Many short-term rental hosts assume they’re covered because they have homeowners insurance — or because Airbnb offers AirCover. Dean Eastman, a STRASA member and State Farm insurance professional, says those assumptions are some of the biggest gaps in host protection. “AirCover is great,” Dean explains, “but it’s not actual insurance. It’s basically like a platform protection program that’s secondary.” In other words, AirCover may provide a layer of support for Airbnb booking

When it comes to short-term rentals, great cleaning isn’t just about appearances — it’s about trust, consistency, and delivering five-star experiences for every guest. One of STRASA’s most ardent supporters, Chris Masopust, has built UniqClean around exactly that principle. STRASA board member Debby Villers relies on UniqClean to clean the short-term rentals she manages, and the results speak for themselves. Debby says, “UniqClean has been fabulous. Their attention to det

Jeremy Rosen with Five Star Vacation Home Rentals is a great example of what real, disciplined growth can look like in the short-term rental industry in San Antonio.

Guest rule-breaking happens to every host eventually. The difference between a small hiccup and a major headache is how prepared you are and how quickly you respond. The good news is that hosts have more control than they think.

While commercial playgrounds — like those in parks and schools — are designed and maintained with strict safety standards, playsets found at short-term rentals are often residential units assembled by the property owner. These home installations are not held to the same standards and may present hazards that go beyond what many hosts expect.

If bookings are slow, the solution is not always lowering your nightly rate. The biggest gains often come from improving your listing’s clarity, consistency, photos, and trust signals. Better listings rank higher, convert better, and earn more.

Outdoor amenities such as patios, fire features, and heaters can be a big draw for guests — especially in cooler months. Propane patio heaters, in particular, are common at short-term rentals. When used properly, they can be safe and effective. When used incorrectly, they can pose serious safety risks.

Megan Blount founded Hosted Havens on a dream of moving abroad. Today she and her team successfully manage over 30 properties, some short term, and some medium term. See what works for her, and what she shares about her success!

Airbnb is officially moving into the hotel space, signaling its evolution into a full-scale travel marketplace.

For over two decades, the travel industry has been defined by the "click-through." Travelers would search for a destination, click a link, compare options on a platform like Airbnb or VRBO, and eventually book. However, the arrival of Google’s Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) signals a fundamental shift from the "Search Era" to the "Agentic Era." This open-source standard acts as a "live pipe" that connects AI agents directly to a property’s backend, potentially making tradi

Why you host is the most important selling point of your short term rental. People look for a connection. Let's show our guests how to feel at home.

Communication can help with stressful hosting...see how.

Take a break: running a short term rental is work, stress, and time. If you're running out of patience, and profits, rethink your plan.

Do you actually know who your guest is? Once you understand what draws guests to your listing, you can intentionally design your space—and your listing—to attract the right people and increase bookings.

Brian Chesky tells The Economist how Airbnb prepares itself for the next chapter. #Airbnb

PriceLabs’ Global Host Report 2025 surveyed over 1,400 hosts across the world—representing Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and direct booking operators—to understand what hosting really looks like today.

Airbnb has always been a disruptor in the travel industry, guided by the mission to facilitate deeper connections between hosts and guests through an innovative platform. For years, the company focused on three core strategic pillars: making the service better, expanding globally, and expanding offerings.

For short-term rental hosts and managers, understanding this new competitive landscape is crucial. Here is an analysis of what hotels look like on Airbnb, how the platform compares to Booking.com, and the implications for your business.

A basic primer for understanding pricing and pricing tools for your short term rental on Airbnb.

Earlier this year, Airbnb began using AI technology to handle disputes with guest reviews. (Interestingly, however, Airbnb never really formally announced the shift and has been vague about how AI is being used when asked about it.) To help us make sense of how this new tech is being used and what you can do to when making your case to a machine, we have tapped AI to draft this handy guide--except for this opening, which was written by me with help from other real live board