality check
15:00 Instagram vs. real-world performance
18:00 Backend organization mistakes
21:00 Utility tracking lessons
23:00 Property management mindset shift
25:00 ROI vs. luxury upgrades
27:00 Course mention & closing thoughts

If this episode gave you permission to stop overthinking your Airbnb, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another host who needs to hear this. It helps the podcast more than you know—and I truly appreciate you being here.

Want to learn how to launch an Airbnb? Join the Launch Party and get 20% off of all products! Promocode: LAUNCHPARTY

In this episode of The Airbnb Roadmap, I’m taking you behind the scenes of our latest “turnkey” Airbnb… that turned out to be anything but low effort. 😅

I share why I had to re-record this entire episode (tech drama, zero audio, stomach-drop moment), how we partnered with our investor friends from Texas to buy a primary home with an in-law suite above the garage, and why “turnkey” still meant months of assembly, design tweaks, and problem-solving.

You’ll hear what happened with our Matterport disaster, the gap between interior design ideas and what’s actually realistic to install (looking at you, ceiling wallpaper and curtain rods), why paint is now my arch nemesis, and how we decided what to DIY vs. hire out. I also talk about doing all of this while baby Melanie started crawling mid-renovation, nearly giving Clay a concussion with a post driver (marriage is wild), and how our bodies are telling us we’re not 22 anymore.

We wrap up with a mini announcement about the brand-new Airbnb Roadmap website, the early bird deal on my course, and a shoutout for a fully turnkey Airbnb resort for sale in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

If you’re dreaming of buying a “turnkey” Airbnb and think it’ll be a light lift… this episode is your reality check (in the best way).

You’ll get:

If you like honest, slightly chaotic, behind-the-scenes stories that still teach you something, this one’s for you.

Thinking about renovating your own “turnkey” Airbnb or juggling a reno with kids, work, and life? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share what you’re working on! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out. 💛

00:00 – Tech fail & why this is “round two” of the episode
02:15 – The “turnkey” property: how we found it and partnered with Texas investors
04:30 – Matterport drama: no measurements, subscription levels, and saving the day
07:30 – Interior design vs. reality: ceiling wallpaper, curtain rods, and ceiling tiles
11:00 – Two designers, two approaches: who orders furniture and what that changes
14:30 – The chaos of deliveries, missing lamp, and long lead times
17:30 – Tiny $50 decor, returns, and the difference between corporate vs. flexible designers
20:00 – Paint can nightmares, unlabeled colors, and touch-up disasters
23:30 – What we hired out vs. DIY: painters, ceiling tiles, and special wall details
25:30 – Fence install, post driver mishap, and almost concussing Clay
27:45 – Renovating with a crawling baby + grandparent help and mom guilt
29:30 – Sauna delivery saga and finally being “photo ready”
30:45 – What we created: movie theater, wellness garage, game garage, and backyard
31:30 – New website, early bird course info, La Crosse resort opportunity & wrap-up

If you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes renovation episode, follow/subscribe to The Airbnb Roadmap so you don’t miss what we do with this property next.

Know someone who’s about to buy a “turnkey” Airbnb and thinks it’ll be easy? 😏 Send them this episode so they can go in prepared.

Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in next week’s episode!

Want to learn how to launch an Airbnb? Join the Launch Party and get 20% off of all products! Promocode: LAUNCHPARTY

Hey friends, it’s Brittany Wenninger with Front Porch Realty powered by Real Broker LLC, and in today’s episode I’m giving you a very real life update (hi, stress!) and then diving into one of the BIGGEST misconceptions about choosing the right location for your Airbnb. Everyone thinks the best rentals are smack-dab in the heart of a big city—near stadiums, shops, and all the hustle. But honestly? The most consistent and most profitable performers are almost always outside the big cities.
I walk you through why regulations in major cities are risky, the psychology of why guests CRAVE peaceful spaces, and how looking just 10–20 minutes outside the hot spots gives you more freedom, better booking rates, and less competition. I also spill one of my biggest investor secrets: the difference between mailing address and municipality, and why that one detail can make or break your STR strategy.
And of course… I share some behind-the-scenes chaos from renovating two Airbnbs at once, waiting on delayed neon signs, and trying to hit photo-day deadlines while losing my mind. 😅

If you’ve been scrolling Zillow thinking, “I’ll never be able to get an Airbnb inside a major city,” you’re not wrong—but you also don’t need to. This episode shows you exactly where to look instead, how to strategize smart, and how you can get into STRs without fighting every investor in your area.
Plus, if you’ve been overwhelmed with location decisions, this will simplify your search and give you clarity on what actually books year-round.

Thinking about buying an Airbnb outside the big city? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share what areas you’re exploring! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.

Ready to find, launch, or scale your short-term rental? Whether you need help finding a property, analyzing a deal, or understanding regulations, I’ve got you.
👉 Message me on Instagram @theairbnbroadmap or visit the newly updated website to get started.

00:00 – Life update: sauna delays, neon sign drama & renovation chaos
02:30 – Website revamp + launch party teasing
05:50 – Why everyone assumes Airbnbs belong in big cities
07:20 – The hidden power of small towns and slower-paced areas
08:50 – The pressure + risk of investing inside major cities
10:20 – Why rural + lakeside getaways practically book themselves
11:30 – My challenge: look outside the big cities
13:39 – Phone call interruption 😂
14:05 – City vs. peaceful travel: what guests actually want
15:53 – Thinking outside the box when choosing location
17:22 – Another phone call (classic Brittany moment)
18:18 – NYC, Madison, Dells: examples of harsh city STR rules
19:10 – Less competition outside the city = more bookings
20:20 – The game-changing secret: mailing address vs municipality
22:00 – How to check municipality on your own
23:00 – A new Airbnb resort for sale in La Crosse
26:00 – Final thoughts + where to learn more

If you loved today’s episode, hit subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s! And please share this with a friend who’s looking for an STR but doesn’t know where to start. It helps more than you know! 💛