This week on Thanks for Visiting, we’re joined by hospitality entrepreneur Taylor Gates, whose journey from renting out rooms in Charleston to founding multiple thriving hospitality ventures is anything but ordinary. What started as a side hustle quickly grew into Stay Duvet, a premier property management company focused on elevating the guest experience through hotel-quality standards and operations. Taylor also founded Fluffy, a commercial laundry and housekeeping service that supports his mission to raise the bar in short-term rentals.

In this episode, Taylor walks us through:

• How he went from giving golf cart tours to managing 200+ properties
• The surprising ROI of clean bedding and intentional linens
• What he looks for when hiring housekeeping teams
• Why every host should be staying in their own property
• The systems and values that keep his team aligned and guests coming back

Whether you’re managing one unit or scaling your business, this episode is packed with insight, transparency, and practical tips from someone who truly lives and breathes hospitality.

Stay Duvet – Taylor’s luxury short-term rental management company

Fluffy – Commercial laundry and housekeeping service built for STRs

Minoan – A platform for hosts to source and showcase shoppable furnishings for their STRs

Mentioned in this episode:

Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

This week on the Hosting Hotline, we're shaking things up by answering a listener question from the comments section of our YouTube channel. The question? Whether using a dynamic pricing tool like PriceLabs is really worth it if you only have one seasonal property.

Spoiler alert: our answer is a resounding yes—and we’re breaking down why.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What PriceLabs is and how it compares to Airbnb's Smart Pricing
• Why dynamic pricing is essential for seasonal properties
• How a $20/month investment can yield huge returns
• How to use data to compete more effectively in your local market
• The top reason every host should prioritize a pricing tool in their tech stack

Even if your booking calendar only gets busy for part of the year, having smart, data-informed pricing can help you make every single night count—and ultimately, bring in more revenue with less guesswork.

If you're curious about dynamic pricing, we’ve got a full video that walks you through how to use PriceLabs and why it works.

📺 Watch our YouTube video on dynamic pricing

Drop your questions in the comments and your topic might be featured in a future episode!

Resources mentioned:

PriceLabs – Dynamic pricing tool we personally use and recommend. Offers a free trial (no credit card required).

Thanks for Visiting YouTube Channel – Subscribe and leave your hosting questions in the comments.

Hosting Handbook – Learn the basics of how to launch your listing

A local photographer wants to use your Airbnb for a shoot. Should you say yes?

In this episode, we’re walking through the exact questions we ask when we get these requests—and all the lessons we’ve learned the hard way. From influencer swaps to full-on commercial productions, we’ve seen it all. And we’re here to help you protect your property, price it properly, and make smart decisions about the kind of content being created in your space.

Whether you’re already hosting photoshoots or a guest just asked to “pop in for a quick brand shoot,” this episode will help you set better boundaries, ask the right questions, and explore new income opportunities in a smart and sustainable way.

• The different types of content shoots you might be approached about
• Why it’s critical to ask what kind of content is being created
• How to protect yourself legally with a COI (Certificate of Insurance)
• What to charge (and why it’s not just your nightly rate!)
• How to manage timing, cleaning, and neighborhood impact
• Real stories from our own experiences—both great and not-so-great
• Red flags to watch out for before you say yes

📺 Subscribe to our YouTube channel | 6 Ways to Use ChatGPT in Your Airbnb Business

📸 Check out Peerspace – a platform for listing your space for hourly rentals, perfect for photoshoots and production: peerspace.com

Mentioned in this episode:

StayFi | Go to www.stayfi.com and enter TFV to get 50% off your first three months.

Hostfully | Go to https://www.hostfully.com/tfv and use TFV500 to get $500 off your subscription.

This week on the Hosting Hotline, listener Julia calls in with a timely question: should you host influencers in exchange for a free or discounted stay—especially when your property is new and you’re trying to build buzz?

Julia runs a fully immersive Star Wars-themed short-term rental in Kissimmee, Florida, and recently experimented with a creator collaboration through the platform Stayamo. While she didn’t see immediate bookings, the exposure raised awareness and boosted her Instagram following. But is that worth the cleaning fee—or more?

In this episode, we dig into:

– How to evaluate whether an influencer is truly a good fit

– What red flags to watch for when receiving creator collaboration requests

– How to define success from influencer content

– Smart ways to protect your time, energy, and budget

– Why a holistic influencer marketing plan beats saying yes ad hoc

– And how to communicate “no” without burning bridges

We also share our favorite tips for setting expectations, building contracts, and using influencer content intentionally—so you’re not left wondering if the trade was worth it.

Resources:

– YouTube: The Right Way to Use Influencers to Promote Your Airbnb

– Stayamo (influencer collaboration platform)

When a once-in-a-generation storm hit the mountains of Western North Carolina, Superhost Catherine Morris found herself not only without power—but with stranded guests, canceled reservations, and major cleanup ahead. In this episode, we talk with Catherine of Edenwood NC about her transition from corporate life to full-time hosting, the realities of managing two unique properties (yes, she still does the cleaning herself!), and the lessons she learned when Hurricane Helene shut everything down.

From insurance battles to wood-fired hot tubs, this episode covers the gritty details of what it really looks like to be a hands-on host through disaster and recovery.

Whether you're new to short-term rentals or a seasoned pro, Catherine’s insights on preparedness, communication, and guest care will leave you inspired—and better equipped for anything that comes your way.

• Catherine’s Rentals: https://edenwoodnc.com
• Follow on Instagram: @edenwoodnc
• Airbnb Business Loss Coverage Info: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1320/extenuating-circumstances-policy

Mentioned in this episode:

Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

In this Hosting Hotline episode, listener Colby from Humble Abode in Australia calls in with a question many hosts are asking: Can you still nudge guests toward booking direct after their stay—even with Airbnb’s updated policies?

Colby has been sending post-stay messages encouraging repeat visits and direct bookings. But with Airbnb tightening its rules, is that strategy still allowed?

We break down:

• Why post-stay messages via Airbnb’s platform are now a hard no
• What is still okay when it comes to asking for reviews
• How to compliantly shift communication off-platform
• Why your in-home marketing game matters more than ever
• Simple tools and strategies (like StayFi) that keep you compliant and effective
• The real reason you shouldn’t try to outsmart Airbnb's AI

Plus, we share smart alternatives to keep your marketing efforts alive—without breaking the rules.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:

StayFi: A platform for collecting guest emails with consent, post-booking

Thanks for Visiting Bootcamp: Get on the waitlist for our next deep-dive session

This week on Hosting Hotline, we’re joined by Phil Kennard, founder of FutureStay—a platform built specifically for rental-preneurs. Whether you're managing one short-term rental or a growing handful, Phil is here to help you take back control of your business and stop relying solely on platforms like Airbnb.

We dig into:

• What it means to be a “rental-preneur”
• The truth about Airbnb's off-platform policy
• Why direct bookings aren’t as scary (or risky) as you think
• How to use the “billboard effect” to drive bookings
• Common listing mistakes that quietly hurt your ranking
• The direct booking loop and how to build guest trust
• Why even 10% direct bookings can change your bottom line

Whether you’re brand new or deep in your hosting journey, this episode will inspire you to think like a business owner—and start setting yourself up for long-term success.

RESOURCES:

• FutureStay | Direct booking platform for rental-preneurs (exclusive offer for TFE listeners)
• Google Vacation Rentals | Where 70%+ of travel searches begin
• Airbnb’s Off-Platform Policy | New rules effective May 2025
• Proper Insurance | STR insurance designed for hosts
• The Hosting Handbook | Your beginner’s guide to starting strong

Mentioned in this episode:

Quiz | Take our quiz to reveal your hosting personality style!

StayFi | Go to www.stayfi.com and enter TFV to get 50% off your first three months.

Host Checklist | Grab our Airbnb Essentials Checklist and make stocking your Airbnb a breeze – we've got all your hosting needs covered!

This week on Hosting Hotline, we’re answering a question from Joanna—a host in Central Virginia—who’s working to increase bookings by upselling gap nights before or after a guest’s stay.

Also known as adjacent nights or half-day stays, these nights are often overlooked revenue opportunities. But the truth is, guests are more willing than you think to arrive early or stay late—if you offer it the right way and at the right time.

In this episode, we cover:

– What “gap nights” really are (and why guests say yes)

– The 3 best times to offer a gap night

– Why “half-day stay” might sell better than “early check-in”

– The importance of testing and tracking guest responses

– How to automate these offers without sacrificing conversions

– A reminder that your core upsell is your core product: the stay!

Whether you’re managing a single unit or scaling a portfolio, don’t miss this conversation about one of the easiest ways to boost your revenue without increasing your workload.

Want to get your questions answered on the show? Visiting HostingHotline.com.

RESOURCES:

– Hostfully | PMS with automated messaging tools

– Breezeway | Smart guest messaging & turnover management

– Get the Hosting Handbook | New host? Start here

You’ve heard whispers of a short-term rental tax loophole that can save hosts big money—but is it real? And more importantly, does it apply to you?

In this episode, we're joined by Amanda Han, CPA and tax strategist, who breaks down exactly how short-term rental owners can legally reduce their tax burden without qualifying as a real estate professional. Amanda walks us through the difference between material participation and real estate professional status, how to track your hours, and how to avoid some of the most common mistakes hosts (and even CPAs!) make when trying to claim this benefit.

We also talk about:

• How short-term rentals create tax losses even when they cash flow
• What actually counts toward your material participation hours
• Whether midterm rentals qualify (spoiler: not usually)
• Common write-offs hosts overlook—and how to structure your finances to make the most of them
• When a cost segregation study makes sense (and when it doesn’t)
• How to find the right tax professional for your STR business

This episode is a must-listen if you own, co-host, or are considering investing in a short-term rental and want to keep more of the money you’re making.

Resources:

• Amanda’s Website: Keystone CPA
• Amanda on Instagram
• Amanda’s YouTube Channel
• STR Host Tax Advantage Cheat Sheet
• Should You Fire Your Property Manager? (Or Are Your Expectations Misaligned?) | Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Mentioned in this episode:

Hostfully | Go to https://www.hostfully.com/tfv and use TFV500 to get $500 off your subscription.

Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

If you're a new host wondering whether a Ring camera is worth the investment—or how to manage your smart locks like a pro—you’re not alone.

On this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette answer listener Winn’s questions about securing her very first short-term rental. They cover everything from guest privacy concerns to how often you should change your keypad code.

You’ll learn:

• What your insurance provider needs to know about outdoor cameras
• How to decide whether security devices are right for your listing
• Best practices for guest communication
• Manual vs. automated keypad code systems
• How to use SimplySafe or similar services for an extra layer of protection

Whether you’re managing one property or building a short-term rental portfolio, this episode will help you feel more confident about keeping your space—and your guests—safe.

Want to get your question answered on the show? Visit HostingHotline.com

RESOURCES:

• Hosting Handbook: Our on-demand course for new STR hosts
• SimplySafe: Affordable and easy-to-install home security systems
• Schlage Keypad Electronic Deadbolt
• Yale Assure Wi-Fi Connected Smart Lock