If you're curious about what it takes to build a successful short-term rental business, you're in the right place. In this blog post, we have the pleasure of interviewing Jake Tucker, the owner of Roav Retreats. Jake has been in the short-term rental industry for just over a year and has already built an impressive portfolio of vacation rentals. Whether you're a seasoned host or just getting started, keep reading to learn from Jake's insights and experiences.

How many years have you been in the short-term rental industry and how did you get started?

I got started hosting in April 2020. I began co-hosting Airbnbs while I was in college as a side hustle. The business quickly grew into managing 30+ rentals. I've hosted everything from a tiny-home community, single-family homes, apartments, condos, and now recently vacation rentals, and even a converted Airstream (coming soon)!

What do you find most rewarding about your career?

Cultivating a space that allows guests to have an 'experience' as opposed to just a bed to sleep on. I want people to feel at home, at ease, and inspired by staying at our properties, especially our newer vacation rentals.

What is your favorite rental property you have and why do you love it?

My favorite listing by far is "Casa De Vistas". I partnered up with an interior designer, Sydney Holliday (who also happens to be my lovely girlfriend), to do a full remodel on a house in Palm Desert CA. She knocked the design out of the park on this one and paid attention to every single detail that made the space truly feel like home. All 5-star reviews and counting! Check out the listing, the pictures speak for themselves!

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What's the craziest story you have from hosting?

The most recent one that comes to mind was a house flooding from a burst pipe on Christmas day. Plumbers charge $1000 an hour on Christmas so I figured I'd try to fix it myself. (Do yourself a favor and just pay the $1000)

What's one "pro-tip" you'd be willing to pass on to the community?

Imagine your property could never be marketed or advertised again, and the only way to get more potential guests to book was from word-of-mouth of your current guest. How would that experience look like for that guest? Write down every detail, and then do that.

What's the most recent item that you can remember that you've ordered from HostGPO?

Helix Mattresses! We love the Helix Midnight.

What would you tell others about whether to join HostGPO?

From a pure ROI standpoint, it's a no-brainer regarding the cost. It's a user-friendly service, and we will use it all every single one of our properties in the future. We have big plans so be sure to follow along!