Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just dipping your toes into the world of vacation rentals, having access to the right resources can make all the difference. In this blog, we’ve curated a treasure trove of online tools, platforms, and communities designed to streamline your operations, enhance guest experiences, and maximize your rental income. So sit back, relax, and check out these resources that we find to be the best and most informative for hosts.

Great Informative Websites

• AirDNA – Allows hosts to gain valuable insights into the performance of over 10 million vacation rentals across 80,000 cities worldwide. Hosts are able to study the critical trends in their market over the past three years to understand exactly how the short-term rental industry is evolving.

• Skift – In-depth reporting, exclusive interviews, and breaking news coverage that helps you make quick decisions and get ahead of your competitors.

• Short Term Rentalz –  Provides the latest around-the-world news and intelligence for the fast-growing and rapidly-evolving short-term rental industry.

• VRM Intel – Laser-focused on the professionally managed vacation rental sector, they provide relevant, factual, and timely industry-specific news. The information and resources they provide help vacation rental professionals build their businesses, address the challenges and opportunities in the industry, and positively contribute to the vacation rental ecosystem.

• Phocuswright – The leading authority in travel, tourism, and hospitality market research. They are the most quoted and trusted source for data and analysis.

• LinkedIn – Great for hosts who want to follow and reach out to industry experts. Whereas setting Apple news drips can often give you click-bait information about Airbnb parties or jaw-dropping rentals to look at, LinkedIn is a great source of business-related news in the STR space. Follow HostGPO CEO Jeff Iloulian for his expert industry insights and updates.

• Facebook Groups – By hosts for hosts, these different Facebook groups are great for getting the latest recommendations, tips for dealing with unruly guests, the ins and outs of Airbnb policy, and sharing your unit for feedback. Here are some of our favorites: 

• • AirBNB / VRBO / HomeAway / Short Term Rental Discussion
  • Short Term Rental University
  • Airbnb Professional Hosts
  • Airbnb Masterminds
  • Airbnb, VRBO, Homeaway Hosts Discussion

Property Management & Pricing Softwares to Check Out

We are very hesitant to make blanket suggestions to people about property management software or pricing software because there are so many nuances and it really depends on your business needs. A host with 5 units needs look very different from a host running 50 units.

That said, here are a few companies that are worth looking into if you’re just getting started: 

• SmartBnB, Your Porter, iGMS, Hostfully, Guesty, OwnerRez

And for pricing software, check out: 

• BNBCalc – Fast and accurate analysis of investment properties for investors, property managers, and realtors. Click here to get calculating and take out the financial guesswork of investing.
• Beyond Pricing – HostGPO Members who connect an account with Beyond will receive a free 30-day trial on the platform as well as a $50 credit towards their first bookings using Beyond’s Dynamic Pricing tool (up to $5,000 in gross booking revenue). Sign up.
• Price Labs – Increase revenue and occupancy with PriceLabs’ dynamic pricing and revenue management tools.
• Wheelhouse – Offers a complete suite of revenue products to help you outperform competition and stay ahead of an ever-changing market.

Additional Resources for Hosts

• Thumbtack – Perfect for finding cleaning services, handymen etc. You can shop many different offers, ensuring you get a competitive price.
• Quickbooks – One of the largest and best resources for keeping track of your expenses and income and knowing how your business is doing. This will also be a big help when tax time rolls around.
• Divvy – If expense is a problem for your business, this is a helpful resource. It allows you to have multiple digital credit cards so you can have one per property or one per utility to make your accounting easier.

Podcasts

• Short Term Rental Secrets – This is a great training & mentorship program to help new and seasoned real estate investors launch, automate and scale their short term rental portfolio, fast-tracking their journey to financial freedom. The conversations are to the point and offer insight for new hosts to even the most experienced. Listen to our podcast with them here.

• Thanks for Visiting – Annette & Sarah have got the business-side of hosting-with-heart down to a science. Get the latest every week from them (and their very special guests) on the podcast. Listen to our CEO Jeff on their podcast and read our blog on their story.

• Get Paid for Your Pad – Jasper has compiled a free report for hosts that will help them save time and get more bookings using his six favorite Airbnb tools. His podcast will help Hosts learn how to improve the results of their Airbnb listing. Listen to our podcast with Jasper and read our blog on his business and story.

• Live Let Thrive – An amazing resource for Hosts looking for short-term rental help. Steve and Myka discuss the share economy in general and share their experiences in hosting and guesting. Take a listen to our episode here.

• Bigger Pockets – With multiple podcast options available, they feature off-the-cuff interviews with investors of various backgrounds, niches, and experience levels. Check out our episode here.

As you embark on this journey armed with these resources, may your business be filled with smooth check-ins, glowing reviews, and satisfied guests. Here’s to many prosperous and rewarding hosting experiences ahead. Happy hosting! And if we’ve missed any essential resources, don’t hesitate to let us know – we’re always eager to expand our toolkit alongside fellow hosts.