328 episodes

Get actionable advice and the essential fundamentals of running a profitable 5-star Airbnb side-hustle or full on business. Annette’s extensive background in business operations and Sarah’s experience in high-end hospitality management and interior design make them a powerhouse duo that will deliver high impact content. With almost a decade of combined hosting experience they will not only share their own stories welcoming thousands of guests from around the world but also those of other Superhosts to deliver you a wide array of stories, insights, and profitable and creative ideas to make your listing rise to the top. Whether you’re experienced, new, or nervous to start your own Airbnb this podcast promises to be informative, fun, and from the heart.

Thanks For Visiting Airbnb Superhosts Annette Grant & Sarah Karakaian

    • Business
    • 4.9 • 514 Ratings

Get actionable advice and the essential fundamentals of running a profitable 5-star Airbnb side-hustle or full on business. Annette’s extensive background in business operations and Sarah’s experience in high-end hospitality management and interior design make them a powerhouse duo that will deliver high impact content. With almost a decade of combined hosting experience they will not only share their own stories welcoming thousands of guests from around the world but also those of other Superhosts to deliver you a wide array of stories, insights, and profitable and creative ideas to make your listing rise to the top. Whether you’re experienced, new, or nervous to start your own Airbnb this podcast promises to be informative, fun, and from the heart.

    BRRRR Method 101: Tips for Success in Long-Term Rentals with Jessie Lang

    BRRRR Method 101: Tips for Success in Long-Term Rentals with Jessie Lang

    Today’s expert guest is Jessie Lang, a buy-and-hold investor with over 70 (!) rentals in Columbus Ohio – most of which she’s acquired since 2021. She has used the BRRRR method to acquire her portfolio with little to none of her own money left in the deals. Now, she’s committed to teaching others how to do the same – and we get a great outline of it today.
    Jessie walks us through the BRRRR Method, sharing the real-life math on an active project she’s working on right now to illustrate exactly how it works and why it’s been so successful for her. Of course, we also compare and contrast how this method applies to STRs, where it works and where you might need to tweak your approach.
    We also go over her process for qualifying residents, because if you are even considering mid-term rentals (let alone long-term), you need to understand that you are no longer hosting guests. You are hosting residents, and specific laws kick into place that you might not be used to.
    (00:01:44) #STRShareSunday: @lakearrowheadmanor 
    (00:05:37) Jessie Lang’s Path to 70 Rentals
    (00:10:42) BRRRR Method 101
    (00:16:34) Success Tips & Common Beginner Mistakes
    (00:27:18) BRRRR-bnb: Does it Work for STRs?
    (00:29:34) Effective Resident Communication Practices 
    (00:35:34) How to Qualify Potential Renters
    (00:48:27) Jessie’s Long Term Plan for the Future
    Resources:
    Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.comUnlocked Guide: Unlocked Guide#STRShareSunday: @lakearrowheadmanor 
    Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.
    Mentioned in this episode:
    Breezeway | Go to breezeway.io/tfv to claim your free implementation when you start a Breezeway account.
    Host Checklist | Grab our Airbnb Essentials Checklist and make stocking your Airbnb a breeze – we've got all your hosting needs covered!
    Relay | Go to https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=ThanksForVisiting for your FREE business banking account.
    Hostfully | Go to https://www.hostfully.com/influencers/thanks-for-visiting/ and use TFV100 to get $100 off your subscription.
    Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!
    Sign up at hostmasterclass.com.

    • 1 hr 5 min
    Systems Shakedown 004. How to Hack the Airbnb Algorithm with Effective Copy & Photography (Success Unlocked Season 1)

    Systems Shakedown 004. How to Hack the Airbnb Algorithm with Effective Copy & Photography (Success Unlocked Season 1)

    Welcome back to Success Unlocked, where our hosting business master membership coaches discuss operations, social media, unique builds, co-hosting strategies, and much more. This week’s episode is Systems Shakedown, hosted by Wendy Doris.
    Wendy welcomes our very own Sarah Karakaian to go deep on what makes effective copy and photography in vacation rental listings. They share the latest wisdom on hero images, aspect ratios, collages, and so much more – before delving into the power of the pen, and how to write bookings-boosting description copy.
    Wrapping up, they share their most important lessons learned from testing and tweaking their listings while singing the praises of constant experimentation, data-fueled insights, and keeping a sharp eye on the competition. 
    (00:03:14) Quick Tips for Optimizing Photography
    (00:18:29) Writing Effective Copy to Describe Your Listing
    (00:25:26) Seeking Outside Opinions & Checking for Updates
    (00:31:07) Tips for Testing & Experimentation
    Resources:
    Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.comWebsite: mostess.hostInstagram: @mostess.host
    Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.
    Mentioned in this episode:
    Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!
    Sign up at hostmasterclass.com.
    Host Checklist | Grab our Airbnb Essentials Checklist and make stocking your Airbnb a breeze – we've got all your hosting needs covered!
    Quiz | Take our quiz to reveal your hosting personality style!

    • 46 min
    Hosting Hotline: Tips for Strategizing Special Moments & Gifts in Your Vacation Rental

    Hosting Hotline: Tips for Strategizing Special Moments & Gifts in Your Vacation Rental

    Welcome back to the Hosting Hotline! This is an Ask Me Anything where each week we’ll answer your questions on Airbnb, STRs, real estate, and everything in between.
    Sarah asks:
    I'm wondering about the extras that you do for guests, the stuff that really wows them. Is there a rule for how much money you spend on this? How do you decide when to do something special? How do you organize it? All of the things.
    (00:01:38) How Do You Make Decisions About Wow-Factors?
    (00:02:24) Collect Data & Know Your Numbers
    (00:04:44) Reusable Amenity Ideas for That Special Moment
    (00:05:22) Keep It All Organized With Asana
    (00:06:41) Don’t Forget: A Forgot-Something Basket
    Thanks to everyone who submitted questions. To hear your voice on the show and send a question to Sarah and Annette, submit your burning hosting questions at: hostinghotline.com.
    Resources:
    Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!Welcome Basket Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com
    Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.
    Mentioned in this episode:
    Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!
    Sign up at hostmasterclass.com.
    StayFi | Go to www.stayfi.com and enter TFV to get 50% off your first three months.
    Quiz | Take our quiz to reveal your hosting personality style!

    • 12 min
    Pet-Friendly or Not? Weighing the Many Benefits of a Pet-Friendly STR

    Pet-Friendly or Not? Weighing the Many Benefits of a Pet-Friendly STR

    Don’t forget Fido for today’s special pet-themed episode of Thanks For Visiting as we unpack the immense power of the pet-friendly designation on Airbnb, recommended processes and platforms to smooth out your animal operations, and preview our brand new Pet-Friendly Essentials Checklist: breezeway.io/pet-checklist.
    That’s right, we’ve created the most comprehensive pet checklist that we could so that you can download it and use it to set up your rental to be pet friendly. In this episode, we spotlight Breezeway as our partner in data collection on this project – sharing a few eye-opening figures on how welcoming pets into your properties can impact your bottom line.
    We also touch on recommended cleaning supplies, offer up some ideas on homey pet-themed amenities, and do a deep dive on what your tech stack might look like when it’s all said and done. Make 2024 the year you check that box, invite furry family members into your homes, and watch as your booking and profitability metrics get a case of the zoomies. 
    (01:29) #STRShareSunday: @cedarglengetaway
    (04:45) Breezeway Shares the Data on Pet-Friendly Rentals 
    (08:19) Preview to Pet-Friendly Essentials Checklist
    (17:55) Recommended Cleaning Supplies & Communicating Pet Rules
    Resources:
    Pet-Friendly Essentials Checklist: breezeway.io/pet-checklistVisit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com#STRShareSunday: @cedarglengetaway
    Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.
    Mentioned in this episode:
    Relay | Go to https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=ThanksForVisiting for your FREE business banking account.
    Hostfully | Go to https://www.hostfully.com/influencers/thanks-for-visiting/ and use TFV100 to get $100 off your subscription.
    Host Checklist | Grab our Airbnb Essentials Checklist and make stocking your Airbnb a breeze – we've got all your hosting needs covered!
    Breezeway | Go to breezeway.io/tfv to claim your free implementation when you start a Breezeway account.
    Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!
    Sign up at hostmasterclass.com.

    • 29 min
    Vacation Ventures 004. Becoming Unreasonably Hospitable with Charlie Eich (Success Unlocked Season 1)

    Vacation Ventures 004. Becoming Unreasonably Hospitable with Charlie Eich (Success Unlocked Season 1)

    Welcome back to Success Unlocked, where our hosting business master membership coaches discuss operations, social media, unique builds, co-hosting strategies, and so much more. This week’s episode is Vacation Ventures, hosted by Michael Hicks.
    Micheal chats with his friend and business partner, Charlie Eich, a restaurant owner and hospitality guru out of Chattanooga, Tennessee. They met four years ago as Mike sat down to eat in one of six restaurants he’s owned over the years. 
    In this episode, they chat about crossover qualities in what it takes to be successful in both the food service industry and the vacation rental industry – telling the legendary tale of Cheeburger Cheeburger, exchanging tips for top-shelf customer service and experience building, and looking ahead at their shared future in the pizza business. 
    (00:02:29) Charlie Eich’s Background in Hospitality
    (00:05:41) Goodbye, Cheeburger Cheeburger – Hello, River Drifters
    (00:13:10) Becoming Unreasonably Hospitable 
    (00:25:22) Importance of People Skills & Managing Personalities 
    (00:40:39) Going the Extra Mile for Guests
    Resources:
    Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.comInstagram: @river.driftersRiver Drifters: riverdrifterschatt.comRead: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will GuidaraInstagram: @findyourrepurposeTikTok: @findyourrepurposeInstagram: @wanderchattWebsite: wanderchatt.com
    Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.
    Mentioned in this episode:
    Host Checklist | Grab our Airbnb Essentials Checklist and make stocking your Airbnb a breeze – we've got all your hosting needs covered!
    Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!
    Sign up at hostmasterclass.com.
    Quiz | Take our quiz to reveal your hosting personality style!

    • 51 min
    Hosting Hotline: Setting, Tracking & Reaching STR Goals for 2024

    Hosting Hotline: Setting, Tracking & Reaching STR Goals for 2024

    Welcome back to the Hosting Hotline! This is an Ask Me Anything where each week we’ll answer your questions on Airbnb, STRs, real estate, and everything in between.
    Megan asks:
    My question relates to goals for next year. I'm working with my business partner to begin setting goals for our rental property, but we've never really done that before. What advice do you have on where to start or what should we be looking at to begin?
    (00:01:22) How Should I Formulate 2024 Goals for My SRT?
    (00:01:56) Making Your Goals Meeting a Top Priority 
    (00:02:35) Focus on P&L: Where Are You Winning?
    (00:04:20) Balancing Big Dreams With Realism 
    (00:06:09) How To Track Success Over Time
    Thanks to everyone who submitted questions. To hear your voice on the show and send a question to Sarah and Annette, submit your burning hosting questions at: hostinghotline.com.
    Resources:
    Visit thanksforvisiting.com/workshop to watch our Hosting Business Mastery Method workshop!Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com
    Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.
    Mentioned in this episode:
    Join us for our live, free, host masterclass and learn how to OWN your digital real estate!
    Sign up at hostmasterclass.com.
    Quiz | Take our quiz to reveal your hosting personality style!
    StayFi | Go to www.stayfi.com and enter TFV to get 50% off your first three months.

    • 12 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
514 Ratings

514 Ratings

PathwayPropertiesVA ,

Great podcast!!!

I started listening to ‘Thanks for Visiting’ a year ago. I’ve learned so much in the short-term rental industry! I highly recommend it. Even when you think you know it all, there’s always something new you didn’t think about!

Debbie317 ,

This podcast has been an invaluable source of wisdom and ideas!

Listening to Annette and Sarah's podcasts has been an invaluable source of wisdom, ideas, and actionable steps to enhance my business and ensure the perfect guest experience. They take hosting to the next level by bringing on top-notch guests, discussing relatable topics, and inspiring me to become a better host in various ways. I can't express enough gratitude for their expertise, as well as their fun and authentic presentation style. Annette and Sarah, you truly are the best!

e54341 ,

TFV team of Annette & Sarah are the best!

I’m a brand new short-term rental starterupper! I only started listening a month or so ago - starting with Jan 2023 and forward. I’ve just purchased 2 lake front homes right next door to each other! Will be taking a review of the parent-child podcast again-I think this strategy is something I plan to implement. And lastly, you’ve handled navigating the toughest subjects with pose and grace. I love your genuine passion for this business and willingness to share it with us! Kudos Ladies for a job well done!

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