by Paris Achen | Feb 5, 2026 | Guest Communications, Hosting and Management, Property Care, Safety
For nearly a week after Hurricane Michael tore through Panama City in the Florida Panhandle in October 2018, Annie Holcombe couldn’t make a phone call. The Category 5 hurricane wiped out power and cellphone towers, disabled water systems, destroyed 1,500 buildings,...
by Paris Achen | Nov 19, 2025 | Guest Communications, Hosting and Management, Property Care
If you manage your own direct bookings, the answer is simple: yes, you need a rental agreement for every stay. The debate begins when a booking comes through Airbnb, Vrbo, or another online travel agency (OTA). Should you still ask guests to sign a separate agreement...
by Paris Achen | Oct 29, 2025 | Guest Communications, Hosting and Management, Property Care
Mid-stay cleans are a service that can either elevate or complicate a short-term stay, depending on how they are handled. They can offer an extra layer of hospitality and a chance to check on your property, but they also can be a logistical headache for guests and...
by Paris Achen | Oct 20, 2025 | Guest Communications, Hosting and Management, Marketing
2026 is shaping up to be a blockbuster year for event-related travel, with the FIFA World Cup, global concert tours, and major cultural festivals expected to draw millions of visitors to U.S. cities. Big events like these fuel bookings, appeal to new demographics,...
by Paris Achen | Oct 13, 2025 | Guest Communications, Hosting and Management
Many short-term rental hosts are natural nurturers and people-pleasers, driven by a genuine desire to make others feel comfortable and cared for. But that same empathy can turn into overthinking and anxiety, especially in an industry where success depends on public...
by Paris Achen | Feb 18, 2025 | Guest Communications, Hosting and Management, Marketing
It can be incredibly frustrating when your short-term rental property vanishes from Airbnb or Vrbo search results — especially if you have a strong rental history, glowing five-star reviews, and a finely tuned listing. After all, if your listing doesn’t show up or has...
by Paris Achen | Jan 31, 2025 | 2024 RR Summit, Advocate Engagement, Event Recaps, Guest Communications, Hosting and Management, STR Advocacy 101
The short-term rental industry is thriving, but staying ahead requires operators to adapt to rapidly advancing guest expectations, regulations, and technology. During a fireside chat at the RR Summit Rise and Thrive, Tim Rosolio, Vice President of Vacation Rental...
by Paris Achen | Jan 17, 2025 | 2024 RR Summit, Event Recaps, Guest Communications, Hosting and Management, Marketing
We can’t all afford to hire an intern to handle the repetitive tasks of operating a short-term rental business, but with artificial intelligence (AI), we can enlist the help of a free or low-cost “robot” to accomplish much of the daily drudgery that overwhelms our...
by Paris Achen | Oct 28, 2024 | Guest Communications, Hosting and Management, Marketing
Every interaction with your property matters from when guests book to when they check out. Well-optimized check-in and check-out processes reduce your stress and enhance the guest experience. Whether you choose a hands-off, self-check-in approach or prefer to greet...
by Paris Achen | Oct 14, 2024 | Guest Communications, Hosting and Management, Marketing, Property Care
With the rapid growth of AI, the number of new apps and platforms for increased productivity can feel overwhelming. Learning all of them consumes time and money, but these tools can be worthwhile if you start small and grow gradually. This is especially true for small...
