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Airbnb Superhosts Annette Grant & Sarah Karakaian

Get actionable advice and the essential fundamentals of running a profitable 5-star Airbnb side-hustle or full on business. Annette’s extensive background in business operations and Sarah’s experience in high-end hospitality management and interior design make them a powerhouse duo that will deliver high impact content. With almost a decade of combined hosting experience they will not only share their own stories welcoming thousands of guests from around the world but also those of other Superhosts to deliver you a wide array of stories, insights, and profitable and creative ideas to make your listing rise to the top. Whether you’re experienced, new, or nervous to start your own Airbnb this podcast promises to be informative, fun, and from the heart.

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#566
Thursday · 15 min
566. How To Find Airbnb Properties No One Else Knows About
Most hosts looking to grow their short-term rental portfolio start in the same place: Zillow, public listings, and whatever properties everyone else can already see. But the best opportunities often never make it that far. In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down four ways to find short-term rental properties before they hit the open market. They share how co-hosting can become an acquisition strategy, why being visible and vocal matters, how Facebook groups and local communities can surface hidden opportunities, and why working with STR-specific experts can help you spot the difference between a cheap property and a property that will actually perform. They also share the story of The Audrey, one of their own Columbus properties that started as a co-hosting relationship before becoming an off-market purchase. If you are trying to grow your portfolio, this episode is a reminder that the next deal may not come from refreshing Zillow. It may come from the relationships you are already building. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why some of the best STR properties never hit the market How co-hosting can lead to future ownership opportunities Why your reputation as an operator can make you the obvious buyer How to make yourself visible to owners, agents, and local networks Why Facebook groups and online communities can reveal off-market leads What to look for in an STR-specific real estate expert Why relationships can matter more than listing sites when finding your next property Resources Mentioned: Apply and Learn about Strategic Host!
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#565
August 20 · 17 min
565. 11 Airbnb Expenses Hosts NEVER See Coming
Most Airbnb hosts plan for the obvious costs: the mortgage, furnishings, cleaning fees, and maybe a few supplies. But the expenses that hurt the most are usually the ones no one planned for. In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down 11 short-term rental expenses that commonly catch hosts off guard. Some are small recurring costs. Others can wipe out thousands of dollars if they are missing from your forecast, budget, or profit and loss statement. They cover everything from short-term rental insurance and permits to platform fees, tech stack bloat, credit card processing fees, chargebacks, utility spikes, seasonal photography, furniture replacement, and the professional team every host should have before they need one urgently. They also name the most expensive hidden cost of all: hosting without a pricing strategy. If you are only looking at gross revenue, this episode will help you understand what your Airbnb is actually costing you—and where those expenses belong in your business. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why AirCover is not a replacement for short-term rental insurance Which licensing and permit costs hosts need to plan for How OTA commissions and platform fees affect actual profit Why tech subscriptions should be audited quarterly What direct booking hosts need to know about processing fees and chargebacks Why high occupancy can create higher utility costs How seasonal photography can impact bookings Why cheap furniture often costs more over time Which financial professionals belong in your hosting business Why a missing pricing strategy can cost more than anything else Resources Mentioned: Join us Live and Learn about Strategic Host! PriceLabs: Revenue management for hosts and property managers.
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#564
August 13 · 54 min
564. She Turned Her Family Ski House Into a Top-Tier Airbnb
Gale Golden did not start with a perfect short-term rental strategy. She started with a family ski house in the Adirondacks, a property that sat empty for years, and a decision: rent it or sell it. In this episode, Sarah and Annette sit down with Gale to talk about how Five Star Lodge went from a beloved family property to a more intentional, more profitable short-term rental business. Gale shares how she first got into real estate, why she started hosting, and what changed when her market became more competitive after COVID. She also breaks down what happened when she stopped treating the property like a side project and started treating it like a business. From learning revenue management and watching PriceLabs every morning to investing in professional photography, improving operations, building her team, and positioning the property around its actual guest experience, Gale’s story is a clear reminder that optimization changes everything. If you have a great property that is underperforming—or you know there is more revenue sitting inside your current listing—this episode will help you see what can happen when you finally run the numbers and make the business match the property. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Gale turned a family ski house into a short-term rental business Why market saturation forced her to get serious about pricing How revenue management helped unlock stronger performance Why professional photography changed the way guests saw the property How better systems improved cleaning, maintenance, and team performance Why direct booking opportunities may already exist inside your current network How Gale’s property was selected for Staycation USA Why the right guest experience can outperform generic amenity checklists Resources mentioned: Join us Live and Learn about Strategic Host! Learn more about PriceLabs!
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#563
August 6 · 44 min
563. How a 700-Square-Foot Airbnb Hit $84K
Steve Marquis did not stumble into short-term rental success. Before buying his first Gulf Shores property, he was running seven or eight pro formas a day, studying markets, comparing opportunities, and trying to find the right investment. But once he finally bought his first condo, the real work started. In this episode, Sarah and Annette sit down with Steve to talk about how he went from teacher to real estate agent to short-term rental investor, and how he used a data-driven approach to outperform his original revenue projections. Steve shares why he chose Gulf Shores, how he renovated and repositioned his first beach condo, and why small family-friendly amenities helped him stand out in a market full of generic beach listings. He also breaks down how he learned to track booking windows, stop panic-dropping rates too early, build a remote team, market to snowbirds, use email to encourage repeat guests, and keep pushing revenue without chasing 100% occupancy. If you have ever wondered whether your property can make more than the market data says it can, this episode is a reminder that the right mix of numbers, positioning, systems, and guest experience can keep raising the ceiling. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why Steve chose Gulf Shores over more expensive beach markets How he used pro formas to evaluate investment opportunities Why family-friendly amenities helped his condo stand out How booking window data changed his pricing strategy Why revenue matters more than chasing 100% occupancy How he manages properties remotely from Ohio Why he plans to keep building in one market How email marketing and direct bookings can increase guest lifetime value Resources Mentioned: Join us Live and Learn about Strategic Host! PriceLabs: Revenue management for hosts and property managers.
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#562
July 30 · 55 min
562. How One Host Got 70% Direct Bookings
Kim Kelley did not buy her Annapolis home with an Airbnb business plan. She bought it so her family could be close to their daughter, Lizzie, while she attended the United States Naval Academy and played varsity lacrosse. After Lizzie graduated and was commissioned into the Navy, Kim had a decision to make: sell the house or turn it into something more. So she “threw it on Airbnb.” In this episode, Sarah and Annette talk with Kim about how The Goat Getaway became much more than a second home. Kim shares what it took to get licensed in a strict market, why her second guest immediately exposed the need for a stronger team, and how she built boots-on-the-ground support while hosting remotely from Dallas. She also breaks down the strategy that changed everything: learning PriceLabs, raising her base rate, adjusting minimum stays, creating parent-child listings, and building direct booking demand through the Naval Academy community. If you have a property with untapped midweek demand, a strong niche audience, or a direct booking opportunity hiding in plain sight, this episode will show you what happens when you stop guessing and start operating like a real business. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Kim turned a family home into The Goat Getaway Why remote hosting requires a trusted local team What her early guest issues taught her about operations How PriceLabs changed her pricing strategy Why parent-child listings helped unlock midweek demand How she reached 70% direct bookings Why one bad guest pushed her toward a stronger business model How she uses weekly metrics to keep improving the listing Resources Mentioned: Join us live & learn about Strategic Host! Pricelabs: Revenue management for hosts and property managers.
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#561
July 23 · 18 min
561. How to Make $100K on Airbnb Without Buying Another Property
You do not need to buy another property to build a six-figure Airbnb business. In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down the path they would take if they were starting with one property in 2026 and wanted to make $100K. Their answer is not buying more doors, taking on more debt, or jumping into rental arbitrage. It is co-hosting. Before you manage someone else’s property, your own listing needs to be performing. Sarah and Annette walk through the numbers, systems, and standards that need to be in place first, including cost per reservation, pricing strategy, booking funnel performance, and guest experience. Then they explain how co-hosting works, what the math looks like, why it carries less risk than arbitrage, and what you need before taking on your first client. If you already run a strong short-term rental, this episode will help you see how your current property can become the proof of concept for a bigger business. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why co-hosting can be a faster path to $100K than buying another property How to use your own listing as your proof of concept Why every host needs to know their cost per reservation What the $100K co-hosting math actually looks like Why co-hosting carries less risk than rental arbitrage What brand standards, contracts, and onboarding fees need to be in place Five steps to start building a co-hosting business Resources Mentioned: Apply for Strategic Host!
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#560
July 20 · 16 min
560. Why Wealth Builds Faster After One Rental Property
Short-term rentals are not passive income. They take work, systems, pricing strategy, guest experience, and real operational discipline. But that work is also what creates the opportunity. In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down why short-term rentals can build wealth faster than traditional long-term rentals when they are run like a business. They compare the revenue ceiling of a fixed monthly lease with the earning potential of a well-managed short-term rental during peak demand windows, then explain how guest-paid mortgages, appreciation, and equity growth can create momentum toward the next property. They also talk honestly about the risks: seasonality, higher operating costs, slow months, and the danger of treating peak-season revenue like a salary. If you are thinking about buying your first rental property—or wondering whether your current property is performing the way it should—this episode explains why the first one is often the hardest, and why learning to operate it well can change everything. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why short-term rentals are active income, not passive income How STR revenue potential compares to long-term rental income Why guest payments can help build equity over time How one property can create a path to property number two What risks hosts need to plan for before scaling Why systems, pricing, and financial discipline matter from day one Resources Mentioned: Apply for Strategic Host!
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#559
July 9 · 20 min
559. The Airbnb Payout Routine Every Host Needs
Your Airbnb payout hitting your bank account is not the same thing as knowing your business is profitable. In this episode, Sarah and Annette walk through the monthly payout routine they use to track revenue, catch missing money, compare actual payouts against forecasts, and move income into the right financial buckets. They break down why every hosting business needs a dedicated business bank account, how to audit payouts against reservations, and why relying on your bank balance at the end of the month is not a real business metric. You’ll also learn how they use the Profit First method to separate money for operating expenses, owner’s compensation, taxes, and profit—so every dollar has a job the moment it lands. If you’ve ever looked at your Airbnb payouts and wondered where the money went, this episode will help you build a clearer, more consistent routine. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why your Airbnb payouts should go into a dedicated business account How to audit every payout against every reservation What to do when Airbnb or another OTA underpays you How to compare actual revenue against your forecast Why your bank balance is not a profitability metric How to use Profit First buckets for expenses, taxes, owner’s pay, and profit Resources Mentioned: Apply for Strategic Host! Mentioned in this episode: Save your workshop seat!
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#558
July 2 · 19 min
558. Why Your Airbnb Isn't Getting Bookings
Your Airbnb might be beautiful, but that does not mean guests are going to book it. When hosts struggle to fill their calendars, they often blame demand, competition, or the Airbnb algorithm. But the real problem may be sitting right inside the listing. In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down six common mistakes that cause guests to scroll past a property or abandon it before booking. They cover everything from photography and listing titles to descriptions, reviews, pricing, and booking settings. You’ll learn why real estate photography is not the same as short-term rental photography, how generic AI-generated titles disappear in crowded markets, and why lowering your nightly rate is not a real pricing strategy. Before you discount your property again, use this episode to audit the entire guest booking experience. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why your listing photos may be costing you bookings How to write a title that gives guests a reason to choose you What your description needs to communicate before “Show More” Why a full calendar can mean you are underpriced How reviews influence both trust and pricing power Which Airbnb settings may be creating unnecessary booking friction Resources Mentioned: Apply for Strategic Host!
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#557
June 25 · 22 min
557. How to Beat the Airbnb Algorithm Without Guessing
If you've ever blamed the Airbnb algorithm for slow bookings, this episode might completely change how you think about your listing. Sarah and Annette break down what the Airbnb algorithm is actually looking for—and why most hosts are focusing on the wrong things. Instead of chasing algorithm "hacks," they explain the five controllable factors that determine how often your listing appears in search and whether guests ultimately book. From availability and minimum stays to hero images, reviews, pricing, and conversion rates, this episode offers a practical framework for diagnosing why your property isn't performing and what to fix first. Whether you're launching your first Airbnb or managing a growing portfolio, these are the metrics that actually move the needle. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the Airbnb algorithm isn't working against you The five ranking signals every host should monitor How minimum stay rules can quietly hurt occupancy Why your hero image matters more than you think The pricing mistakes that reduce visibility and revenue How to improve conversion without lowering your rates Resources Mentioned: Apply for Strategic Host!
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#556
June 18 · 19 min
556. 4 Hotel Upsells Airbnb Hosts Are Giving Away for Free
Most Airbnb hosts are leaving money on the table without realizing it. In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down four common guest requests that hotels routinely charge for but short-term rental hosts often provide for free. From early check-in and late checkout to pool heat, grocery stocking, and celebration setups, these services take time, coordination, and operational effort. The hosts share real examples from clients who turned these requests into meaningful revenue streams, including one host who added thousands of dollars per month simply by charging for services guests were already expecting to pay for. If you've ever felt guilty charging for extras, this episode will help you rethink the difference between hospitality and uncompensated labor. In this episode, you'll learn: Why early check-in and late checkout should be treated as premium services How to price pool heat without creating guest confusion What hotels charge for concierge-style amenity setups How to structure grocery stocking and fridge-fill services The mindset shift every host needs to stop giving away valuable services Resources Mentioned: Apply for Strategic Host!
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#555
June 11 · 22 min
555. Never Turn On These Airbnb Settings (They're Costing You Bookings)
Think your bookings are down because of the algorithm, seasonality, or increased competition? The real problem might be hiding inside your Airbnb settings. In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down the Airbnb features that could be creating friction for potential guests and limiting your visibility in search. They share three settings they recommend turning off immediately and five settings every host should review and enable to improve conversions, increase booking velocity, and create a smoother guest experience. You'll learn why required booking messages can hurt conversion rates, the hidden downside of extra person fees, why Airbnb Smart Pricing may not be serving your revenue goals, and how tools like Instant Book and Professional Hosting Tools can help you attract more bookings. Whether you're managing one property or a growing portfolio, this episode is a reminder that your settings aren't "set it and forget it." Small adjustments can have a significant impact on your bottom line. Resources Mentioned: Apply for Strategic Host!
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#554
June 4 · 28 min
554. 6 Silent Mistakes Destroying Your Airbnb Reviews (And Costing You Bookings)
If your Airbnb rating is sitting at 4.6, 4.7, or even 4.8 and you're wondering why bookings aren't growing, this episode is for you. The truth is that most review-damaging mistakes aren't obvious. In fact, experienced hosts often make them because they're too close to their own properties to see the gaps. In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down six silent mistakes that can cost you five-star reviews, lower your search ranking, and ultimately impact your revenue. From misleading listing descriptions and AI-generated photos to poor check-in experiences and inventory shortages, these are the issues that create friction for guests long before they leave a review. You'll learn how to spot these mistakes in your own business and what to do instead so guests arrive with the right expectations, enjoy a smoother stay, and leave glowing feedback. In This Episode We Cover: Why honesty in your listing leads to better reviews The risks of misleading photos and AI-generated imagery How understocked amenities frustrate guests Creating foolproof check-in instructions The ideal guest messaging cadence What to do when things go wrong during a stay Why guest impact matters more than your intentions Whether you're managing one property or an entire portfolio, these six adjustments can help protect your ratings and improve the guest experience.
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#553
May 28 · 13 min
553. How to Make Your Airbnb Look Expensive Without Overspending
You don’t need to spend more money to make your Airbnb look expensive. You need to spend in the right places. In this episode, we’re breaking down what actually makes a property feel elevated to guests and more importantly, what gets them to click, book, and leave better reviews. We’re sharing where hosts should invest, where they tend to overspend, and how to design with performance in mind so your property not only looks better, but earns more. If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to “upgrade” your space without blowing your budget, this episode will give you a clear roadmap. Resources mentioned: Download our essentials checklist!
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#552
May 21 · 14 min
552. The New Rules for Getting More Airbnb Bookings in 2026
If it feels harder to get bookings right now, you’re not imagining it. The Airbnb landscape has changed and the hosts who are still operating the same way they did a year ago are starting to feel it. In this episode, we’re breaking down the new rules for 2026 and what it actually takes to compete in today’s market. From mindset shifts to pricing strategy to understanding your numbers, we’re sharing what the top-performing hosts are doing differently and how you can start applying it right now. Because bookings aren’t gone. They’re just going to the hosts who are running their properties like real businesses. What you'll learn: Why hosting is no longer passive and what that means for your strategy What winning listings are doing differently right now Why Superhost status isn’t enough anymore The key metrics every host needs to understand How to stop panic pricing and make data-driven decisions Why pricing tools aren’t a strategy on their own The difference between revenue and actual profit How to use your Airbnb funnel to diagnose performance issues Resources Mentioned: Download our Know Your Numbers Worksheet!
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#551
May 14 · 54 min
551. How Laura Wegner Built a High-Performing STR Brand in Whistler
Laura Wegner didn’t get into short-term rentals because it was trendy. She got into it because her business disappeared overnight during COVID. What started as a way to survive turned into a highly strategic hospitality business in Whistler, British Columbia. Today, Laura owns and manages premium ski-in/ski-out rentals and is preparing to expand into boutique property management with a very specific vision. In this episode, Laura breaks down: Why she stopped treating her STR like a side investment How understanding RevPAR changed her business The mistake she made with minimum stay requirements What finally clicked with PriceLabs How design, cleanliness, and hospitality justify premium pricing The exact mindset shift that helped her outperform competitors in the same building She also shares the real numbers behind her growth and how Strategic Host helped her increase RevPAR dramatically year over year. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed by pricing strategy, or unsure how to compete in a crowded market, this episode is a masterclass in using data with intention. Resources Mentioned: Join the Priced & Profitable Bootcamp Waitlist Price Labs
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#550
May 7 · 40 min
550. From Weekend Side Hustle to 35% Growth: How One Host Optimized Before Scaling
Josh Peterson didn’t start in short-term rentals by chasing deals. He started by solving a problem. After too many mediocre hotel stays visiting his daughter at UNC, he bought a home near campus. What started as a second home quickly turned into a high-performing short-term rental—and then a full-on business. But here’s where it gets interesting. Instead of rushing to scale, Josh hit pause. He went back, optimized his first property, and unlocked a 35% revenue increase and a major jump in occupancy. In this episode, we break down: Why optimizing one property can outperform adding more The exact pricing shifts that increased weekday bookings How data, not instinct, changed his strategy What “champagne taste” looks like in a profitable rental Why niche markets (like college towns) can be a long-term advantage How to think about scaling without overextending If you’re thinking about your next property, this episode might change how you approach it. Resources mentioned: Check out Josh's STR at: https://phdstays.com/
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#549
April 30 · 49 min
549. From Burnout to Breakthrough: How Amy Ruocco Scaled Her Airbnb Business Without Losing Herself
What does it actually take to scale a short-term rental business without burning out? In this episode, we sit down with Amy Ruocco, founder of Hosted Guest, who went from running herself ragged in her business to building a more profitable, sustainable, and scalable operation. Amy shares how she transitioned from instinct-based decisions to data-driven strategy, what finally helped her let go of day-to-day tasks, and how hiring the right team member changed everything. We also dive into her journey from weddings to short-term rentals, the mindset shifts that unlocked major revenue growth, and how she’s on track to hit $1.4M this year without adding more properties. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to grow, this episode will show you what’s possible. What you'll learn: How Amy scaled her business to nearly $1M and beyond Why instinct alone won’t grow your Airbnb business How to stop panic pricing and trust your data What finally helped her hire and let go of control How to train a team member to match your voice and standards Why your role as a host needs to evolve as you grow The importance of investing in yourself and your business How time blocking can reduce overwhelm and create balance Resources mentioned: Join our Strategic Host Coaching Program!
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#548
April 23 · 20 min
548. Airbnb Changed the Fees Again… Here’s What Actually Matters
Airbnb changed the fee structure again… and most hosts are asking the wrong question. Everyone is debating which option to choose, but almost no one is looking at what actually happened to their numbers after the last change. In this episode, we break down what Airbnb quietly updated, the biggest mistakes hosts are about to repeat, and the four audits you need to run before touching a single setting. Because this isn’t about opinions, it’s about your profit. What You’ll Learn: What Airbnb actually changed with fee structures Why the “recommended” label matters more than you think The biggest mistake hosts made during the last fee switch Why copying someone else’s markup strategy doesn’t work The four key audits you must run before making changes How to evaluate your performance vs your market Why pricing is only one part of the equation How to make decisions based on data instead of panic Resources mentioned: Submit your property for our next #STRShareSunday at strshare.com Join our Priced and Profitable Bootcamp! Mentioned in this episode: Join us for our live Priced & Profitable Bootcamp.
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#547
April 16 · 16 min
547. Steal Our Airbnb Title Formula to Get More Clicks and Bookings
If your Airbnb listing is getting views but not bookings, your title might be the problem. In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the fastest and most overlooked ways to improve your listing performance: your Airbnb title. Because your title isn’t there to describe your space, it’s there to win the click. We’re sharing the exact prompts we use (and teach our students) to create high-converting titles using AI, plus the strategy behind why they work. From understanding the click-through funnel to aligning your title with real-time demand, this episode will help you stop guessing and start optimizing. If you want more clicks, more visibility, and ultimately more bookings, this is where to start. Resources Mentioned: Thanks for Visiting Bootcamp - Join the Waitlist! Strategic Host Coaching Program - Sign up! Download our Airbnb Photo Shoot Shot List Mentioned in this episode: Join us for our live Priced & Profitable Bootcamp.
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