STR Investing, The Podcast

Taylor Jones & Mark Lumpkin
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Unlock financial freedom through short-term rental investing with hosts Taylor Jones and Mark Lumpkin. Each week, they sit down with the biggest names in the STR industry to uncover what’s working right now — from acquisitions and design to operations, marketing, and scaling portfolios.Taylor has helped acquire and manage over 500+ STRs, while Mark brings years of hands-on experience transforming properties into high-performing investments. Together, they break down real strategies, real numbers, and real stories that help investors grow smarter and faster.Whether you’re buying your first Airbnb or expanding a multi-market portfolio, this show is your roadmap to building wealth and freedom through short-term rentals.Subscribe and start turning your STR goals into results.

  1. 1D AGO

    Robots in your Airbnb?

    AI is reshaping short-term rentals fast.  In this episode, Mark sits down with Shahar, founder of Boom, to break down how operators can use AI + automation to scale without adding chaos. Shahar shares how he went from broker/investor to building a tech-enabled property management company (managing roughly $150M of property)—then spinning the technology out into Boom as a standalone platform built for operators running at scale. What you’ll learn: How Shahar validated his first Airbnb using staged “virtual design” photos before furnishingWhy “market fit” matters more than building a great product—and how his first tech product struggled to monetizeThe real operational pain that forces software creation: owner statements, task management, approvals, vendor payments, reconciliationWhy scaling STRs breaks from operations, not demand—and how “one system” reduces errors and laborThe shift from SaaS tools everywhere to one operating system + AI agents (guest messaging, reporting, workflows)How AI can reduce guest-message volume so teams can focus on real problems and higher-touch hospitalityWhere the industry is heading: AI travel planning, agent-driven bookings, direct booking disruption, and even the long-term impact of roboticsWhy companies that don’t adopt AI won’t survive—and how top operators will scale from 100 doors to 500–1,000 with the same team__ Episode Sponsored By: STR Search STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 325+ profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

    39 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Monday Market Data: Breakdown of Blue Ridge, GA Market

    In this Monday Market Data Report, co-host Mark Lumpkin breaks down the short-term rental numbers for Blue Ridge, one of the most popular mountain cabin destinations in the Southeast. This episode highlights just how wide the performance gap is in Blue Ridge — where top-performing properties can earn more than double what average listings make in the same bedroom category. Inside the data, you’ll learn: What 3-bedroom cabins earn at average vs. top-tier performanceWhy occupancy swings in Blue Ridge are some of the largest we’ve seenWhy adding a 4th bedroom doesn’t always move the needle — unless you’re a top performerHow 5-bedroom properties unlock a massive revenue jump when executed correctlyWhy 6+ bedroom homes can exceed $250K per year in the top tierThe takeaway is clear: Blue Ridge strongly rewards great locations, views, amenities, and execution, while average properties leave a lot of money on the table. Whether you already own in Blue Ridge or are underwriting a potential cabin investment, this episode gives you the real numbers to understand where the upside truly lives. Have a market you want us to break down next? DM Mark and we’ll bring the data.

    7 min

  3. JAN 30

    From Years in Luxury Hotels to Helping Vacation Rental Owners Scale

    Short-term rental guest expectations are rising fast — and “manual everything” breaks the moment you try to scale. This week, Mark is joined by Frank from Hostfully to talk systems, PMS strategy, and what it really takes to run a professional operation as you grow from 1–2 properties to 10+. Frank shares how his luxury hotel background (Ritz, W, Westin) shaped his view of STR operations — and why structure, branding, and professionalism are now non-negotiable if you want to win your market. We cover: The biggest differences between luxury hotels and mom-and-pop short-term rentalsWhy guest expectations keep moving toward “hotel-level” standards (and won’t go back)When it becomes impossible to manage without a PMSHow a PMS helps reduce operational friction and scale without chaosWhy “growth at all costs” is dead — and sustainable growth is the new edgeWhat to look for when choosing a PMS (and why there’s no one-size-fits-all)If you’re serious about scaling your STR portfolio, this episode is a must-listen. __ Episode Sponsored By: STR Search STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 325+ profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

    31 min

  4. JAN 26

    Monday Market Data: Breakdown of Park City, UT Market

    In this Monday Market Data Report, co-host Mark Lumpkin breaks down the short-term rental numbers for Park City, one of the most in-demand ski towns in the country. This episode reveals some of the largest performance gaps we’ve seen in any market — where top-performing properties earn more than double what average listings make in the same bedroom category. Inside the data, you’ll learn: What 3-bedroom homes earn at average vs. top-tier performance levelsWhy performance matters more than bedroom count in Park CityHow 4- and 5-bedroom homes can push well into six figures annuallyWhy 6+ bedroom properties are producing $300K+ per yearHow nightly rates and occupancy combine to create massive revenue swingsThe takeaway is clear: in Park City, average properties get crushed, while well-designed, well-executed homes dominate the market. If you’re investing in ski towns, underwriting luxury STRs, or deciding whether Park City is worth the premium buy-in, this episode gives you the real numbers behind the hype. Have a market you want us to break down next? DM Mark and we’ll bring the data.

    6 min

  5. JAN 23

    What Used to Work with Airbnbs No Longer Does

    The short-term rental market has changed fast. The old “furnish it cheap and it still books” playbook is fading—and Merritt Harris breaks down what actually wins now. Merritt shares how he went from long-term rentals in New York to building a property management company during the COVID peak, then adapting as competition intensified and guest expectations rose. In this episode, we cover: Why “corporate” posting and insider jargon doesn’t convert—and what to post insteadThe shift from selling a bed to selling an experience-driven stayAmenities vs. design: what matters most and how to decideWhy larger properties are outperforming smaller ones in many marketsHow to find value-add opportunities (basements, egress, bonus rooms) to increase revenueThe systems-first approach to management: automation, cleaners, and scaling without burnoutA practical tech stack for operators and property managers (PMS, pricing tools, cleaning ops, comms)If you’re trying to compete in today’s market—whether you own one property or manage dozens—this episode will help you rethink what “good enough” looks like in 2026. __ Episode Sponsored By: STR Search STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 325+ profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

    38 min

  6. JAN 19

    Monday Market Data: Breakdown of Gatlinburg,TN Market

    In this Monday Market Data Report, Mark Lumpkin breaks down Gatlinburg, Tennessee, one of the most talked-about short-term rental markets in the country. Using real performance data, Mark walks through how revenue, occupancy, and nightly rates change as you move from three-bedroom cabins to six-plus bedroom luxury properties. In this episode, you’ll learn: How three-bedroom STRs in Gatlinburg earn between $55K and $95K annuallyWhy four-bedroom properties can generate $20K–$45K more per year than three-bedroomsHow five-bedroom cabins separate average performers from true top-tier experiencesWhy six-plus bedroom properties show the largest revenue jump Mark has seen in any marketHow ADR and occupancy work together to drive outsized returns in GatlinburgWhat the data reveals about guest expectations for larger, experience-driven homesIf you’re considering investing in Gatlinburg or already own in the Smokies, this episode breaks down exactly what size property performs best and why. Tune in every Monday for market data reports and every Friday for expert guest interviews on the STR Investing Podcast.

    6 min

  7. JAN 16

    What it Takes to go From 0-30 Properties!

    Cody Cramer went from hotel revenue management to building a multi-market short-term rental co-hosting business, all while operating remotely. In this episode, Mark sits down with Cody to break down how he scaled across the Smokies and Florida markets, why systems matter more than location, and what actually drives guest satisfaction. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Cody transitioned from hotels into STR co-hostingWhat it really takes to manage properties remotely without sacrificing qualityWhy your cleaning and maintenance team is the most important hire you’ll makeThe exact tech stack they use: Hostaway, PriceLabs, Breezeway, and Happy GuestHow non-traditional partnerships created early deal flowThe four metrics that matter in any STR market: bedroom count, RevPAR, booking lead time, and amenity saturationHow better communication reduces guest questions and improves reviewsConnect with Cody / Ascent Co-Hosting: Website: www.ascentcohosting.com IG: Ascent Cohosting FB:  Ascent Cohosting __ Episode Sponsored By: STR Search STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 325+ profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

    41 min

  8. JAN 12

    Monday Market Data: Breakdown of Golf Shores, AL Market

    In this Monday Market Data Report, co-host Mark Lumpkin breaks down the short-term rental numbers for Gulf Shores, a popular Gulf Coast vacation market with far more upside than many investors realize. This episode walks through how revenue, nightly rates, and occupancy change as you move from 3-bedroom homes to 6+ bedroom properties, and why larger, well-executed homes dominate this market. Inside the data, you’ll learn: What 3-bedroom homes earn at average vs. top-tier performance levelsWhy adding a 4th bedroom increases revenue even with slightly lower occupancyHow 5-bedroom properties unlock a major jump in annual incomeWhy 6+ bedroom homes in Gulf Shores can push $200K–$250K+ in annual revenueHow higher nightly rates — not just occupancy — drive strong net returnsThe numbers reveal a massive gap between average listings and top performers, proving that design, amenities, and bedroom count matter just as much as location in beach markets. Whether you already own on the Gulf Coast or are underwriting your next STR deal, this episode gives you clear, data-backed insight into what’s possible in Gulf Shores when you do it right. Have a market you want us to break down next? DM Mark and we’ll bring the data.

    7 min
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About

Unlock financial freedom through short-term rental investing with hosts Taylor Jones and Mark Lumpkin. Each week, they sit down with the biggest names in the STR industry to uncover what’s working right now — from acquisitions and design to operations, marketing, and scaling portfolios.Taylor has helped acquire and manage over 500+ STRs, while Mark brings years of hands-on experience transforming properties into high-performing investments. Together, they break down real strategies, real numbers, and real stories that help investors grow smarter and faster.Whether you’re buying your first Airbnb or expanding a multi-market portfolio, this show is your roadmap to building wealth and freedom through short-term rentals.Subscribe and start turning your STR goals into results.

Information

  • Creator
    Taylor Jones & Mark Lumpkin
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    95
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 STR Investing, The Podcast
  • Show Website
    STR Investing, The Podcast