Avery Carl is joined by Tim Grillot, real estate investor and former Short Term Shop agent who has built a successful vacation rental photography business. Tim shares how his passion for photography evolved into a full-time career, explains why professional photography is one of the highest-return investments a host can make, and offers practical advice for choosing a photographer who understands the unique goal of selling a vacation experience rather than simply documenting a property. He also discusses the importance of telling a property's story through photos, avoiding common listing mistakes, and building a business around work you genuinely enjoy.

Connect with Tim:

timgrillot.com
scrollstopperphotography.com
tim grillot photgraphy on FB and Instagram

Connect with us:

Get connected with a Short Term Shop agent: [email protected]

The Short Term Shop:

https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Avery is joined by Lindsey Pleasant, founder of Hostie Vacation Rentals, to discuss how she built one of the largest short term rental management companies in rural Texas by focusing on exceptional hospitality and operational excellence. Lindsey shares how she grew from managing a single property to more than 80 luxury vacation rentals across Round Top and the surrounding area, explaining why cleanliness, high standards, and strong owner relationships have been the foundation of her success. They also explore the unique Round Top market, where antique shows, weddings, and city dwellers seeking a peaceful escape create steady demand despite relatively low occupancy rates, as well as why appreciation—not cash flow—is often the primary investment play. Along the way, Lindsey offers practical advice for aspiring property managers, emphasizing the importance of understanding your market, building a great team, and creating memorable guest experiences that keep visitors coming back.

Connect with Lindsey:

https://hostievacationrentals.com/ 

Connect with us:

Get connected with a Short Term Shop agent: [email protected]

The Short Term Shop:

https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Avery is joined by Yok to revisit the Blue Ridge, Georgia market and explain why it's one of the most overlooked opportunities for short-term rental investors. They discuss what continues to drive demand from Atlanta, Florida, and other nearby metro areas, why Blue Ridge offers less competition than the Smoky Mountains, and the types of cabins that perform best in today's market. Yok shares what buyers should prioritize—including mountain views, modernized interiors, and proximity to downtown Blue Ridge—while explaining why investors don't need over-the-top amenities to be successful. The episode also covers current pricing, the growing demand for waterfront properties, and why Blue Ridge remains an attractive option for both first-time and experienced STR investors.

Connect with us:

Get connected with a Short Term Shop agent: [email protected]

The Short Term Shop:

https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Avery is joined by Jeremy Udovich, founder of Sheboygan Vacation Rentals, to discuss how he went from a career in golf and software sales to building a thriving short-term rental portfolio and management company in Wisconsin. Jeremy shares how a single property near Lake Michigan grew into a portfolio of owned and managed vacation rentals, why Sheboygan’s beaches, golf courses, racetrack, and outdoor recreation create strong year-round demand, and how access to capital helped him scale quickly. He also explains why he waited years before leaving his W-2 job, the importance of education and preparation before taking on risk, and what he looks for when deciding whether to manage a property for another owner. The conversation offers valuable insight into scaling responsibly, building a management business organically, and finding overlooked opportunities outside of traditional vacation rental hotspots.

Connect with Jeremy:

www.sheboyganvacationrentals.com

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

On this week's episode, Avery is joined by Kelsey Ardoin to break down what’s working right now in the Galveston and Crystal Beach short-term rental market. Using one of her own properties as a case study, Kelsey shares how investors can dramatically improve bookings without spending tens of thousands on major renovations, focusing instead on guest experience, outdoor entertainment spaces, hot tubs, and highly photographable amenities. She explains why large-group properties continue to perform well in this drive-to market, how to design beach houses that stand out from the competition, and why maximizing comfortable sleeping arrangements is critical to success. Avery and Kelsey also discuss current market conditions, why Crystal Beach remains one of the more affordable beach investment markets in the country, and how today’s buyer-friendly environment compares to the frenzy of the COVID-era boom.

Connect with Kelsey:

[email protected]

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

On this week's episode, Avery is joined by Chris McKenna, a former Fortune 500 executive who retired at 49 after building a portfolio of short-term rentals across Alabama, Oklahoma, and Maine. Chris shares how hearing Avery on a BiggerPockets podcast sparked his real estate journey, leading him from a demanding corporate career to owning multiple vacation rental properties that now generate nearly $1 million in annual revenue. He recounts the unforgettable challenges of his first investment property—including a renovation disaster that landed him in the emergency room with Bell’s palsy—and explains why staying focused on long-term goals helped him keep moving forward. Chris also discusses scaling a portfolio across multiple markets, transforming underperforming properties through strategic upgrades, and the lessons he learned from purchasing and revitalizing a lakeside cabin resort in rural Maine.

How to connect with Chris:

https://lawrenceslakesidecabins.com/
https://vandellvacationrentals.com/gulfshores/

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

On this week's episode, Avery is joined by Lance Lalanne, a Louisiana-based business executive and real estate investor who transformed his family's dream of owning a beach condo into a successful short-term rental business. Lance shares how a conversation with a friend, Avery’s audiobook, and guidance from the Short Term Shop team helped him confidently purchase a condo in Orange Beach, Alabama, negotiate a significant discount, and build a thriving rental from the ground up. They discuss the importance of buying based on numbers rather than emotion, leveraging coaching and community support, and creating a long-term wealth-building plan through strategic real estate investing. Along the way, Lance shares lessons from his first year as an STR owner and why he’s already planning property number two.

Connect with Lance:

LeiLani321.com

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Avery Carl sits down with Erica and Jon Larson, a former teacher and a VP of sales who turned a career shake-up into a thriving short‑term rental business. They share the real, often messy process of leaving their W‑2 jobs—starting with a tight budget, learning the hard way why you never skip a home inspection, and the nightmare of trusting a realtor who wasn’t an STR expert. From teaching kindergarteners to managing guest messages mid‑class, Erica and Jon walk through the grit, risk, and persistence it took to buy their first Smoky Mountains property in 2022 and eventually replace one full‑time income. This conversation is packed with candid lessons for anyone dreaming of trading a traditional job for property‑based freedom.

Connect with Erica and Jon: 

Website: CYLPrentals.com 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/changeyourlatitudeproperties/

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Avery is joined by Short Term Shop agent Stacey Lancaster to explore the current state of short-term rental investing across Texas Hill Country and the Austin area. Stacey explains why the market currently favors investors who are willing to negotiate, create memorable guest experiences, and look beyond turnkey properties to add value through design and management. They also discuss how continued population growth in Texas, future developments like Fredericksburg’s incoming Waldorf Astoria, and shifting market conditions could shape demand in the years ahead.

Connect with an agent: [email protected]

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Avery Carl is joined by Short Term Shop agent Cody Roberts to break down why Southern Utah has become an increasingly attractive short-term rental market. They discuss the tourism demand driven by Zion National Park and the surrounding outdoor attractions, the strict permit regulations that help prevent oversaturation, and the types of properties that perform best in the market. The conversation also covers the benefits of condos and townhomes with resort-style amenities, the appeal of purpose-built short term rental communities, and why investors need to understand local regulations before buying in areas like St. George and Hurricane.

Connect with an agent: [email protected]

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon