In this episode of the STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane is joined by John An, founder of TechTape. The two share insights into navigating today’s volatile travel market. Jamie highlighted that 2024 is shaping up to be a more challenging year, with signs of softening demand in several U.S. markets. He pointed to Washington, D.C. as a key example, where government-related travel is slowing due to federal budget tightening. John emphasized that revenue management today is more about feel and adaptability than relying solely on hard data. He compared it to driving—requiring constant micro-adjustments rather than abrupt turns.

Jamie supported this idea, adding that operators who watch their pacing, ADR, and occupancy weekly or even daily are the ones staying ahead. John mentioned that too many small operators still use a “set it and forget it” approach to pricing, which is risky in the current environment. He explained that intuition should be paired with data to make smart, timely decisions. Jamie echoed that sentiment, noting that even in tough markets, success is possible with active monitoring and responsiveness. John said the best operators act like football coaches—adjusting their strategy based on how the “game” (market) is playing out, not just on a pre-written playbook.

Both speakers agreed that frequent check-ins—weekly or bi-weekly—on business performance are critical. John stressed that there’s no one-size-fits-all model, and pricing strategies need to be fluid. Jamie added that being proactive instead of reactive is a key differentiator right now. They concluded that the combination of consistent data review and strategic intuition is what separates good operators from great ones. Ultimately, staying close to the numbers while understanding the story behind them is the best path forward.

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagescott

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Episode 129

In this episode of the STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane, Chief Economist at AirDNA, chats with Bill Faeth, founder of Build Short-Term Rental Wealth and a 30-year real estate investor. Bill shares his journey into short-term rentals, which began in 2015 after a convincing conversation with an electrician friend. He describes transition from traditional real estate to short-term rentals by purchasing his first property in Gulf Shores, Alabama. 

Bill provides insights into his investment strategy, influenced by the Pumpkin Plan book, and breaks down his unique approach to creating 'super properties.' He explains that successful investments rely on leveraging unique attributes like views, proximities, and amenities—elements that make properties stand out in specific markets. Bill emphasizes the importance of patience and the ability to hold out for ideal investments, rather than compromising on less optimal properties. The dialogue extends into financial advice, indicating that now, amidst market volatility, is a prime time for confident investors to make strategic buys, provided they understand both the cash flow potentials and potential depreciation of their purchases.

 The conversation also delves into identifying markets that others may overlook, leveraging various data points to mitigate risks and maximize returns. Bill discusses the significance of outdoor enhancements and views, over just the property's internal features, to substantially boost earnings. He advises listeners on practical approaches like employing multiple data tools, grading properties strategically, and capitalizing on off-market opportunities to ensure investments align with long-term goals. The episode underscores the importance of thinking beyond conventional strategies by using comprehensive data and innovative planning for generating superior returns in short-term rental investments.

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https://go.buildstrwealth.com/superpropertygrader

https://www.instagram.com/billfaeth73/

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Episode 128

In this episode of the STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane, the Chief Economist at AirDNA, is joined by Andrew Keller, a short-term rental photographer and founder of ISOneedphotos. Andrew shares the importance of professional photography for short-term rentals, emphasizing how it can significantly improve booking rates. He outlines his journey into photography, starting from a young age and transitioning into short-term rental photography around December 2020. 

Andrew highlights the common mistakes property owners make by using amateur photographs, noting that lack of professional photos can cost potential bookings. He discusses the evolution of his own photographic style, emphasizing the importance of providing a variety of photos, including drone shots, twilight shots, and interior shots from multiple angles. Andrew mentions how his extensive experience, which includes photographing properties in 22 different states and Costa Rica, has honed his skills. He believes in dedicating a full day to a shoot to capture the best light at different times of the day. He also offers advice on staging for short-term rental photography, stressing the importance of details like setting the dining table, filling the hot tub, and ensuring sufficient matching plates and utensils. Jamie corroborates the importance of professional photography, sharing personal anecdotes about how professional photos helped answer guest questions and lowered guest dissatisfaction. 

Andrew provides tips for those considering DIY photography, such as holding the camera at light switch height and managing lighting. He advises on how to find a good local photographer by checking their recent work on Airbnb listings and stresses thorough preparation of the property before the photographer's visit, ensuring it is guest-ready. Andrew shares his future goals of investing in his own short-term rental property and talks briefly about his co-hosting experiences. He also offers contact details for those interested in his services and emphasizes his commitment to helping clients increase bookings through top-tier photography.

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Andrew Keller Contact Info:

https://isoneedphotos.com/

423-316-1967

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Episode 127

In this episode of the STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane, the Chief Economist at AirDNA, is joined by Bram Gallagher, Director of Economic and Forecasting at AirDNA, to discuss current economic uncertainties and their potential impact on the lodging industry. They delve into the new presidential administration and recent fluctuations in the stock market, which have introduced significant uncertainty. 

Despite strong fundamentals in unemployment rates and GDP growth, consumer sentiment and the economic policy uncertainty index show signs of concern, with the latter reaching its highest level since COVID-19. A notable topic is the influence of tariffs, including their imposition and the ensuing trade wars impacting international travel. Canadian travel to the U.S. has notably decreased, with several flight routes canceled, significantly affecting markets with high Canadian tourist reliance. 

Additionally, stock market volatility influences consumer spending through the wealth effect, potentially curbing leisure travel plans. The discussion also covers sectors like business travel, where cuts and price sensitivity have emerged. The participants conclude that current data still supports strong economic performance, but the downside risks necessitate vigilance over future metrics and trends. Concerns such as tariff impacts, inflation, and travel behavior shifts underscore the importance for lodging operators to stay informed and adaptable in their strategies.

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Episode 126

In this episode of the STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane, the Chief Economist at AirDNA, and co-host Scott Sage, SVP of Marketing & Customer Experience, discuss short-term rental performance for February 2025. They start by noting strong overall demand, with a 5% year-over-year increase, although the first weeks of March showed a decline. Supply growth, marked at 3.9%, shows stabilization despite some markets seeing negative growth. They delve into detailed metrics like RevPAR, which rose 5%, and an ADR increase of 6%. 

The conversation covers the impact of recent events like March Madness, the Super Bowl in New Orleans, and Beyonce's concert tour. Jamie discusses economic indicators, forecasting potential impacts due to factors like tariffs, taxes, and slowed government bookings, which could lead to declines in certain markets. They touch on internally-focused metrics like ADR and the repeat rent index, noting positive trends. Forward-looking, Jamie expresses cautious optimism for the short-term rental market's first half of the year, despite broader economic uncertainties. 

The hosts emphasize the need for rental operators to stay vigilant of market-specific data, especially in light of potential travel slowdowns and macroeconomic concerns. Finally, they discuss March events like St. Patrick's Day and highlight the importance of local market expertise and constant monitoring of pacing data to adjust strategies effectively.

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~~~~

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Episode 125

In this episode of the STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane, the Chief Economist at AirDNA, welcomes Assaf Karmon, CEO and co-founder of Turno. The discussion dives into Turno's platform, which helps short-term rental owners find reliable cleaners, automate scheduling, and essentially autopilot their business. Assaf describes his initial venture into short-term rentals, emphasizing the challenges he faced, leading to the creation of Turno—a marketplace for vacation rental cleaners in multiple countries. Jamie shares his personal experience using Turno and highlights its efficiency in sourcing cleaners. They discuss the variance in cleaning fees and how Turno's vetting process helps in choosing the right cleaners. 

The conversation also touches on features such as tracking cleaner projects, guest cleanliness scores, and creating a redundant team of cleaners for reliability. Assaf explains the importance of managing exceptions and maintaining a team for backup. They delve into automating various aspects of property management beyond cleaning, including maintenance and inventory tracking. Assaf also brings up an interesting customer success story that underscores the seamless automation provided by Turno. Jamie raises concerns about potential risks in automation, and Assaf reassures him with Turno’s support in crisis situations. 

They discuss the range of Turno’s clients, from small hosts to large property managers, and Assaf shares insights on the highest cleaning fees and challenges in sourcing cleaners in specific markets. Assaf emphasizes the importance of using automation to save time and mental capacity, encouraging hosts to focus on bigger ventures. He concludes by sharing how to reach out to Turno and himself for further queries.

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Episode 124

In this episode of the STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane, the Chief Economist at AirDNA, and Eric Goldreyer, the CEO and Founder of Savvy. Eric shares his rich history in the vacation rental industry, dating back to 1995 when he and his wife founded bedandbreakfast.com. The website became the leading platform for bed and breakfast listings and property management software. Eric recalls his journey, from creating central reservation systems, to selling bedandbreakfast.com, taking time off, and eventually pioneering new ventures like Turnkey Vacation Rentals and Funair. 

He highlights the pain points property managers face with high distribution costs and how the Savvy platform aims to address these issues. Savvy offers a fresh approach with a no-fee model, aiming to facilitate direct bookings for vacation rentals, thereby saving costs for property managers and guests. Eric delves into the company's strategy, including maintaining algorithms that ensure high-quality matches between guests and properties. He emphasizes the importance of providing great hospitality, managing distribution costs, and building repeat and word-of-mouth business. 

The conversation takes a deeper dive into the competitive landscape, where Eric stresses that Savvy doesn't aim to replace OTAs but complement them by offering an alternative that reduces booking costs. Jamie and Eric also discuss the importance of effective direct booking sites for property managers and the evolving dynamics of website quality, revenue management, and the role of property managers. Eric concludes by envisioning a future where Savvy is successful, benefiting both travelers and property managers, and addresses the challenges and opportunities within the vacation rental industry. He provides insights into what new property managers should focus on, drawing from his extensive experience in the sector.

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Episode 123

In this episode of the STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane, the Chief Economist at AirDNA, and Scott Sage, SVP of Marketing, discuss the performance of the Short-Term Rental (STR) market in January. The episode highlights data from Airbnb, Booking.com, and VRBO's Q4 reports, revealing a 12-19% increase in nights booked across platforms. Jamie emphasizes the importance of being multi-channel listed to maximize bookings. Supply growth was reported at 4.3%, while demand growth surged to 8.9%, resulting in over 20 million nights booked, predominantly for spring break. Market dynamics in the U.S. showed record-high January bookings, with an Advanced Daily Rate (ADR) increase of 5% year-over-year. Despite inflation concerns, January provided a strong start, with higher booking volumes and pricing power. 

The discussion extends into interest rates and their impact on the STR market, mentioning a slight decline in 10-year treasuries and 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. Specific market performance is dissected, noting strong demand in mountain and lake areas due to favorable weather. Additionally, small cities and rural markets experienced a 23% demand growth. Jamie also provides insights into challenges for standardized properties, urging hosts to differentiate through better amenities. Lastly, the episode addresses the continued impact of natural disasters like hurricanes and fires on bookings in affected areas, indicating a possible decrease in specific markets like Los Angeles and Maui. Jamie concludes with potential macroeconomic impacts, including government job cuts and cross-border travel trends between Canada and the U.S.

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~~~~

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Episode 122

In this episode of the STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane, chief economist at AirDNA, sits down with Jonah Hanig, CEO of Rove Travel. Jonah shares his journey from Chicago suburbs to New York City, his stint as an investor, and the experiences that inspired the founding of Rove Travel. He recounts how living in various Airbnbs during the pandemic was a mixed bag and spurred him to create a consistent luxury home rental marketplace. 

The conversation delves into the challenges and strategies for ensuring high quality and service in luxury travel. Jonah explains how Rove Travel aims to bridge the gap between short-term and midterm rentals in New York, emphasizing that they started with a focus on midterm rentals in compliance with local laws. They discuss expansion into other luxury markets like the Hamptons, Aspen, and Southeast Florida, acknowledging the operational complexities involved. Jonah describes their distribution strategy, leveraging platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and their direct booking platform, Rovetravel.com. He highlights the importance of property quality and exemplary service, sharing anecdotes and challenges they faced in maintaining high standards.

The discussion also covers how Rove Travel differentiates itself from traditional rentals and high-end hotels, offering properties that justify their rates through superior service and amenities. Jonah sheds light on their homeowner strategy, emphasizing investment properties over primary residences. He explains that their business thrives on word-of-mouth, good results, and strategic market expansion. The podcast concludes with insights on the future of the luxury rental market and advice for prospective investors, emphasizing the importance of understanding market dynamics and leveraging asymmetric information.

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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonahhanig

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

~~~~

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/ 

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~~~~

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~~~~

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Episode 121

In this episode of the STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane, chief economist at AirDNA, sits down with Catherine Rathcliffe to discuss recent developments affecting short-term rentals, especially in Canada. The conversation shifts from past topics like insurance and HR to focus on the significant news in Canadian short-term rentals. With the Trump's administration's proposed tariffs and heightened political tensions, both Canadian and American operators are feeling the impact. Rathcliffe, a repeat guest, brings her expertise on Canadian travel and economic implications. She reflects on the historical relationship between the U.S. and Canada, highlighting how the falling Canadian dollar and political tensions are affecting travel behaviors. She notes that 20 million Canadians visited the U.S. last year, making up a significant portion of international visitation, while Canadians represented 3% of U.S. demand in short-term rentals last year. The current environment promotes a sense of patriotism in Canadians opting for domestic travel, potentially influencing similar sentiments among Americans considering travel to Canada. 

The discussion also touches on local regulations in Montreal and British Columbia, and their impact on the short-term rental market. Rathcliffe suggests that enforcement nuances and public-private collaborations play a role in how these regulations are implemented. As political figures change, upcoming elections could further influence travel and economic policies. Despite these challenges, Rathcliffe remains optimistic about opportunities in the short-term rental market, predicting continued change and emphasizing the importance of being mindful of family protectionism and economic decisions. Lastly, Rathcliffe encourages everyone to vote and ensure their voice is heard in these politically turbulent times.

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~~~~

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Episode 120