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Welcome back, Olivia!
Before I dive into this next story, let me say that 95% of my guests are awesome. Truly. But now and then… you get that one.
If you think you’ve had the “worst guest ever,” just wait. I’m pretty confident mine takes the crown.
Think you can top it? Hit reply and send me your wildest guest story—and how you handled it. Let’s see who really deserves the trophy 🏆🙂.
– Garrett Brown (BiggerPockets STR Expert)
In this email:
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- Airbnb Wish List Winners, by State: Which stay gets the most love from guests in your state?
- Did VRBO Touch My Drum Set? This STR fight is spilling out into the front lawn. Whose side are you on?
- Does Size Matter? Does bigger mean better in the STR world? The answer may surprise you.
- She Quit Her W2 After 1 Year: Find out how she quit her day job after buying one property.
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My 2025 wish list was simple: |
- A University of Houston national championship. 0/1 there unfortunately.
- A lifetime supply card to Cava (still waiting, but I’ve dropped hints to the universe). 0/2 there as well.
| My other goal that I can maybe achieve is to become one of the most wish listed properties in the world. I'm still working on this but according to Airbnb, these homes made the cutest, quirkiest, and most click-worthy lists across all 50 states.
Take Texas, for example. We didn’t just show up with brisket and big hats—we dropped an Air Castle treehouse made from four shipping containers, five balconies, and enough “wow” factor to break the save button.
Or Maine, where someone said, “What if it looks like a fox… but make it real estate?”
If you're looking for inspiration for your next stay or Airbnb build, this list is a gold mine of treehouses, trains, lighthouses, and lodges. |
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If Airbnb and VRBO were people, they’d 100% be Dale and Brennan from Step Brothers. VRBO (Dale) has been around longer, but Airbnb (Brennan) definitely touched his drum set—and the rivalry hasn’t let up since. (If you didn’t get that reference… pause everything and watch Step Brothers immediately.)
Lately, VRBO’s been slamming Airbnb in a series of ads, primarily for one thing: having hosts present during stays. Nick Saban made one commercial worth watching, but most of their campaign feels... off—especially since only a tiny fraction of Airbnbs actually have live-in hosts.
Even stranger? Their latest ad literally name-drops Airbnb. Free marketing? Airbnb sure thinks so. “VRBO just spent millions on ads that appear to be as confused as they are desperate,” a spokesperson told Skift. “Even giving Airbnb more visibility than their name.”
Also worth noting: In the U.S., Airbnb holds nearly 5x more market share than VRBO. So… who’s really winning this drum-off? |
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Trusted by 1000+ real estate investors, REsimpli helps simplify your processes, boost efficiency, and close more deals! |
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- Size Does Matter: AirDNA says the highest-occupied STRs aren’t big luxury homes, but small, smart spaces. Maybe it’s because hotels are 31.6% more expensive now, as of January.
- The Real Airbnb Ranking Hack: It’s not pricing tricks or constant updates. The algorithm favors engagement: saves, clicks, and guest curiosity.
- Airbnb’s New “Rewards Program” Twist: Airbnb just linked HotelTonight to its platform—yes, they own it. This low-key update might quietly reshape how guests stay loyal.
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Allison Craft quit her W2 job after just one property—but she didn’t stop there. With the help of Airbnb data expert John Bianchi from STRSearch.com, she launched a cohosting business that now brings in consistent income without owning all the doors.
Smart data, smart moves, and a lot of Craftiness (see what I did there)---learn how she took the leap!
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Hot Topics from the Short-Term Rental & Airbnb Investing Forum, presented by Hospitable |
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