This week on Thanks for Visiting, we’re joined by Darren Nix, founder and CEO of Steadily, one of the fastest-growing landlord insurance companies in the U.S.

Darren’s story starts with a personal loss—his investment property burned down—and what followed was an eye-opening crash course in everything not to do when dealing with insurance. That experience inspired him to launch a company designed for landlords, by landlords.

In this episode, Darren shares the biggest mistakes he sees hosts make when it comes to insurance, the real risks that lead to major claims, and how to make sure you're actually protected—not just hoping you are.

In this episode, we cover:

• What Aircover does (and doesn’t) cover
• The most common (and costly) insurance claims for STRs
• Why “actual cash value” could be a trap
• How to know if your property is underinsured
• When to consider an umbrella policy
• What questions to ask your insurance agent
• Why waivers might not protect you in court
• The difference between risk and fear when choosing coverage

Whether you’re just getting started or scaling your portfolio, this episode will help you make smarter, more confident insurance decisions.

• Steadily – Landlord insurance built for real estate investors.
• STRShare.com – Submit your property for a chance to be featured.

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!

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

This week on the Hosting Hotline, Lori from Fort Wayne, Indiana calls in with a big-picture question: how do you prepare your short-term rental (STR) for sale—and is it possible to sell it as a functioning business, not just a piece of real estate?

In this episode, Sarah and Annette walk through everything you need to know before listing your STR, including how appraisers and lenders view short-term rentals, why finding the right realtor is essential, and how to identify—and package—your property’s intangible value. They also share strategies for maximizing your sale price by building out a direct booking system, collecting guest emails, and keeping historical data.

Whether you're thinking about an exit strategy or just want to better understand your business’s future value, this episode is packed with insight.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why STRs are typically valued as residential properties, not businesses
• How to find a short-term rental-friendly realtor
• What makes your listing more appealing to investor buyers
• The value of email lists, websites, and direct bookings in a sale
• Creative ways to structure a win-win sale (including co-hosting transitions)
• Why historical performance data adds credibility
• Tips for networking your way to a buyer

• StayFi – StayFi helps you collect guest emails for future marketing and direct bookings.
• Google Vacation Rentals – A powerful way to generate direct bookings outside Airbnb.
• Hosting Business Mastery – Learn how to run your STR like a business with Thanks for Visiting’s exclusive program.

This week on Thanks for Visiting, Sarah is flying solo to dig deep into one of the most powerful (yet overlooked) elements of your Airbnb listing: the title.

With only 50 characters to work with, your title has to do more than just describe your space—it needs to stop the scroll, spark curiosity, and drive clicks. In this episode, Sarah breaks down which words to ditch, how to use guest reviews for inspiration, and ways to craft headlines that convert.

In this episode, you'll learn:

– Why Airbnb listing titles matter more than you think

– Common words that waste space (and what to use instead)

– How to test and optimize your title for your ideal guest

– Real examples of titles that stand out in crowded markets

– Creative ways to rotate and update your title year-round

Whether you’re a seasoned host or just getting started, this episode is your crash course in title strategy that can lead to more bookings without spending another dime.

Resources mentioned:

– STRShare Sunday Submission – Submit your property to be featured

– Hosting Business Mastery Method – Join our signature program for serious hosts

Mentioned in this episode:

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

This week on the Hosting Hotline, we’re tackling one of the most common legal questions new hosts face: Do you really need an LLC to start hosting?

Listener Jennifer is about to launch her first short-term rental and wants to make sure she’s protecting her personal assets and doing things the right way. We walk through how to approach this decision with confidence, who you should be talking to, and why the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all.

In this episode, we cover:

– Why it’s worth consulting your attorney, CPA, and insurance broker early on

– What an LLC can (and can’t) do for your business

– How your long-term goals impact your setup

– The mindset shift that comes with treating hosting like a real business

– Why it’s never too late to make your business structure legit

If you’ve been wondering whether to form an LLC, this episode is a must-listen.

Resources Mentioned:

– Proper Insurance: https://www.proper.insure/

No matter how well you prepare your space, accidents happen—and that’s just part of the short-term rental business. But when damage occurs, do you know how to handle it professionally, recover costs effectively, and keep your emotions out of the process?

In this episode, we walk you through how to navigate guest damage, from identifying what actually qualifies as a damage claim (versus normal wear and tear) to how to submit a successful claim with Airbnb’s AirCover. We also talk about communicating with guests, what to say (and what not to say), and how to prepare your systems before damage even occurs.

In this episode, we cover:

• What doesn’t qualify as a damage claim (even if it’s frustrating)
• Examples of true negligence and when to take action
• How to approach your guest with professionalism and clarity
• What Airbnb expects for reimbursement—and how to give it to them
• Why speed and documentation are critical when filing a claim
• How to prevent retaliatory reviews
• Planning ahead: insurance, margins, and staying level-headed

Resources:

• AirCover is not insurance | Proper Insurance (our preferred STR insurance)
• YouTube: 11 Ways to Avoid Parties in Your Airbnb

Mentioned in this episode:

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

is week on the Hosting Hotline, Amy from Canada calls in with a common (but often overlooked) question: How should short-term rental hosts handle TVs and streaming services?

We dive into:

• Where you should place TVs in your rental (and why it matters)
• Which streaming services to offer—and what to avoid
• Smart tips to protect guest privacy and your own subscriptions
• Operational systems for checking logins, batteries, and connectivity
• How your STR's brand and guest profile should influence your entertainment setup

Whether you're running a cozy cabin or a large vacation rental, this episode will help you create a seamless, secure, and thoughtful guest experience around your in-home entertainment setup.

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)