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Allie White did not think she could manage her own short-term rental.
After a painful long-term rental experience and an underperforming short-term rental managed by a well-known property management company, she assumed someone else would always be better equipped to run the business.
But Serenity Cabin in Wintergreen, Virginia, was bleeding money. The property management company had brought in around $16,000 when Allie had expected much more, and selling the property would have meant walking away from the investment at the wrong time.
So she decided to test one question: what if she managed it herself?
In this episode, Sarah and Annette sit down with Allie to talk about the assumptions that almost cost her the property, the systems she put in place when she took over, and how dynamic pricing, one-night stays, pet-friendly policies, early check-in, late checkout, and better operational control helped her dramatically increase revenue.
Allie also shares how understanding her true booking window helped increase RevPAR by 25% during the off-season, why she no longer assumes large property management companies know best, and how guest feedback helps her keep improving the experience.
If you have ever wondered whether your property is truly maxed out—or whether the right strategy could still unlock more revenue—Allie’s story is a reminder to question the assumptions before you give up.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why Allie moved from long-term rentals into short-term rentals
What went wrong with her property management experiences
How self-management changed the performance of Serenity Cabin
Why dynamic pricing and one-night stays helped increase revenue
How pet fees, early check-in, and late checkout created additional income
Why booking window strategy matters more than simply raising rates
How Allie increased RevPAR by 25% in the off-season
Why guest feedback can become a roadmap for better hosting
How Allie is preparing to become the kind of boutique property manager she wished she had

Resources mentioned:
Join us Live and Learn about Strategic Host!
Stay at Serenity Cabin
Learn more about Price Labs
Mentioned in this episode:
Join us for our live Get More Bookings Bootcamp.

A better Airbnb setup does not always require a renovation.
Sometimes, the details guests remember most are the smallest ones: an extra blanket they can actually find, a coffee cup they can take on the road, a backup key when the smart lock fails, or a sound machine that helps them sleep better.
In this episode, Sarah and Annette share 10 simple but genius Airbnb setup hacks they use in every property they touch. These are low-cost, high-impact details that protect your property, reduce guest friction, prevent unnecessary messages, and create the kind of stay guests mention in reviews.
They cover everything from zip encasement mattress protectors and blackout curtains to stocked kitchens, forgot-something baskets, guidebook photos, extra hooks, and a bulbs-and-batteries box that saves everyone time when something minor goes wrong.
If you want to create a smoother, more thoughtful guest experience without taking on a major renovation, this episode is your setup checklist.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why zip encasement mattress and pillow protectors matter
How blackout curtains and sound machines improve guest sleep
Why extra blankets should be easy to find and intentionally stored
What to include in a better Airbnb coffee station
Why your kitchen should be stocked beyond the basics
How a forgot-something basket can surprise and delight guests
Where hooks can reduce everyday guest friction
Why every smart lock needs a backup key nearby
How photos in your guidebook can prevent guest confusion
What to include in a bulbs-and-batteries box

Resources Mentioned:
Join us Live and Learn about Strategic Host!
Mentioned in this episode:
Join us for our live Get More Bookings Bootcamp.

Sarah and Annette have generated $5 million through Airbnb hosting, but not because everything went perfectly.
That number came from more than a decade of building, making mistakes, fixing systems, managing guests, growing a team, and learning what actually moves the needle in a short-term rental business.
In this episode, they break down the seven biggest lessons they wish every host understood earlier. These are not just about choosing the right property. They are about the business around the property: clean finances, the right team, backup systems, brand standards, guest feedback, booking diversification, and knowing your why.
They also explain why a full calendar does not mean much if your books are messy, why desperate hiring is expensive, why every host needs backups before they need them, and why Airbnb should not be your only booking strategy.
If you want to build a hosting business that can survive the hard weeks and keep growing over time, this episode is a practical look at what Sarah and Annette have learned after $5 million in Airbnb hosting.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why clean finances should start before your first booking
Why your team is an investment, not just an expense
What systems and backups every host needs in place
How brand standards make better business decisions easier
Why negative guest feedback can become valuable business data
Why hosts need booking channels beyond Airbnb
Why money alone will not carry you through the hard parts of hosting

Resources Mentioned:
Join us Live and Learn about Strategic Host!
Mentioned in this episode:
Join us for our live Get More Bookings Bootcamp.

Most hosts looking to grow their short-term rental portfolio start in the same place: Zillow, public listings, and whatever properties everyone else can already see.
But the best opportunities often never make it that far.
In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down four ways to find short-term rental properties before they hit the open market. They share how co-hosting can become an acquisition strategy, why being visible and vocal matters, how Facebook groups and local communities can surface hidden opportunities, and why working with STR-specific experts can help you spot the difference between a cheap property and a property that will actually perform.
They also share the story of The Audrey, one of their own Columbus properties that started as a co-hosting relationship before becoming an off-market purchase.
If you are trying to grow your portfolio, this episode is a reminder that the next deal may not come from refreshing Zillow. It may come from the relationships you are already building.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why some of the best STR properties never hit the market
How co-hosting can lead to future ownership opportunities
Why your reputation as an operator can make you the obvious buyer
How to make yourself visible to owners, agents, and local networks
Why Facebook groups and online communities can reveal off-market leads
What to look for in an STR-specific real estate expert
Why relationships can matter more than listing sites when finding your next property

Resources Mentioned:
Apply and Learn about Strategic Host!
Mentioned in this episode:
Join us for our live Get More Bookings Bootcamp.

Most Airbnb hosts plan for the obvious costs: the mortgage, furnishings, cleaning fees, and maybe a few supplies.
But the expenses that hurt the most are usually the ones no one planned for.
In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down 11 short-term rental expenses that commonly catch hosts off guard. Some are small recurring costs. Others can wipe out thousands of dollars if they are missing from your forecast, budget, or profit and loss statement.
They cover everything from short-term rental insurance and permits to platform fees, tech stack bloat, credit card processing fees, chargebacks, utility spikes, seasonal photography, furniture replacement, and the professional team every host should have before they need one urgently.
They also name the most expensive hidden cost of all: hosting without a pricing strategy.
If you are only looking at gross revenue, this episode will help you understand what your Airbnb is actually costing you—and where those expenses belong in your business.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why AirCover is not a replacement for short-term rental insurance
Which licensing and permit costs hosts need to plan for
How OTA commissions and platform fees affect actual profit
Why tech subscriptions should be audited quarterly
What direct booking hosts need to know about processing fees and chargebacks
Why high occupancy can create higher utility costs
How seasonal photography can impact bookings
Why cheap furniture often costs more over time
Which financial professionals belong in your hosting business
Why a missing pricing strategy can cost more than anything else

Resources Mentioned:
Join us Live and Learn about Strategic Host!
PriceLabs: Revenue management for hosts and property managers.
Mentioned in this episode:
Join us for our live Get More Bookings Bootcamp.