Luke Carl sits down with Reagen to break down the February 2026 market update in the Smoky Mountains. They discuss a noticeable shift in activity, including the highest monthly closings since December 2021, declining inventory levels, and what that means for buyers navigating a market that’s moving from a strong buyer’s market toward balance. Reagen also shares insights on turnkey new construction pool cabins, high-end luxury builds already booking deep into 2026, fixer-upper challenges, and why long-term cash flow and smart buying matter more than obsessing over first-year cash-on-cash returns.

Connect with an agent: [email protected]

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
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Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Luke Carl walks through real, on-the-ground deal analysis in the Emerald Coast market with Pete from The Short Term Shop, covering Destin, 30A, and Panama City Beach. They break down why certain properties are still sitting despite strong revenue potential, how seller motivation often has more to do with time and fatigue than price, and why making offers is the only way to uncover real opportunities. The conversation also digs into condo vs. townhome economics, HOA tradeoffs, bonus depreciation strategy, and why turnkey doesn’t always mean “best deal” in today’s shifting market.

Connect with an agent: [email protected]

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Luke Carl walks through the Shenandoah Valley short-term rental market with Short Term Shop agent Marion, breaking down why the region is so attractive for investors thanks to its accessibility, affordability, and strong year-round demand from resorts, national parks, and outdoor tourism. They compare resort vs. non-resort investing, discuss realistic revenue and occupancy expectations, and review multiple live listings ranging from entry-level A-frames to high-revenue luxury cabins. The conversation also digs into current buyer leverage, pricing corrections, and why now may be an especially strong window for disciplined investors willing to negotiate.

Connect with an agent: [email protected]

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Luke Carl checks in on the Branson, Missouri market with David to see what deals actually look like right now. They dig into why Branson remains one of the most affordable vacation markets in the country, how condo-heavy inventory and HOAs can help short-term rental owners, and what realistic revenue looks like across different price points. Luke and David also talk through current buyer hesitation, seller pricing hangovers from the COVID era, and why making multiple offers is the name of the game in today’s market.

Connect with an agent: [email protected]

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Luke Carl sits down with Trysten to break down what actually makes a Pocono Mountains short-term rental succeed. They dive into how to pick the right sub-markets, why proximity to ski mountains and lakes matters more than most investors realize, and how design, amenities, and pricing discipline separate high-performing listings from underwhelming ones. The conversation also tackles today’s buyer-friendly market, common seller delusions left over from the COVID boom, and what realistic upside looks like at different budget levels.

Connect with an agent: [email protected]

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Luke Carl sits down with Kelsey to break down what’s really happening right now in the Crystal Beach and Galveston short term rental markets. They discuss why inventory is so high, how pricing has effectively rolled back to pre-2022 levels, and why today’s conditions strongly favor patient, well-informed buyers who are willing to negotiate. The conversation also digs into what types of homes are still performing well on the rental side, how amenities and size drive revenue, and what realistic offer strategies look like in a market flooded with options.

Connect with an agent: [email protected]

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Luke Carl sits down with Jonathan to break down what’s really happening in the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan short-term rental markets heading into early 2026. They dig into where buyers are finding leverage right now, why condos are far more negotiable than single-family homes, how inventory can be both limited and overpriced at the same time, and what recent deal examples reveal about seller motivation, management performance, and realistic expectations in today’s market. The conversation also touches on tourism drivers like sports travel, infrastructure expansion, and local news that could impact future demand.

Connect with an agent: [email protected]

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

In this episode of the series, Luke Carl sits down with Short Term Shop agent Yok Re to break down the current state of the North Georgia short-term rental market, especially around Blue Ridge and nearby cabin communities. They explore how buyer behavior has shifted since the COVID boom, what price points and property types still make sense today, and why amenities like king beds, hot tubs, farmhouse-chic décor, and strong photography are essential for standing out in a cooling market. Yok also walks through real examples of listings—both active properties and top-performing Airbnbs—to show where the opportunities are, what red flags to look for, and how thoughtful design and management can add 20–30% more revenue compared to average operators.

How to connect with Yok
Email: [email protected]
Text: 662-312-5528

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

On this episode, Luke Carl is joined by Emerald Coast agent Pete from The Short Term Shop to break down what’s really happening in the Destin/PCB/30A beach markets. They discuss how falling interest rates, the return of 100% bonus depreciation, and more realistic seller expectations are creating strong buying conditions in 2025, plus why January/February and late summer can be prime times to go under contract on a short-term rental. They also dig into days-on-market realities for vacation rentals, seller psychology, creative financing attempts, and why Pete still sees the Emerald Coast as relatively affordable compared to other U.S. beach markets.

How to connect with Pete:
petetheshorttermshop.com 

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

On this episode, Luke sits down with Smoky Mountain agent and long-time investor Matt Castle to break down what's happening right now in the Smokies market, including a surge in pending contracts and how shifting Fed policy and mortgage rates may impact short-term rental buyers. They talk through timing purchases and listings around tax strategy and seasonal slowdowns, why winter months can be prime time for both buyers and sellers, and how fundamentals like strong photos, themed design, cleanliness, and strategic deep cleans separate top-performing cabins from the rest. Matt also contrasts turnkey vs. value-add STR opportunities, shares how serious multifamily/commercial investors are adapting to the unique metrics of short-term rentals, and emphasizes not overthinking it—focusing on “heads in beds” and guest experience.

How to connect with Matt Castle
Best way to reach him: [email protected]

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon