On this week’s episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke Carl kicks off a 2026 tips and tricks session covering everything from finding real estate deals in a shifting market to leveraging AI and optimizing pricing strategies. He and the team discuss why patience and persistence are key when making offers in today’s slower vacation markets, how tools like Host Buddy and PMS-integrated AI can dramatically reduce guest messaging time, and why VRBO payment terms and promotions can make or break your booking volume. The conversation also dives deep into PriceLabs seasonal profiles, competitor tracking, Booking.com promotions, and tactical ways to stay competitive as we head into spring.

How to connect with Luke:

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For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

On this week’s episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke is joined by Chuck for a rapid fire year end “clean out the computer” conversation covering a wide range of operational lessons and mindset shifts for hosts. They talk through managing guest expectations, why some guests arrive looking for problems, and how much of that behavior is created by hosts themselves through messaging and processes. The episode also covers practical systems like handling broken hot tubs, pricing decisively instead of making incremental changes, navigating the end of the new host boost, and knowing whether you actually want to rent your property or just keep it pristine. Along the way, Luke and Chuck emphasize biting your tongue with guests, letting go of emotional attachment to properties, being proactive with cash flow and cleaners, and focusing on systems that reduce stress while protecting reviews and long term performance.

How to connect with Luke:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/

Short Term Shop Plus - stsplus.com

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on TikTok

Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group

Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

On this week’s episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke is joined by Erica for an end of year recap focused on guest experience, pricing strategy, and operational improvements. They discuss how Airbnb’s changing amenities and interface updates can quietly impact listings and why it is important to regularly audit settings and messaging. Erica shares how reviewing guest feedback helps identify both strengths and recurring friction points, including how proactive communication can reduce common complaints before they happen. The conversation also covers year end pricing adjustments using PriceLabs, setting higher baselines for the new year, and how small but memorable amenities like Erica’s Nerf gun wall can help a property stand out while supporting repeat and direct bookings.

How to connect with Luke:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/

Short Term Shop Plus - stsplus.com

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on TikTok

Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group

Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon