New and Improved

Good morning,

Quick follow up in case you didn't see Monday’s newsletter - The Newsletter is moving to a 1x a week format.

Why the change? Our community ranges from first-time hosts just getting started to seasoned pros managing dozens of properties—and I want to make sure everyone gets exactly what they need.

This format gives you the freedom to access exactly what you need, when you need it, rather than having three separate emails hit your inbox each week.

Hope you like this. And, as always, I want your feedback! You can reply to this email or click the link to rank this newsletter at the bottom of this article.

Lets dive in. 

NEWS

Here’s a quick headline roundup so you stay in the know with whats been going on in the Short-Term Rental industry this week:

Headline Roundup

• Shots fired: VRBO’s sassy billboards mock Airbnb (Skift)

• Airbnb scrambles as users rage over co-founder’s Musk drama (Forbes)

• Hosts can learn from Airbnb’s storytelling secret that keeps guests hooked (Inc.)

• Airbnb axes 400,000 listings to polish its image (Airbnb Newsroom)

• Wall Street rewards Airbnb for expanding from its core lodging business and getting into experiences (CNBC)

• See what this Airbnb did to become the most favorited Airbnb in Minnesota (Quick Country)

• Whats going on at Expedia? The OTA giant announced a massive round of layoffs last week (PhocusWire)

EDUCATION

Featured Article

Finding the perfect balance for your Airbnb kitchen can be challenging—too sparse, and guests leave frustrated reviews about missing basics; too elaborate, and you're constantly replacing damaged items. This curated list prioritizes what matters most to successful hosts: exceptional durability for constant use, versatility to accommodate diverse guest needs, and low-maintenance designs that simplify your turnover process. Check it out:

Additional Resources:

• Create an Airbnb that looks so good it practically books itself with this step-by-step guide to Airbnb design (The Host Report)

• Know your numbers: Here are the best Airbnb amenities proven to increase revenue (AirDNA)

• Managing Remotely? You’re not alone. Here’s how to manage an Airbnb from a different state (The Host Report)

INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Hot Markets

• I found this excellent article identifying the 15 best Airbnb markets, broken down by budget. Budgets range from $200k - $1M+ (Bigger Pockets)

Product Deals

• Furnishing your first Airbnb or have a listing that needs a refresh? Check out these 6 Furniture Hacks to Save Thousands (The Host Report)

Regulations

Here’s a quick, executive summary of the key regulation developments in the STR industry this week:

• Palm Coast, Florida, and Pulaski, Tennessee, now demand annual licenses and tax compliance for short-term rentals, hiking costs that could eat into your profits.

• West Chester, Ohio, and Kamas, Utah, are eyeing bans or zoning limits, risking total loss of rental income in those spots.

• Northern Arizona (Flagstaff, Sedona, Prescott) is the latest market to follow the trend of local governments fighting against statewide regulations. 

• Columbia Shuswap, Canada, ties rentals to strict zoning and a May 1, 2025, registration deadline—don't miss it.

• Ireland’s looming 2026 regulations might flip thousands of Airbnb properties to long-term rentals, eliminating the STR market there. 

Investors need to dodge high-compliance zones and lock in locations with predictable rules to protect their bottom line. See this weeks full regulations report here: (The Host Report)