Thanks For Visiting
by 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.
Episodes
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576. Airbnb’s November 20 Policy Changes: House Rules, Rental Agreements and What to Do Now
If you host on Airbnb, you’ve probably seen the October 20th email about house rules and rental agreements. And the reaction online has been loud. But a lot of what’s going around goes further than the policy does, and some of these changes are good news for hosts. In this episode, Sarah and...
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575. Superhost Is Dead, Do This Instead
If you are an Airbnb host, you have probably heard that earning Superhost status is one of the most important things you can do. And it still matters. But when roughly a third of U.S. hosts have the badge, Superhost alone is no longer enough to separate you from the competition. In this episode,...
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574. 6 Ways to Never Get Guest Complaints and Earn 5 Stars
A bad review can feel personal, but defensiveness will not help you become a top-earning host. Prevention will. In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down six simple, fixable ways to prevent guest complaints before they happen and create the kind of stay that earns five-star reviews. None of...
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573. Is The Airbnb Market Collapsing In 2026?
If you have spent any time online lately, you have probably seen the headlines: rising costs, oversaturation, local bans, squatters, cleaning fees, strict house rules, and guests saying they are done with Airbnb. But Sarah and Annette are not convinced the Airbnb market is collapsing. They…
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572. Treat Airbnb Like An Airline And Get Rich
Most hosts think they are renting out a room, a house, or a place to sleep for the night. But airlines used to think the same way about a seat. Then they reimagined the flight experience. They built loyalty programs, unbundled extras, charged separately for convenience, and learned how to price...
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571. How to become a booked out Airbnb in 4 simple steps
When an Airbnb is not getting booked, most hosts blame the price, the market, or oversaturation. But the real reason is often hiding in four places you can actually control: your listing, your data, your calendar, and your past guests. In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down the four areas...
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570. She Doubled Her Airbnb ADR by Finally Trusting the Data
Shannon Leyh has been in the Thanks for Visiting world for years, but her hosting business looks very different today than it did when she first came on the podcast. Shannon lives in Ohio and owns an out-of-state short-term rental in Snowshoe, West Virginia. For the first two and a half years…
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569. Why Self-Managing Changed Everything for This Airbnb Host
Allie White did not think she could manage her own short-term rental. After a painful long-term rental experience and an underperforming short-term rental managed by a well-known property management company, she assumed someone else would always be better equipped to run the business. But…
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568. 10 Simple But Genius Hacks for a Better Airbnb Setup
A better Airbnb setup does not always require a renovation. Sometimes, the details guests remember most are the smallest ones: an extra blanket they can actually find, a coffee cup they can take on the road, a backup key when the smart lock fails, or a sound machine that helps them sleep better.…
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567. We Made $5 Million From Airbnb Hosting (Here's What We've Learned)
Sarah and Annette have generated $5 million through Airbnb hosting, but not because everything went perfectly. That number came from more than a decade of building, making mistakes, fixing systems, managing guests, growing a team, and learning what actually moves the needle in a short-term rental...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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546. The Pre-Arrival Inspection Checklist That Protects Your 5-Star Reviews
Most hosts think once the cleaner leaves, the property is ready for guests. But that assumption is exactly where five-star reviews start to slip. In this episode of Thanks for Visiting, we’re walking you through the exact pre-arrival inspection checklist we use across our properties to ensure...
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545. The New Rules of Buying Short-Term Rentals in 2026
The short-term rental market is shifting—and what worked even a few years ago won’t cut it anymore. In this episode, we sit down with Kenny Bedwell to break down the new rules of buying short-term rentals in 2026. From changing demand patterns to increased competition and rising guest…
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544. Stop Guessing: Let Your Booking Window Tell You What To Do
Are you lowering your nightly rates because your calendar looks empty? If so, you might be panic pricing and leaving money on the table. In this episode of Thanks for Visiting, Sarah and Annette break down one of the most overlooked metrics in short-term rental pricing strategy: your booking...
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543. The 3 Questions Every Smart STR Host Is Asking Right Now
If you’re hosting in 2026, chances are you’ve asked yourself at least one of these questions: Am I underpriced if my calendar is filling faster than everyone else’s? Should I switch to midterm rentals during the slow season? Why is my listing cheaper than the competition but still not getting...
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542. How to Actually Hire a Five-Star Cleaner (Without the Headache)
If your cleaner controls your calendar… this episode is for you. Today, we’re breaking down how to actually hire a five-star cleaner (not reactively, not desperately, and definitely not based on price alone). Because here’s the truth: You are not hiring a cleaner. You are hiring the guardian of...
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541. Stop Leaving Money on the Table: The Pricing Mistakes Hosts Keep Making
If you feel like you’re working harder than ever but not seeing the profit you want from your short-term rental, this episode is for you. Today, we’re breaking down the pricing mistakes we still see hosts making every single day and how those mistakes are quietly costing you thousands in missed...
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540. World Cup 2026 Airbnb Strategy: How Hosts Can Maximize Revenue
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to the United States, and for short-term rental hosts, this is not just another busy weekend. It is a multi-week, multi-city revenue opportunity. In this episode, we break down what is really happening behind the headlines, including those $17,000 Airbnb listings...
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539. Host Friendly or Host Risky? How Local Regulations Can Make or Break Your STR Business
Where you host matters, but how you operate matters even more. In this episode of Thanks for Visiting, Sarah and Annette break down what it really means to host legally and responsibly in today’s short-term rental landscape. From host-friendly states to high-risk markets, they explain why relying...
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538. How to Use a Virtual Assistant to Grow Your Hosting Business
If the idea of hiring a virtual assistant feels overwhelming, or like something only “big hosts” do, this episode will change how you think about leverage. In this episode, we break down five practical ways short-term rental hosts can use virtual assistants to improve follow-through, stay...
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537. The Airbnb Metrics That Actually Drive Bookings (And the Mistake Most Hosts Make)
Many hosts say “I feel like my listing is buried.” But feelings don’t get bookings—data does. In this episode, we break down the four Airbnb metrics that actually impact bookings and show you how to use Airbnb’s Professional Hosting Tools to pinpoint exactly where guests are dropping off in your...
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536. Unconventional Ways Hosts Are Making Money Without Overnight Guests
What if your short-term rental could make money without guests sleeping there? In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down unconventional — but proven — ways hosts are generating additional revenue by leveraging their properties during the day, shoulder seasons, or slower periods. From…
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535. How to Plan Your 2026 Holiday Pricing Without Leaving Money on the Table
If you haven’t looked at the 2026 calendar yet, this episode is your wake-up call. In 2026, major holidays fall on Fridays and Saturdays — and that one detail changes how guests book, arrive, and leave. If you price holidays the same way you always have, you risk blocked calendars, forced...
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534. Hosting Hotline: Why We’re Sunsetting the Hotline and What Comes Next
This Hosting Hotline episode looks a little different. Instead of answering a listener question, Sarah and Annette are pulling back the curtain on a big decision: sunsetting the Hosting Hotline format and refocusing their time, energy, and creativity on deeper ways to support hosts. In this...
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533. How AI Is Changing the Way Guests Find and Book Your Short Term Rental
AI is no longer a future concept for hosts. It is already shaping how guests search, discover, and choose where to stay. In this episode, Sarah and Annette sit down with AI strategist Rick Mulready to break down what hosts actually need to understand about AI right now and how it impacts...
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532. Hosting Hotline: Does Renaming Airbnb Photos Actually Improve SEO?
Should you rename your Airbnb listing photos with SEO keywords before uploading them? In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette break down when photo naming actually matters and when it doesn’t. They explain how Airbnb and other OTAs interpret image data, why guest search behavior…
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531. Where to Splurge and Where to Save When Furnishing a Short-Term Rental
Furnishing a short-term rental can feel overwhelming and expensive, especially when you’re trying to stand out in a competitive market. In this episode, we break down exactly where hosts should splurge and where they can save when furnishing their properties. After furnishing dozens of short-term...
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530. Hosting Hotline: Should You Adjust Airbnb Fees in PriceLabs or Airbnb?
Airbnb’s host fee changes have left many hosts wondering where, and how, to make adjustments without breaking their pricing strategy. In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette answer a question from Jenna Louise about whether management fee changes should be handled inside PriceLabs or...
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529. The Top Short-Term Rental Hosting Lessons of 2025: Pricing, Profit & Strategy
What do the most-downloaded Thanks for Visiting episodes of 2025 have in common? They weren’t about shortcuts or trends. They were about pricing, revenue, and running a smarter hosting business. In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down the top-performing episodes of 2025 and what they reveal...
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528. Hosting Hotline: Choosing Your Lane—Revenue, Experience, or Both?
This week on the Hosting Hotline, Vanessa brings a highly unique scenario: an off-grid cabin by the river and a big decision to make: stay fully off grid or add water to potentially increase demand. Rather than treating this as a technical upgrade question, Sarah and Annette zoom out to what…
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About this show
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.
Hosted by
Airbnb Superhosts Annette Grant & Sarah Karakaian