In this virtual meet-up, two experts from the short-term rental ecosystem presented industry best practices to reach new owners, and grow your portfolio. Watch this meetup to become familiarized with the best tools you need to build a strong online presence, and how to get your unique brand in front of the right pairs of eyes.
Joseph Kitt, COO at the American property management company Bright Host, and Brooke Pfautz, founder and CEO at Vintory, shared the stage virtually to highlight actionable digital advertising hacks property managers can implement to grow their portfolio by offering their services to homeowners with the Ideal Customer Profile (ICP).
In case you missed it or if you would like to watch it again, check out the full recording below!
Thank you everyone for joining and we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!
Key Discussion Points
1. Industry Trends & Market Data
- Short-term rental (STR) inventory is at record highs:
- 1.4 million STR listings in the U.S. (+23% YoY, +7% vs. pre-pandemic).
- European STR inventory is up 14% YoY but still 11% below pre-pandemic levels.
- Average Daily Rate (ADR) is increasing:
- +3% YoY in the U.S., +1% in Europe, with a 23% increase since 2019.
- Occupancy trends:
- Down 4% in the U.S. YoY but up 7% vs. 2020.
- Up 4% in Europe YoY, reaching 76%.
- Emerging Travel Trends:
- Wellness travel is on the rise, with 39% of consumers booking wellness retreats or luxury trips in 2023.
- The rise of time-share accommodations in the STR space.
- 71% of travelers prioritize sustainability when choosing rentals.
- 78% of guests intend to stay in an eco-friendly vacation rental this year.
- Sustainable technology adoption:
- Guests prefer properties with smart home features (keyless entry, smart thermostats, water monitors).
Related resources:
Guesty Blog on STR Market Trends
How to Promote Your Vacation Rental
2. Balancing Owner & Guest Expectations
- Property owners increasingly invest in sustainability to reduce long-term costs.
- Tech adoption (e.g., Guesty automation tools) enhances efficiency for both guests and owners.
- STR managers must balance guest expectations with owner profitability goals.
3. Growth Strategies for Property Managers
A. Acquiring More Properties & Scaling Your Business
- The Value of Property Management Contracts
- STR management agreements are worth $15K–$33K per contract on average.
- Acquisition examples:
- Vacasa paid $21K per contract for Wyndham Vacation Rentals.
- Vitruvian Partners paid $27K per contract for Sykes Holiday Cottages.
- TurnKey was acquired for $103K per contract.
Related resources:
- How to Acquire More Properties
- Best Lead Sources for Acquiring Owners
- MLS & tax records (absentee owners).
- STR permit databases (publicly available lists).
- Competitor data analysis via AirDNA.
B. Marketing & Owner Acquisition Strategies
- Optimize your landing page for property owners
- Use clear messaging and best practices: Guesty’s SEO Guide
- Direct mail marketing is effective
- Handwritten letters, postcards, and QR codes boost conversions.
- Cold email outreach
- Google My Business & SEO Optimization
- Claim and optimize your profile: Google My Business Guide
- Social media marketing
- Retarget website visitors via Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
- Realtor & real estate agent partnerships
- Build relationships for direct referrals.
Related resources:
Vacation Rental Marketing Strategies
4. Tech & Automation for Scaling Operations
- Dynamic pricing tools: PriceLabs, Beyond, Guesty PriceOptimizer
- Guesty solutions for managing properties:
- GuestyLite – For small-scale hosts.
- Guesty for Pros – For property managers with 4+ listings.
- CRM & Lead Management
- Track and automate owner outreach using Guesty CRM.
5. Q&A & Final Takeaways
What’s the fastest way to scale inventory?
- Brooke’s answer: Long-term strategy: direct mail; Short-term: cold email and PPC.
- Joseph’s answer: Realtor partnerships and consistent outreach.
How do you balance guest & owner expectations?
- Joseph: “It’s a balancing act—owners focus on revenue, guests focus on experience. Keeping both happy is key to long-term success.”
Additional Resources
Guesty Blog – STR news, trends, and marketing tips
Upcoming Guesty Webinars – Sign up for future sessions
Thank you for joining, and we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!