Every experienced guest started as a first-time guest and some of your best future bookings will too. With the right systems, you don’t just protect your property, you unlock more revenue and better reviews. Subscribe for more episodes like this, share with a fellow host, and grab the free house rules template in the show notes. Let’s grow your business, one great guest at a time.
291. Accepting First-Time Airbnb Guests? Here’s What Hosts Need to Know
Release Date: 06/10/2025
Short Term Rental Riches
Is Airbnb still worth it? In this episode, Tim shares why he took one of his short-term rentals offline—revealing the real earnings, tenant conflicts, and whether switching to a long-term tenant paid off. If you're facing STR fatigue or weighing your rental options, this candid story may change your strategy. • Why a small studio in Memphis seemed like the perfect STR… until it wasn’t • The hidden management headaches of mixing short- and long-term tenants • How STR market saturation quietly crushed revenue expectations • Why a midterm rental wasn’t the right solution this time...
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In this episode of the Short-Term Rental Riches podcast, Tim sits down with Pierre, the CEO of Hospitable, a leading property management software that powers hundreds of thousands of properties across the globe. Pierre shares the story behind Hospitable’s founding, its incredible growth over the last nine years, and the unique challenges they’ve overcome to help property managers automate and streamline their operations. Origin Story of Hospitable From 0 to over $5B in reservation revenue AI vs. Human Touch in Hospitality Impact of Dynamic Pricing and Automation The Future of...
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Winter is here—and so are the risks and expectations that come with cold-weather hosting. From fireplaces to frozen sidewalks, the season can be a liability minefield for short-term rental owners. In this episode, we walk through your essential winter checklist to keep guests cozy and your property protected. Stay tuned—it’s more than just turning up the heat. - Why swapping out your traditional fireplace might save you a major insurance headache - How your kitchen setup could be silently tanking your reviews—and what to do about it - The real risk of winter slips and falls (and the...
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Platform promotions are everywhere right now, but are they actually helping your short-term rental business, or just draining your profits? In this episode, we dig into the truth behind Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com discounts, uncovering how they work and how you can use them strategically without sacrificing revenue. Learn how to stand out in search results without slashing your nightly rate. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • How Airbnb’s early bird, last-minute, and length-of-stay discounts really impact visibility • The “new listing” discount every OTA is pushing—and...
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If you’ve ever wondered how Airbnb’s commission changes will impact your short-term rental business, this episode is for you. We break down what you need to know about the new guest service fee changes, and how to adjust your pricing to protect your profits. Get ready to make sure your property stays competitive, no matter the changes. • Discover why Airbnb is shifting the guest service fee to hosts and what this means for your bottom line. • How to mark up your prices by the right percentage to ensure you earn the same amount you do now. • Why hosts with PMS connections need to...
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If you’ve ever wondered how to profit from real estate without jumping through short-term rental hoops, this episode is for you. CEO of Furnish Finder, Jeff Hurst, shares how midterm rentals are solving affordability and regulatory issues—and why they're becoming one of the hottest trends in housing. Get ready to rethink your rental strategy. • Discover how Furnish Finder is quietly dominating the 30+ day rental space—more listings than Airbnb for monthly stays! • Why midterm rentals are booming—and what tenant types are driving demand in 2025. • Jeff Hurst's insider take on why...
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Are you spotting red flag guests before they check in? Managing guest bookings effectively is key to running a smooth short-term rental business. In this episode, we reveal 9 red flags to look out for when screening guests — and how to avoid problematic stays before they happen. Discover the 9 red flags that could indicate a difficult guest. Learn why incomplete profiles and lack of communication are immediate red flags. Understand why last-minute bookings could signal trouble for your property. Hear how pushing boundaries on your house rules could lead to bigger issues. Get tips on...
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Are hidden Stripe fees eating into your profits? Most short-term rental hosts don’t realize they’re losing up to 1% on every transaction — and it’s totally avoidable. In this episode, we uncover the overlooked costs tied to Stripe integrations and reveal the simple steps to keep more of your earnings. Discover how most hosts are unknowingly paying 30% more in transaction fees Learn the biggest mistake hosts make when setting up Stripe (and how to fix it!) Understand the sneaky “application fee” your PMS might be charging you Get the inside scoop on ChargeAutomation and other...
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Discount requests from guests are inevitable, even when your pricing is perfectly optimized. But how you handle them can make or break your rental’s profitability. In this episode, we’re diving into the psychology behind discount requests, how to respond with confidence, and when—if ever—you should say yes. 5 Key Takeaways: Why guests really ask for discounts and how cultural norms may influence their behavior. The one scenario where offering a discount might make sense (and when it doesn’t). 5 crucial considerations before you ever offer a discounted rate—including a warning on...
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Airbnb recently shook up its search rankings—and if you're still focused on Superhost status, you might be missing out. In this episode, we unpack the Guest Favorite Badge, Airbnb’s new trust signal that can directly impact your bookings, revenue, and visibility. Find out what it takes to earn it and why it’s more important than ever. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • Why Airbnb replaced the Superhost filter with the Guest Favorite Badge—and what that means for you • The 4 exact requirements to qualify (including the one most hosts overlook) • How this badge can skyrocket...
info_outlineWhat do 10 million new Airbnb guests mean for your STR?
A lot, especially if you're unknowingly filtering them out. In this episode, we unpack why welcoming first-time guests isn’t a risk, it’s a missed opportunity if you’re not prepared. Learn how to vet, host, and profit from new users with confidence.
• Find out why so many top hosts are missing out on high-paying, first-time guests.
• Learn the pros and cons of accepting new users and how to screen smartly.
• Discover the red flags that matter (and which ones don’t) when vetting first-time bookings.
• See why big events like concerts and the Olympics bring a flood of new, profitable guests.
• Get the exact tools, messages, and house rules we use to protect properties and boost loyalty.
OUTRO
Resource Links:
Check out our videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShortTermRentalRiches
Grab your free management eBook: https://strriches.com/#tools-resources
Looking to earn more with your property (without the headaches)? Chat with our expert management team: https://strriches.com/management-services/