STR Law

Most short-term rental hosts think about taxes once a year. Ted Lanzaro says that's the mistake.

In this episode, Katie Johnson sits down with Ted Lanzaro, CPA and founder of Landmark CPA Group, a national tax strategy practice built specifically for real estate investors. Ted has spent 36 tax seasons helping STR hosts turn their properties into a real tax strategy instead of a once-a-year scramble.

They cover the short-term rental loophole: how staying under a seven-day average and materially participating in your property lets you take depreciation losses against ordinary income, something long-term rental owners generally can't do. 

They also get into cost segregation, why buying one property a year with the right systems in place compounds into real wealth, and how your LLC structure, single-member versus two-member partnership, can change your audit exposure.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

"My kid went to U of A, so I bought a rental. Now I'm left with 7,000 sq ft of dirt and a cactus."

Sound familiar? Many investors have rentals near universities but face underutilized backyards.

In this episode of STR Law, Katie Johnson chats with Brad Jones from Tiny Homes of Tucson. After 30 years in tech sales, he transitioned to ADU (accessory dwelling units) construction two years ago and has completed 65 projects, including a 25-unit casita addition for a wellness center, after his franchise failed shortly after launch.

They discuss how ADUs can transform properties, often allowing owners to double or triple their rental income without needing more land.

Key topics include:

• Cost: Building ADUs costs $175-$180K vs. $330K for new builds

• Arizona's Middle Housing Initiative quickly changes zoning rules

• HOA CC&Rs vs state laws: tips on navigating them

• Setbacks and variance requests (DDOs/MSRs)

• Tips for negotiating with planning departments

• Using ChatGPT to check your zip code

Whether you're in Arizona or assessing property nationwide, this conversation highlights an overlooked opportunity for many hosts.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

Is your short-term rental actually covered or are you one claim away from discovering a costly gap in your insurance?

In this episode, Katie Johnson sits down with Darren Pettyjohn, co-founder of Proper Insurance and Wister Insurance, to discuss the insurance risks facing short-term rental owners, property managers, and co-hosts.

They break down why traditional homeowner and landlord policies may not provide enough protection for an STR business, along with common exclusions involving pets, guest damage, amenities, off-property accidents, and commercial activity.

Darren also shares real-world examples involving slip-and-fall accidents, water damage, permit failures, drowning claims, negligent contractors, and property management errors.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

In this episode of the STR Law Podcast, Katie Johnson is joined by tax attorney Anthony Brister to discuss short-term rental tax strategy, asset protection, LLCs, insurance, and entity structuring.

Anthony explains why STR owners should think beyond tax savings and make sure their properties are properly protected through the right insurance, business structure, corporate formalities, and long-term planning.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

Pets, service animals, and emotional support animals can create a lot of confusion for short-term rental hosts, especially when guests fail to disclose animals or hosts are unsure what rules apply.

In this episode, Katie is joined by John Bradford, founder and CEO of PetScreening, to discuss how STR owners and property managers can better manage pet policies, service animal requests, emotional support animal issues, and guest documentation.

John shares how a dog bite lawsuit helped inspire the creation of PetScreening, why “no pets” does not always mean “no animals,” and how hosts can use clearer processes to reduce confusion before a guest ever checks in.

They also discuss service animal misconceptions, emotional support animal rules, unauthorized and visiting pets, documentation, guest acknowledgments, and why hosts should be careful about relying on advice from online forums.

This episode is a helpful reminder that clear policies, proper documentation, and consistent guest communication matter.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

California probate can be slow, expensive, and messy, especially when you own rentals or run a business. In this episode, I am joined by Mark Abel, a Southern California trusts-and-estates attorney, to explain how estate planning and LLCs work together for STR owners and real estate investors.

We cover why a living revocable trust is a go-to tool for avoiding probate, how a pour-over will “catch” assets that never make it back into the trust (often after refinances), and the documents that matter for incapacity planning so operations don’t freeze after an unexpected event.

You’ll also hear our guidance on LLC successor planning, why trusts matter even more for families with minor children, and what Mark is seeing in California, including HOA crackdowns and STR lottery or waitlist systems.

If you’ve been “meaning to get around to it,” this episode is your reminder: hope for the best, plan for the worst.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

#ShortTermRental #AirbnbHost #VacationRental #AssetProtection #LLC #STRLaw #RiskManagement

Asset protection doesn’t have to be confusing, especially when you own short-term rentals. 

In this episode, Katie is joined by attorney Kevin Snyder of Snyder Law to break down “layers of protection” for STR owners: insurance, LLC structuring, and when trusts may (or may not) make sense. They cover why separating properties into different LLCs can reduce risk, the real problem with “pooling” rentals under one entity, and how out-of-state LLCs (like Wyoming) can add an extra deterrent layer—especially for California owners concerned about charging orders. Kevin also explains the basics of piercing the corporate veil, the compliance habits that keep your LLC strong (bank accounts, operating agreements, annual upkeep), and where crypto fits into an asset-protection plan

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

#ShortTermRental #AirbnbHost #VacationRental #AssetProtection #LLC #STRLaw #RiskManagement

I sat down with Brett Swartz to unpack tax-smart exit planning for real estate investors and business owners—especially how a Deferred Sales Trust can help defer capital gains with more flexibility than a traditional 1031 exchange.

If you’re thinking about selling, this episode is for you. Hit play, follow the show on Spotify, and share it with a friend who’s planning an exit.🎙️

#ExitPlanning #CapitalGainsTax #RealEstateInvesting #TaxStrategies #WealthManagement

In this episode of STR Law, attorney and real estate developer Ari Rastigar explains how zoning and entitlements shape real estate value long before construction begins.

The conversation covers entitlement risk, rezoning strategies, large-scale development, 3D-printed housing, and how institutional investors approach housing in high-growth cities like Austin and Dallas.

A practical discussion on land use, STR strategy, and why understanding zoning law is essential for developers, investors, and hosts. 🎙️

BONUS!! For the next 72 hours only:
Buy any STR Law Kit at strlaw.com and get a free 1-hour one-on-one consult with me to walk through your STR legal questions.

#STRLaw #RealEstatePodcast #Zoning #Entitlements #LandUseLaw #ShortTermRentals #RealEstateDevelopment #HousingSupply

What happens when a 90-acre Property collides with small-town politics and zoning boards?

In this episode of STR Law, real estate attorney and Airbnb investor Katie Johnson sits down with Ali Haney—short-term rental owner, branding expert, and host of The Branded Market Podcast. Ali shares how she bought a 90-acre property in rural Kentucky to build a wedding venue with on-site stays, only to face neighbor backlash, packed hearings, and a conditional use permit loaded with 18 conditions.

You’ll learn:

• How informal “zoning green lights” can fall apart at the hearing

• What conditional/special use permits really look like in practice

• How neighbor opposition can reshape (or kill) your business model

• How Allie pivoted from wedding venue plans to a successful STR

If you’re an STR host, investor, or aspiring venue owner, this real-life zoning story is a must-listen before your next deal. 🎙️