The Peak Season

Lucas Miller & Tyler Kostich
  • 5.0 (5)
  • MARKETING

The Peak Season Podcast is where hospitality, entrepreneurship, and real estate intersect. Each episode dives into the strategies that drive high-performing short-term rentals — from pricing and guest experience to design, marketing, and leadership. Whether you’re managing properties, growing an STR portfolio, or exploring what it takes to build a truly exceptional hospitality brand, you’ll find real conversations, practical insights, and lessons learned from the field. Tune in to level up your business and see what it really takes to thrive in the peak season — and beyond.

  1. 3D AGO

    E210 - Hire Fast, Fire Faster: Protecting Your 5-Star Reputation

    Episode SummaryIn this episode, Luke and Tyler unpack a real-world lesson from two newly launched Northern Michigan properties. When you’re scaling short-term rentals — especially from a distance — your cleaning crew can make or break your business. Luke shares a recent experience hiring and quickly replacing a cleaner after quality and scheduling red flags started stacking up. The takeaway? Five-star reviews aren’t optional, and your team must make your life easier — not harder. If you're onboarding new properties, launching into peak season, or feeling friction with your current cleaning setup, this episode is your reminder to protect your standards at all costs. What We CoverWhy Cleaners Make or Break Your STRYour cleaning crew and handyman are the two most important vendors in your business. For new listings especially, early five-star reviews are critical to algorithm placement and long-term success. Red Flag #1: Scheduling FrictionA cleaner should treat checkout day as clean day — not “sometime before the next guest.” When cleans are delayed: You lose last-minute booking opportunitiesDamage reporting gets delayedYou’re forced into reactive managementStress levels spikeStrong operators clean immediately after checkout whenever possible. Red Flag #2: Quality SlippageMissed dishwasher unloads. Towels left in the dryer. Checklist items ignored. Even small misses can lead to: First-review disastersGuest dissatisfactionAlgorithm penaltiesLuke discusses implementing: Turnover checklistsWeb-based accountability formsCleaner input on processesClear communication of expectationsWhen checklist items are still missed, that’s no longer a systems issue — that’s a standards issue. The Tipping PointThe breaking point came when a post-renovation clean for a first guest fell short — despite clear instructions and high stakes. A new cleaner stepped in, inspected immediately, documented issues, and took ownership. The contrast was obvious: One cleaner created stressThe other solved problemsThat’s the difference between a liability and an asset. Key Takeaways for Hosts✔ Hire people who treat your property like their own✔ Look for ownership, not excuses✔ Cleaners should make your life easier✔ Use checklists — and involve them in building it✔ Don’t tolerate repeat misses on agreed expectations✔ Fire faster than feels comfortable You can end relationships professionally and respectfully while still protecting your standards. Connect With UsIf this episode helped you, please:⭐ Leave a 5-star review📩 Share with another STR host🔔 Subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode We’ll see you in the peak season. DisclaimerThe information provided in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects our personal experiences as short-term rental operators. It should not be considered legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with qualified professionals regarding your specific situation before making business decisions.

    24 min

  2. FEB 12

    E209 - Anatomy of an Under-Optimized STR

    Luke and Tyler reunite and hit record while reviewing a real short-term rental listing in Northwest Michigan: a vintage chalet inside a resort community with beach access, five bedrooms, two baths, and a 4.79 rating. They don’t “rip it to shreds” — they walk through practical upgrades that could improve bookings, reviews, and revenue with relatively small changes. ### What We Cover 1) Title Optimization (and why it matters fast) Your headline is prime real estate. Add high-impact keywords like pet friendly, beach access, ski, and the right guest count. Luke shares how simply changing a headline to highlight summer features led to multiple bookings within 24 hours. 2) Hero Photos & First Impressions The property has great bones, but the photo strategy is leaving money on the table. They discuss: * Seasonal photo swaps (winter vs. summer) * Twilight exterior shots + string lights Why every* photo needs captions (SEO + conversions) * Creating “scenes” so guests can picture themselves there 3) Sleeping 16 with 2 Bathrooms = Review Risk They call out the “heads in beds” trap. A rough rule: about 4 guests per bathroom. Overcrowding might raise revenue on paper, but often raises friction and lowers reviews. They suggest repositioning closer to 8–10 guests and charging for experience, not capacity. 4) Missed Amenity Opportunities The garage is a blank slate that could become: * Game room / hangout zone * Ski gear drop area * Summer indoor-outdoor lounge (screen + open door concept) They also recommend: * Better outdoor seating that matches capacity (fire pit + dining) * Leaning into pet-friendly (bowls, treats, clear policy, and charge accordingly) * A real coffee bar setup (or even multiple machines for large groups) * Adding a layout diagram (QB Casa) to boost conversions and reduce questions 5) Reviews, Ratings, and 5-Star Systems A 4.79 rating isn’t terrible, but it can bury you in search. Key takeaways: Respond to every* review * Use proactive communication and expectation-setting * Teach guests what 5 stars means (and why 4 hurts) * Fix common friction points mentioned: darkness, kitchen tightness, bathroom coordination 6) SEO, Amenities & Listing DepthThey note the listing shows only 38 amenities checked. They recommend: Maxing out the amenities listAdding WiFi speed verificationRewriting the description with bullets + light emojis for readabilityUsing ChatGPT to generate seasonal versions of the listing copyBig TakeawayThis place isn’t doomed — it’s under-optimized. With better positioning, brighter/friendlier living spaces, stronger amenities, sharper photos, and tighter guest communication, it could plausibly become a $75K–$100K/year property in the right hands. DisclaimerThe information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. We are not attorneys, accountants, or financial advisors. Always consult with a qualified professional before making investment, legal, or financial decisions related to your short-term rental business.

    35 min

  3. FEB 10

    E208 - Six Lessons From Renovating a Short-Term Rental Six States Away

    Episode DescriptionRenovating a short-term rental is hard. Renovating one six states away while working full-time, raising kids, and protecting family life? That’s a different level. In this solo episode, Luke breaks down six hard-earned lessons from launching and renovating a short-term rental in Bellaire, Michigan while living in Houston, Texas. From budget overruns and holding costs to leadership growth, interior design decisions, and mindset shifts, this episode is an honest look at what it really takes to execute a long-distance value-add STR — and why, despite the challenges, it was 100% worth it. If you’re considering a remote renovation, scaling your STR portfolio, or balancing entrepreneurship with family life, this episode is for you. Key TakeawaysAlways over-budget and plan aggressively for holding costsFinish renovations before furnishing or stagingToo many overlapping teams create inefficiency and frustrationOn-site leadership saves time, money, and sanityInterior design pays off — but timing mattersGrowth as a leader often requires discomfort and assertivenessLong-distance renovations are possible, but support systems are criticalFinal ThoughtsA ~$100K renovation added an estimated ~$200K in equity, increased booking demand, and positioned the property for premium pricing — all while strengthening Luke’s long-term family wealth strategy. Challenging? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or investment advice. All real estate investments carry risk, and results may vary. Always consult with qualified professionals before making financial or investment decisions.

    19 min

  4. JAN 29

    E207 - Simple Systems That Add Real Profit to Short-Term Rentals

    Episode SummaryIn this episode of The Peak Season Podcast, Luke and Tyler break down real-world, low-effort strategies that directly increase short-term rental profit. Using recent bookings at White Birch Cabin as a case study, they explain how small system tweaks—like minimum stay adjustments, direct booking visibility, and smart upsells—can add thousands of dollars to the bottom line without adding operational stress. This episode is all about thinking like an operator, not just a host. Key TakeawaysHow a single direct booking saved a guest $1,500 and added ~$2,000 in net profitWhy savvy guests actively search for direct booking optionsUsing automated messages and host signatures to create discoveryUpsells that don’t feel like nickel-and-dimingLeveraging tools like Hospitable for frictionless add-on revenueWhen welcome gifts protect pricing power and reviewsPractical partnership ideas for rural and urban marketsWhy small revenue adds hit profit harder than headline ADR increasesChapters00:00 – Intro & episode focus00:24 – Breaking minimum stays to unlock demand01:46 – How a guest found the direct booking site02:27 – The math behind a $2,000 profit swing03:45 – Direct bookings that wouldn’t exist on Airbnb06:35 – Upsells without hurting the guest experience07:45 – Psychology of “deep discounts”10:57 – Automating upsells with Hospitable13:39 – Grocery delivery & revenue sharing15:17 – Firewood, s’mores kits, and value perception17:40 – Welcome gifts vs. review impact19:37 – Mid-stay cleans & local partnerships22:02 – Transportation, charters, and guidebook monetization24:09 – Final thoughts on profit-first thinking Final ThoughtsYou don’t need more nights to make more money—you need better systems. When you treat your short-term rental like a business, small optimizations compound fast, and nearly all of it drops straight to profit. DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The strategies discussed are based on personal experience and may not apply to every market or situation. Listeners should evaluate their own properties, local regulations, and risk tolerance before implementing any strategies discussed.

    25 min

  5. JAN 27

    E206: Evaluating a New STR Market from 30,000 Feet: The Bourbon Trail (Part 1)

    🎙️ Episode Show Notes Episode Title: Evaluating a New STR Market from 30,000 Feet: The Bourbon Trail (Part 1) --- ### Episode Description In this episode of the Peak Season Podcast, Luke and Tyler step outside their usual Michigan focus and evaluate a brand-new short-term rental market: Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail. Rather than jumping straight into spreadsheets and underwriting, this episode intentionally stays at the 30,000-foot level—the phase where operators decide whether a market is even worth deeper analysis. Luke and Tyler begin exactly where most guests do: the Airbnb home screen. By searching without dates and analyzing which listings surface first, they identify properties that are already winning, recurring amenities, and the types of guests the market attracts. A clear pattern emerges quickly—the Bourbon Trail is a group-driven, weekend-heavy market, dominated by friend trips, bachelor groups, and couples traveling together. That insight drives everything else. Instead of tiny cabins or ultra-luxury builds, the most successful listings tend to fall in the 4–6 bedroom range, with flexible layouts and strong secondary living spaces like basements, garages, and lounges. Luke explains why review count and calendar behavior matter more than nightly rate, while Tyler adds firsthand guest experience from recent Bourbon Trail trips to ground the analysis in reality. From there, the episode shifts from Airbnb to Zillow to test whether top-performing listings can realistically be replicated at today’s prices. They evaluate new construction, older ranch homes, rural properties with acreage, and value-add opportunities—always asking the same question: Can this realistically become a winning short-term rental? A key theme throughout the episode is restraint. Not every market deserves underwriting. Before running numbers, investors should confirm they aren’t priced out, boxed in by regulations, limited by neighbors, or constrained by inventory. The Bourbon Trail passes that test, showing strong demand, attainable price points, and multiple viable strategies. This is Part 1 of a two-part series. In the next episode, Luke and Tyler will underwrite two real properties—one lower-priced and one higher-priced—to compare cash-on-cash returns, revenue ceilings, and overall risk. If you want to understand how experienced operators decide where to invest before worrying about how much, this episode lays the foundation. --- ### Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Luke Miller and Tyler Kostich are not licensed financial advisors. All real estate investments carry risk, and results discussed on this show are not guaranteed. You should conduct your own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before making any investment decisions.

    35 min

  6. JAN 22

    E205: Reading Market Demand Before You Panic Price

    Show NotesIn this episode of The Peak Season Podcast, Luke and Tyler return to PriceLabs for a hands-on walkthrough of one of the most underused (and misunderstood) features in the platform: Neighborhood Data and Market Dashboards. The conversation starts with a familiar host fear—“I was way more booked this time last year… should I be worried?”—and quickly turns into a data-driven framework for answering that question without panic-cutting prices. Luke shares how to compare current market occupancy vs. last year, how to tell whether demand is simply arriving later, and how to decide when to prioritize occupancy sensitivity vs. price sensitivity. Using real examples from White Birch Cabin, they break down how holidays like Juneteenth, school calendars, and changing lead times can quietly reshape demand. The episode also explores: Why being one of the last listings to book during peak season can be a strategic advantageHow to position your pricing in the lower third of your comp set to capture bookings without racing to the bottomWhen high early bookings are actually a signal that your rates may still be too lowHow to use the Competitor Calendar to see real minimum stays and pricing strategies side-by-side They also compare PriceLabs data with AirDNA, explaining why AirDNA works well for high-level market validation while PriceLabs excels at real-world pricing decisions based on live comps. If you’ve ever opened PriceLabs, tweaked a few numbers, and closed it again hoping for the best—this episode shows you where the real leverage lives. Chapters / Timestamps00:00 – Welcome back & why this episode exists01:10 – Reviewing White Birch Cabin inside PriceLabs02:00 – Why market dashboards matter more than calendar tweaks03:20 – Comparing your bookings vs. market occupancy04:35 – Understanding demand lag vs. demand decline05:40 – Pricing in the middle vs. top of your comp set06:30 – June demand spike & the Juneteenth effect08:40 – When not to lower prices—even if you’re nervous10:00 – Using historical occupancy to predict future demand11:00 – Competitor calendars & minimum stay strategies12:40 – Seven-night vs. short stays: who’s really winning13:10 – July peak pricing & being one of the last to book15:00 – Early bookings as a signal you underpriced16:35 – AI Insights: helpful shortcut or confirmation bias?18:15 – Tutorials baked into PriceLabs (use them)19:45 – PriceLabs vs. AirDNA: when to use each21:10 – Final thoughts & where hosts should spend their time DisclaimerThe information provided in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or tax advice. Pricing strategies, revenue results, and market performance vary by property, location, and individual circumstances. Always do your own research and consult with qualified professionals before making investment or pricing decisions.

    22 min

  7. JAN 20

    Episode 204: Gap Nights & Minimum Stays During Peak Season — Yay or Nay?

    📝 Episode Summary In this episode of the Peak Season Podcast, Tyler and Lucas unpack one of the most debated levers in vacation‑rental strategy: Should you hold firm to a seven‑night minimum during peak season, or open the calendar to shorter stays to fill gap nights? They explore how each approach affects revenue, workload, guest satisfaction, and operational flow, weaving in real examples from their own portfolios. The conversation also highlights the importance of active pricing, the role of professional revenue managers, and how understanding guest psychology can dramatically improve booking outcomes. 🔑 Keywords vacation rental, seven‑night minimum, revenue management, property management, guest satisfaction, pricing strategy, gap nights, STR operations 💡 Top Takeaways • Seven‑night minimums create stability but can reduce flexibility and limit booking opportunities. • Shorter stays boost occupancy and review velocity, which can improve search ranking and visibility. • Active pricing is non‑negotiable for maximizing revenue in competitive markets. • Professional revenue managers can unlock hidden profit by monitoring trends and adjusting rates daily. • Guest psychology matters — understanding how families, couples, and last‑minute travelers behave helps shape smarter policies. • Operational logistics drive strategy, especially when it comes to cleaning schedules and turnover capacity. • Consistency in management practices leads to smoother operations and better guest experiences. • Competitor research reveals what’s working in your market and where you can differentiate. • Flexible booking policies can widen your funnel and attract more qualified guests. • Balancing workload with revenue is essential for long‑term sustainability and host sanity. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00:00 — 🎧 Introduction & Topic Overview Setting the stage for the seven‑night minimum vs. short‑stay debate. 00:00:00 — 💵 Revenue & Booking Strategies How minimum stays influence revenue, occupancy, and search performance. 00:00:00 — 🧹 Logistics & Management Turnovers, cleaning schedules, and the operational realities behind stay rules. 00:00:00 — 📊 Pricing & Revenue Management Why active pricing matters and how pros optimize your calendar. 00:00:01 — 🧠 Guest Psychology & Booking Policies Understanding traveler behavior to set smarter, more effective rules. 00:00:01 — 🔚 Conclusion & Final Thoughts Final insights on balancing flexibility, revenue, and operational flow.

    29 min

  8. JAN 15

    E203 - Brandon Wood Part 2

    The Peak Season Podcast – Part 2 with Brandon Wood In Part Two of our conversation, Brandon Wood goes deep on what actually powers a scalable short-term rental operation—without burning out or over-engineering too early. We cover Brandon’s full tech stack (from PMS to insurance), how he thinks about outsourcing versus control, and why time is the real bottleneck most operators ignore. Brandon also shares real-world customer service stories that should’ve been one-star disasters—but turned into five-star wins, dinner included. This episode is a practical, no-nonsense look at what works once you’re past your first couple of properties—and what not to take on, even when the money looks good. Chapters / Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Part Two with Brandon Wood00:48 – Scaling to 15 properties without losing sanity01:07 – Airbnb & VRBO only: delaying direct bookings on purpose02:30 – Hospitable as a PMS (and why AI messaging isn’t quite there yet)03:45 – Custom reporting, Canva, and staying hands-on04:30 – Task management and staying above water05:10 – PriceLabs vs outsourced revenue management06:10 – Buying back time with outsourced pricing06:55 – Digital guidebooks & search ranking tools07:30 – Guest damage insurance: why AirCover isn’t enough07:52 – How guest-paid incidental insurance works08:34 – Insurance integrations and claim workflow10:00 – Outsourcing bookkeeping (and why it pays for itself)11:45 – Cleaning platforms vs keeping great cleaners13:12 – Collecting guest data before you’re “ready”14:20 – Outdoor security, cameras, and real-world mountain problems15:00 – Noise, smoke, and occupancy monitoring15:53 – Auto-rebooting WiFi routers (a must-have for remote properties)17:47 – Rapid fire: biggest win in hospitality18:02 – Bear, broken windshield, and a five-star review22:36 – Why bad situations create the best reviews23:31 – Nightmare scenarios and emotional control24:23 – Taking on too much (accidental GC lessons)28:09 – Learning when to say no to clients31:26 – Podcast recommendations for STR operators33:37 – Book recommendations for business and life35:16 – How to connect with Brandon 🔌 Automatic WiFi Rebooter (Mentioned in Episode)One of the simplest “why didn’t I do this sooner” upgrades for remote or rural properties. Automatic WiFi Rebooter (Amazon):https://www.amazon.com/Keep-Connect-Device-Automatic-Rebooter/dp/B0C6YCQ2ZV/ This device automatically power-cycles your router when the internet drops—often fixing issues before guests even notice. Especially useful for mountain, lake, and off-the-beaten-path markets. DisclaimerThe views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the hosts and guests and do not constitute legal, financial, tax, or investment advice. All examples discussed are for informational and educational purposes only. Every short-term rental market, property, and investor situation is different—listeners should conduct their own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before making business decisions.

    36 min
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About

The Peak Season Podcast is where hospitality, entrepreneurship, and real estate intersect. Each episode dives into the strategies that drive high-performing short-term rentals — from pricing and guest experience to design, marketing, and leadership. Whether you’re managing properties, growing an STR portfolio, or exploring what it takes to build a truly exceptional hospitality brand, you’ll find real conversations, practical insights, and lessons learned from the field. Tune in to level up your business and see what it really takes to thrive in the peak season — and beyond.

Information

  • Creator
    Lucas Miller & Tyler Kostich
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Lucas Miller & Tyler Kostich