Mark sits down with Sahib “City” Patel, the founder of yhangry—a fast-growing platform that connects guests with private chefs at shockingly affordable prices. Think three-course meals starting around $60 per person… cooked in your vacation rental, cleaned up afterward, and delivered by vetted professional chefs.

What started as a simple idea in London has now become a global movement—one that’s reshaping guest experience inside short-term rentals. And here’s the wild part: City didn’t even realize STRs were half their market until the data smacked her in the face. Since then, yhangry has partnered with over 130,000+ vacation rental units, doubled the number of chefs Airbnb has in the U.S., and is rapidly expanding across the U.S., Europe, and Dubai.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
 • Why private chefs are becoming one of the most requested STR add-ons
 • How property managers are using yhangry to increase conversions and boost guest reviews
• The surprising ways travel habits differ between U.S. and UK guests
• What a partnership looks like—affiliate links, dashboards, payouts, and ease of setup
• How user-generated content (UGC) from chef experiences drives direct bookings
• The story behind yhangrys first-ever booking… featuring eight influencers and an explosion of overnight virality

City also breaks down the myths around private chefs (spoiler: it’s NOT bougie), the psychology of “vacation mode” spending, and why curated in-home dining is becoming the next major amenity in hospitality.

If you're looking for new revenue streams, higher guest satisfaction, and a true differentiator in your market—this episode is a must-listen.

___

Episode Sponsored By:
STR Search

STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 265+ profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

Monday Market Data
Bend, OR

Airbnb Performance Data
___________________________________

3 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $41,642
75th Percentile: $55,346
90th Percentile: $70,594

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $233
75th Percentile: $281
90th Percentile: $329

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 41%
75th Percentile: 56%
90th Percentile: 69%
________________________________

4 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $46,172
75th Percentile: $68,350
90th Percentile: $86,397

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $319
75th Percentile: $379
90th Percentile: $475

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 35%
75th Percentile: 49%
90th Percentile: 59%
___________________________________

5 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $70,771
75th Percentile: $94,775
90th Percentile: $109,959

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $456
75th Percentile: $542
90th Percentile: $647

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 38%
75th Percentile: 50%
90th Percentile: 58%
_________________________________

6+ Bedrooms

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $102,525
75th Percentile: $112,214
90th Percentile: $162,525

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $600
75th Percentile: $787
90th Percentile: $1,158

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 38%
75th Percentile: 45%
90th Percentile: 54%
_________________________________

From pharmaceutical sales to $150 million in short-term rental transactions—this week’s episode dives deep with Chantal, a Colorado-based STR investor and brokerage owner redefining what it means to scale smart.

Chantal shares how knocking on doors in pre-foreclosures led her to her first “honeymoon basement” Airbnb, how she built a thriving portfolio in one of the most regulated states, and what she’s learned helping hundreds of clients buy and sell STRs across Colorado.

You’ll learn:
 • How she turned one underdog listing into a multi-million-dollar brokerage
 • Why most “turnkey” STRs for sale are actually underperforming assets—and how to spot opportunity fast
 • The insider playbook for selling an STR at a premium (clean books, strong revenue, and transparency)
 • How to navigate Colorado’s metro, resort, and mountain STR markets for long-term growth

Whether you’re an agent eyeing the STR niche, an investor chasing appreciation, or just curious how to make a short-term rental business scale, this episode delivers a masterclass in combining passion with precision.

___

Episode Sponsored By:
STR Search

STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 265+ profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

Monday Market Data
Dallas, TX

Airbnb Performance Data
___________________________________

3 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $39,149
75th Percentile: $54,689
90th Percentile: $75,451

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $208
75th Percentile: $266
90th Percentile: $349

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 46%
75th Percentile: 58%
90th Percentile: 68%
________________________________

4 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $50,063
75th Percentile: $75,328
90th Percentile: $109,206

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $269
75th Percentile: $369
90th Percentile: $498

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 46%
75th Percentile: 58%
90th Percentile: 68%
___________________________________

5 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $81,880
75th Percentile: $115,928
90th Percentile: $154,959

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $420
75th Percentile: $552
90th Percentile: $718

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 48%
75th Percentile: 62%
90th Percentile: 69%
_________________________________

6+ Bedrooms

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $100,565
75th Percentile: $158,896
90th Percentile: $201,354

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $564
75th Percentile: $755
90th Percentile: $845

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 51%
75th Percentile: 59%
90th Percentile: 67%
_________________________________

Monday Market Data
Yosemite, CA

Airbnb Performance Data
___________________________________

3 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $33,503
75th Percentile: $50,712
90th Percentile: $78,121

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $240
75th Percentile: $302
90th Percentile: $409

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 32%
75th Percentile: 46%
90th Percentile: 60%
________________________________

4 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $40,298
75th Percentile: $59,058
90th Percentile: $81,795

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $296
75th Percentile: $385
90th Percentile: $489

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 29%
75th Percentile: 41%
90th Percentile: 53%
___________________________________

5 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $56,714
75th Percentile: $93,685
90th Percentile: $121,317

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $456
75th Percentile: $609
90th Percentile: $744

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 30%
75th Percentile: 43%
90th Percentile: 53%
_________________________________

6+ Bedrooms

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $92,156
75th Percentile: $131,308
90th Percentile: $187,263

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $658
75th Percentile: $878
90th Percentile: $1,058

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 33%
75th Percentile: 48%
90th Percentile: 57%

It’s late—around 10:30 p.m.—when Mark gets a calm call no host ever wants: “We have a little problem…the cabinets just fell off the wall.” In Part 2 of our Halloween Special, operations pro Misty Schmidt walks us through a surreal scene: upper kitchen cabinets ripping off the wall, 24 place settings shattering, and a heroic guest scooping glass with a snow shovel…in flip-flops. 

Misty shares:

• How she triaged a true “oh-no” moment with safety-first steps and on-site cleanup
• Why installation quality (anchors, weight, wall type) matters more than you think
• What thoughtful recovery looks like: immediate response, refund, and personalized gifts (yes, tequila and local cigars)—leading to a 5-star review

Plus, Mark wraps with real Reddit horror stories (from no-show hosts to “watched on camera” creepiness) and the big takeaway after dozens of convos at VRMA: genuine STR nightmares are rarer than the internet suggests—great systems and fast empathy go a long way.

You’ll learn: crisis playbooks for hosts, guest comms that defuse drama, and how to turn a disaster into loyalty.

___

Episode Sponsored By:
STR Search

STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 265+ profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

Monday Market Data
Whitefish, MT

Airbnb Performance Data
___________________________________

3 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $45,990
75th Percentile: $62,555
90th Percentile: $88,592

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $380
75th Percentile: $474
90th Percentile: $585

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 33%
75th Percentile: 45%
90th Percentile: 55%
________________________________

4 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $64,538
75th Percentile: $87,028
90th Percentile: $114,867

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $493
75th Percentile: $607
90th Percentile: $875

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 34%
75th Percentile: 45%
90th Percentile: 58%
___________________________________

5 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $71,604
75th Percentile: $91,722
90th Percentile: $107,812

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $557
75th Percentile: $710
90th Percentile: $771

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 32%
75th Percentile: 44%
90th Percentile: 57%
_________________________________

6+ Bedrooms

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $124,603
75th Percentile: $160,987
90th Percentile: $183,155

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $816
75th Percentile: $965
90th Percentile: $1,321

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 38%
75th Percentile: 45%
90th Percentile: 57%

In this special Halloween episode of the STR Investing Podcast, Mark Lumpkin is joined by four seasoned hosts who have seen it all—ghosts, break-ins, nightmares, and even a guest covered in blood. From haunted houses in Pennsylvania to eerie first stays gone wrong, these are the stories that prove hosting isn’t for the faint of heart.

In this episode:

• A host shares the tale of a haunted Airbnb with guests seeing a mysterious little boy.
• Another one recalls a California stay gone wrong when guests woke up to find a stranger, covered in blood, asleep on their couch.
• One host tells how a simple wallpaper mishap convinced his very first guest that his home was haunted—and how he turned it into a five-star review.
• Lessons every host can take from these chilling, real-life encounters.

Grab your pumpkin spice, dim the lights, and settle in for the Halloween Special 2025: True STR Horror Stories. Because sometimes… the scariest part of hosting isn’t the guests—it’s the house.

___

Episode Sponsored By:
STR Search

STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 265+ profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

Monday Market Data
Lake Harmony, PA

Airbnb Performance Data
___________________________________

3 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $31,627
75th Percentile: $45,433
90th Percentile: $63,586

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $255
75th Percentile: $300
90th Percentile: $368

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 33%
75th Percentile: 46%
90th Percentile: 58%
________________________________

4 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $37,724
75th Percentile: $50,205
90th Percentile: $69,371

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $328
75th Percentile: $410
90th Percentile: $518

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 32%
75th Percentile: 39%
90th Percentile: 50%
___________________________________

5 Bedroom

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $50,580
75th Percentile: $67,504
90th Percentile: $89,103

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $439
75th Percentile: $516
90th Percentile: $647

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 29%
75th Percentile: 39%
90th Percentile: 48%
_________________________________

6+ Bedrooms

Annual Revenue
50th Percentile: $83,587
75th Percentile: $118,890
90th Percentile: $152,819

Average Daily Rate
50th Percentile: $770
75th Percentile: $948
90th Percentile: $1,130

Occupancy
50th Percentile: 29%
75th Percentile: 39%
90th Percentile: 46%

In this episode, Taylor sits down with Katie, marketing leader at Furnish Finder, to unpack how midterm rentals have evolved far beyond the travel-nurse niche. Katie shares her journey from commercial real estate to leading growth at one of the fastest-growing platforms for 30+ day stays, and why MTRs are now a must-have strategy for short-term rental investors.

In this episode:

• The expanding MTR guest base: from medical professionals to relocations, renovations, corporate travel, and insurance stays
• How Furnish Finder grew into a powerhouse marketplace connecting hosts and tenants with no booking fees
• The key operational differences between STRs and MTRs, and why MTRs can be a “breath of fresh air” for busy hosts
• What amenities actually matter for 30–90 day guests and how to stand out
• Simple ways to mix MTRs into your STR strategy to smooth cash flow and reduce turnover

If you’ve ever wondered how to reduce turnover and still maximize income, this episode shows you how midterm rentals can simplify operations and keep revenue flowing year-round.

___

Episode Sponsored By:
STR Search

STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 265+ profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com