Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Host Planet: Airbnb, Holiday Let, and Vacation Rental Insights
Plongez dans la liste complète des épisodes de Host Planet: Airbnb, Holiday Let, and Vacation Rental Insights. Chaque épisode est catalogué accompagné de descriptions détaillées, ce qui facilite la recherche et l'exploration de sujets spécifiques. Suivez tous les épisodes de votre podcast préféré et ne manquez aucun contenu pertinent.
Rows per page:
50
1–50 of 327
Titre
Date
Durée
HCH Bitesize 028: How to choose a dynamic pricing tool
In this episode of HCH Bitesize, we’re joined by John Deroulet from Wheelhouse, a leader in revenue management for the hospitality industry.
John shares his expert tips on how choose a dynamic pricing tool and discusses hot to optimise revenue management for your vacation rental business. Whether you're new to revenue management or looking to refine your strategy, John provides valuable insights to help you stay ahead of market trends and make smarter pricing decisions.
Throughout the episode, John discusses the importance of doing your research, collaborating with others, and understanding the bigger picture of revenue management. He emphasises that it's not just about adjusting prices but about making revenue management a consistent practice. Tune in for practical advice that will help you maximise your rental income and get a deeper understanding of how to stay competitive in a dynamic market.
1:37 Tip number one: there’s more to revenue management than dynamic pricing 6:58 Tip number two: do your research and check with others 9:54 Tip number three: agree to disagree 14:37 Tip number four: understand market trends 16:52 Tip number five: make revenue management a practice 19:37 Wheelhouse
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today (your first guidebook is free!). Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
In this episode of the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, we dive into the world of property investment and management in Cyprus, uncovering what it takes to run a successful holiday rental business from the UK. Our special guest, Lisa Roads, shares her biggest lessons learned, strategies for scaling and exiting, plus insights into holiday let coaching and industry trends.
Lisa also discusses the importance of getting your foundations right and shares her number one lesson learned.
There are shout-outs for The Secret Glamping Company and Daniela Derin during the episode, plus sponsor mentions for HCH Financial Services, Your AirHost, Key Data, and Minut.
2:33 Property investment and management in Cyprus 5:54 Managing rentals in Cyprus from the UK 8:01 Biggest lessons learned 9:51 How to scale 12:27 How to exit 17:04 Holiday let coaching 21:11 Industry trends 22:35 Get your foundations right when starting out 25:00 Favourite brand: The Secret Glamping Company 25:55 Individual shout-out: Daniela Derin 26:47 No. 1 lesson learned: it’s about people!
Register for Your Air Success (free event for holiday let owners, hosts, and industry professionals on Friday 4 April in London): https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairsuccess
In this episode of HCH Bitesize, brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully, we’re joined by Paul Anderson, Founder of The Social Media Hotelier.
Paul shares his top strategies for using Instagram effectively, focusing on how hosts and property managers can optimise their profiles, engage authentically with followers, and ultimately increase bookings. Whether you're new to Instagram or looking to refine your strategy, Paul’s tips will help you avoid common mistakes and make the most of the platform.
Paul covers key fixes for Instagram success, such as why the platform is a one-to-one channel, the importance of a strong profile, and how to stop chasing vanity metrics. He also reveals why a great photo is just the hook, while compelling captions are what truly sell your property. Don’t miss out on Paul’s expert advice, and be sure to use the code HCH to get 30% off his Instagram teaching programme!
1:57 Fix number one: Instagram is a one-to-one platform 4:32 Fix number two: your profile is vital 14:42 Fix number three: don’t post and ghost 18:26 Fix number four: stop chasing vanity metrics 21:26 Fix number five: the photo is the hook, but words sell 26:04 How often you should post 31:51 Use code HCH to get 30% off Paul’s Instagram teaching programme
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today (your first guidebook is free!). Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
Remember the Oasis Ticketmaster scandal, when 'dynamic pricing' was blamed by the media for eye-watering ticket prices?
The reality is that dynamic pricing had nothing to do with it: the actual menace was 'surge pricing'.
During this episode, Beyond's Roman Solyanyk details exactly what dynamic pricing is, how it's completely different to surge pricing, and why it won't rip off your guests.
Roman tackles the Oasis tickets controversy and explains how short-term rental hosts can achieve an average 18% revenue boost by using dynamic pricing strategies.
He also dives into 2025 trends, highlights Beach Retreats as a standout brand, and gives Andy Easton a special shout-out.
3:07 Oasis tickets controversy: surge pricing vs dynamic pricing 6:50 Does surge pricing keep the cost going up? 8:38 Dynamic pricing will not rip off your guests! 14:09 Why property managers should use dynamic pricing 15:58 Average 18% uptick in revenue if you use dynamic pricing 18:54 Simplifying dynamic pricing 24:05 Trends in 2025 so far 31:05 Favourite brand: Beach Retreats 32:14 Individual shout-out: Andy Easton 33:11 No. 1 dynamic pricing tip
Register for Your Air Success (free event for holiday let owners, hosts, and industry professionals on Friday 4 April in London): https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairsuccess
Welcome to HCH Bitesize, the podcast series brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully!
In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Bevan Thompson from Hostfully sharing his top five tips to supercharge your short-term rental listings on major platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo.
1:50 The OTAs every rental should be listed on 2:35 Google Vacation Rentals and direct bookings 3:55 Tip No. 1: optimise the content in your descriptions 6:08 Tip No. 2: know your target guest 7:12 Bonus tip: fresh is best – make your listing stand out 9:17 Tip No. 3: put guests in the picture 11:13 Tip No. 4: mystery shop your listing 12:09 Tip No. 5: review to get reviewed 14:47 Find out more about Hostfully (your first guidebook is free!): https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today (your first guidebook is free!). Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
The furnished holiday lettings (FHL) tax regime will be abolished next month and to help UK owners prepare for this major change, we've invited Matt Jeffery from Zeal Tax back on the podcast.
Matt explains the changes in detail and outlines the fact that every holiday let owner in the UK needs to claim their capital allowances. This is tax relief that a whopping 80% of owners have failed to claim – primarily because general accountants are not equipped to assess it.
Download a free e-book about the upcoming tax changes: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/zeal
Book a free consultation with Zeal Tax to find out how much you could save: https://calendly.com/hch-zeal
This episode is sponsored by Sykes Holiday Cottages: https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/letyourcottage/
0:00 Episode starts 2:15 Overview of tax changes 3:58 Interest on finance costs will be restricted to basic rate of income tax 5:23 No capital allowances can be claimed for qualifying expenditure 11:57 Capital gains tax relief will no longer be available 15:23 Income from FHLs will no longer count as relevant UK earnings in relation to pension contributions 17:45 The questions Matt is being asked every day, including whether to own in your personal name or through a limited company 20:42 In the last three months, Zeal has identified £21 million in capital allowances tax savings 25:08 The process for claiming capital allowances 27:43 Don’t panic!
Register for Your Air Success (free event for holiday let owners, hosts, and industry professionals on Friday 4 April in London): https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairsuccess
Welcome to HCH Bitesize, the podcast series brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully!
In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Bart-Jan Leyts, Founder of Otamiser and Autorank, sharing how to supercharge your Airbnb listings and appear at the top of guest searches every time.
1:50 Tip No. 1: get the first photo right 4:25 Tip No. 2: utilise your gap nights 6:52 Tip No. 3: use your reviews 9:35 Tip No. 4: respond quickly to your guests 10:50 Tip No. 5: get your content up to date 14:36 Otamiser: https://www.otamiser.com/
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today (your first guidebook is free!). Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
Emma Kelman from The Island Holiday Company is the special guest’s on today’s show.
During the episode, Emma talks about scaling, direct bookings, and how to deliver an outstanding guest experience. She also discusses the unique challenges of running a holiday let management company on the Isle of Wight.
Emma named Beyond as her favourite brand and gave Christopher Dillon from Avantio a special shout-out.
There are sponsor mentions during the episode for HCH Financial Services, Your AirHost, Zeal, and Key Data.
2:26 Emma’s holiday rental journey 4:33 Scaling to 76 properties 8:01 Offering a better experience for owners 10:41 The unique challenges of operating on the Isle of Wight 13:12 How to attract direct bookings 15:25 How to deliver a great guest experience 17:43 Keeping owners happy 20:16 How to scale 22:50 Acquisition = more than 100 rentals 25:02 Last-minute bookings 29:07 Favourite brand: Beyond 30:03 Individual shout-out: Christopher Dillon from Avantio 31:06 No. 1 lesson learned: do as much research as you can
Register for Your Air Success (free event for short-term rental hosts, property managers, and industry professionals on Friday 4 April in London): https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairsuccess
In this episode of the HCH Mortgage Podcast, host James Varley chats with Samantha Turmaine from HCH Financial Services about why property investors are heading north.
James and Sam also discuss interest rates, inflation, and EPCs – with news that holiday let properties look set to be mandated to achieve minimum standards of energy efficiency in a similar way to long-term rentals.
Subscribe for more expert advice on mortgages, short-term rentals, and property investment.
2:10 Northern powerhouse 4:26 Interest rates and inflation 5:26 Some mortgage rates are up; some are down! 6:54 Lock in the best rate as early as possible 7:30 EPCs 9:32 Going from E to C by 2030 11:30 The best rates on the market 12:57 Thank you, Sam!
Links:
Register for Your Air Success (free event for short-term rental hosts, property managers, and industry professionals) on Friday 4 April in London: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairsuccess
Welcome to HCH Bitesize, the podcast series brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully!
In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Eli Pritykin, Founder of Hudson Creative Studio, sharing the top features every direct booking website needs in order to build trust and attract guests.
1:45 Feature No. 1: communicate trust by getting your hero section right 5:03 Feature No. 2: guest reviews 9:16 Feature No. 3: selling the experience 11:26 Feature No. 4: professional photos are key 14:12 Feature No. 5: clarity in pricing and policies 18:10 Hudson Creative Studio: https://hudsoncreativestudio.com/
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today (your first guidebook is free!). Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
Spotless Stays is a six-part podcast series about short-term rental cleaning and maintenance produced by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Rural Stays.
During episode six, Rural Stays Founder, Stephanie Flint, discusses training and tracking your cleaning team.
The show is presented by Holiday Cottage Handbook Founder and CEO, James Varley.
1:19 Training and tracking 3:38 Checklists 7:18 The recruitment process 11:02 Holiday rental cleaning vs domestic cleaning 12:09 Due diligence 13:50 Training 18:34 The importance of tracking 21:00 The tech holds staff accountable
Spotless Stays is a six-part podcast series about short-term rental cleaning and maintenance produced by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Rural Stays.
During episode five, Rural Stays Founder, Stephanie Flint, outlines the cleaning essentials every Airbnb host needs.
The show is presented by Holiday Cottage Handbook Founder and CEO, James Varley.
0:56 Essential cleaning supplies 2:23 Fairy Liquid, bleach, and white vinegar are pretty much all you need! 3:05 Dishwasher tablets are fantastic 3:35 The power of laundry pods 4:19 What needs to be left for guests 5:58 Bathroom bins 6:47 Essential cleaning equipment 9:37 Showers 10:46 Air fresheners and ventilation
Spotless Stays is a six-part podcast series about short-term rental cleaning and maintenance produced by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Rural Stays.
During episode four, Rural Stays Founder, Stephanie Flint, outlines why you should not allow pets at your holiday rental and discusses how to clean popular amenities such as hot tubs.
The show is presented by Holiday Cottage Handbook Founder and CEO, James Varley.
1:07 Should hosts allow pets? 2:25 Increased wear and tear 3:23 Tips for dealing with pets at holiday lets 5:10 Tips for dealing with dog hair 7:14 Dealing with scratches 9:12 How to deal with a doggy smell 11:18 Hot tubs 15:14 How long it takes to clean a hot tub 18:18 Cleaning kitchen amenities 21:40 Steph’s oven nightmare, involving bacon!
Spotless Stays is a six-part podcast series about short-term rental cleaning and maintenance produced by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Rural Stays.
During episode three, Rural Stays Founder, Stephanie Flint, outlines why you should never charge a cleaning fee to your guests.
The show is presented by Holiday Cottage Handbook Founder and CEO, James Varley.
1:19 Should you charge a cleaning fee or not? 3:29 The pros and cons of charging a cleaning fee 4:39 Steph says: understand your numbers! 6:21 Airbnb might get rid of the cleaning fee 7:36 What if an owner wants to offer one-night stays? 9:35 The challenges of managing one-night stays 11:46 Nobody should charge a cleaning fee!
Spotless Stays is a six-part podcast series about short-term rental cleaning and maintenance produced by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Rural Stays.
During episode two, Rural Stays Founder, Stephanie Flint, discusses whether short-term rental owners should employ a freelance cleaner or a cleaning company.
The show is presented by Holiday Cottage Handbook Founder and CEO, James Varley.
1:10 Freelancer or company? 2:18 Benefits of working with a cleaning company 4:29 The challenges freelancers face 6:42 The gap between sole trader and business cleaning charges is closing 8:17 A company should deliver a higher standard of cleaning 11:23 A hybrid model can offer the best of both worlds
Spotless Stays is a six-part podcast series about short-term rental cleaning and maintenance produced by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Rural Stays.
During episode one, Rural Stays Founder, Stephanie Flint, sets the scene for the series, shares her journey in the industry, and outlines the pros and cons of cleaning your own rental.
The show is presented by Holiday Cottage Handbook Founder and CEO, James Varley.
1:11 Stephanie's journey and the story of Rural Stays 5:49 Clean yourself or outsource? 8:27 Time-consuming and physical 10:16 Implementing systems and processes from day one to scale 12:38 Take the emotion out of the business
In this episode of the HCH Podcast, we sit down with industry expert Deborah Labi to explore her journey in the short-term rentals world and the many ways she’s helping hosts and property managers elevate their businesses. We learn about Have You Got, The Guest Innspector, the Techsplained series, and The Green Path Podcast.
Plus, Deborah shares why adopting a direct booking mindset from day one is crucial, how AI is transforming hospitality, and why using video for guest communication is a game-changer. Don't miss this action-packed episode – listen now!
2:18 Deborah's journey 3:52 Have You Got 5:05 The Guest Innspector 6:37 The Techsplained Series 7:34 The Green Path Podcast 9:07 A direct booking mindset from day one 12:58 Meet your guest or create a check-in video 14:08 Have You Got in depth 18:21 It’s free to list your properties on Have You Got 20:04 Find out more and sign up: https://www.thehaveyougot.network/ 21:27 Rentals all over the world 23:36 The common problems Deborah finds as The Guest Innspector 27:46 The Guest Innspector report 28:33 The Techsplained Series in depth 30:58 Promoting sustainability in the industry 33:04 Use AI – or get left behind 34:05 Find out more about AI by listening to Techsplained 35:03 Utilise video to deliver a great guest experience 37:31 Favourite brands: Rory Sutherland and The Diary of a CEO 39:16 Individual shout-out: Daniela Derin 39:52 No. 1 lesson learned: it’s hard to get money out of property managers!
Welcome to HCH Bitesize, the podcast series brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully!
In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Steven Core, Head of Business Development at VoltShare, sharing five reasons why installing an EV charger can supercharge both the guest experience and revenue at your short-term rental.
1:40 Reason No. 1: increased visibility 2:49 Reason No. 2: increase revenue 3:53 Reason No. 3: increase guest satisfaction 6:14 Reason No. 4: more sustainable 7:27 Reason No. 5: take advantage of government funding (available until March 2025) 8:14 Cost of instalment with VoltShare: about £1,200 (down to £850 with the government funding) 9:13 Anyone can use the charger – you can advertise it on public charging maps 9:44 Some owners offered free EV charging in the past 10:55 Inquire about installing an EV charger with VoltShare: https://voltshare.typeform.com/hchandbook?utm_source=hchweb&typeform-source=www.holidaycottagehandbook.com
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today (your first guidebook is free!). Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/
Steven Core: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-core-508295110/
Inquire about installing an EV charger with VoltShare: https://voltshare.typeform.com/hchandbook?utm_source=hchweb&typeform-source=www.holidaycottagehandbook.com
Got a comment or interested in being a guest on the show? Get in touch: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/contact
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share! Your support helps us bring more industry experts like Steven to the show.
HCH Podcast 076: Ben Levy: Boost guest satisfaction through smart upselling
In this episode of the HCH Podcast, we sit down with Ben Levy, Co-Founder of Localbird, to uncover how this innovative platform is reshaping the short-term rental experience for both guests and hosts. Localbird, now active in 25 destinations across Mexico, Costa Rica, and the United States, enables hosts to boost their revenue with unique upselling opportunities.
Ben shares insights into Localbird's growth, the evolving expectations of travellers, and how personalisation and curated upsells are paving the way for the rise of experiential travel. Whether you're a property manager looking to diversify your offerings or a host curious about optimising your guest experience, this conversation is packed with actionable ideas and inspiration.
2:24 The story of Localbird 5:58 The guest's user experience with Localbird 6:40 Onboarding for hosts and potential revenue 8:01 Localbird is active in 25 destinations 8:42 Localbird is completely free for hosts 9:27 Active in Mexico, Costa Rica, and the US 9:55 The growth plans for Localbird 10:36 The value of upselling 12:18 Growing guest expectations 12:57 Quirky upsells 14:52 Personalisation is key 16:23 Curate the upsells for your guests 17:03 The rise of experiential travel 20:19 Favourite brand: Enso Connect 20:59 Individual shout-out: Robertin Nunez 21:33 No. 1 lesson learned: get the right people around you
Register for Your Air Success (free event for STR hosts and property managers) in London on Friday 4 April: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairsuccess
Ben Levy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benyakirlevy/
Welcome to HCH Bitesize, the podcast series brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully!
In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Marc Ribail, from QALIA, sharing a host of responsible travel tips for the benefit of everyone, including short-term rental hosts and property managers.
1:44 Responsible tourism 3:18 Tip No. 1: the purpose of travel 5:57 Tip No. 2: be mindful of natural resources 8:05 Tip No. 3: support local businesses 10:57 Tip No. 4: enjoy low carbon footprint activities 13:05 Tip No. 5: seek out sustainable properties 14:47 QALIA
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today (your first guidebook is free!). Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
On today's Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, we’re thrilled to be joined by Catherine Ratcliffe, Founder of Lost Together Stays and STR Benefits Consulting.
Catherine has built an impressive career in the short-term rentals industry, combining her expertise in property management with her passion for helping others succeed.
In this episode, Catherine shares her journey into the STR world, how she’s perfected systems and processes at Lost Together Stays to deliver exceptional guest experiences, and the invaluable insights she offers property managers through STR Benefits Consulting.
There are sponsor mentions in the episode for Your AirHost, Zeal Tax, Key Data, and HCH Financial Services.
0:00 Episode starts 2:12 Falling into the STR space 7:12 There are no unique situations in property management 8:30 Getting your systems and processes right 11:40 The data to consider when buying a short-term rental 14:58 Delivering great guest experiences at Lost Together Stays 17:53 Helping property managers through STR Benefits Consulting 21:39 CanStays 30:20 Regulation is not going away in any aspect 34:52 Favourite brand 35:47 Individual shout-out 36:36 No. 1 lesson learned
Register for Your Air Success (free event for STR hosts and property managers) in London on Friday 4 April: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairsuccess
Welcome to HCH Bitesize, the podcast series brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully!
In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Stephanie Flint, from Rural Cleans, sharing her top five cleaning tips designed to help short-term rental hosts and property managers.
Whether you’re a new host or a seasoned pro, these actionable tips will help you to consistently deliver outstanding guest experiences and achieve those all-important five-star reviews.
1:41: Tip No. 1: flexibility 3:47: Tip No. 2: understanding the hospitality industry 5:50: Tip No. 3: problem solving is paramount 9:08: Tip No. 4: essential cleaning amenities 11:04: Tip No. 5: monitoring 13:32: Rural Cleans: https://www.ruralcleansyorkshireltd.com/
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today (your first guidebook is free!). Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
In this episode of the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, storytelling expert Neely Khan shares her journey and insights into creating meaningful guest experiences. From crafting compelling narratives to social media, email marketing, and leveraging AI tools, this episode is packed with actionable advice for property managers looking to stand out in a competitive market.
2:06 Neely’s journey in the hospitality industry 5:55 Why is storytelling so important in the short-term rentals world? 8:31 The most effective types of storytelling 13:15 How to incorporate guest experiences into storytelling 17:13 Where should property managers start with their marketing? 19:48 Neely’s thoughts on AI tools 22:38 Memorable stories in the STR space 26:36 The biggest mistake property managers are making 31:30 Favourite brand: Tara Home Consulting 33:29 Individual shout-out: Christine Smith 35:42 What you should do today to tell your own story
Register for Your Air Success (free event for STR hosts and property managers) in London on Friday 4 April: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairsuccess
In this episode of HCH Bitesize, sponsored by Hostfully, we’re joined by Sam Brownlow, Sales Director at Host & Stay, one of the UK’s leading property management companies. Sam breaks down five key reasons why short-term rental owners should consider using a professional property management company.
Whether you're a new host or a seasoned property owner, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you elevate your rental business.
1:46: Reason 1: marketing exposure 8:36 Reason 2: saves time 14:31 Reason 3: cleaning, maintenance, and compliance 21:33 Reason 4: account management and support 26:11 Reason 5: revenue optimisation and forecasting 30:44 Get in touch with Host & Stay: https://hostandstay.co.uk/host/?utm_source=holidaycottagehandbook&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=HOST&utm_content=20240618logo
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today (your first guidebook is free!). Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
In this episode of the HCH Mortgage Podcast, host James Varley chats with Samantha Turmaine from HCH Financial Services about all things mortgages. From preparing for remortgaging to insights into the 2025 mortgage market, this episode is packed with practical advice for homeowners and investors alike.
Whether you’re a holiday let owner, a homeowner considering equity release, or an investor looking to scale, this episode has something for you.
Subscribe for more expert advice on mortgages, short-term rentals, and property investment.
2:30 How to prepare for remortgaging 3:52 Speak to a broker! 4:31 When to start and what lenders want to know 6:28 Common pitfalls when people are remortgaging 7:58 Holiday let owners who aren’t earning what they’d expect 9:19 The options available to homeowners who want to release equity 10:19 The options available to investors who want to scale 11:27 HCH Financial Services covers all your mortgage needs 11:57 What to expect from the mortgage market in 2025
In this episode of the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Cody Candee, Founder and CEO of Bounce, the innovative luggage storage company helping short-term rental hosts and property managers offer more value to guests.
Cody shares the Bounce journey, how they’re revolutionising travel, and the incredible opportunities for hosts to partner with Bounce and boost their earnings.
2:23 The story of Bounce 3:13 Serving the short-term rentals industry 4:55 Become a Bounce partner and earn commission 5:47 The advantages of collaborating with Bounce 6:52 The extra revenue hosts can expect to earn with Bounce 7:36 What if your rentals are not in a big city? 8:19 Where is the luggage stored? 8:50 The future for Bounce (and the travel industry) 11:42 Why will AI make things cheaper? 13:49 The ‘physical cloud’ and luggage shipping 14:35 How Bounce is utilising AI 15:58 The long-term vision for Bounce 19:36 Advice for budding entrepreneurs 22:55 Favourite brands: Airbnb and Guesty 24:12 Individual shout-out: Paul Stevens 24:59 No. 1 lesson learned: obsess over distribution
Whether you're looking to improve guest satisfaction or add a new revenue stream to your short-term rental business, this episode is packed with valuable insights you can’t miss!
James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/
Welcome to HCH Bitesize, the podcast series brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully!
In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to have Genevieve White, from Campion Comms & Coaching, sharing her top five copywriting tips designed to help vacation rental hosts and property managers elevate their listings, attract more bookings, and enhance the guest experience.
Whether you’re a new host or a seasoned pro, these actionable tips will help you stand out on platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo, and increase your direct bookings!
What you’ll learn in this episode:
1:43: Tip 1: write with your ideal guest in mind 4:31: Tip 2: build your brand 7:06: Tip 3: take time over your headlines 10:01: Tip 4: focus on benefits, not features 11:51: Tip 5: keep it clear and easy to read 13:51: AI 14:52: Where to find Genevieve online
Why you should listen:
Good copy is the key to turning lookers into bookers! Learn how to communicate your property’s value in a way that resonates with your target audience and compels them to book. Genevieve shares real-life examples and proven techniques that you can implement right away.
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today (your first guidebook is free!). Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
In this episode of the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Robin Craigen, Founder and CEO of Moving Mountains, a premier luxury vacation rental company.
Robin shares his journey of scaling a successful high-end rental business and reveals the secrets behind creating exceptional guest experiences that drive loyalty and revenue.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
2:19: Robin’s journey in the hospitality industry 6:18: The joy of working with people on holiday 7:28: The story behind Moving Mountains 9:39: The original vision and how it has evolved 12:29: 20 years of organic growth and its impact 16:06: How to deliver a great guest experience while scaling 19:17: Why employees must understand and live the company vision 22:36: Building employee engagement for long-term success 25:34: Lessons all hosts can learn from the luxury rental sector 28:00: Emerging trends in the short-term rental industry 32:15: Challenges and opportunities in 2025 36:20: Advice for new property managers starting out 38:14: What’s next for Moving Mountains? 42:29: Robin’s favourite brand: Breezeway 4343:: Individual shout-out: Simon Lehmann 45:11: No. 1 lesson learned: every challenge is an opportunity
Links:
James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/
In this episode of HCH Bitesize, Margot Schmorak, CEO and Co-Founder of Hostfully, shares her expert insights on how short-term rental hosts can enhance guest communication to improve their ratings and overall guest experience.
0:00: Episode starts 1:38: Use a digital guidebook 2:36: Experience the guest journey yourself 4:27: Leverage AI tools to streamline communication and provide instant responses 5:57: Know your typical guests and personalise the experience 7:48: Back to basics – ask for the five-star review 10:15: Try a digital guidebook from Hostfully – the first one's free! Find out more: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today. Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
In this episode of the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, we welcome Cristiana Carpini, Founder and CEO of Tara Home Consulting, to share her expertise on building and scaling successful short-term rental businesses.
Cristiana provides invaluable insights into marketing, legislation, scaling strategies, and what it takes to achieve success in today’s dynamic property management landscape.
2:58: Cristiana’s journey in the STR industry 5:54: The clients Tara Home Consulting works with and the challenges they solve 8:13: Marketing and branding for short-term rentals 9:55: Key industry trends, including regulation and legislation 11:29: Common mistakes property managers make and how to avoid them 13:19: How to scale a property management business effectively 15:03: Cristiana’s advice to new entrepreneurs: don’t do it on your own 16:43: What an exit looks like and how to prepare for it 19:49: The importance of having a clear end goal in business 21:13: Cristiana’s predictions and expectations for 2025 24:47: Cristiana’s favourite brand: BOOM 25:34: Individual shout-out to Neely Khan 26:34: No. 1 lesson learned: never take anything for granted
Links:
James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/
Your Air Success, Six Park Place, London, Friday 4 April Register for your free ticket (places are limited): https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairsuccess
Free downloads:
The Ultimate Guide to Short-Term Rentals: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book
Guest Communication 101 for Direct Bookings: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/hospitable
How to Navigate London's 90-Day Short-Term Rentals Limit: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/your-airhost
Enjoy the show? Please subscribe, rate, and review!
Contact the show: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/contact
HCH Bitesize 017: Unlock new revenue streams with private chefs
Are you a short-term rental host or property manager looking for innovative ways to boost your revenue and enhance guest satisfaction?
In this episode of HCH Bitesize, sponsored by Hostfully, Siddhi Mittal, Co-Founder of yhangry, shares how offering private chef services can transform your business. Whether you manage a cozy cottage or luxury villa, Siddhi reveals why this upselling opportunity is a game-changer for your rental business.
1:44 Deliver a six-star experience 2:12 Gain a competitive advantage 2:53: Leverage user-generated content 5:06 Boost customer retention 6:12 Increase your rental yield 7:09 Understand the earning potential 7:42 The story behind yhangry 9:26 Perfect for any rental size 10:15 Ideal for special occasions
Don’t miss this episode if you want to:
- Elevate your guest experience - Stand out in a competitive market - Tap into new revenue streams for 2025
👉 Listen now and take your rental business to the next level!
In this episode of the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Annie Munro Sloan, Founder and CEO of The Host Co., to share her expert insights on the art of upselling in short-term rentals. From Silicon Valley inspirations to actionable tips, Annie covers everything hosts and property managers need to know about boosting revenue and enhancing guest experiences.
Tune in to gain practical advice and discover why upselling is more than just an extra income—it’s a way to delight guests and grow your business. Don’t miss this exciting episode packed with insights from one of the industry’s brightest leaders!
2:55: A Silicon Valley eye-roll(!) 7:00: How The Host Co. empowers hosts and property managers 9:29: Onboarding takes just two minutes – yes, really! 12:25: Unlocking the potential of upselling 15:56: The must-have upsells every host should offer 18:06: Connect with The Host Co.: @thehostcompany on Instagram 19:00: Annie’s top tips for hosts and property managers 20:09: Trends to watch, including the rise of direct bookings 21:53: Brian Chesky’s vision and what’s next for Airbnb 23:23: Social media strategies every host should know 27:42: Annie’s favourite brand: StayFi 29:32: Shout-outs to Margot Schmorak and Paul Hall 30:20: No. 1 lesson learned: you’re not 'nickel and diming' guests
Links:
James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/
In this episode of HCH Bitesize, sponsored by Hostfully, Jane Mack dives into the essentials of assembling your short-term rental dream team! Whether you're a new host or a seasoned property manager, this guide will help you identify the VIPs you need on your side to run a successful STR business.
1:50: VIP No. 1: your employees. Why your team is your biggest asset and how to empower them for success. 3:24: Recruitment, including tips for hiring the right people to fit your STR business vision. 5:55: Employee development and dealing with bad hires, including strategies for nurturing talent and managing the challenges of poor hires. 8:40: Probationary periods: setting expectations early and using probation as a growth opportunity. 9:42: VIP No. 2: housekeeping staff. The critical role housekeeping plays in maintaining your STR standards. 11:32: VIP No. 3: maintenance team. Why having reliable maintenance support is a must for smooth operations. 13:43: VIP No. 4: local suppliers. Building strong partnerships with suppliers to enhance guest experiences. 14:24: VIP No. 5: tech support. Leveraging tech to streamline operations and solve problems fast.
Whether you’re managing one property or scaling a portfolio, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you create a winning team and elevate your guest experience.
Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on short-term rental success!
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today. Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
In this episode, we’re diving into the world of revenue management and dynamic pricing for short-term rentals with John An, the Founder and CEO of TechTape.
John shares his inspiring journey through the STR industry, revealing how each step in his career has strengthened his expertise in property management. From launching TechTape to redefining how hosts and property managers approach revenue management, this episode is packed with actionable insights.
We’ll explore how TechTape simplifies onboarding, takes the reins of dynamic pricing tools, and maximises revenue potential for your properties. Plus, John dishes out expert tips for optimising pricing strategies and highlights trends shaping the future of the industry.
John named Rent Responsibly as his favourite brand and gave a special shout-out to Julie George. The episode contains sponsor mentions for HCH Financial Services, Hosthub, Booklee, and Smiling House.
3:00 John’s journey in the STR industry 6:46 Each career move has strengthened the property management journey 9:07 Starting TechTape 13:38 TechTape helps to drive revenue management performance 15:03 How TechTape helps you to earn more revenue 16:14 The onboarding process 18:01 TechTape takes over your dynamic pricing tool and revenue management 19:03 Tips to optimise dynamic pricing tools 22:51 Industry trends 24:55 Where the industry is heading 26:05 Top tip for host and property managers: be nimble 28:59 Favourite brand: Rent Responsibly 29:49 Individual shout-out: Julie George 30:40 No. 1 lesson learned: be prepared to navigate the changes
Links:
James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/
During HCH Bitesize, a podcast series brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully, we delve into essential topics for the short-term rental industry. Each week, we invite expert guests who share valuable insights and practical advice to help you enhance your knowledge and build a successful property management business.
In this episode, we’re joined by Nicolas Francony, International Business Developer, Swikly, to share five reasons why every host should take a digital deposit from their guests.
Nicolas breaks down exactly what a deposit is, how this simple act can build trust between host and guest, and the benefits of outsourcing claim management.
1:43 Digital deposits 2:30 Zero transaction – no money is taken or held 3:34 Reason No. 1: communicate trust 4:28 Reason No. 2: save time 5:42 Reason No. 3: hassle-free communication between the host and guest 7:03 Reason No. 4: delegate the claim management 8:08 Reason No. 5: on the host’s side 9:12 Find out more about Swikly: www.swikly.com
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today. Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to be joined by an incredible entrepreneur and industry innovator: Madison Rifkin, Founder and CEO of Mount.
Madison’s journey is nothing short of inspiring – from founding her first business at just 12 years old to scaling Mount into a global leader in the short-term rental space.
Here’s what’s coming up:
🚀 How Madison’s entrepreneurial journey began with bikes and evolved into game-changing software. 💼 The role of Mount as the ultimate upselling platform for busy short-term rental hosts. 💡 Why upselling is more important than ever and how it can significantly boost your revenue. 🐖 Quirky experiences that captivate guests – including mini pig petting! 🌎 Mount’s impressive growth into 250+ markets and its exciting future.
And here’s the best part: Mount is completely free for hosts! Tune in to hear Madison’s insights, STR trends, and lessons learned on her inspiring entrepreneurial path.
Madison named Can Monkey as her favourite brand and gave a special shout-out to Mark Simpson from Boostly.
The episode features sponsor mentions for HCH Financial Services, Hosthub, Booklee, and Smiling House.
👉 Hit play now to learn how to elevate your guest experience and unlock more revenue opportunities!
2:59 Founding a business at age 12 4:43 Taking risks as a young entrepreneur 5:43 From bikes to scooters to software 10:39 Mount in its current form 12:07 An ideal upselling platform for busy hosts 13:40 You can add existing upselling link-ups to Mount 14:35 Why upselling is important and how much hosts can earn 16:02 The key to marketing upsells 17:45 The experiences which help hosts to stand out 18:41 Quirky experiences, including mini pig petting! 19:27 Mount is in 250+ markets and growing 20:14 Mount is free for hosts! Find out more: https://rentmount.com/ 20:51 Curators can get listed on Mount too 21:36 The future for Mount 22:45 STR trends 26:25 Favourite brand: Can Monkey 27:09 Individual shout-out: Mark Simpson 28:00 No. 1 lesson learned: there will be so many ups and downs
Links:
James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/ Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/
Free downloads:
The Ultimate Guide to Short-Term Rentals: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book
Guest Communication 101 for Direct Bookings: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/hospitable
How to Navigate London's 90-Day Short-Term Rentals Limit: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/your-airhost
Madison Rifkin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madison-rifkin-23037712a/ Mount: https://rentmount.com/
Mentions:
Can Monkey: https://www.canmonkey.com/
Mark Simpson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmarksimpson/
During HCH Bitesize, a podcast series brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully, we delve into essential topics for the short-term rental industry. Each week, we invite expert guests who share valuable insights and practical advice to help you enhance your knowledge and build a successful property management business.
In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Daniela Derin, Co-Founder of Skol Apartments Marbella, as she shares her game-changing strategies for growing a property management business with the power of WhatsApp.
Daniela breaks down her top five tips for leveraging WhatsApp to:
With first-hand experience of how WhatsApp has transformed her business operations, Daniela believes this tool can help property managers and hosts across all types of enterprises elevate their marketing efforts and achieve sustainable growth.
Tune in now and discover how you can turn WhatsApp into your ultimate business growth hack!
1:51 Tip No. 1: download WhatsApp Business 3:55 Tip No. 2: create a catalogue 5:30 Tip No. 3: WhatsApp status strategy 6:21 Tip No. 4: start a broadcast list strategy 8:45 Tip No. 5: be personal and proactive 11:02 The impact of WhatsApp on Daniela’s business 12:28 Posting frequency 13:29 Available on Amazon: Mastering WhatsApp Business: https://shorturl.at/Av7ve 14:30 Skol Apartments Marbella: https://www.skolapartmentsmarbella.com/
Mastering WhatsApp Business by Daniela Derin (Amazon link): https://shorturl.at/Av7ve
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today. Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
In this episode of the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, we’re joined by Alistair Malins, Founder of Luxury Cottages, as he shares his expertise on the art of managing luxurious short-term rentals.
Discover what truly defines a luxury property, how to deliver an unforgettable five-star guest experience, and the key takeaways every host can apply from the luxury sector. Alistair also dives into industry trends, including sustainability and regulation, offering valuable insights for navigating the ever-evolving STR landscape.
During the episode, Alistair names Thinking Traveller as his favourite brand and gives a special shout-out to Rachel Parsons for her contributions to the industry.
💡 Episode highlights:
✅ What makes a property truly luxurious ✅ How to deliver exceptional guest experiences ✅ Industry trends: sustainability and regulation ✅ Expert advice for short-term rental hosts
This episode includes sponsor mentions for: HCH Financial Services, Hosthub, Smiling House Luxury, and Booklee.
👉 Watch now and elevate your hosting game with exclusive tips from the luxury short-term rental sector!
📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more industry-leading insights from the HCH Podcast.
2:50 Founding Luxury Cottages 4:50 Who Luxury Cottages caters for 5:35 Getting listed on Luxury Cottages 6:54 Meeting the expectations of owners and guests 8:26 What makes a property luxurious 9:52 How to deliver a luxurious experience 10:48 What hosts can learn from the luxury market 12:17 Commitment to sustainability 15:24 Trends to be looking out for 17:45 Regulation 23:09 The future of the industry 27:14 Favourite brand: Thinking Traveller 27:58 Individual shout-out: Rachel Parsons 29:13 No. 1 lesson learned: don’t stand still
Links:
James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/ Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/ Free e-book: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book
During HCH Bitesize, a podcast series brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully, we delve into essential topics for the short-term rental industry. Each week, we invite expert guests who share valuable insights and practical advice to help you enhance your knowledge and build a successful property management business.
In this episode, we’re joined by Samantha Turmaine, Lead Consultant at HCH Financial Services, to break down the five essential facts every holiday let owner needs to know about holiday let mortgages.
Whether you’re planning to purchase your first holiday rental or looking to optimise financing for your existing portfolio, Samantha’s expert insights will guide you through the key considerations, pitfalls to avoid, and tips for making the most of your investment.
This is a must-listen for short-term rental hosts and property managers navigating the world of holiday let financing!
1:43 Holiday let mortgages are different to buy-to-let mortgages 2:39 Personal income and rental income projections 5:32 Location, location, location 6:59 Financial considerations, such as business rates or council tax 8:55 Regulation and market trends 10:30 HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today. Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
In this episode of the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome not one, but two special guests: David Jacoby and Fred Bassili from Hostfully!
Fresh off the release of the eighth edition of their ‘Hospitality Trends in the Vacation Rental Industry’ report, David and Fred sit down with HCH Founder, James Varley, to unpack the latest in the STR world.
Here’s what’s in store:
🔹 How AI is transforming property management and guest experiences. 🔹 The rise of direct bookings and what it means for hosts. 🔹 Why Airbnb is losing market share – and where guests are booking instead. 🔹 Key challenges and opportunities for STR hosts worldwide.
If you’re eager to stay ahead in the STR industry, this episode is a must-listen. Don’t miss out on the expert insights that could shape your hosting strategy for the year ahead!
David named Hudson Creative Studio as his favourite brand and gave Robin Craigen a special shout-out, while Fred praised both Key Data and Madeleine Raiford-Holland.
This episode includes sponsor mentions for HCH Financial Services, Zeal, Smiling House Luxury, and Search and Stay.
3:28 A tool to gather industry data 5:22 How AI is shaping the space 10:12 Direct bookings are rising and Airbnb is slipping 13:55 Direct bookings will keep growing 14:58 The strategies owners with 100+ rentals are using to get direct bookings 17:32 The tech divide 19:59 Surprising stats 23:59 Challenges and opportunities: the industry is ripe for disruption 26:56 Challenges and opportunities: regulation 29:29 How Hostfully supports hosts and property managers 31:23 Hostfully’s top tier integrations, including with Airbnb and Vrbo 33:10 View the report: https://www.hostfully.com/2024-hospitality-industry-study/ Find out more about Hostfully: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1 36:36 David’s favourite brand: Hudson Creative Studio 38:16 Fred’s favourite brand: Key Data 39:19 David’s individual shout-out: Robin Craigen 40:59 Fred’s individual shout-out: Madeleine Raiford-Holland 42:32 David’s advice: focus on what you can control 43:02 Fred’s advice: avoid shiny object syndrome
Links:
James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/ Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/ Free e-book: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book
David Jacoby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjacoby/ Fred Bassili: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-bassili/ Try Hostfully's PMS or digital guidebook: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1 Hostfully trends report: https://www.hostfully.com/2024-hospitality-industry-study/
During HCH Bitesize, a podcast series brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully, we delve into essential topics for the short-term rental industry. Each week, we invite expert guests who share valuable insights and practical advice to help you enhance your knowledge and build a successful property management business.
In this essential episode, we’re joined by Matt Jeffery, Tax Partner at Zeal, to discuss five crucial facts about holiday let taxes every UK homeowner and investor needs to know.
With the potential abolishment of the furnished holiday lettings tax regime on the horizon, Matt unpacks what this change could mean for your finances and shares actionable advice to help you stay ahead.
If you own or invest in short-term rentals in the UK, this is a must-listen episode to navigate tax complexities and protect your profits.
2:01 Tip No. 1: claim your capital allowances 3:20 Example capital allowance savings from a £200k purchase 5:32 Capital allowances can be used against any UK property income 6:26 Tip No. 2: declaration of trust 8:37 Tip No. 3: pension contributions 10:05 Tip No. 4: business asset disposal relief 11:08 Tip No. 5: the right business structure 12:32 Contact Matt: https://gozeal.co.uk/services/industries/hch-furnished-holiday-lets/
Zeal is offering a FREE 15-minute consultation to people who mention Holiday Cottage Handbook at the point of inquiry.
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today. Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
In this episode of the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Shahar Goldboim, Founder and CEO of BOOM, to explore his revolutionary AI-powered property management solution.
Shahar’s journey is nothing short of inspiring – from his early days as a property manager to becoming a trailblazer in the short-term rental tech space.
As a recognised industry leader, he shares:
– Insights into his career journey and lessons learned along the way. – Practical hosting tips to elevate your short-term rental game. – How BOOM is transforming property management with cutting-edge AI technology. – Why AI is a game-changer for the STR industry – and why this is just the beginning.
Shahar named SCALE and Better Talent as his favourite brands and gave a special shout-out to Andy Fenner from the UK Short Term Accommodation Association.
3:38 Shahar’s story in the STR space 7:05 A huge learning journey 9:21 The advice Shahar would give himself: buy more real estate! 10:24 The advice Shahar would give to people starting out in STR 11:37 This is a 24/7 business 13:12 A tech solution that allows hosts to focus on their guests 14:42 The creation of BOOM 18:03 BOOM’s ideal customers: mid to large STR companies 19:16 How BOOM improves the management experience 20:21 AI in STR: we’re just getting started! 23:33 Key trends in the STR world 25:11 The positives of running STRs 28:01 The industry needs to be united 33:12 Favourite brands: SCALE and Better Talent 34:20 Individual shout-out: Andrew Fenner 35:54 No. 1 lesson learned: AI is going to revolutionise everything we know
Links:
James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/ Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/ Free e-book: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book
Shahar Goldboim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahar-goldboim-80820b95/ BOOM: https://www.boomnow.com/
Mentions:
SCALE: https://scalerentals.show/
Better Talent: https://bettertalent.com/
Andrew Fenner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfenner2024/
In this episode of HCH Bitesize, a podcast series brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully, we delve into essential topics for the short-term rental industry. Each week, we invite expert guests who share valuable insights and practical advice to help you enhance your knowledge and build a successful property management business.
This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Stefan Hoffelner, Co-Founder of Your AirHost, to share five tips on how to navigate London's 90-day limit for short-term rentals.
2:02 Explaining London’s 90-day limit 3:42 Tip No. 1: set your calendar up properly 5:27 Tools to help you find out peak demand 6:45 Tip No. 2: go after the longer stays and offer discounts 9:21 The platforms where you can attract 90+ day rentals 9:47 Tip No. 3: explore the potential of obtaining planning permission 10:53 Tip No. 4: the 90-day limit does not apply if you are renting a room in your own home 11:44 Tip No. 5: connect with local businesses who might need your rental 13:35 Occupancy levels and pricing flexibility 16:40 Find out more about Your AirHost: https://www.yourairhost.co.uk/
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today. Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
Download free e-book: How to Navigate London's 90-Day Short-Term Rentals Limit: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/your-airhost
In this episode of the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, we welcome Noga Barpal to discuss how short-term rental (STR) hosts and property managers can earn commission by selling travel insurance packages to their guests.
Noga outlines the best ways to offer travel insurance to travellers and the commission you can expect to achieve.
Noga named Guesty as her favourite brand in the industry and gave a special shout-out to Doron Meyassed from Plum Guide.
4:22 How Faye is supporting the STR space 7:32 The average Faye customer 8:48 The commission hosts can expect to achieve 9:26 The most common problems travellers face 11:15 The best way of selling Faye insurance to guests 12:32 Selling to OTA guests 13:45 The growth plan for Faye 15:06 Insurance is a growing upselling opportunity 17:35 The potential to earn commission from multiple policies 18:18 Head to www.withfaye.com for further details 21:05 Favourite brand: Guesty 21:34 Individual shout-out: Doron Meyassed
In this episode of HCH Bitesize, a podcast series brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully, we delve into essential topics for the short-term rental industry. Each week, we invite expert guests who share valuable insights and practical advice to help you enhance your knowledge and build a successful property management business.
This week, we're excited to welcome Joseph Cox, Director of Business Development at Hostfully, who’s here to reveal his top five upselling strategies for short-term rental hosts and property managers. Tune in to learn how to enhance your guest experience, increase bookings, and unlock new revenue opportunities!
1:55 The definition of upselling 2:36 How hosts should offer upsells 3:32 Utilise a Hostfully digital guidebook to offer upsells 4:36 Earn more revenue 5:29 Location and season are key 6:40 Upsell No.1: early check-in and late check-out 7:01 Upsell No. 2: mid-stay clean 7:18 Upsell No. 3: food and drink 7:37 Upsell No. 4: local experiences 8:32 Upsell No. 5: transportation 9:20 Communication is key 10:07 You don’t have to deliver upsells yourself 11:51 Book a Hostfully guidebook demo: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today. Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
In this episode of HCH Bitesize, a podcast series brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully, we delve into essential topics for the short-term rental industry. Each week, we invite expert guests who share valuable insights and practical advice to help you enhance your knowledge and build a successful property management business.
This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Arthur Colker, Founder and CEO of StayFi, to the show to share his top five tips for maximising your marketing impact through branded Wi-Fi. Don’t miss his insights to take control of your guest experience and boost your bookings.
1:49 Tip 1: Collect and organise your guest data 2:58 Tip 2: Use automation for marketing 4:38 Tip 3: Have a direct booking website 5:29 Tip 4: Do not neglect the power of billboarding 7:05 Tip 5: Have a compelling reason for guests to return 9:05 Book a StayFi demo: https://meetings.hubspot.com/arthur46/stayfi-sales-demo?uuid=3808bc29-0b49-4571-bc21-6324b25d84a7
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today. Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
HCH: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/
Hostfully: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/
Arthur Colker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acolker/
StayFi: https://stayfi.com/
HCH Podcast 063: Bart-Jan Leyts: Get on the first page of Airbnb with Otamiser
In this episode of the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, we welcome Bart-Jan Leyts, Founder and CEO of Otamiser, who shares valuable insights about how short-term rental hosts and property managers can boost their visibility on major OTAs (online travel agencies) like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo.
Bart-Jan outlines the story of Otamiser, how often you should update your listing, the worst things you can do as a host, and the one simple thing everyone can do to improve their listing's ranking.
Bart-Jan named Casiola as his favourite brand and gave Thibault Masson a special shout-out.
2:58 The story of Otamiser 8:28 How to rank highly on the OTAs 9:44 How to integrate Otamiser 10:20 Frequency of updates to listings 11:33 The difference Otamiser can make 12:42 The cost of Otamiser 13:28 How to get your listing right from day one 15:13 The simple things you can do to improve your listing 17:23 How the OTAs decide which listings to rank the highest 19:28 The OTAs are scoring everything you do 20:09 The worst things you can do with an OTA listing 21:01 The differences between the major OTAs 21:59 The one thing you can do to improve your listing 23:04 Otamiser’s new tech: Autorank 24:22 The trends to be aware of 25:21 How to get your pricing right and how often you should change it 27:03 What to expect from Otamiser 29:57 Favourite brand: Casiola 30:35 Individual shout-out: Thibault Masson 31:13 No. 1 lesson learned: let people grow in certain roles
Links:
James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/ Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/ Free ticket for Your Air Success on Friday 8 November: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairhost Free e-book download: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book Property Management Masterclass podcast series: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/property-management-masterclass
In this episode of HCH Bitesize, a podcast series brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully, we delve into essential topics for the short-term rental industry. Each week, we invite expert guests who share valuable insights and practical advice to help you enhance your knowledge and build a successful property management business.
Join us as we welcome Bob Garner, Founder and CEO of EnviroRental. Bob shares his top five tips for running a sustainable short-term rental.
1:49 Tip No. 1: switch to a green energy tariff 3:49 Tip No. 2: use a digital guidebook to tell your guests about your green strategies 5:27 Tip No. 3: green web hosting 7:30 Tip No. 4: focus on cleaning products and avoiding single-use plastics 10:08 Tip No. 5: involve your team 11:03 EnviroRental: https://envirorental.earth/
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today. Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1
Get your free ticket for Your Air Success on Friday 8 November: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairhost
Download The Ultimate Guide to Short-Term Rentals: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book
Damian Sheridan, Co-Founder and Director of SCALE, is the special guest on today's show.
During the episode, Damian outlines what to expect at this year's SCALE UK, which will be held at The Oval cricket ground in London on 6-7 November.
Damian named Skift as his favourite brand and gave special shout-outs to Catherine Ratcliffe and Lorraine Woodward.
The episode includes sponsor mentions for HCH Financial Services, Your AirHost, Zeal, and Key Data.
4:30 Damian’s journey and the story of SCALE 5:55 What to expect at SCALE UK 6:52 Tackling regulation and legislation 8:24 Uniting the industry 10:07 STR businesses united 10:59 Other topics: AI, revenue management, direct bookings, and more 12:03 Who SCALE is for and where you can get a ticket: https://uk.scalerentals.show/ 12:54 Key STR trends across the globe 14:41 Regional sentiment 16:53 SCALE’s growth plans 20:40 Favourite brand: Skirt 21:16 Individual shout-outs: Catherine Ratcliffe and Lorraine Woodward 22:54 No. 1 lesson learned: you can’t please everyone!
Links:
James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/ Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/ Free ticket for Your Air Success on 8 November: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairhost New e-book: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book Property Management Masterclass podcast series: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/property-management-masterclass
Welcome to HCH Bitesize – a new podcast series brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully!
This weekly show delves into various topics essential to the short-term rentals industry. Episodes feature expert guests from across the STR space who share their insights and practical advice. These industry leaders help listeners enhance their knowledge and build successful and sustainable property management businesses.
Today’s episode features Dale Smith, Founder and CEO of Host & Stay, outlining his top five tips to scale a property management business.
2:05 Tip 1: Prioritise marketing early in your journey 6:46 Tip 2: Systems and processes 9:12 Tip 3: Invest in staff ahead of the growth curve 12:19 Tip 4: Keep services in-house if you can 14:20 Tip 5: Appoint somebody strong in your finance department 15:56 Host & Stay: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/_files/ugd/ccc922_537a705254d4437dbcb0558a26376ad2.pdf
Are you looking to streamline your operations and amaze your guests? Look no further than Hostfully! Try their top-rated property management software and award-winning digital guidebooks today. Join the thousands of satisfied property managers who trust Hostfully to grow their business: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1