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In recent years, conversations about short-term rental regulations have become inextricably intertwined with affordable and workforce housing issues. Four in five elected officials/government staff (82.7%) indicated that affordable housing was an issue in their jurisdiction, according to the 2024 State of the Short-Term Rental Industry Report. Banning or limiting STRs is often proposed as a solution to housing shortages and unaffordability. Still, multiple studies have indicated such restriction...

Throughout my career as an accommodations industry trainer and conference speaker, I have often had some version of this conversation when I meet new people in casual social settings when a polite conversation migrates from “So, Douglas, where are you from?” on to “So, what do you do for work?” Unlike so many traditional professions, my life’s work seems to be a bit harder to understand for most people, and the conversation usually goes like this: Doug: “My company conducts training ...

Let’s start with what is a fee or commission? A commission is two things: 1. It buys the homeowner time. Time to spend with their family, traveling, dining out, hobbies, other businesses, or anything else that the homeowner would rather do than working at their investment property. 2. It pays the management company for those services that allow for #1. According to the blog “A Breakdown of Short-Term Rental Management Fees” from the writers at Hostfully, they write: “According to Denise ...

Vacation rentals are a wonderful investment because the money earned during peak weeks can more than pay for the mortgage and property taxes for the whole year. It is one of the best passive incomes you could have, but it does come with some additional costs. Most rentals come complete with things like dishes, sheets, linens and other comforts of home. Renters may accidentally damage or completely break these items, necessitating a replacement. Here is a list of what to look for during off-peak ...

Every year, as I prepare for the upcoming season, I put together a basket of supplies that I keep under the sink in the bathroom in the cottage.  I’m not sure why I do it.  Maybe it is become I am exciting about hosting guests again and want to go above and beyond.  Maybe I get excited about those cute travel sized items I see at the store.  Or maybe I just want another excuse to shop.  Whatever it is, I have had more than one guest comment on how the “emergency kit” items saved them ...