How to Start an Airbnb

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

Episode Summary
In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my own wedding—yes, we got married at a short-term rental—and how that experience opened my eyes to a whole new income stream for Airbnb and Vrbo hosts. Whether you’re planning a wedding or looking to boost your property’s revenue, I’m sharing all the tips, lessons, and wild stories from our wedding weekend at a $9M mansion in Lake of the Ozarks.

Key Takeaways

Why Listen to This Episode?
Because weddings are big business—and your Airbnb might be the next best venue. From firsthand experience to pro insights (I was a wedding planner!), I’m sharing exactly how you can tap into this market and make weddings work for your STR.

Mentioned in the Episode

Let’s Connect
Thinking about turning your property into a wedding venue? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your progress! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.

Work With Me
Want help finding a short-term rental property that can double as a wedding venue? Or already have one and want to make it wedding-ready? Let’s talk. Head to theairbnbroadmap.com to work together or learn about my course.

Chapters
00:00 - Wedding season chaos & 9 weddings in one summer
02:25 - My background as a wedding planner
04:00 - Why we chose a short-term rental for our wedding
06:30 - How we found the perfect mansion on Lake of the Ozarks
09:15 - How we hacked our costs (our friends paid to stay!)
11:30 - The behind-the-scenes wedding planning chaos
13:00 - Pool party, wedding dress dive, and epic stories
16:00 - Why your Airbnb could be a wedding goldmine
17:40 - Setting your wedding rental rules & coordinator requirements
18:45 - How to list your STR on The Knot
20:00 - Final tips and encouragement to turn your Airbnb into a wedding venue

Subscribe and Share
If this episode gave you a new perspective or idea, subscribe to The Airbnb Roadmap and leave a review! Share it with a friend who’s wedding planning—or thinking about turning their rental into a venue.

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 joined by Matt Sanderson, founder of STRIQ (aka “Strike”), to dive deep into how his platform is revolutionizing short-term rental investing. We talk about how STRIQ can help you analyze properties in minutes (not months), why AI and big data are your new best friends, and how even beginner investors can use this tool to find cash-flowing Airbnbs faster. Matt also shares his journey from farm boy to tech founder and reveals game-changing updates coming soon to STRIQ!

If you're tired of wasting time analyzing deals manually, this episode shows how STRIQ can streamline your process and help you find the most profitable short-term rentals faster. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just getting started, Matt’s insights will open your eyes to the opportunities waiting in markets like Wisconsin, and beyond.

Thinking about using STRIQ to analyze your next Airbnb deal? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your progress! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.

Looking to buy, sell, or optimize a short-term rental in Wisconsin or beyond? Check out www.frontporchrealtywi.com to see how I can help with your next STR investment!

00:00 - Meet Matt Sanderson & the STRIQ Story
03:00 - What STRIQ Actually Does
07:00 - Why Properties Next Door Perform Differently
10:30 - Case Study: A Real Deal Found on STRIQ
13:00 - Why Design Matters More Than Ever
18:00 - Wisconsin’s Best STR Markets
26:00 - Why NOW Is Still a Good Time to Buy
32:00 - Seller Credits & Saving Cash Upfront
39:00 - Using STRIQ’s AI for Listing Optimization
46:00 - The Future of STRIQ: Free Tier, AI Tools & Selling Properties
55:00 - How to Connect with Matt

Enjoyed this episode? Be sure to follow The Airbnb Roadmap wherever you get your podcasts and share it with your investor friends! Every share helps more people find the show. 🎧

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

This one stings a little. In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the exact scenario I’ve dreaded since becoming an Airbnb host: a guest checked into a dirty cabin. Not once, but twice. 😬 Despite all the systems, automations, and bulletproof planning, it still happened—and it sucked. But I’m sharing it all with you so you can learn from my mistakes and avoid a total guest meltdown. I also break down how we use the cleaning app Turno (formerly TurnoverBnB), how we handle inventory, and how to bounce back with grace when crap hits the fan.

If you’re relying on automation tools like Turno to run your Airbnb cleaning schedule (or you’re considering it), you need to hear this. I thought I had every duck in a row—and still had a total system failure. This episode is your behind-the-scenes look at what happens when things go wrong and how to stay calm, fix the issue, and keep your business running.

Mentioned in the Episode:

Link: Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator Course

Had a cleaning disaster of your own—or nervous it’ll happen to you? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your story or your questions. I’ll cheer you on (and share my sympathy!).

Want to avoid the Airbnb disasters I talk about on the pod? Enroll in the Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator — the step-by-step, self-paced course for launching, managing, and scaling your short-term rental.
🎉 Podcast listeners get $50 off! Click here to join

00:00 – My biggest STR fear came true
01:00 – How Turno works and what it automates
03:00 – Pros and cons of using Turno
06:00 – Managing inventory and ordering supplies
08:45 – Why I ship everything to my cleaner’s home
11:00 – What went wrong (guest checks in to a dirty cabin)
13:30 – Dealing with Verbo guest rage & refund process
18:30 – It happened AGAIN?!
21:00 – How we handled a second missed clean
23:00 – Communicating with your business partner under stress
25:00 – Final thoughts + how I’m preventing this in the future
25:23 – Airbnb Accelerator Course promo + discount

Love this episode? Even when it’s a little messy? 😉 Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this one with a fellow Airbnb host who’s navigating the ups and downs too. We’ve all been there—let’s grow from it together.

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

Episode Summary:
A full calendar and pretty photos don't tell the full story. In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly how to analyze an existing Airbnb before you make an offer—so you don’t get stuck with a dud that looked like a dream. From earning reports to guest reviews, occupancy rates, and team transitions, I’m sharing all the numbers and red flags to watch for. Plus, we talk about what makes a property a smart buy versus a sneaky liability (even if it looks like a turnkey investment).

Key Takeaways:

Why Listen to This Episode?
If you're even thinking about buying an existing Airbnb, this episode will help you run the numbers, dodge the red flags, and decide if you’re walking into a win or a warning sign. It's everything I teach my buyers and students before they make an offer.

Mentioned in the Episode:

Link: Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator Course

Let’s Connect:
Thinking about buying an existing Airbnb? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your progress! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.

Work With Me:
🎓 Want to confidently analyze, purchase, and manage your own Airbnb—even if it’s not “turnkey”?
Take my Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator course for less than $500 and learn everything you need (without the fluff)

Chapters:
0:00 – Welcome + car buying analogy
1:45 – Don’t trust sellers—ask for these documents
3:30 – Gross vs. net income + the power of a P&L
4:30 – How to read reviews for red flags
6:00 – What you can and can’t fix in a listing
6:40 – AirDNA + other tools (with caution!)
8:30 – Understanding seasonality and month-to-month dips
9:50 – Cleaning crews, contacts, and team handoffs
12:15 – Location rules, regulations & grandfathered status
13:30 – Final gut check: is it worth it?
14:45 – Reminder: fall = STR listing season

Subscribe and Share:
Loved this episode? Be sure to follow, rate, and leave a review! Share this with someone who’s shopping for their first short-term rental—they’ll thank you later.

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

Thinking about buying an existing Airbnb? It sounds like a shortcut—but there's a lot most people don’t tell you. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what really happens when you try to purchase a property that’s already operating as a short-term rental. From licensing delays to disappearing reviews to misleading listing agents (yes, really), you’ll learn exactly what to look out for before making an offer.

Key Takeaways:

Why Listen to This Episode?
You’ll walk away knowing how to protect yourself, ask smarter questions, and avoid investing in a “turnkey” short-term rental that turns into a hot mess. Whether you're actively shopping or just curious, this episode is packed with advice I give to my own real estate clients.

Mentioned in the Episode:

Link: Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator Course

Let’s Connect:
Thinking about buying an existing Airbnb? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your progress! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.

Work With Me:
🎓 Want to confidently analyze, purchase, and manage your own Airbnb—even if it’s not “turnkey”?
Take my Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator course for less than $500 and learn everything you need (without the fluff)

Chapters:
0:00 – Welcome + listener shoutouts
1:55 – Why sellers part ways with short-term rentals
4:45 – Is it really profitable, or are they burned out?
6:50 – What most buyers miss (and what I see as an agent)
8:20 – The truth about transferring Airbnb listings
10:30 – Future guests, cancellations & managing expectations
12:20 – Should you honor existing pricing? (Yes!)
14:00 – The licensing delay no one talks about
17:30 – Red flags & misleading agent descriptions
19:25 – Grandfathered-in properties vs. current rules
22:20 – Wrapping up: Do it smart, not fast

Subscribe and Share:
Enjoying the podcast? Don’t forget to follow, rate, and leave a review! Share this episode with someone thinking about buying a short-term rental—they need to hear this before they write that offer.

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

Episode Summary:
Rental agreements might not be the flashiest part of hosting, but they can be your best protection when things go sideways. In this episode, I’m diving into the real reason you might want to consider having a custom agreement for your Airbnb—even if Airbnb already has built-in terms. I share exactly what we include in our own two-page rental agreement (yes, even the part about shooting cans in the woods 🙃), the legal gray areas, and why I ditched Hospitable’s signature portal. Plus, I spill the truth about what happens when guests don’t want to sign it, how it affects reviews, and when it’s worth the hassle.

Key Takeaways:

Why Listen to This Episode?
You’ll walk away with a better understanding of when a rental agreement is essential, how to build one that actually holds up, and the sneaky loopholes you should know about to keep both Airbnb and your guests happy.

Mentioned in the Episode:

Let’s Connect:
Thinking about adding a rental agreement to your Airbnb? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your current setup! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.

Work With Me:
🎓 Want to learn how to set up your Airbnb the right way—with automations that save you time and sanity?
Check out my Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator course for under $500

Chapters:
0:00 – Baby hiccups & intro
1:25 – When we use rental agreements (and when we don’t)
3:10 – Why Airbnb’s built-in terms aren’t always enough
4:30 – What’s actually in our rental agreement
10:00 – Can you enforce it? (and is it worth it?)
14:30 – How star ratings play into rule enforcement
18:30 – My Hospitable rental agreement experience
21:50 – Airbnb’s latest rules about extra agreements
23:00 – What to do if guests don’t want to sign
25:00 – Direct booking? You definitely need an agreement
27:00 – Final thoughts + bonus pep talk

Subscribe and Share:
Loved this episode? Be sure to follow, rate, and leave a review! And don’t forget to send this to another host who needs help navigating the fine print.

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

Hey, it’s Brittany! In this episode of The Airbnb Roadmap, I sit down with Ashley Lang—a powerhouse real estate investor with a diverse and thriving portfolio. Ashley shares how she stumbled into short-term rentals by accident and ended up scaling to over 30 furnished rentals, most of which are now midterm stays. We talk about the transition from vacation to midterm rentals, how she built a full team to support her, and the mindset shifts that helped her (and her husband) take the leap into real estate full time.

Whether you’re a first-time investor or dreaming of scaling your portfolio while working less, this episode is packed with lessons from someone who’s built it step-by-step—and done it with intention.

If you’ve ever wondered:

Ashley shares a behind-the-scenes look at how she grew her portfolio and team while staying aligned with her goals—and how you can too.

Thinking about building a midterm or short-term rental portfolio? 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 help buying, analyzing, and launching your first (or next) short-term rental? Visit frontporchrealtyco.com or check out my course at airbnbroadmap.com.

00:00 – Intro & Ashley’s accidental start
02:30 – From one rental to two (and then thirty!)
05:00 – Design, demand, and why midterms won
11:00 – Building her dream team
14:00 – Scaling with intention
18:00 – Why they diversified the portfolio
23:00 – Buck’s journey from W2 to full-time investor
25:00 – Top advice for first-time STR investors
28:00 – Manifestation and mindset shifts
30:00 – Where to find Ashley

If you found this episode helpful, hit that subscribe button and share it with a friend who’s thinking about diving into real estate investing. You never know who needs to hear it today!

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

Want to unlock Airbnb’s coveted Superhost status as soon as possible? In this episode, I walk you through the exact steps it takes to qualify—from your very first guest to your tenth glowing review. Plus, I share our personal story of how one guest complaint almost cost us our badge (spoiler: it got intense). Whether you're brand new or prepping for your first few bookings, this one is for you!

Because your reputation matters—and so does your search ranking. Becoming a Superhost early gives your listing instant credibility and can mean more bookings at higher prices. I’ll help you avoid the rookie mistakes, set expectations that wow, and build a foundation that puts your listing on page one.

Mentioned in the Episode:

Thinking about becoming a Superhost from day one? 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 to launch your first Airbnb without overspending or second-guessing every step?
Check out the Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator – a self-paced course that shows you how to find, furnish, list, and scale your short-term rental.
🎉 Launch Sale: 35% off for a limited time!
👉 Enroll now

00:00 – Life update with a newborn
01:40 – What Superhost really means
03:30 – How to qualify: 4 key requirements
09:05 – How often Airbnb evaluates hosts
10:30 – Benefits of Superhost status
12:30 – Strategy: earn it from day one
14:30 – Why automation helps
16:15 – Does Superhost actually matter?
17:50 – The one time we lost it (and the drama behind it)
23:30 – Final tips + link to the course

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
✨ Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review and tag me @theairbnbroadmap on Instagram!
📩 Forward this episode to a friend who's just getting started with Airbnb!

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

Airbnb reviews can make or break your short-term rental—literally. In this episode, I break down how the Airbnb review system actually works, what guests are rating you on (it’s more than just stars), and how you can earn 5-star reviews without sounding desperate. Plus, I share my go-to tactics, personal stories (like my one and only 2-star review), and the sneaky Wi-Fi trick that’s helped us rack up over 375 five-star ratings.

If you’re managing or planning to launch an Airbnb, this episode gives you the full playbook on reviews—how they work, how to get better ones, and how to recover from the bad ones without losing your mind (or your Superhost badge).

Mentioned in the Episode:

Thinking about how to get more 5-star reviews or fix a sticky guest experience? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your progress! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.

💻 Ready to launch or scale your Airbnb with confidence?
Check out my self-paced Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator course designed for first-time investors:
Enroll Now

👩‍🏫 Want more personalized guidance?
Join my mentorship program, Roadmap Results, and work with me 1:1 to set up and scale your STR the smart way.

00:00 – Life update: motherhood, automation, and real talk
01:11 – What guests really rate on Airbnb
04:30 – Breaking down the 6 Airbnb review categories
13:30 – How to earn 5-star reviews consistently
17:30 – How to handle bad reviews like a pro
21:50 – Reviews = Revenue: here's why
24:00 – The Wi-Fi password hack + asking for reviews the right way
26:09 – Final thoughts + free promo code reminder

If this episode helped you, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! And share it with a fellow Airbnb host who needs to hear this. The more hosts we help, the better guest experiences we all create 🙌

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

Episode Summary:
In this episode, I walk you through the exact process I used to find, interview, and hire a cleaner for our newest Airbnb property. From where I posted the job to what questions I asked during the interview, I’m giving you the behind-the-scenes breakdown of what worked (and what didn’t). If you’re launching or scaling your short-term rental, this episode is packed with real-world tips to help you build your “small but mighty” team—starting with the person who matters most: your cleaner.

Key Takeaways:

Why Listen to This Episode?
If you’re in the process of launching or managing an Airbnb, one of the most important hires you'll make is your cleaner. I share the exact steps I took—plus some lessons I learned the hard way—to help you find someone reliable, consistent, and invested in their work. Whether you're in a rural town or a busy city, this episode will help you avoid the guesswork.

Mentioned in the Episode:

Let’s Connect:
Thinking about hiring a cleaner for your Airbnb? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your progress! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.

Work With Me:
Ready to launch or scale your own short-term rental? Learn everything you need to know inside my Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator course. It's the same strategy and system I use—without the fluff. Click here to learn more.

Chapters:
00:00 – Life update: New Airbnb launch + pregnancy FOMO
03:00 – Landscaping struggles and exterior updates
05:00 – Where and how I found cleaner candidates
08:00 – My exact 6-question cleaner screening process
13:30 – Why fixed rates matter more than you think
17:00 – Phone call tips and what to ask next
20:00 – What happened during the in-person interviews
25:00 – Red flags and how I knew who not to hire
28:00 – How I knew I found “the one”
30:00 – Final steps + prepping for the first guest

Subscribe and Share:
If this episode helped you, please follow The Airbnb Roadmap wherever you listen—and share it with a friend who’s launching an STR. Every follow, share, and review helps more hosts build a profitable Airbnb with confidence.