SmartStay Show - Short Term Rental Counsel | Airbnb Hosting Tips

What happens when someone trained to make decisions with medical precision applies that same mindset to short-term rental investing?

In this episode, we sit down with Brian MacArthur, founder of Lunera Stays, who transitioned from 21 years in dermatology to building a luxury vacation rental business focused on fewer, larger, high-performing properties.

Brian shares how he tripled the income of his first Outer Banks rental, why he focuses on luxury homes, and how smart pricing and market research help him compete with larger property management companies.

We also discuss advance bookings, cancellation strategies, and how Brian is helping doctors, dentists, and professional athletes explore real estate investing and potential tax advantages through cost segregation and bonus depreciation.

Things we discussed in this episode:

• Transitioning from a 21-year dermatology career into luxury real estate.

• Using market research tools to identify profitable vacation rental opportunities.

• Why larger luxury homes can outperform smaller rental property portfolios.

• Tripling rental income through improved design, amenities, and pricing strategies.

• Competing with larger property managers through personalized revenue management strategies.

• Adjusting nightly rates to stay competitive across different booking seasons.

• Why luxury vacation rentals often attract bookings a year ahead.

• Managing cancellation policies and travel insurance for high-value rental bookings.

• Exploring real estate investing and potential tax advantages for professionals.

• Applying patient care experience to exceptional guest and owner hospitality.

Get in touch with BRIAN:

Website : ⁠https://www.lunerastays.com/

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

#SmartStayShow #ShortTermRentals #LuxuryVacationRentals #STRInvesting #RealEstateInvesting #AirbnbHost #PropertyManagement #OuterBanks #Scottsdale #Sedona #LuneraStays #VacationRentalManagement #LuxuryRealEstate #CostSegregation #BonusDepreciation #Hospitality

Follow Us!

Join Jason Muth of Prideaway Stays and Straightforward Short-Term Rentals and Real Estate Attorney / Broker Rory Gill for the first episode of SmartStay Show!

Following and subscribing to SmartStay Show not only ensures that you'll get instant updates whenever we release a new episode, but it also helps us reach more people who could benefit from the valuable content that we provide.

SmartStay Show ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Prideaway Stays ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Straightforward Short-Term Rentals ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Attorney Rory Gill ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jason Muth on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Can you build a successful short-term rental management company without owning a single vacation rental? Travis Sprague is proving that you can.

In this episode, we sit down with Travis, founder of STR Concierge, to discuss how he built a boutique vacation rental management business while working full-time as a general manager at Equinox. What started with networking and a few real estate connections has grown into a business managing 10 properties, with two more in onboarding, across the Hudson Valley and Catskills.

Travis shares why he shifted his focus away from multiple markets to concentrate on his own backyard, how he attracts property owners through real estate agents and local vendors, and why understanding an owner's investment goals is essential to building a successful management relationship.

We also dig into the marketing side of growing an STR business, including SEO, blogging, AI tools, and influencer partnerships. Travis shares how two Instagram collaborations generated roughly 300,000 views and even led to a potential new investor client, despite not producing any confirmed direct bookings yet.

Whether you're starting a co-hosting business, looking to grow your property management portfolio, or exploring new ways to attract owners and guests, this episode offers practical lessons from someone building his business one relationship at a time.

Things we discussed in this episode:

• Starting a short-term rental management business without owning any properties.

• Turning professional connections into valuable real estate and co-hosting opportunities.

• Why Travis focused his business on Hudson Valley and Catskills.

• Understanding different investment goals between second-home owners and real estate investors.

• How real estate agents and vendors generate valuable client referrals.

• Creating useful STR regulation guides to attract potential property owners.

• Using SEO, blogging, and website improvements to generate organic leads.

• How ChatGPT and AI tools simplify everyday property management tasks.

• Managing multiple vacation rentals with virtual assistants and local teams.

• Using influencer marketing to attract investors and potential direct bookings.

Get in touch with TRAVIS:

Website : https://www.str-concierge.com/Facebook : ⁠https://www.facebook.com/strconcierge/Instagram : ⁠https://www.instagram.com/strconcierge/

#SmartStayShow #ShortTermRentals #STRInvesting #CoHosting #PropertyManagement #VacationRentals #AirbnbHost #RealEstateInvesting #HudsonValley #Catskills #STRConcierge #VacationRentalManagement #AirbnbBusiness #DirectBookings #InfluencerMarketing #RealEstateEntrepreneur #AI

Follow Us!

Join Jason Muth of Prideaway Stays and Straightforward Short-Term Rentals and Real Estate Attorney / Broker Rory Gill for the first episode of SmartStay Show!

Following and subscribing to SmartStay Show not only ensures that you'll get instant updates whenever we release a new episode, but it also helps us reach more people who could benefit from the valuable content that we provide.

SmartStay Show ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Prideaway Stays ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Straightforward Short-Term Rentals ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Attorney Rory Gill ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jason Muth on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We’re back! After taking a little break from the Smart Stay Show, I’m trying something new with Smart Stay Stories: real situations that have happened to us while managing short-term rentals and what we learned from them.

For this first story, I’m digging into a situation that absolutely should not have happened.

A longtime returning guest was staying at one of our Provincetown properties when she woke up and discovered someone had entered the rental to drop off supplies. No message. No knock. No warning. We screwed up.

In this episode, I walk through exactly what happened, how we responded, and what we changed afterward. I also asked Claude to analyze the situation and tell me what we did well and, more importantly, what we could have done better.

Things discussed in this episode:

• What happened when someone entered an occupied rental without notifying the guests
• Why we immediately acknowledged that the situation was completely unacceptable
• How communication can break down between managers, vendors, and condo associations
• Why nobody should assume they have permission to enter an occupied vacation rental
• How smart-lock records help us track exactly who enters a property and when
• Why we’re considering “Do Not Disturb” door hangers across our properties
• How we handle guest recovery when something goes wrong during a stay
• When a small credit, dinner, or gift card can help repair the relationship
• How we turn mistakes and guest issues into better systems and procedures
• What Claude suggested we could have done differently

One thing I’ve learned after years in this business: you can have great people and great systems and something will still eventually go sideways. The important part is what you do next.

Let me know what you think about this new Smart Stay Stories format. I’m running solo for this one, but I might need to drag Rory into a few of these with me!

If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and leave us a comment. We really do read them.

And if you’d like to be a guest on the Smart Stay Show, visit SmartStayShow.com and tell us what you’d like to talk about.

#SmartStayShow #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHost #VacationRental #PropertyManagement #Hospitality

Follow Us!

Join Jason Muth of Prideaway Stays and Straightforward Short-Term Rentals and Real Estate Attorney / Broker Rory Gill for the first episode of SmartStay Show!

Following and subscribing to SmartStay Show not only ensures that you'll get instant updates whenever we release a new episode, but it also helps us reach more people who could benefit from the valuable content that we provide.

SmartStay Show ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Prideaway Stays ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Straightforward Short-Term Rentals ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Attorney Rory Gill ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jason Muth on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

When you invest in real estate, you’re not just buying a property—you’re becoming part of a community. And how well you understand that community can play a major role in whether your short-term rental succeeds for years to come.

In this episode, we sit down with Joy Cutron, founder of Mindful Rental Pros, to talk about something STR investors can easily overlook: what’s happening beyond the walls of the property. Joy has experience with short-, mid-, and long-term rentals and helps everyday homeowners create realistic rental income while understanding the communities where they operate.

We dig into how parking, trash, noise, lighting, and neighbor relationships can eventually shape local regulations. Joy also explains why investors need to look beyond today’s ordinances and understand where a town may be heading over the next five or ten years.

We also discuss what happens when a community becomes less welcoming to STRs, when a mid-term or hybrid model might make more sense, and why getting to know a neighborhood before investing can save you plenty of headaches later.

Things we discussed in this episode:

• Why understanding your community is essential for long-term rental success.
• How parking, trash, noise, and lighting can influence future regulations.
• Building strong relationships with neighbors, local workers, and fellow hosts.
• Researching regulations and community sentiment before purchasing a rental property.
• Why having no STR regulations isn’t always a positive sign.
• Responding calmly and professionally when neighbors oppose short-term rental operations.
• Using mid-term rentals when community needs or regulations begin changing.
• Identifying housing, infrastructure, and environmental concerns before entering markets.
• How responsible host communities can share best practices and stories.
• Using Mindful Rental Pros resources to evaluate communities before investing.

Get in touch with JOY:

Community Compass — free, no email required: https://mindfulrentalpros.com/free-toolsFree 30-minute Discovery Call:https://mindfulrentalpros.as.me/discovery

#SmartStayShow #ShortTermRentals #STRInvesting #VacationRentals #AirbnbHost #PropertyManagement #RealEstateInvesting #ResponsibleHosting #STRRegulations #GoodNeighbor #RentalProperty #MidTermRentals #VacationRentalManagement #MindfulRentalPros #Hospitality

Follow Us!

Join Jason Muth of Prideaway Stays and Straightforward Short-Term Rentals and Real Estate Attorney / Broker Rory Gill for the first episode of SmartStay Show!

Following and subscribing to SmartStay Show not only ensures that you'll get instant updates whenever we release a new episode, but it also helps us reach more people who could benefit from the valuable content that we provide.

SmartStay Show ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Prideaway Stays ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Straightforward Short-Term Rentals ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Attorney Rory Gill ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jason Muth on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Are the design choices you love actually costing your short-term rental money?

In this episode, we sit down with Courtney Petrovich, founder of Denori Designs, to unpack what separates a beautiful vacation rental from one that actually performs. Courtney started as an STR investor herself, designing an eight-bedroom South Carolina property remotely before turning her passion for design into a nationwide hospitality design firm.

Courtney explains why great STR design starts with market research, not wallpaper, furniture, or personal taste. We dig into competitor research, market-specific amenities, creating a sense of place, and why every design decision should ultimately support the property's financial goals.

We also get practical about money. Courtney shares her guideline of budgeting roughly $10,000 per bedroom for total furnishings and decor, where operators should save versus splurge, and how she evaluates furniture for durability. We also talk about renovations, outdoor amenities, New England design, and knowing when an existing property needs a refresh.

Things we discussed in this episode:

• Why profitable STR design should always begin with market research.
• Creating a cohesive design that reflects your property’s unique market.
• Choosing amenities based on guest demand instead of personal preferences.
• Using ROI and payback periods to guide major design investments.
• Budgeting roughly $10,000 per bedroom for furnishings and decor costs.
• Knowing where to save money and where durability matters most.
• Using reviews, specifications, and contract-grade standards when selecting furniture.
• Bringing designers, architects, and contractors together early during major renovations.
• Designing differently for beach, ski, historic, and adventure-driven rental markets.
• Watching revenue performance to know when your property needs refreshing.

Get in touch with COURTNEY:

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.denoridesigns.com/⁠

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/denoridesigns/⁠

#SmartStayShow #ShortTermRentals #STRDesign #VacationRentalDesign #AirbnbDesign #RealEstateInvesting #VacationRentals #PropertyManagement #HospitalityDesign #AirbnbHost #STRInvesting #InteriorDesign #GuestExperience #DenoriDesigns #RealEstateInvestor

Follow Us!

Join Jason Muth of Prideaway Stays and Straightforward Short-Term Rentals and Real Estate Attorney / Broker Rory Gill for the first episode of SmartStay Show!

Following and subscribing to SmartStay Show not only ensures that you'll get instant updates whenever we release a new episode, but it also helps us reach more people who could benefit from the valuable content that we provide.

SmartStay Show ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Prideaway Stays ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Straightforward Short-Term Rentals ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Attorney Rory Gill ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jason Muth on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Through changing platforms, new technology, AI agents, and automation, one thing about hospitality hasn’t changed: people still want to connect with people.

In this episode, Jason Muth and Rory Gill sit down with Annie Holcomb, founder of Annie & Co., co-host of the Alex & Annie Podcast, VRMA board member, and longtime vacation rental industry leader. Annie takes us through more than 30 years in hospitality—from working a hotel front desk to vacation rental management, Expedia, Marriott Homes & Villas, channel management technology, and eventually launching her own company.

We also dig into Jason’s experience expanding onto Booking.com, why the platform can open the door to international and business travelers, what operators should understand about distribution, and how OTAs can help build a recognizable brand. Then we look at VRMA, the changing relationship between traditional vacation rentals and STRs, podcasting, AI, and where automation should—and shouldn’t—replace human interaction.

Things we discussed in this episode:

1. Annie’s 30-year hospitality career spanning hotels, vacation rentals, technology, OTAs, consulting, and entrepreneurship.
2. Why great guest service and strong owner relationships remain essential despite massive changes in technology.
3. How Booking.com can connect smaller operators with international travelers, business guests, and new audiences.
4. Why Jason’s Booking.com launch quickly generated more than ten percent of his company’s total bookings.
5. What operators should understand about Booking.com payments, monthly invoices, taxes, fees, and account setup.
6. How OTA exposure can strengthen brand recognition and ultimately support a successful direct-booking strategy.
7. Why building a company brand requires different decisions than building everything around one individual personality.
8. How VRMA is bringing traditional vacation rental managers and newer short-term rental operators together.
9. Why podcasting creates powerful relationships by letting operators share authentic experiences, lessons, and personal stories.
10. How AI should eliminate repetitive work while creating more time for meaningful human hospitality and relationships.

Get in touch with ANNIE:

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

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anniecosolutions.com/

#SmartStayShow #ShortTermRentals #VacationRentals #Hospitality #PropertyManagement #Bookingcom #DirectBooking #VRMA #HospitalityTechnology #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #GuestExperience #PropertyManagers #VacationRentalManagement #STR #Automation

Follow Us!

Join Jason Muth of Prideaway Stays and Straightforward Short-Term Rentals and Real Estate Attorney / Broker Rory Gill for the first episode of SmartStay Show!

Following and subscribing to SmartStay Show not only ensures that you'll get instant updates whenever we release a new episode, but it also helps us reach more people who could benefit from the valuable content that we provide.

What happens when someone who spent 15 years in corporate HR sees his own layoff coming—and decides to build his next career before it happens?

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Marcelissen to unpack his move from corporate America into full-time real estate investing, short-term rental management, and brokerage. Matt shares how he went from flips and long-term rentals to building StayWell BNB and helping investors find high-performing short-term rentals across Texas.

We also dig into why Houston has become an interesting market for STR investors, including properties around $500,000 that can gross roughly $100,000 annually. Matt breaks down the demand, relatively low seasonality, regulations, and numbers that make Houston very different from traditional vacation markets.

Things we discussed in this episode:

1. Matt left corporate HR to pursue full-time real estate investing.
2. An approaching layoff pushed Matt to build new income streams.
3. Matt launched StayWell BNB to manage underperforming vacation rental properties.
4. Strategic improvements increased one property’s revenue from $90K to $165K.
5. Increasing guest capacity created significantly more revenue without major renovations.
6. Houston offers affordable properties, strong STR revenue, and limited seasonality.
7. Family visits, conferences, events, and staycations drive Houston rental demand.
8. Matt uses Slack, SOPs, Loom, and staff to streamline operations.
9. Mindset coaching changed how Matt approaches growth and business decisions.
10. Service animals, therapy dogs, and ESAs require different hosting approaches.

Get in touch with MATT:

Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/marcelissen

Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/marcelissen/?hl=en

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.staywellbnb.com/

#SmartStayShow #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbInvesting #RealEstateInvesting #HoustonRealEstate #FinancialFreedomJourney #W2ToInvestor #STROptimization #CashflowProperties #MindsetForInvestors

Follow Us!

Join Jason Muth of Prideaway Stays and Straightforward Short-Term Rentals and Real Estate Attorney / Broker Rory Gill for the first episode of SmartStay Show!

Following and subscribing to SmartStay Show not only ensures that you'll get instant updates whenever we release a new episode, but it also helps us reach more people who could benefit from the valuable content that we provide.

Ever wondered how to turn an Airbnb or Vrbo guest into a repeat guest you can actually market to?

In this episode, we sit down with Arthur Kolker, founder of StayFi, to explore how short-term rental operators can build stronger guest relationships and grow their direct-booking business. We dig into how StayFi uses the Wi-Fi login experience to capture guest information naturally, without adding extra forms or friction to the stay.

Rory shares his firsthand experience using StayFi across multiple properties, including some of the real-world challenges around Wi-Fi networks, mesh systems, and smart lock connectivity. Arthur also explains why building a guest database is one of the most important steps operators can take if they want to generate repeat stays and rely less on booking platforms.

We also explore StayFi Express, automated email marketing, anniversary campaigns, gap-night promotions, and StayFinder — a tool designed to help travelers discover direct-booking options from independent vacation rental operators.

Things we discussed in this episode:

Building a guest database for repeat and direct bookings
Using Wi-Fi to capture guest information naturally
How captive portals and splash pages work in vacation rentals
Why traditional email platforms can fall short for STR operators
Setting up StayFi with existing Wi-Fi and mesh networks
Wi-Fi connectivity challenges with smart locks and other devices
Why consistent email marketing matters more than one-off campaigns
Automated emails, anniversary campaigns, and gap-night promotions
Using guest data to increase repeat stays and occupancy
StayFinder and helping travelers discover direct-booking options
Comparing direct pricing while searching on major booking platforms
Creating additional revenue through upsells, experiences, and add-ons
Building stronger relationships with guests after their first stay
Reducing long-term dependence on third-party booking platforms

Get in touch with ARTHUR:

Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/a.colker/⁠

Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/a_colker/?hl=en⁠

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stayfi.com/⁠

#SmartStayShow #realestate #realestateinvestor #realestateagent #RealEstateInvesting #DirectBooking #BookDirect #EmailMarketing #GuestExperience #OwnYourGuest#StayFi #StayFinder #WiFiMarketing #HospitalityTech #PropTech

Follow Us!

Join Jason Muth of Prideaway Stays and Straightforward Short-Term Rentals and Real Estate Attorney / Broker Rory Gill for the first episode of SmartStay Show!

Following and subscribing to SmartStay Show not only ensures that you'll get instant updates whenever we release a new episode, but it also helps us reach more people who could benefit from the valuable content that we provide.

Short-term rental hosts are waking up to a hard truth: Airbnb and Vrbo bring the bookings, but they keep the guest relationship.

In this episode, we sit down with StayFi founder Arthur Colker to unpack how Wi-Fi-based guest data collection can help hosts and property managers build their own brands, drive more direct bookings, and reduce reliance on OTAs. Arthur shares the origin story of StayFi, why Wi-Fi captive portals are such a powerful marketing entry point, and how their built-in email tools turn past guests into repeat, direct bookers.

We also dig into real-world results from Pride Away Stays, the launch of StayFinder as a direct-booking meta search tool, and what the future looks like for hosts who truly want to own the guest experience from first click to check-out.

Things we discussed in this episode:

1. Hosts lose guest data and relationships when relying on Airbnb/VRBO.
2. StayFi was created to capture guest info for direct bookings.
3. Guests enter emails through a branded Wi‑Fi splash page.
4. StayFi runs on UniFi access points or StayFi Express.
5. Jason and Rory saw stronger Wi‑Fi and fixed a Schlage lock.
6. They clarified why “not secure” Wi‑Fi warnings appear for guests.
7. Automated emails help turn past guests into repeat direct bookers.
8. Availability-based campaigns promote only properties open for specific dates.
9. StayFinder shows OTA vs. direct prices and links to direct sites.
10. StayFi plans managed email services and cheaper mesh hardware.

Get in touch with ARTHUR:

Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/a.colker/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/a_colker/?hl=en

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stayfi.com/

#SmartStayShow #realestate #realestateinvestor #realestateagent #RealEstateInvesting #DirectBooking #BookDirect #EmailMarketing #GuestExperience #OwnYourGuest
#StayFi #StayFinder #WiFiMarketing #HospitalityTech #PropTech

Follow Us!

Join Jason Muth of Prideaway Stays and Straightforward Short-Term Rentals and Real Estate Attorney / Broker Rory Gill for the first episode of SmartStay Show!

Following and subscribing to SmartStay Show not only ensures that you'll get instant updates whenever we release a new episode, but it also helps us reach more people who could benefit from the valuable content that we provide.

💡 What if there’s a way to slash your tax bill while building real estate wealth—without buying a single new property?

In this episode, we turn the spotlight on one of the most powerful, yet often overlooked, wealth-building tools for investors: tax strategy. Eric Oliver of Maven Cost Segregation to break down, in plain English, how cost segregation and 100% bonus depreciation can dramatically reduce your taxes—especially if you own or plan to own short-term rentals.

Eric explains how accelerated depreciation really works, what the so-called “short-term rental loophole” is (and isn’t), and why material participation and intent are key in the eyes of the IRS. Jason and Rory go even further, sharing real numbers from their own portfolio, including how they used a look-back study and a “poor man’s reverse 1031” strategy to offset a large tax bill after selling a property.

If you’ve ever thought taxes were just an unavoidable cost of investing, this episode will make you see them as a strategic wealth-building tool.

Things we discussed in this episode:

1. Cost segregation basics – accelerating depreciation by breaking a property into components with shorter lives.
2. Bonus depreciation – how 100% bonus magnifies cost seg savings in year one.
3. STRs vs. LTRs – why short‑term rentals can offset W2 income but long‑term rentals usually can’t.
4. “Short‑term rental loophole” – a legal, code-based strategy, not a shady trick.
5. Material participation – key IRS tests, especially 100 hours and more time than anyone else.
6. Timing a purchase – buying late in the year to more easily document material participation.
7. Jason & Rory’s $900k deal – large depreciation created, especially from exterior work and landscaping.
8. “Poor man’s reverse 1031” – using cost seg to help offset capital gains from a property sale.
9. Look‑back studies & Form 3115 – reclaiming missed depreciation from prior years.
10. Tax planning strategy – using cost seg selectively to manage tax brackets and avoid wasting deductions.

Get in touch with ERIK:

Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/people/Maven-Cost-Segregation-Tax-Advisors/61570153671981/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mavencostseg/

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mavencostseg.com/erik/

#SmartStayShow #realestate #realestateinvestor #realestateagent #RealEstateInvesting #ShortTermRentals #VacationRentals #CostSegregation #BonusDepreciation #TaxStrategy#RealEstateTax #AirbnbHost #STRLoophole #WealthBuilding #MavenCostSegregation

Follow Us!

Join Jason Muth of Prideaway Stays and Straightforward Short-Term Rentals and Real Estate Attorney / Broker Rory Gill for the first episode of SmartStay Show!

Following and subscribing to SmartStay Show not only ensures that you'll get instant updates whenever we release a new episode, but it also helps us reach more people who could benefit from the valuable content that we provide.