Superhosts Down Under with Silvia and Ray

Ray Yee Consulting
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Hosted by Ray & Silvia Superhosts Down Under is a podcast that guides and inspires aspiring Airbnb hosts on how to successfully set up and run an Airbnb in Australia. Each episode features engaging stories, lessons, and insights from different guests — from seasoned hosts to industry experts — sharing their unique experiences in short-term rental hosting. Join Ray and Silvia as they explore Australia’s most remarkable Airbnbs and uncover the stories of the owners who make them possible.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    From Separation to Superhost: Jenny’s Airbnb Journey

    Episode DescriptionIn this episode, Ray and Silvia are joined by Jenny, a San Francisco-based Superhost who shares a deeply personal journey into Airbnb hosting. What began as a way to navigate a major life transition turned into a sustainable lifestyle, allowing Jenny to keep her family home while welcoming guests from around the world. The episode opens with a discussion on guest expectations, particularly around air conditioning, and how hosts can manage situations where amenities are misunderstood. Jenny then shares how she transformed her property into a high-performing Airbnb, her approach to creating a warm, community-driven experience, and the systems she’s built to maintain a near-perfect rating over eight years. In This Episode, We Cover: Guest expectations vs listing transparency, especially around air conditioning Why guests need to check listings carefully before booking Jenny’s journey into Airbnb after separating from her partner How she restructured her home to live downstairs and rent out the full upstairs Creating a “home, not a rental” experience that guests immediately feel Building a strong neighbourhood and community vibe for guests Maintaining a 4.99 rating across 250+ stays The pressure of chasing a perfect 5.0 rating and why letting go matters Jenny’s cleaning systems, including monthly deep cleans and walkthrough checks Using Instant Book strategically to attract the right guests Hosting families, repeat guests, and musicians using her piano How Airbnb allows her to cover all property expenses and keep her homeInterview with Guest: JennyJenny is a San Francisco-based Superhost with over eight years of hosting experience. After a major life transition, she turned to Airbnb as a way to keep her family home and generate income. By redesigning her space and focusing on warmth, detail, and consistency, she has built a highly rated listing with a 4.99 average rating. Her approach combines strong operational systems with a genuine passion for making guests feel at home. Stay at Jenny’s property:https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/30129780?unique_share_id=86857236-e02b-43ba-a77a-fee29c31f732&viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76 Where to stay - hosted by the Superhosts Down Under teamRay’s Airbnbs:https://www.raymondyee.com.au/airbnb Silvia’s Airbnb:https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X

    57 min

  2. 22 MAR

    The Arbitrage Edge: Building a Multi-Property Portfolio with Siblings Eloi & Emiie

    In this episode, Ray and Silvia dive into the "behind-the-scenes" of property management when things go wrong—from cold showers in Sydney to power outages in Melbourne. We are then joined by Eloi and Emiie, the sibling duo behind Sable and Stone Stays, who share how they built a thriving Airbnb arbitrage business in Melbourne in less than a year. In This Episode, We Cover: Host Horror Stories: Ray’s "humid" Sydney stay and the importance of proactive hosting over sending manuals.What is Airbnb Arbitrage? A breakdown of the model where you lease a property long-term to sublet for short-term stays.The Sibling Dynamic: How an 11-year age gap and "Sable vs. Stone" personalities (the "Butterfly" and the "Grandpa") create a balanced business partnership.Pitching to Agents: How to build credibility with real estate agents to get them to say "yes" to subleasing.Automation at Scale: Using PMS and dynamic pricing to manage a portfolio while working full-time 9-to-5 jobs.Interview with Guests: Eloi and Emiie Eloi and Emiie are the founders of Sable and Stone Stays, a boutique short-term rental company based in Melbourne. With backgrounds in sales and insurance, they’ve combined their eye for design and technical systems to create a professional, high-standard hosting brand. Website: Sable and Stone Stays Where to stay — hosted by the Superhosts Down Under team Ray's Property⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.raymondyee.com.au/airbnb⁠⁠⁠⁠ Silvia's Property ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X⁠⁠⁠

    45 min

  3. 8 MAR

    Episode 54: Scaling with a Personal Touch with Elena Stepanova

    In this episode of Superhost Down Under, hosts Ray Yee and Silvia interview Elena Stepanova, founder of My Perfect Host. Elena discusses her transition from a corporate career to managing a portfolio of over 20 properties[cite: 122, 123, 140]. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The "Brick" Solution: Silvia shares how a host sourced bricks from a building site on New Year's Eve to raise a bed for a guest with a disability[cite: 13, 14]. Hosting in the Suburbs: Elena explains how her Forestville listing succeeded by catering to visiting family and corporate travelers[cite: 133, 134, 135]. Business Evolution: Starting with a family guest room 13 years ago, Elena grew her business through word-of-mouth and professional co-hosting[cite: 89, 104, 146]. Professional Standards: Why high-quality photography is a non-negotiable requirement for any successful listing[cite: 168, 169]. Automation & Systems: A look at the "tech stack" Elena uses, including channel managers, dynamic pricing, and automated cleaning schedules[cite: 174, 175, 176]. Direct Booking Strategies: Using software like Truvy (formerly Super Hog) to screen guests and manage security for off-platform bookings[cite: 227, 229].Resources Mentioned: My Perfect Host: www.myperfecthost.com.au [cite: 125] Hospitable Hosts (Vol. 3): A book co-authored by Elena featuring global hosting stories[cite: 254, 267]. Truvy: Guest screening and identity verification software[cite: 228, 229].Key Takeaways: Acts of Service: Successful hosts often view hospitality as a "love language" and find joy in helping others[cite: 41, 49]. Owner Partnerships: Elena "interviews" owners to ensure they will be supportive partners when maintenance issues arise[cite: 157, 160]. Concise Communication: While automation is key, it's vital to keep messages short to avoid guest annoyance[cite: 184, 185].Where to stay — hosted by the Superhosts Down Under team Ray's Property ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.raymondyee.com.au/airbnb⁠⁠⁠⁠ Silvia's Property ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X⁠⁠⁠ Sponsorship This episode is brought to you by Riverside. Use code Ray15 for 15% off your first subscription. ⁠Learn more⁠

    44 min

  4. 22 FEB

    Lifestyle Hosting: Funding Travel From a One-Bedroom in Melbourne

    Ray and Silvia are joined by Carmel O’Beirne, a lifestyle host from Clifton Hill, Melbourne, who uses her one-bedroom apartment to fund travel and supplement her income as she transitions toward retirement. The episode opens with Ray sharing a challenging guest situation involving a dropped wallet, refusal to check out, and police intervention — a reminder that hosting can sometimes take unexpected turns. Inspired by her daughter’s success paying off a mortgage through Airbnb, Carmel began hosting her “cosy nest” — an earthy, plant-filled apartment with a green urban jungle balcony in a vibrant Melbourne neighbourhood. Her approach is what she calls “lifestyle hosting”: using Airbnb income to support extended travel, including a month in India, while keeping her home active and secure. Carmel relies on trusted neighbour friends when she travels, meeting guests in person for key handover to reinforce respect and care for her home. She is selective with bookings to maintain strong relationships in her owner-occupied building. Rather than scaling, she plans to continue hosting sustainably, avoiding “empty house syndrome” while balancing income, community harmony, and flexibility. What you’ll learn in this episode How to handle difficult guest situations, including when police become involved. Why guest preparedness and clear house rules are essential. Pricing strategies: Smart Pricing vs manual or third-party tools. The power of clear instructions to prevent misunderstandings and bad reviews. Preparing a personal home for guests while protecting privacy. Building a reliable local support network for remote management. Managing neighbour relationships in owner-occupied buildings. How lifestyle hosting can fund travel and supplement retirement income. Guest Name: Carmel O’Beirne Airbnb: View Carmel’s Listing Where to stay — hosted by the Superhosts Down Under team Ray's Property ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.raymondyee.com.au/airbnb⁠⁠⁠⁠ Silvia's Property ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X⁠⁠⁠ Sponsorship This episode is brought to you by Riverside. Use code Ray15 for 15% off your first subscription. Learn more

    43 min

  5. 8 FEB

    Ep 52 - The Trinity Beach Townhouse with Emma

    Ray and Silvia are joined by Emma Bartlett, a new Airbnb host in Trinity Beach, North Queensland, juggling a full-time job and two young children. They kick off with a discussion about the hosts' shared pet peeve: guests who don't provide feedback during their stay, only in post-checkout reviews. Ray shares his frustration with missed opportunities to improve guest experiences, while Emma, a new host with a five-star rating, reflects on initial guest support, and Silvia highlights the benefits of direct feedback in a shared home. Emma shares her journey into Airbnb, driven by a desire to maintain a family base in Trinity Beach, North Queensland, while residing in Melbourne. Her two-bedroom townhouse stands out with its Daintree rainforest-inspired styling, offering warm colours and greens distinct from typical coastal decor. A key focus is making the property family-friendly, providing extensive amenities like a cot, booster chair, and toys to ease travel for families. Despite a highly competitive market and initial hesitation from management companies due to seasonal bookings, Emma has achieved unexpected booking success. She efficiently manages the property remotely through a trusted local cleaner, podcast-inspired smart lock systems (using guest mobile numbers for codes), automated messaging, and dynamic pricing tools like PriceLabs. Hosting in a tropical climate brought unique challenges, including managing various insects (ants, wasps) and mold, necessitating regular pest control and AC maintenance, with Ray suggesting Sensibo for humidity control. Emma attributes her high guest satisfaction to accurate property representation, unique styling, abundant supplies, durable selections, and a personal touch as a new family host, which she believes fosters guest understanding and open communication. The episode wraps with Emma expressing her pleasant surprise at the Airbnb's success, which has exceeded initial expectations. She emphasizes that her meticulous setup, durable design choices, and personal approach have ensured smooth remote management and fostered positive guest interactions, allowing her family to enjoy the property for their own holidays once or twice a year. What you’ll learn in this episode Strategies for encouraging guest feedback during their stay versus post-stay reviews.How to successfully set up and manage an Airbnb property remotely, even with family commitments.The importance of thoughtful styling and equipping a property to stand out in a competitive market.Practical considerations for making an Airbnb family-friendly and reducing guest packing burdens.Addressing unique environmental challenges in tropical climates, such as pest control and humidity/mold management.Leveraging technology like smart locks, automated messaging, and dynamic pricing tools for efficient remote operations.The value of durable materials and a systematic cleaning process for long-term property maintenance and guest satisfaction.The benefit of transparent communication and personal touches in fostering guest empathy and improving overall experience. Guest Name: Emma Bartlett Instagram: @trinitybeach_townhouse Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/1086727624986172101 Where to stay — hosted by the Superhosts Down Under team Ray's Property ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.raymondyee.com.au/airbnb⁠⁠⁠⁠ Silvia's Property ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X⁠⁠⁠ Sponsorship This episode is brought to you by Riverside. Use code Ray15 for 15% off your first subscription. https://riverside.sjv.io/xLR1Wx

    38 min

  6. 25 JAN

    Ep 51 - Designing a standout one-bedroom Airbnb in Brisbane

    Ray and Silvia are joined by Stefan Jordana, a Brisbane-based host (and emerging interior designer) behind a colourful, tropical one-bedroom Airbnb nicknamed “The Fishbowl.” They kick off with a practical host topic: communal facilities in strata buildings—what guests should be allowed to use (pool, gym, rooftop BBQ), what’s often too hard to manage (bookable cinema/dining rooms), and why some residents and building managers default to blaming Airbnb guests when issues arise. Stefan then shares how he transformed his ground-floor, south-facing unit into an experience-led stay—using statement pieces, lighting, and multi-purpose furniture to solve space and brightness challenges, and to stand out in a market full of “white-on-white” listings. He also breaks down what surprised him most once hosting began, why he chose a co-host/property manager, and what he’s learned about launching confidently while maintaining five-star standards. The episode wraps with Stefan’s next chapter: documenting his interior design studies and building his brand, with plans to expand his Airbnb portfolio—while keeping an eye on evolving Brisbane short-stay regulation. What you’ll learn in this episode Communal facilities in strata buildings: what to allow vs what to avoid (especially bookable amenities) Why issues in buildings are often blamed on Airbnb guests first How “The Fishbowl” aesthetic came to life and why bold design stands out in search results Brightening darker apartments with reflective finishes, white balance, dimmable and mood lighting Space-maximising design: storage walls, hidden study, Murphy bed, pull-out sofa and multi-purpose furniture What guests actually comment on versus what hosts tend to worry about Co-hosting best practices, transparency and communication expectations The fine line between helpful guest messaging and over-communication Choosing a property manager when quality and detail matter Guest Stefan Jordana Instagram: @stevielarkin_design Where to stay — hosted by the Superhosts Down Under team Ray's Property ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.raymondyee.com.au/airbnb⁠⁠⁠⁠ Silvia's Property ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X⁠⁠⁠

    36 min
  7. Ep 50 - Nightmare guests, review disputes, and building a sustainable Airbnb business

    11 JAN

    Ep 50 - Nightmare guests, review disputes, and building a sustainable Airbnb business

    This week on Superhosts Down Under, Ray and Silvia are joined by returning guest Tanya, plus Superhost couple Jay and Rod. Tanya shares a recent, highly stressful stay that escalated fast — including late-night Airbnb support contact, refund pressure, a privacy breach, cancellation outcomes, and a retaliatory one-star review. Jay and Rod then share how they built three strong-performing Airbnb listings and a complementary paddleboarding business, plus the systems they use to host reliably even while travelling. In this episode Tanya’s complex guest stay and what hosts can learn How amenity expectations (like air conditioning) can create disputes Practical ways to approach Airbnb review disputes (including using policy-based language) Why one bad review shouldn’t define a good host Jay and Rod’s journey from early hosting challenges to three cash-flow-positive listings How they manage operations, cleaning, maintenance, and contingencies Hosting while travelling internationally: communication, backups, and checklists Using a local experience business to differentiate the guest experience Key takeaways Be extremely clear in your listing description about amenities and where they apply (for example, air conditioning location) If a stay becomes a dispute, document everything and reference Airbnb policy when escalating Don’t over-optimise for star ratings — focus on consistent service and clear expectations If you can, self-manage at the start so you understand what “good” looks like before delegating Reliable cleaners, trades, and simple operating systems make remote hosting realistic Guest links Jay & Rod’s Airbnb listings https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/835771603387295054?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76 https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/40829555?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76 https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/40413091?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76 Shoal Bay SUP www.shoalbaysup.com.au Instagram: @shoalbaysup Connect with the podcast Ray's Property ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.raymondyee.com.au/airbnb⁠⁠⁠⁠ Silvia's Property ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X⁠⁠⁠ Instagram @superhosts_down_under

    1hr 7min
  8. Ep 49 - Degraves Street Apartment: Boutique Hosting in the Heart of Melbourne’s Laneways

    28/12/2025

    Ep 49 - Degraves Street Apartment: Boutique Hosting in the Heart of Melbourne’s Laneways

    This week on Superhosts Down Under, Ray and Silvia sit down with Will from Mel Boutique Property, the operator behind Degraves Street Apartment — a design-led short-term rental tucked into one of Melbourne’s most iconic laneways. Located just moments from cafés, galleries, and the city’s creative pulse, Degraves Street Apartment is a thoughtful example of how boutique hospitality can exist within a dense urban environment without losing warmth, comfort, or personality. Will shares how Mel Boutique Property approaches hosting differently, focusing on guest experience, consistency, and the details that turn a central-city stay into something memorable. Ray, Silvia, and Will explore what it takes to run a high-performing inner-city apartment — from managing noise expectations and body corporate realities to designing spaces that photograph beautifully but still function for real guests. They discuss the balance between style and durability, why clear communication matters even more in CBD listings, and how Melbourne’s short-stay market has evolved post-pandemic. The conversation also touches on distribution strategy, guest screening, and why boutique operators often outperform larger portfolios by staying close to the guest journey. If you’re hosting (or considering hosting) an apartment in a busy urban area, this episode offers practical insights and grounded lessons from someone doing it day in, day out. In this episode, Will shares: What makes Degraves Street a unique (and challenging) location to hostDesigning city apartments that balance aesthetics with durabilitySetting expectations around noise, access, and urban livingWhy professional photography needs to reflect reality, not fantasyManaging guest experience in high-density buildingsHow Melbourne’s short-stay demand has shifted over the past few yearsThe importance of systems, consistency, and clear communicationWhen self-managing makes sense — and when it doesn’tWhy smaller, well-run portfolios can outperform scaleWhere to stay: Degraves Street Apartment — Melbourne CBD ⁠https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/1425769022784223775⁠Ray's Property ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.raymondyee.com.au/airbnb⁠⁠⁠⁠ Silvia's Property ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X⁠⁠⁠ Connect: Instagram: ⁠@degravesstreetapartment⁠ Email: ⁠will@melboutiqueproperty.com

    47 min
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Hosted by Ray & Silvia Superhosts Down Under is a podcast that guides and inspires aspiring Airbnb hosts on how to successfully set up and run an Airbnb in Australia. Each episode features engaging stories, lessons, and insights from different guests — from seasoned hosts to industry experts — sharing their unique experiences in short-term rental hosting. Join Ray and Silvia as they explore Australia’s most remarkable Airbnbs and uncover the stories of the owners who make them possible.

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