Why This Course Exists
Short-term rentals (Airbnb, VRBO) can generate 2–3x the income of long-term leasing — but only if you know what you're doing. Most hosts lose money in year one because they guess at pricing, underestimate cleaning logistics, or get blindsided by local regulations.
This course is built on 15 years of real estate experience and managing a network of 25 short-term rental units. No theory. Every lesson comes from properties that actually cash-flow.
Course Curriculum — 20 Lessons (~4 Hours)
Module 1: Is Short-Term Rental Right for You?
Lesson 1: STR vs Long-Term Rental — The Real Math. Compare net income, time investment, and risk. A $2,000/month long-term rental vs the same unit as STR: when STR wins, when it doesn't, and the breakeven occupancy you need.
Lesson 2: Know Your Local Market. How to research demand in your area: occupancy data, seasonal patterns, competing listings, and the "30-day test" before you commit a dollar.
Lesson 3: Legal Landscape — Permits, Zoning, and HOAs. US cities regulate STRs differently. How to check your city's rules, what permits you need, HOA restrictions that kill deals, and what happens if you ignore them.
Module 2: Finding and Setting Up Your Property
Lesson 4: What Makes a Property STR-Profitable. Location factors that matter for nightly guests (not the same as long-term tenants). The 2-bedroom sweet spot, parking, and amenities that justify premium rates.
Lesson 5: Lease Arbitrage vs Ownership. Two paths: renting a unit to sublet on Airbnb (arbitrage) vs buying. Pros, cons, capital needed, and how to pitch arbitrage to landlords.
Lesson 6: Furnishing on a Budget That Looks Expensive. The $3,000–$5,000 setup that photographs like $15,000. Where to buy, what to skip, the 20 items every STR needs, and the "Instagram corner" trick.
Lesson 7: Photography That Books. Why professional photos pay for themselves in 2 weeks. DIY phone photography guide if budget is tight: lighting, angles, staging, and the 25 shots every listing needs.
Module 3: Listing, Pricing, and Getting Booked
Lesson 8: Creating a Listing That Converts. Title formulas, description structure, amenity checklist. The exact template used across 25 units. What Airbnb's algorithm rewards.
Lesson 9: Dynamic Pricing — Never Leave Money on the Table. How to price by season, day of week, events, and lead time. Manual pricing system + when to use tools like PriceLabs. Minimum stays that maximize revenue.
Lesson 10: Getting Your First 10 Reviews. The review snowball: why the first 10 reviews determine your trajectory. Pricing strategy for launch, over-delivery tactics, and review request scripts.
Lesson 11: Multi-Platform — Airbnb, VRBO, and Direct Bookings. Should you list everywhere? Platform fee comparison, calendar sync to avoid double-bookings, and building a direct booking channel to escape fees.
Module 4: Operations — Guests, Cleaning, Systems
Lesson 12: Guest Screening Without Being a Jerk. How to filter problem guests before they book: profile red flags, message templates, and Instant Book settings that protect you.
Lesson 13: House Rules That Actually Work. The rules template covering parties, smoking, pets, quiet hours, and checkout. How to enforce without bad reviews. Security deposit vs damage protection.
Lesson 14: Cleaning Systems That Run Without You. Building a cleaner network: where to find reliable cleaners, what to pay, turnover checklists, linen strategy (duplicates of everything), and quality control from afar.
Lesson 15: Handling Problems — Damage, Complaints, Bad Reviews. Real scenarios and responses: guest breaks something, neighbor complains, you get a 3-star review. De-escalation scripts and Airbnb resolution center tactics.
Lesson 16: Automation — Smart Locks, Noise Monitors, Messaging. The tech stack: smart locks (no key handoffs), noise monitoring (no cameras inside), automated check-in messages, and channel managers.
Module 5: Money, Taxes, and Scaling
Lesson 17: STR Taxes and Bookkeeping. What the IRS expects: Schedule E vs Schedule C, occupancy taxes (many cities require separate collection), deductible expenses, and when to get a CPA.
Lesson 18: Insurance — Don't Skip This. Why your homeowner's policy doesn't cover STR. STR-specific insurance options, Airbnb AirCover (what it actually covers), and umbrella policies.
Lesson 19: From 1 to 10 Units — Scaling Systems. When to scale, how to systematize what you learned on unit #1. Hiring a VA, standard operating procedures, and the numbers that tell you you're ready.
Lesson 20: Your 90-Day Launch Plan. Week-by-week action plan: from "I have no property" to "my first guest checks in." Checklists, timelines, and milestones. Start executing today.