In this Hosting Hotline episode, Jane calls in with a question every host has to consider: What smart lock should I be using for my short-term rental?

Sarah and Annette break down their most trusted smart locks, the brands they avoid, and the key factors to consider when choosing the right lock for your property. They also share their must-have backup system to prevent lockouts—because even the best smart locks can fail at the worst times.

In this episode, we cover:

• The two smart lock brands we trust the most
• Why some locks can create more headaches than they’re worth
• The importance of integrating your lock with your PMS
• Why using the same code for all guests is a huge safety risk
• Our non-negotiable backup system to avoid guest lockouts

Smart locks are a crucial part of the guest experience. Get this decision right, and you’ll save yourself time, stress, and potential disasters.

Resources:

This Secret Airbnb Setting That Can Improve Your Listings by 300% | Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Our favorite locks:

• Yale Assure
• Schlage Encode
• Wall-mounted Lockbox

Submit your question at HostingHotline.com

Mentioned in this episode:

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

Proper Insurance | Book Your Risk Assessment Today

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

Is It Time to Fire Your Airbnb Property Manager?

Hiring a property manager or Co-Host can take a huge weight off your shoulders—but what happens when the relationship isn’t working? In this episode, we break down how to evaluate whether your property manager is helping or hurting your business.

We cover:

• Common frustrations hosts have with property managers (and when they’re valid)
• The difference between a property manager and a Co-Host—and why expectations matter
• Key contract terms you should review before making a decision
• Signs that it’s time to fire your property manager—and when it’s NOT
• What to consider before taking on self-management
• How to have a productive conversation before making a big change

If you’re feeling frustrated with your current setup, this episode will help you decide whether to stay, go, or adjust your expectations.

Beginner Airbnb Marketing Mistake New Hosts Make | Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Mentioned in this episode:

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

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

Extenteam | Receive 20% off the first 2 months with Tailwind!

Hostfully | Go to https://www.hostfully.com/tfv and use TFV100 to get $500 off your subscription.

Fido | Visit getfido.com/tfv & get your first month free!

In this Hosting Hotline episode, listener Julia asks a smart and strategic question: When do guests actually book their stays? She’s noticing a trend of Sunday evening bookings and wants to fine-tune her marketing efforts based on real booking data.

Since we didn’t have the hard numbers on hand, we called in an expert—Jeff Brown from Intellihost—who pulled data from 466,000 reservations across thousands of properties worldwide. He breaks down:

• The least and most popular days for bookings globally
• How trends in Maryland compare to the worldwide dataset
• Why tracking your own booking data is key to personalized marketing
• The real takeaway: New leads are great, but don’t forget about returning guests!

Julia’s question highlights an important aspect of hosting—understanding booking behaviors to optimize marketing efforts. Tune in to learn how you can leverage this knowledge to drive more bookings!

• Intellihost | Learn More!
• The Airbnb Instant Book Mistake YOU Might be Making that is Costing You $$$!!!! | Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
• Hosting Hotline | Get your hosting questions answered!

Mentioned in this episode:

Proper Insurance | Book Your Risk Assessment Today

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

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

ChatGPT is more than just a tool—it’s like having an extra team member in your short-term rental business. Whether you’re optimizing your listing, handling guest communication, or strategizing pricing, AI can help you save time and make more money. In this episode, we’re breaking down six powerful ways to use ChatGPT in your Airbnb business.

If you’re new to AI or hesitant to dive in, don’t worry—we’re keeping things practical and actionable. Even implementing just one of these strategies could make a huge impact on your hosting workflow.

• How ChatGPT can refine your Airbnb listing for higher conversions
• Using AI to streamline guest messaging and maintain a hospitality-first tone
• How to analyze competitor listings and leverage their guest feedback
• The power of AI-generated checklists and operational efficiencies
• ChatGPT for pricing strategy and revenue management
• Writing high-converting emails with AI to drive direct bookings

Ready to integrate ChatGPT into your Airbnb business? Tune in to hear how it can save you time and enhance your hosting experience.

Beginner’s Guide to Dynamic Pricing Software (Pricelabs) | Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Mentioned in this episode:

Proper Insurance | Book Your Risk Assessment Today

Fido | Visit getfido.com/tfv & get your first month free!

Hostfully | Go to https://www.hostfully.com/tfv and use TFV100 to get $500 off your subscription.

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

Extenteam | Receive 20% off the first 2 months with Tailwind!

In this Hosting Hotline episode, we tackle a crucial question from host Julia: Should you proactively replace major appliances like HVAC systems and water heaters, or wait until they fail?

Julia’s concern is common—her property is 20 years old, and she’s weighing the risk of unexpected breakdowns against the cost of upgrading early. We break down the key factors to consider, including:

• The hidden costs of running old, inefficient appliances
• How energy efficiency upgrades can save you money in the long run
• The potential risks of waiting—guest discomfort, refunds, and emergency repairs
• A middle-ground approach: inspections, planning, and prioritizing replacements
• What appliances should take top priority (hint: HVAC failures can be a nightmare)
• The importance of water monitoring devices and insurance considerations

If you're a host wondering when to invest in major replacements, this episode will help you make a smart, informed decision that protects your business, your guests, and your peace of mind.

Resources:

Preventative Airbnb Maintenance: Stop ignoring this or Pay later!! | Subscribe to our YouTube channel

AHR | HVAC Expo

Mentioned in this episode:

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

Proper Insurance | Book Your Risk Assessment Today

In this episode, we sit down with Koryn Okey, Vice President of Community & Engagement at Breezeway, to explore the tools and strategies that can help short-term rental hosts streamline their operations, improve efficiency, and increase revenue.

Koryn has been in the vacation rental industry since 2008, starting at FlipKey, where she helped introduce guest reviews to the industry. Now, she plays a key role at Breezeway, helping hosts optimize their businesses through smart automation and operations management.

• How Breezeway Messaging automates guest communication and creates efficiency in your business
• The power of Gap Night messaging and how it can add thousands of dollars to your bottom line
• Breezeway’s inventory tracking system and why managing consumables properly can save you money
• Breezeway Assist, a guest messaging solution that frees up your time while maintaining high-quality service
• How software can help hosts run their businesses more effectively, whether managing one property or a hundred

• Breezeway | Your first property is free!
• Breezeway Elevate | A free, two-day event happening on March 11-12
• The Airbnb Guest Check-In Routine You're Not Doing (And It’s Losing You Money) | Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Mentioned in this episode:

Proper Insurance | Book Your Risk Assessment Today

Fido | Visit getfido.com/tfv & get your first month free!

Extenteam | Receive 20% off the first 2 months with Tailwind!

Hostfully | Go to https://www.hostfully.com/tfv and use TFV100 to get $500 off your subscription.

Getting organized as a short-term rental host can feel overwhelming, especially when you're managing bookings, guest communication, maintenance, and more. In this Hosting Hotline episode, we answer a listener’s question about the best tools and strategies for keeping everything on track—without the stress.

We break down how we manage our own Airbnb businesses, from task management software to scheduling maintenance, and share practical tips to help you streamline your hosting operations.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• The best digital tools for Airbnb hosts, including Asana and Breezeway
• How to balance property tasks with overall business management
• The power of recurring tasks vs. one-time action items
• Why your calendar is your best tool for staying on track
• How to audit and update your Airbnb listing efficiently
• The importance of consistency and long-term organization for success

Resources & Links from This Episode:

• Asana | asana.com
• Breezeway | breezeway.io/tfv
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: Exact Steps for Leaving a Negative Airbnb Guest Review

Mentioned in this episode:

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

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

Revenue management is one of the most overlooked skills in short-term rentals, yet it’s the key to maximizing your earnings. Too many hosts rely on guesswork or reactive pricing strategies, leaving money on the table. In this episode, we’re diving into the single most important metric you need to track to confidently adjust your rates and increase revenue: your booking window.

Your booking window tells you when guests typically book your property before their stay. Understanding this number allows you to optimize your pricing strategy, adjust in real time, and eliminate last-minute panic.

• Why revenue management is proactive, not reactive
• The difference between bookkeeping and revenue management
• What your booking window is and why it’s the key to your pricing strategy
• How to use the green, yellow, red system to know when to adjust rates
• Why being the first to book can mean you’re underpricing
• How to maximize demand and avoid unnecessary discounts
• The best ways to pull pricing levers before lowering rates

• Start optimizing your pricing today | Try PriceLabs FREE for 30 days
• Subscribe on YouTube | Boost Airbnb Income with these 4 EASY Upsells!

If you’ve been feeling stuck on pricing or unsure when to adjust your rates, this episode will give you the confidence and strategy to take control of your Airbnb’s revenue.

Mentioned in this episode:

Proper Insurance | Book Your Risk Assessment Today

Hostfully | Go to https://www.hostfully.com/tfv and use TFV100 to get $500 off your subscription.

Fido | Visit getfido.com/tfv & get your first month free!

Extenteam | Receive 20% off the first 2 months with Tailwind!

When you’re launching your short-term rental, pricing can feel like a guessing game. Should you start with low rates to get more bookings and reviews? Or is that a fast track to leaving money on the table? In this Hosting Hotline episode, we answer a listener’s question about how to price their new Airbnb and whether lowering rates is the right strategy.

We also touch on midterm rentals—when they make sense, how they differ from short-term stays, and why they are not always the easy alternative some hosts expect.

• Why pricing too low does not always mean more bookings
• How Airbnb already gives new listings a boost in the algorithm
• The dangers of relying on lower rates as your default pricing strategy
• How to analyze market demand before setting your rates
• Midterm rentals vs. short-term rentals—what is the real difference
• How to transition from midterm back to short-term bookings without losing traction

• Are you a brand-new host? | Get the Hosting Handbook today!
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | Boost Airbnb Income with these 4 EASY Upsells!

Would you like us to analyze a specific STR challenge on the podcast? Submit your question at HostingHotline.com for a chance to be featured in a future episode!

Mentioned in this episode:

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

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

Your Property Management Software (PMS) is more than just a tool—it’s the heartbeat of your short-term rental business. But how do you know you’re using the right one? And are you truly optimizing it to save time, increase efficiency, and drive more revenue?

In this episode, we sit down with Margot Schmorak, CEO & Co-Founder of Hostfully, our preferred PMS partner, to talk about the must-have features of a PMS, the biggest mistakes hosts make when choosing or switching systems, and how to use a PMS to scale smarter—whether you have one property or 100+.

We also dive into:

• The number one mistake hosts make when selecting a PMS
• How a strong tech stack can make your hosting life easier
• Direct bookings: Is a PMS worth it if you only have one or two properties?
• The power of repeat guests and how a PMS can help you get more
• Why booking direct is one of the biggest opportunities for hosts in 2025
• How Hostfully’s AI-powered inbox is saving hosts three or more hours per day
• How midterm rentals are evolving—and what Hostfully is doing about it

Whether you’re shopping for a PMS, considering a switch, or just want to maximize the power of the one you have, this episode is packed with insights, strategy, and actionable tips to take your STR business to the next level.

Margot is the CEO & Co-Founder of Hostfully, a leading PMS in the STR industry. Under her leadership, Hostfully has helped thousands of property managers streamline their operations, grow their portfolios, and embrace direct bookings as a key revenue driver.

Beyond Hostfully, Margot is also a mom, wife, and creative entrepreneur based in San Francisco. She’s passionate about supporting women, moms, and underrepresented groups in tech and hospitality, and she loves travel, design, and music.

• Listen to Margot’s first TFV Episode
• Exact Steps for Leaving a Negative Airbnb Guest Review | Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
• Want to get your property featured on #STRShareSunday? | Submit your listing here: strsharesunday.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Proper Insurance | Book Your Risk Assessment Today

Hostfully | Go to https://www.hostfully.com/tfv and use TFV100 to get $500 off your subscription.

Fido | Visit getfido.com/tfv & get your first month free!

Extenteam | Receive 20% off the first 2 months with Tailwind!

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