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. 1H AGO

    The Instagram Strategy Behind $1M+ in STR Bookings

    We’re bringing back one of our most actionable episodes on using Instagram to drive real bookings. In this episode of the STR Investing Podcast, co-host Taylor Jones sits down with Ben Wolff, founder of Onera and a pioneer in the unique stays space. Ben shares how he built standout hospitality experiences that naturally attract attention online and convert that attention into direct bookings. From treehouse hotels to outdoor stays, his approach proves that the right content can become a powerful revenue engine. This episode breaks down the real strategy behind influencer collaborations, content marketing, and building a brand that drives demand. Including how one influencer partnership generated $25,000 in direct bookings with no upfront cost, and how these strategies contributed to over $1,000,000 in bookings. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Instagram can drive serious revenue for STRsWhy unique stays perform so well on social mediaThe strategy behind a $25K influencer winHow to turn content into consistent direct bookingsWhat’s working right now in STR marketingIf you’re looking to grow bookings and reduce reliance on OTAs, this is one to study. __ Episode Sponsored By: STR Search STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

    30 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Monday Market Data: Breakdown of Blue Ridge, GA Amenities Market

    Mark Lumpkin breaks down the amenity data for Blue Ridge, one of the most popular cabin markets in the Southeast. Using insights from STR Search, this episode dives into which amenities top-performing properties are using to dominate the market—and how much additional revenue those features are generating annually. Here’s what the data shows in Blue Ridge: • Hot Tubs (91%) → +$20,000+/year  • Game Rooms (50%) → +$16,451/year  • Home Gyms (8%) → +$9,123/year  • Saunas (5%) → +$24,861/year  • Swimming Pools (3%) → +$57,348/year  • Mini Golf (4%) → +$14,700/year The biggest takeaway? In Blue Ridge, amenities drive performance. Hot tubs are essentially mandatory for top-performing cabins, while features like saunas, pools, and mini golf courses are still rare—but generating massive revenue advantages for properties that have them. If you’re investing in Blue Ridge or planning upgrades to an existing cabin, this episode reveals the amenities that can help your property stand out and maximize revenue. Subscribe to the STR Investing Podcast for market data every Monday and expert guests every Friday.

    5 min

  3. MAR 13

    Hospitality with the Queen

    In this episode of the STR Investing Podcast, co-host Mark Lumpkin sits down with  Tyann Marcink - Hammond, owner of Tyann Hospitality and one of the newest VRMA board members, to talk about what actually drives five star stays: hospitality. Tyann shares why communication is the foundation of every great guest experience, how small moments can shape an entire stay, and why hosts who ignore hospitality are leaving money and reviews on the table. They also recap the Poconos STR conference, discuss Tyann's new book Hospitable Host: The STR Sisterhood Edition, and dig into what she is helping lead inside VRMA. They also cover: Why five star reviews do not always mean true hospitalityThe simple communication shift that can separate you from most hostsHow to train your team to create better guest experiencesWhy investors need to think beyond spreadsheets and ROIWhat Diane sees next for hospitality in the STR industryThis episode is a reminder that short-term rentals are not just a real estate business. They are a hospitality business first. __ Episode Sponsored By: STR Search STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 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

  4. MAR 9

    Monday Market Data: Breakdown of Bend, OR Amenities Market

    In this week’s Monday Market Data Report, Mark Lumpkin breaks down the short-term rental amenity data for Bend, a popular mountain destination known for skiing, outdoor recreation, breweries, and year-round tourism. Using data from STR Search, this episode looks at which amenities top-performing properties are using to outperform their competition—and how much additional revenue those features can generate. Here’s what the data shows in Bend: • Hot Tubs (59%) → +$16,834/year  • Fire Pits (34%) → +$2,276/year  • Home Gyms (11%) → +$8,004/year  • Saunas (6%) → +$8,839/year The biggest takeaway? Bend is still lightly amenitized compared to many other STR markets. Some amenities—like pickleball courts and game rooms—are so rare they barely show up in the data, meaning investors who add them could dramatically differentiate their properties. If you're investing in Bend or considering a mountain market, this episode breaks down the amenities that can give your property a competitive edge. Need help finding the right property? Reach out to STR Search. Need help designing or building your STR? Connect with STR Cribs. Subscribe to the STR Investing Podcast for market data every Monday and expert guests every Friday.

    4 min

  5. MAR 6

    Growing to 350 Properties and Fighting with Airbnb

    In this episode, co-host Mark Lumpkin sits down with Hunter Harrelson of Beachball Properties — one of the most recognizable vacation rental management brands on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Hunter breaks down how he and his wife Ginger bootstrapped from 20 properties to 350+ under management, why brand + local marketing mattered more than trying to market “to the masses,” and how one decision during Covid (refunding guests fast) created massive goodwill that helped fuel their growth. Then we get tactical: Hunter shares the real scaling problems that hit every time you add doors, why “everything breaks every 50 properties,” and how Beachball is solving training and consistency with an internal AI tool called Beach Bot — trained on their SOPs and connected to their PMS to help staff find answers fast. We also dive into a hot industry topic: Airbnb, merchant-of-record rules, and Alabama escrow law, plus what operators should watch as OTAs push for more control. Connect with Hunter / Beachball Properties Website: Beachball.com Email: hunter@beachball.com __ Episode Sponsored By: STR Search STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 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

  6. MAR 2

    Monday Market Data: Breakdown of Sedona, AZ Amenities Market

    In this Monday Morning Market Data Report on the STR Investing Podcast, co-host Mark Lumpkin breaks down the latest amenity data for Sedona, Arizona using insights from STR Search. If you’re investing in Sedona—or considering it—this episode shows exactly which amenities are driving serious revenue and how much they’re worth annually. Here’s what the data says about top performers in Sedona: Hot Tubs (59%) → +$38,346/yearFire Pits (54%) → +$22,417/yearSwimming Pools (17%) → +$82,827/yearGame Rooms (16%) → +$49,657/yearGyms (14%) → +$20,000+/yearSedona is still an under-amenitized market compared to places like Scottsdale. That means major opportunity. Less than 20% of top performers have pools, game rooms, or gyms—yet those properties are dramatically outperforming the rest. If you’re buying in Sedona, this episode lays out the blueprint:  Great views + strong amenities = serious revenue upside. Need help finding a deal? Reach out to STR Search.  Need help designing or building? Connect with STR Cribs. Subscribe for weekly market data every Monday and expert guests every Friday.

    5 min

  7. FEB 27

    The Queen of STR Sales!

    In this episode of the STR Investing Podcast, co-host Mark Lumpkin sits down with Jack Roberts from STR Cribs to talk sales, design, and what it really takes to build high-performing short-term rentals today. Jack breaks down why “being real” wins in sales, how to build trust fast, and why the best salespeople don’t hide behind scripts or corporate talk. From there, we get into STR design strategy, how guest expectations keep evolving, and why you can’t out-design a bad property. We cover: Why Jack says “I am the sales pitch”How to break down walls and get clients to open upThe difference between designing for homeowners vs. designing for guestsWhat refreshes actually move revenue (and what’s just wasted spend)Why STRs can pivot faster than hotelsJack’s favorite travel inspiration spots, plus rapid-fire favoritesConnect with Jack: Linkedin: @jackroberts00Book a call: STRCribs.com__ Episode Sponsored By: STR Search STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

    30 min

  8. FEB 20

    Send Your Kids to College for Free, with STRs

    In this episode of the STR Investing Podcast, co-host Mark Lumpkin sits down with Lance Morgan, founder of College Funding Secrets, to break down a different way to think about short-term rentals—using them to help pay for college and reduce taxes. Lance explains how high-income families can reposition college savings, lower “financial aid income” on paper, and use STR tax benefits (bonus depreciation) as what he calls “tax scholarships.” The goal: stop writing big checks for tuition and instead buy an asset that can help cover college costs while continuing to generate long-term wealth. We also talk about: Why the “secret cost of college” can be over $1M when you factor in opportunity costHow STR cash flow can cover student loan payments after graduationWhy income matters more than assets when qualifying for aidCreative alternatives like “box houses” and other tax strategy rabbit holesLance’s STR portfolio growth and what he’s building next: Scholarship Houses + Scholarship VacationsConnect with Lance: CollegeFundingSecrets.comScholarshipHouse.com (and ScholarshipVacations.com coming soon)__ Episode Sponsored By: STR Search STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

    30 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
    106
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 STR Investing, The Podcast
  • Show Website
    STR Investing, The Podcast