🏨Getting 60% Direct Bookings | 🤬 Fix Bad Reviews | 🛍️ Top Amenities Shopping List [PDF&Excel] | ⚖️ Las Vegas & San Francisco STR Laws

A loud high-five and a round of applause to our 20 new newsletter subscribers! Welcome to the interesting side of all things #shorttermrentals.

Here’s a quick overview of our today’s newsletter:

• Jeni T. on achieving 60% of Direct Bookings in 3 Years👂 Listen or 👀 Watch
• Brindy Bringhurst on fixing the less-than-excellent reviews 👉 Listen

• Stephanie F. Top Amenities Interview 👉 Watch
• Free Printable & Editable Amenities Checklist 👉 Get my copy

• Read 👉Las Vegas and San Francisco STR Laws

Jeni Tocol on achieving 60% of Direct Bookings in 3 Years

Jeni Tocol — CEO of Solena Suites shares how she created a business model that brings 60% of direct bookings after losing all her STRs in two days.

"I knew I needed to scale quickly, so I outlined a plan to increase my units from two to six within the first 90 days. Using my experience in technology and team management, I built a strong operations team and scaled it rapidly. Within 9 months, we expanded to 18 units across multiple cities. My initial hires are still key members of my team today, proving that a solid foundation is crucial for sustainable growth."

Tune in and learn how Jeni has diversified her risks and created a technology-first STR company using APIs.

👉 Watch the episode

👉 Listen to the episode

‘Done right, an API won’t steal your business information. Instead, it’ll bring connectivity and speed up the data exchange,’ says Jeni. Leo Walton agrees with the statement and explores the benefits and the future of APIs in #traveltech and #STR.

👉Read about APIs and SaaS Travel Tech Companies

Brindy Bringhurst — a Jump from PM to PM

A successful short-term rental business, like a well-designed app, requires seamless backend management. Guests should have a smooth experience, from booking to checkout. This demands meticulous planning, efficient communication, and proactive problem-solving.

There’s a huge difference between a Project Manager and a Property Manager and Brindy Bringhurst — Founder of Airbrindy, has tried on both hats. Learn how Brindy applies the best practices from her previous profession to eliminate ‘less-than-perfect’ guest reviews.

👉 Listen

Stephanie’s Top Amenities

Stephanie’s journey from a full-time nurse to a full-time Property Manager and then real estate investor sounds like a plot for a “dream come true” movie. On her way to becoming a VR Nation co-founder, speaker, and investor, Stephanie has set up 130 vacation rentals. And, believe us, Stephanie has come up with something new every time and thrilling like a Disney-themed house.

Here are her tried-and-true Airbnb amenities that help make a listing a comfortable “home away from home” for families with children, pets, and the desire to chill.

Stephanie Figueros Top Airbnb Amenities 👉 Watch

Do you feel the creative ideas bubbling in your head already? We’ve got something special to keep the creative juices flowing!

Take a look at this comprehensive Checklist of Airbnb Amenities in two convenient formats — a printable PDF and an editable Excel sheet.

Use it as a shopping list, print and run check-out audits, and share it with your colleagues.

👉 Get my copy

Hoops and Loops of Las Vegas and San Francisco STR Laws

Las Vegas - The Definition of the STR Regulations Overkill

Hosting an Airbnb in Las Vegas can feel like jumping through a fiery hoop obstacle course. Property managers must navigate a maze of regulations to ensure a smooth and compliant operation.

From obtaining a short-term rental license, which involves a multi-step approval process and a hefty fee, to adhering to strict zoning laws, the challenges are numerous.

Beyond the initial hurdles, hosts must also grapple with owner-occupancy requirements, safety inspections, and potential resident complaints.

Add to that the complexity of tax regulations and the need for adequate insurance coverage, and it's clear that running a short-term rental in Las Vegas is no walk in the park.

While these regulations are designed to protect both hosts and guests, they can sometimes feel like overkill, especially for those just trying to make a living.

Read about 👉Las Vegas STR Laws

San Francisco Zoning Map

Zoning regulations in San Francisco present a significant hurdle for Airbnb hosts. Not all areas are suitable for short-term rentals, requiring careful navigation of the city's zoning map.

Beyond zoning, obtaining a short-term rental license, proving permanent residency, and adhering to the 90-day limit on unhosted rentals add to the complexity. Insurance requirements, including a $500,000 liability coverage, and tax obligations, such as collecting and paying transient occupancy tax and filing quarterly reports, further complicate the process.

Read about 👉 San Francisco STR Laws

Dear gentle readers 😉,

We're preparing a series of stories about Property Managers and how they got into the Short Term Rentals industry. If you know people with interesting stories - tag them in the comments below👇.