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Airbnb just announced new policy changes regarding house rules and rental agreements, and they've already sparked a lot of frustration and concern among hosts. In this episode of Confessions of a Host, we're breaking down these latest updates, what they mean for short-term rental operators, and how they could impact the way we manage our properties and protect our businesses. We share our honest opinions, personal experiences, and frustrations while discussing the challenges hosts face when navigating Airbnb's constantly changing policies. Are these changes making hosting easier, or are they creating even more challenges for hosts? Tune in as we discuss what every Airbnb host and property manager needs to know! Connect with us on Instagram: @confessionsofahost

In this episode of Confessions of a Host, we sit down with Tony, the owner of Hello Hideout, who owns and manages luxury vacation rentals. Tony shares how he got started in the short-term rental industry, what it really takes to run luxury Airbnbs, some of the craziest stories he’s experienced, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. We’re diving into the realities of managing high-end properties, unexpected guest experiences, and what it takes to succeed in the luxury vacation rental market. Connect with Tony: instagram.com/tonetonesays hellohideout.com Connect with us: instagram.com/confessionsofahost

In this episode of Confessions of a Host, we sit down with Alex Bykov to talk about the systems and tools that can make short-term rental operations smoother and more secure. We cover damage waivers and deposits, collecting guest IDs, getting rental agreements signed, and automating locks and thermostats. We also discuss tools like Happy Guest, SuiteOp, and Enso Connect and how technology can help hosts protect their properties while saving time. Connect with Alex: instagram.com/thealexbykov/ Connect with us: instagram.com/confessionsofahost/

In this episode, we sit down with Jane, founder of The Investing Mom Academy, a former CPA, mom of three, and short-term rental investor and co-host. Jane shares her journey from working in corporate America to starting her own real estate business, investing in short-term rentals, and eventually creating her own course. We talk about the opportunities she saw in short-term rentals early on, what led her to launch Investing Mom Academy, and how she now helps stay-at-home moms and other parents learn about short-term rentals, investing in real estate, and using real estate to save on taxes. Connect with Jane: instagram.com/theinvestingmom Connect with us: instagram.com/confessionsofahost

In this episode of Confessions of a Host, we're joined by Ryan Bakke, founder of Tax Strategy 365, to talk about everything accounting-related for short-term rental owners and managers. We discuss how to turn cost centers into profit centers, when to handle bookkeeping yourself versus hiring a professional, and when owners should stop spending 100 hours on their rentals and consider hiring a property manager. Connect wity Ryan: https://taxstrategy365.com/ instagram.com/ryanbakkecpa Connect with us: instagram.com/confessionsofahost/

As busy moms, growing a business is important, but so is having the time to actually enjoy life with our families. In this episode, we’re sharing the two different approaches we took to building our teams and creating more freedom in our businesses. We break down exactly who we hired, what they do, where we found them, and how each hire has helped us step away from the day-to-day.

What if you could turn your Airbnb guests into repeat customers—and stop relying entirely on third-party platforms? In this episode of Confessions of a Host, we’re diving into the world of direct bookings and why building your own booking strategy can be a game changer for short-term rental hosts. We’ll talk about how to encourage guests to book directly, create a strong guest database, stay connected with past guests, and build a system that can generate repeat bookings outside of Airbnb and Vrbo. Whether you manage one property or an entire portfolio, direct bookings can help you build a stronger brand, create lasting guest relationships, and have more control over your business. If you’re ready to go beyond Airbnb and start building a business you actually own, this episode is for you. Connect with us on instagram: @confessionsofahost

What separates high-performing vacation rentals from the rest? It's not just beautiful design or five-star reviews—it's smart revenue management. In this episode of Confessions of a Host, we're joined by Federico Zimerman, a revenue management expert, to break down the strategies that help vacation rental owners and property managers maximize bookings and increase profits. We dive into dynamic pricing, market trends, common pricing mistakes, seasonality, owner expectations, and the metrics that truly matter when growing a successful short-term rental business. Whether you're managing one Airbnb or an entire portfolio, Federico shares practical insights and real-world examples that will help you make more informed pricing decisions and unlock your property's earning potential. Connect with Federico: https://www.instagram.com/federico.zimerman/ https://www.revfactor.io/review Connect with us: https://www.instagram.com/confessionsofahost/

In this episode, we sit down with our friend Cameron Masters to discuss how he completely transformed his business by scaling from 14 units to 140 in just a matter of months through the acquisition of an established property management company in Lake Tahoe. We dive into every stage of the acquisition process—from finding the right business and securing financing to successfully taking over operations and growing it to the next level. Cameron shares the biggest challenges he faced during the transition, the lessons he learned along the way, and the advice he'd give to anyone considering buying an existing company instead of starting from scratch. You can find Cameron on Instagram: instagram.com/cameron.masters_ You can find us at: instagram.com/confessionsofahost instagram.com/nataliebykov instagram.com/hostiwthmariam

Every host will eventually face a guest complaint—but some are far more memorable than others. In this episode of Confessions of a Host, we're sharing the real stories behind some of the most unexpected guest issues we've encountered, including the infamous sex toy incident, a broken A/C during a guest's stay, bugs in a cabin, and more. We break down exactly how we handled each situation, the guest recovery strategies that worked, and the lessons we've learned from years of managing vacation rentals. Whether it's responding with empathy, offering thoughtful solutions, or knowing when to go the extra mile, these are the moments that separate good hosts from great ones. If you're a vacation rental host or property manager, this episode will leave you better prepared for the unexpected—and show you how even the biggest hospitality nightmares can still end with a 5-star review. Connect with us on Instagram: @confessionsofahost

In this episode of Confessions of a Host, we sit down with Patryk Swietek, Co-Founder of The Cohost Company, to talk about one of the hottest topics in the short-term rental industry: acquiring and scaling vacation rental management companies. Patryk shares what he looks for when evaluating management businesses, how acquisitions work behind the scenes, and what it takes to build a company that's attractive to buyers. Whether you're planning to grow your portfolio, scale your management business, or eventually prepare for an exit, this conversation is full of valuable insights for hosts and property managers alike. If you've ever wondered what makes an STR management company worth acquiring, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Follow us on Instagram: @confessionsofahost Reach out to Patryk: @patryk_swietek

Not every owner is the right owner. In this episode, we're sharing the biggest red flags we've encountered when onboarding vacation rental owners—from unrealistic income expectations and micromanagement to deferred maintenance and communication issues. We'll also discuss the green flags that make for successful, long-term partnerships and why saying "no" to the wrong client can be one of the best business decisions you'll ever make. Follow us on Instagram: @confessionsofahost

In this episode, Natalie shares how her journey into hosting didn’t start with Airbnb at all. It started by renting out her backyard pool on Swimply, eventually generating over $200,000 in revenue.We dive into the unconventional ways homeowners and Airbnb hosts can monetize their properties beyond overnight stays, including renting spaces for movie productions, photo shoots, events, and content creation through platforms like Peerspace and Giggster. If you’re looking for creative ways to unlock additional income from your home, this episode is packed with ideas and real-world experiences. You can follow along Natalie's pool journey at @TheOrangePool or join the pool hosting FB Group "Pool Hosting 101" Websites for the site are: Swimply.com Peerspace.com Giggster.com Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/confessionsofahost.podcast https://instagram.com/hostwithmariam https://instagram.com/nataliebykov

Ever wonder why some Airbnbs stop you mid-scroll while others blend into the crowd? In this episode, we're diving into the boldest, craziest, and most memorable Airbnb properties we've come across and breaking down what makes them stand out. From jaw-dropping amenities and unique design choices to the must-have features that guests now expect in certain markets, we're talking about what actually moves the needle when it comes to bookings. Is that expensive upgrade worth it? What amenities are becoming non-negotiable? And when does "unique" cross the line into "what were they thinking?" We also tackle one of the biggest mistakes hosts make: designing a home for themselves instead of designing for their guests. If you've ever struggled to balance personal taste with profitability, this conversation is for you. Go bold or go home. We're sharing what works, what doesn't, and how to create a property that guests can't stop talking about.

If you've been posting on social media and hearing crickets — or worse, not posting at all — this episode is your wake-up call. In this quick but packed episode, we are breaking down exactly how short-term rental managers can turn social media into a powerful tool for attracting property owners, guests, and direct bookings. We're covering which platforms are actually worth your time, what to post when you have no idea where to start, and how to build a personal brand that makes property owners want to work with you before they even get on a call. Tune in, take notes, and start showing up online like the expert you already are.