STR Investing, The Podcast

Monday Market Data: Breakdown of Galveston, TX Market

Mark Lumpkin breaks down the short-term rental market in Galveston — one of the fastest-growing and most competitive beach markets on the Gulf Coast. With over 6,000 active listings and supply up more than 50% in just two years, Galveston has become a major target for STR investors. But despite the competition, there’s still a clear path to winning. In this episode, Mark covers: *  The travel demand driving Galveston tourism  *  Why cruise traffic creates consistent STR bookings  *  The amenities that are now mandatory to compete  *  And the rare amenities that can still create a true “unicorn” property  Here’s what the market looks like today: *  Pools → 35% of listings  *  Fire pits → 29%  *  Waterfront → 27%  *  Hot tubs → 20%  Those are expected. The real opportunity comes from the amenities almost nobody has: *  Pickleball courts → 2.2%  *  Mini golf → 1.5%  *  Movie theaters → <1%  *  Saunas → almost nonexistent  The takeaway?  If you want to stand out in Galveston, you need more than just a pool and a beach house.

STR Lessons From Surviving a Million Dollar COVID Loss

What happens when a short-term rental operator loses over $1,000,000 during COVID? In this episode of the STR Investing Podcast, Mark Lumpkin sits down with Jason Baxter to talk about the highs, lows, and future of the short-term rental industry. Jason shares how he accidentally got started in Airbnb over 10 years ago, scaled to a portfolio of 50 lofts in Montreal, and then watched everything collapse during the COVID shutdowns in Canada. Facing bankruptcy, Jason rebuilt from the ground up by leaning into technology, automation, hospitality, and smarter booking strategies. In this episode, they dive into: * The early days of Airbnb automation * Surviving a million-dollar loss during COVID * The biggest mistakes STR hosts make with tech * Why hospitality still matters more than AI * How Airbnb algorithms really work * Pricing strategy and booking optimization * The future of direct bookings and alternative platforms * Why “short-term rentals are a long-term game” Jason also explains how the right positioning and strategy helped one property grow from $65,000/year to over $210,000/year in bookings. If you’re an STR investor, property manager, or host trying to scale smarter, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. __ Episode Sponsored By: STR Search STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com [http://strsearch.com/]

Monday Market Data: Breakdown of Charleston, SC Market

Mark Lumpkin breaks down the short-term rental market in Charleston — one of the most desirable and tightly regulated STR markets in the Southeast. Charleston is a heavyweight market: *  Over 8 million annual visitors *  More than $14 billion in tourism impact *  Strong ADRs and occupancy  *  And some of the strictest STR regulations in the country  In this episode, Mark dives into: *  Why Charleston continues to attract massive tourism demand  *  Where travelers are coming from and why they visit  *  The importance of weddings, bachelorette groups, and food tourism  *  Why Charleston’s strict regulations actually create opportunity  *  What investors need to know before buying in the market  The data shows that Charleston isn’t just another beach destination — it’s a premium travel market with strong demand, limited supply, and travelers willing to spend. If you can secure the right property in the right zoning area, Charleston can be an incredibly powerful STR market.

Smart Locks, Smarter Stays with Amber Baron

Smart locks are no longer optional in short-term rentals. In this episode, Mark Lumpkin sits down with Amber Baron from Dormakaba to talk about why access control is one of the most overlooked parts of the guest experience — and how bad systems can completely ruin a stay. They break down: * Why check-in is one of the most important moments in hospitality * The biggest mistakes hosts still make with property access * Why physical keys are creating massive operational headaches * How smart lock systems integrate with PMS software and automation * The importance of backup systems and emergency access plans * How remote operators can manage properties more securely * Where AI and smart access technology are headed next * Real stories from the field — including a property manager literally Kool-Aid-manning through a door to save a guest stay If you own, manage, or plan to scale short-term rentals, this episode is packed with practical insights on security, operations, and creating a smoother guest experience. Listen now and learn why access is the new front desk in hospitality. __ Episode Sponsored By: STR Search STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com [http://strsearch.com/]

Monday Market Data: Breakdown of Chattanooga, TN Market

Chattanooga might be one of the biggest STR opportunities flying under the radar. In this week’s Monday Market Data Report, Mark Lumpkin breaks down why Chattanooga is still in the early innings of the amenity arms race — and how investors can create a true “unicorn” property with surprisingly little competition. The numbers are eye-opening: * Only 18% of listings have hot tubs * Only 3.8% have swimming pools * Less than 1% have movie theaters, saunas, mini golf, or pickleball courts Translation? Most properties in Chattanooga still look basic. That creates massive opportunity for investors willing to buy the right property, add strategic amenities, and stand out in a market that hasn’t fully matured yet. In this episode, Mark breaks down: * Why Chattanooga’s tourism market keeps growing * The events and attractions driving travel demand * Which amenities are becoming mandatory * Which amenities almost nobody has yet * How to create a top-performing STR without competing against thousands of heavily amenitized properties If you’ve been looking for a market where you can still get ahead of the curve instead of fighting oversaturation, this episode is worth your attention. __ Episode Sponsored By: STR Search STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com [http://strsearch.com/]