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.

Russell asks:

Hosts are seeing so much out there right now about cameras and Airbnb. I have one on my front porch. Is this still okay? Can you guys cut through all the noise and tell us exactly what we need to know about the cameras? Can we have them? Should we have them?

(00:01:10) What’s the Deal with Cameras & Airbnb?

(00:02:27) Exact Verbiage of Airbnb’s New Camera Policy

(00:05:55) Combatting Public Concern Over Hidden STR Cameras

(00:07:31) Other Useful (and Legal) Airbnb Monitoring Sensors

(00:09:39) How to Get Camera Compliant on Your Airbnb Listing

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:

• Important: Airbnb Camera Policy

• NoiseAware | The Indoor and Outdoor Sensors monitor noise levels at your property and will alert you through your Dashboard or Mobile App when the noise levels go over your set thresholds. Use code TFVNA20 for 20% off ($144/year including 1 free indoor sensor) and 20% off any additional indoor or outdoor sensors.

• Video: Noise Aware - for Noisy Airbnb Guests

• Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com

Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.

Mentioned in this episode:

Quiz | Take our quiz to reveal your hosting personality style!

Host Checklist | Grab our Airbnb Essentials Checklist and make stocking your Airbnb a breeze – we've got all your hosting needs covered!

This week’s expert guest is Kristie Wolfe, creative off-grid builder and short-term rental superstar. With her one-of-a-kind projects, her focus is on creating unforgettable guest experiences, not just accommodations.

Kristie is not only the builder in her business, she is also the designer, and she crafts some of Airbnb's most sought-after wishlist stays. She has several tree houses, a hobbit hole, a cocoon cottage, a shipwreck, and even a potato hotel – properties which have earned thousands of five-star reviews as the main attraction to niche travelers from all over the world.

Our chat with Kristie is one of the most entertaining and educational we’ve ever had!

We get all the juicy details about her first treehouse build in the Hawaiian jungle, that time she bought a shipwreck on Craigslist, touring the country to promote Idaho Potatoes, and so many other memorable and meaningful stories from across her accomplished career.

The creative nuggets in this one are uber inspiring – packed with a zest for life and artistic expression that you’ll hear in Kristie’s voice. But she doesn’t stop there! About halfway through this one, she drops the mic with several solid gold operational tidbits that will change how you think about running your short-term rental business.

For years, we’ve had Kristie Wolfe atop our list of dream podcast guests – and, dear listeners, she delivered in a major way. We’re so thankful for her spending her valuable time with us today and look forward to following along with her latest treehouse museum project.

(00:01:27) #STRShareSunday: @ae.premiumrentals

(00:03:35) Introducing: Creative Builder, Kristie Wolfe

(00:12:35) Building a Short-Term Rental in the Jungle

(00:19:32) Kristie Wolfe’s Eclectic Portfolio of Rental Properties

(00:26:54) Pro Tips on Juggling Hosting While Completing Builds

(00:41:45) One-of-a-Kind Listings: Cocoon Cottage & Shipwreck House

(00:50:47) Kristie’s Advice for STR Hosts & Aspiring Builders

Resources:

• #STRShareSunday: @ae.premiumrentals

• Instagram: @kristiemaewolfe

• Website: kristiewolfe.com

• LinkTree: linktr.ee/kristiemaewolfe

• Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com

• Video: How to Design Your First Airbnb - Essentials

Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.

Mentioned in this episode:

Hostfully | Go to https://www.hostfully.com/influencers/thanks-for-visiting/ and use TFV100 to get $100 off your subscription.

Quiz | Take our quiz to reveal your hosting personality style!

Host Checklist | Grab our Airbnb Essentials Checklist and make stocking your Airbnb a breeze – we've got all your hosting needs covered!

Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

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.

Kendra asks:

We purchased a property, my husband's pipe dream, in western Wisconsin on the trout streams where he grew up fishing. We launched it on Airbnb and VRBO in March. It's called the Trimbelle Cottage and we've had good success with consistent bookings and buzz in the area since that time.

We had someone reach out asking to book it as a mid-term rental from November through March of next year. I believe those would be our slower months anyway. But it's hard to know because we haven't had it on the market for a whole year yet.

We're trying to decide if it's best for us to go for what seems to be a safer mid-term route. Do we risk losing ground in the STR market, on the algorithm, Instagram, or word of mouth?

We would love to hear your thoughts on the pros and cons of taking a mid-term rental vs. keeping it on the STR market through the down season. Thank you so much.

(00:03:01) Should We Convert to Mid-Term for Our Slow Rental Season?

(00:04:34) Understanding Risk & Knowing Your Why

(00:05:14) The (Harsh) Realities of Today’s Mid-Term Rental Market

(00:06:21) Prioritize Running Your Numbers with PriceLabs

(00:07:39) Nurture Existing Guest Leads: All of Them!

(00:10:19) Specific Prep & Comms for a Mid-Term Pivot

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:

• PriceLabs Free Trial

• Video: 3 Analytics Airbnb Hosts Need to be Tracking

• Airbnb Essentials Checklist: hostchecklist.com

Thanks for Visiting is produced by Crate Media.

Mentioned in this episode:

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!