Vacation Home Help
Learn how to grow your airbnb or vacation rental business in just minutes a day with Coach John. Join John as he shares the latest insights, tools, and news about the rapidly growing short term rental industry. The episodes are short, sweet, and actionable. Whether you are an airbnb host or a seasoned vacation rental owner, this short term rental podcast is for you!
My Short-Term Rental Tech Stack: Why Simple Wins Every Time
My Short-Term Rental Tech Stack: Why Simple Wins Every Time
Welcome back to Vacation Home Help, where we make hosting simple.
Episode Overview
Look, I get it. Every week there's a new "game-changing" AI tool or automation platform promising to revolutionize your short-term rental business. But here's the truth: most of it is just noise.
In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my actual tech stack. The tools I use every single day. The ones that actually save me time and money. And more importantly, I'll tell you about...
The Hidden Math Behind Airbnb & Vrbo Pricing Recommendations
Ever wonder how Airbnb, Vrbo, and dynamic pricing tools actually decide what your nightly rate should be? In this episode, we break down the real data sources behind those pricing recommendations — from market demand signals and booking windows to competitor performance, seasonality, and algorithmic trends. When you understand how platforms think, you can finally stop guessing and start pricing with confidence.
Whether you're self-managing or scaling, getting your pricing right is one of the fastest ways to boost your revenue without adding extra work. If you’d like help with your pricing strategy or you’re looking for a...
Airbnb influencers are full of BS...understanding how to run an STR is easy...
Most people fail in short-term rentals not because they aren’t smart… but because they’re taking advice from the wrong people.
In this episode, John Andrew breaks down why influencer advice is destroying new investors — and who you should actually learn from if you want to build a profitable, long-lasting STR business.
You’ll learn:
Why most influencer claims aren’t even in the realm of possibilityHow the real operators think about deals, risk, and long-term executionWhy the “how” of this business is simple, but consistent execution is brutally hardWhat separates profitable hosts from everyone el...Surviving the Airbnb and Short-Term Rental Slowdown in 2025
Bookings are down. The market’s soft. And 2025 is separating the real hosts from the hobbyists.
In this Vacation Home Help Podcast episode, John Andrew — founder of Florida’s largest Airbnb cleaning and co-hosting network — shares the fundamentals every host needs to stay profitable and stay in business through the slowdown.
You’ll learn: ✅ Why every host must use a dynamic pricing tool (PriceLabs, Beyond, or Wheelhouse) — and actually learn it ✅ How your comp set determines your results ✅ The chaos from Airbnb’s new host-fee shift — and why active monitoring and pivots are essential ✅ When to ditch your PMS if it’...
Quick and dirty, tactical direct booking site for under $200?
Building your own direct booking website doesn’t have to cost thousands — in this episode of the Vacation Home Help Podcast, John Andrew breaks down exactly how to launch a clean, functional, revenue-generating direct booking site for under $200.
You’ll learn step-by-step how to:
Choose and connect a domain name (GoDaddy, Google Domains, etc.)Add an availability calendar with an iCal or PMS widgetEmbed your booking engine and inquiry buttonsUse ChatGPT or Gemini to generate high-converting copyUpload your best photos and build a galleryAdd contact forms, discount opt-ins, and protect yourself with guest agreementsTake payments safely throug...Remove Bad Airbnb Reviews Every Time With This Method
Description: Negative reviews can tank your Airbnb performance — but most can be prevented or removed if you know what you’re doing. In this episode, John Andrew breaks down exactly how to stop bad reviews before they happen, and what to do if a guest already left one.
You’ll learn:
How to prevent bad reviews through communication and expectation settingThe exact line to tell guests privately that can stop a negative review before it’s writtenWhy Airbnb’s algorithm flags certain keywords and how to use them to get your review escalated for removalThe words you must i...October’s Airbnb Slowdown: Why Bookings Crashed — and What Smart Hosts Are Doing About It
If your calendar looks emptier than usual this October, you’re not alone. 2025 has been one of the toughest years for short-term rental owners in recent memory — occupancy rates are down across nearly every market.
In this episode, I break down exactly why bookings have slowed and what you can do right now to protect your cash flow, attract bookings, and stay profitable through the storm.
I cover:
✅ The real data behind October’s drop in demand
✅ Why price cuts alone won’t fix your occupancy problem
âś… How to audit your lis...
Airbnb Bookings Are Dying Out — Here’s What to Do
Airbnb bookings are drying up, and hosts everywhere are feeling it. Guests are waiting until the last minute to book at rock-bottom rates, and the competition is turning into a race to the bottom.
In this episode, I break down exactly why this is happening — and what you can do right now to stay profitable.
Here’s what I cover:
Why Airbnb’s recent fee changes and guest-favoring policies are hurting hostsHow to go multi-channel and stop relying on Airbnb aloneThe right way to use pricing tools — and how to actually interpret your market dataWhy...A No-BS Framework to Build a Profitable STR Portfolio (Part 3: Macro → Micro Market Selection)
Not all STR markets are created equal. Some look amazing in headlines but flop once you dig into the numbers. Others are sleeper markets that deliver insane returns if you know where to look.
In this episode, John Andrew breaks down Step 3 of his no-BS framework: how to go from choosing the right macro market (state/city) to nailing the perfect micro market (the neighborhood or even the street).
You’ll learn:
How to identify macro demand drivers like airports, events, tourism anchors, and universitiesWhy seasonality curves matter more than average occupancy reportsHow to fi...A No-BS Framework to Build a Profitable STR Portfolio (Part 2: Compliance-First Market Filter)
Too many new investors make the same mistake: they buy a “dream” property in a market that looks good on paper — then find out the city, county, or HOA doesn’t allow short-term rentals. That’s how you end up with a liability instead of an asset.
In this episode, John Andrew breaks down Step 2 of his no-BS framework: the Compliance-First Market Filter. You’ll learn how to quickly spot STR-friendly markets, what permits and taxes you need to check before you buy, and why you should always walk away from “gray areas.”
What you’ll discover in thi...
Airbnb’s New “Host-Only Fee” Kill Shot Against Direct Bookings — Here’s Your Countermove
🚨 Airbnb just made its boldest move yet: a host-only fee of 15.5% (16% in Brazil) and zero visible guest fees. It looks like housekeeping—it's actually a psychological flip that erases “book direct to avoid Airbnb fees” and puts price blame on you while Airbnb takes a bigger cut.
In this episode, I break down:
How the fee shift blurs lines with hotels and neutralizes your direct-booking pitchWhy guests will now assume you raised prices (and what to do about it)The broader pattern—masked contacts, off-platform penalties, brand-neutral listings next?The playbook smart hosts are running now: raise rates...A No-BS Framework to Build a Profitable STR Portfolio (Part 1: The Airbnb Buy Box)
A No-BS Framework to Build a Profitable STR Portfolio (Part 1: The Airbnb Buy Box)
Most hosts fail before they even start — not because they don’t work hard, but because they don’t define their Buy Box. In this episode, I’m breaking down Step 1 of my no-BS framework to build a profitable short-term rental portfolio: how to set your investor thesis, choose your markets, and build a buy box that keeps you disciplined and profitable deal after deal.
You’ll learn:
Why the Buy Box is the compass for your entire STR journeyThe guardrails...When Guests Lie for a Refund: How to Stop Airbnb Scams Cold
In this episode of Vacation Rentals with John, we’re diving deep into one of the most frustrating realities of hosting — when guests lie just to get a refund.
I’ll break down the most common scam tactics — from false cleanliness complaints to fake pest sightings — and share real-life examples from my own hosting experience. You’ll learn exactly how to document, respond, and escalate issues so you win refund disputes and protect your hard-earned income.
Whether you’ve been burned before or just want to scam-proof your short-term rental business, this episode will give you the confid...
Airbnb Guest Damage, Weak Payouts, and OTA Claims: How to Actually Get Paid When They Trash Your Place
In this episode of Vacation Rentals with John, we dive deep into one of the most frustrating parts of running a short-term rental business: getting paid for guest damages.
We’re talking about AirCover, Booking.com, and VRBO — the platforms that promise protection but often leave you covering the bill. I break down:
Why your payout is often only 20–50% of the actual damageWhy cleaning fees, unauthorized pet charges, and late checkout penalties rarely get coveredWhat documentation you must collect (and when)The real story of a guest swapping out TVs and STILL not getting reimbursedStep-by-step action plan t...Why I’m All In on Short-Term Rentals
In this episode, I share why I went all in on short-term rentals and how this business changed my life — from leaving corporate finance at Hilton to building a lifestyle of freedom, growth, and purpose.
I open up about how STRs helped me grow as a businessman, strengthen my relationship with my fiancée, support my parents, and ultimately design a life on my terms. I also talk real — the ups, the downs, and why this business isn’t for everyone.
If you're in this game and wondering whether to keep going — or thinking about getting s...
Some quick airbnb pricing changes I've used to increase my bookings.
Weekends booked but weekdays empty? You’re leaving money on the table. In this quick episode, John shares the exact pricing tweaks he made to fill weekday gaps on his Airbnb listings. From adjusting base rates to smart use of dynamic pricing tools and embracing short stays—these small shifts can make a big impact. Tune in and learn how to turn those slow weekdays into steady cash flow.
(PS Apologies for the sound quality- recording on the go! )
👉 Need help with your pricing? Email John at john@vacationhomehelp.com for a custom review of your li...
A New Season of Vacation Rentals With John
I’m back. Here’s where I’ve been, what’s changed in STRs, and how this podcast will help you win in 2025 — one smart move at a time.
Follow the new facebook page here
Thank you so much for your support.
Vacation Rentals Not as Great as They Used to Be? Run Spring Promotions for More Bookings.
A couple promotions that work for my vacation rentals to attract more bookings - easy to implement changes.
Join the facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohn
Go Undercover Boss on Your Own STR.
Connect with me here john@vacationhomehelp.com
My airbnb profile https://www.airbnb.com/users/show/46582948
My cleaning company vacationhomehelp.com
Chatting with Daniel Rusteen on Optimizing Airbnb (Former Airbnb Employee and Author of Optimize YOUR BnB)
Chatting with Airbnb expert Daniel Rusteen about optimizing your airbnb listings.Rate and review to show support on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Follow Daniel Rusteen https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielrusteen/https://www.instagram.com/dannybooboo0/?hl=enhttps://optimizemyairbnb.com/product/optimize-your-airbnb-book/Join the new facebook communityhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/406742401333133
Warning. Check Your Airbnb Short Stay Cleaning Fee. This Update Was Sneaky, Avoid Losing Thousands
Airbnb actually did a pretty sneaky update to short stay clean fees.
Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.comThis episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.Cold Outreach Method for Short Term Rentals - Essentially Free Marketing
In this episode I will walk you through my vacation rental cold outreach method I use to find new owners, guests, and clients for my short term rental businesses. Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.comThis episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be...
Short Term Rental Industry Layoffs (Hopper and Evolve Vacation Rental)
Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.comThis episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.Articleshttps://skift.com/2023/10/06/exclusive-hopper-terminates-booking-com-partnership-in-preemptive-strike/https://shorttermrentalz.com/news/evolve-second-layoffs-round-2023/
Airbnb Winter Release Prediction...Airbnb will introduce hosts to property managers and cleaners?
Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Airbnb Winter Release Prediction...Airbnb will introduce hosts to property managers and cleaners?
Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.comThis episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
The CEO of Airbnb wants you to charge less for your house
Read Business Insider ArticleRead Fortune Article Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.comThis episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
4 Methods to Get Your Airbnb Verified Listing Icon In Under 5 Minutes
Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Homeowner tied up by man he rented room to on Airbnb
Source article: https://www.wsoctv.com/news/trending/homeowner-tied-up-by-man-he-rented-room-airbnb/6KIGXAPW3ZCOBDS5XZTHGH7HUA/Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.comThis episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky on Eliminating Cleaning Fees...Well At Least Ranking By Total Price
Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.comThis episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
US Vacation Rental Market Winners and Losers Summer 2023
Read it here: https://www.keydatadashboard.com/blog/summer-2023-us-vacation-rental-market-winners-and-losersConnect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.comThis episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Guest checked-in and your short term rental is not clean (cleaners missed it?) what to do.
When this happens, it is never a good situation, and prevention is always better than having to fix it. So this episode will go into prevention methods and ways you can make it right for your guests.Identify the WHY it happened after you fix the problem. Take care of the guest firstIdentify the cause so you can prevent in the futureHow to handle the guest How to handle the cleanerHow to handle yourself Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.comThis episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that...
How to choose vacation rental sites to list on (...besides Airbnb and VRBO)
How to choose vacation rental sites to list on (...besides Airbnb and VRBO) If you. need more exposure to fill up your calendar, here is a 5-minute exercise you can use to find the most effective vacation rental websites.
Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting...
Do you have a pipeline of future guests? You cannot afford to sit back and not source your own leads.
Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.comThis episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Red flags to look out for to stop fraudulent bookings
Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.comThis episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Guests from hell? What to do with serious rule breakers and how to get the platforms to cancel a reservation.
One of our listeners had a 'guest from hell' - they do have a shared space, but I have dealt with a difficult guest who was dead-set on breaking every rule possible. Hope this never happens to you, but if it does...here are some practical steps you can take to ask them to stop and if it fails, how to get the platform to cancel the reservation.Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.comThis episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things...
Should I leave wine for my airbnb guests...or anything at all?
Should I leave a welcome gift for my Airbnb guests?This short episode will dive into a couple of ideas to improve your guest experience.Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.comThis episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe...
Best way to handle a booking cut short by your guests
Sometimes guests have to leave early. Storms, wildfires, illness in the family, or just because they want to go home early. Here is how I deal with it.Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.comThis episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free...
Dealing with the public without freaking out as an STR operator.
Just a couple of things I think about and do when dealing with guests who break house rules. Note: This episode is probably more suited to beginner hosts. Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.comThis episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free...
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky's Post - 5 Updates From Our Top Suggestions.
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky's X Tweet - https://twitter.com/bchesky/status/1704465615954584043Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.comThis episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Last Minute Airbnb Deals with Zach Busekrus from Sponstayneous
Today, we have Zach Busekrus from Sponstayneous on to talk short term rentals.Connect with Zach on InstagramLast Minute Airbnb Deals on sponstayneous.comConnect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.comThis episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
