What happens when one of the largest centralized property managers in short-term rentals meets a deeply local, franchise-driven model? In this episode of The STR Data Lab, AirDNA’s Chief Economist Jamie Lane sits down with Steve Schwab, CEO of Casago, to unpack one of the most consequential industry shifts of the past decade: the Vacasa–Casago merger.

Steve shares an honest, behind-the-scenes look at how the integration is unfolding — from transitioning thousands of homes and teammates to rethinking how scale, culture, and accountability actually work in hospitality. The conversation goes beyond headlines to explore why local ownership, empowered teams, and owner-centric decision-making may be the antidote to the operational strain that has challenged large STR operators in recent years.

Along the way, Jamie and Steve dive into franchise economics, technology complexity, churn as a health metric, and the often-underestimated skill that separates top-tier operators from the rest. Whether you’re an independent host, a growing property manager, or an industry professional watching STR evolve in real time, this episode offers a rare perspective on where the business is headed — and what it takes to build something that lasts.

This is one conversation that will change how you think about scale, leadership, and success in short-term rentals — you don’t want to miss it.

Key Takeaways You Can Apply Today

• Local ownership matters more than ever: Empowered, in-market operators create stronger relationships with homeowners, guests, and communities — and reduce churn.

• Scale isn’t just about size: Breaking operations into locally accountable units can avoid the “dis-economies” that plague centralized models.

• Technology complexity is the silent killer: From PMS integrations to revenue management and accounting, STR operations are far deeper than they appear — especially in year one.

• Churn is a health check, not just a metric: Monitoring churn at both the market and portfolio level reveals operational and cultural issues early.

• The best operators know when to say no: Curating the right inventory, homeowners, and guests is often what separates top-performing property managers from underperformers.

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Connect with Jamie on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane

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Connect with Scott on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagescott

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Connect with AirDNA on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdna

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co

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Episode 168