STR Investing, The Podcast

Hosted by Mark Lumpkin & Taylor Jones

Business Investing

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Episodes

125

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Unlock financial freedom through short-term rental investing with hosts Mark Lumpkin and Taylor Jones . Each week, they sit down with the biggest names in the STR industry to uncover what’s working right now — from acquisitions and design to operations, marketing, and scaling portfolios. Taylor has helped acquire and manage over 500+ STRs, while Mark brings years of hands-on experience transforming properties into high-performing investments. Together, they break down real strategies, real numbers, and real stories that help investors grow smarter and faster. Whether you’re buying your first Airbnb or expanding a multi-market portfolio, this show is your roadmap to building wealth and freedom through short-term rentals. Subscribe and start turning your STR goals into results.

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60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 397 min

Monday Market Data: Breakdown of Sevierville, TN Amenities Market

In this week's Monday Market Data Report, Mark Lumpkin breaks down one of the most competitive short-term rental markets in America: Sevierville.With more than 15 million annual visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains and over 13,000 active short-term rentals in the surrounding market, Sevierville has become the perfect example of the "Amenities Arms Race" that has transformed the STR industry.The data is eye-opening:• Hot Tubs → 94.8% of listings• Game Rooms → 77.8%• Fire Pits → 52%• Pools → 45%• Pool Tables → 50%These aren't luxury amenities anymore. They're the baseline.In this episode, Mark breaks down what amenities you need just to compete and which upgrades can still help you stand out from thousands of competing cabins.If you're investing in the Smokies, this episode is a masterclass in understanding what it takes to win in a mature STR market.Tune in for new Market Data Reports every Monday and expert guest interviews every Friday.

June 12, 2026Episode 8550 min

STR Tax Loophole with Ryan Carriere

Tax season just got a lot more interesting.In this episode, Mark Lumpkin sits down with CPA and real estate tax strategist Ryan Carriere to break down one of the most powerful tax strategies available to short-term rental investors today.Ryan explains how the return of 100% bonus depreciation under the One Big Beautiful Bill impacts investors, why the Short-Term Rental Tax Loophole remains a game changer for high-income earners, and the specific rules you must follow to qualify.They cover:• The return of 100% bonus depreciation and what it means for investors• How the Short-Term Rental Tax Loophole actually works• The 7-day average stay rule explained• Material participation requirements and common mistakes• How to track hours correctly for audit protection• Personal use rules that can destroy your tax benefits• Why most investors need a tax strategist, not just a tax preparer• Real-world examples of how investors can potentially save six figures in taxesIf you're buying short-term rentals for cash flow, appreciation, and tax savings, this episode is essential listening.Connect with Ryan Carrier:Website: CarrierTaxConsulting.comLinkedIn: Ryan Carrier, CPAYouTube: Ryan Carrier, CPA__Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR 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

June 8, 2026Episode 387 min

Monday Market Data: Breakdown of Seattle, WA Market

In this week’s Monday Market Data Report, Mark Lumpkin heads to the Pacific Northwest to break down the short-term rental market in Seattle, Washington.With more than 5,000 active listings, nearly 40 million annual visitors, and inventory growth exceeding 50% over the past few years, Seattle has become an increasingly competitive market for STR investors. But despite the growing competition, the data reveals something surprising:Seattle may be one of the least amenitized STR markets we've analyzed.In this episode, Mark covers:Seattle's tourism demand and seasonalityThe impact of corporate and mid-term rental travelersCurrent STR regulations and licensing requirementsWhy occupancy and revenue vary so dramatically across the marketThe amenities that can instantly separate your property from the competitionThe takeaway?Unlike many markets where amenities have become standard, Seattle still offers tremendous opportunity for investors willing to create something unique. A simple hot tub and gym combination immediately puts you ahead of most of the competition, while a true "super property" would have virtually no competition at all.If you're considering investing in Seattle, this episode provides a roadmap for how to stand out in one of the country's fastest-growing STR markets.Subscribe for new Market Data Reports every Monday and expert guest interviews every Friday.

June 5, 2026Episode 8437 min

Dream Cleaning with the Dream Team

A dirty property can ruin a guest experience before the vacation even begins.In this episode, Mark sits down with Logan, founder of Dream Clean Team, one of the largest vacation rental cleaning companies on Florida's Emerald Coast. Starting as a side hustle with his wife cleaning properties during summer break, Logan has grown the business into a full-service operation serving hundreds of short-term rentals across Northwest Florida.The conversation dives into one of the most overlooked parts of STR success: cleaning systems, guest readiness, and operational consistency.You'll learn:• The difference between a clean property and a guest-ready property • Why laundry is often the biggest bottleneck in vacation rentals • How professional operators scale cleaning across hundreds of properties • The systems and SOPs that transformed a small side hustle into a major operation • How cleaning impacts reviews, rankings, and repeat bookings • Real stories of the wildest guest damage and turnover situations they've encountered • How AI is helping streamline operations without replacing peopleIf you're an STR owner, host, property manager, or investor, this episode will change the way you think about cleaning, guest experience, and operational excellence.__Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR 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

June 1, 20269 min

Monday Market Data: Breakdown of Yosemite, CA Amenities Market

Yosemite is one of the most visited national parks in America, attracting more than 4 million visitors every year. But when it comes to short-term rentals, the opportunity may be even bigger than most investors realize. In this week’s Monday Market Data Report, Mark Lumpkin breaks down the Yosemite STR market, including travel demand, regulations, seasonality, and the amenities that separate average properties from true standouts.Here's what the data shows: Fire Pits → 64% of listings Hot Tubs → 61% Pools → 13% Home Gyms → 13% Game Rooms → 10% Saunas → 8% Playgrounds → 6% Waterfront → 4% Pickleball Courts → 1% The takeaway?Most Yosemite rentals stop at a fire pit and hot tub. The investors who add game rooms, pools, saunas, or pickleball courts create true unicorn properties with very little competition.If you're looking for a mountain market where differentiation still matters, Yosemite deserves a closer look.

May 29, 2026Episode 8329 min

AI-Generated Direct Bookings

AI is moving faster than most short-term rental hosts realize.In this episode of the STR Investing Podcast, Mark Lumpkin welcomes back Boostly founder Mark Simpson for a deep dive into how AI agents, automation, and direct booking technology are changing the future of hospitality.Mark Simpson shares how he went all-in on AI at the beginning of 2026, replacing repetitive manual tasks with AI agents that now help run parts of his business 24/7. What started as simple experiments quickly turned into real revenue, operational efficiencies, and entirely new systems for managing guests, marketing, and direct bookings.Throughout the conversation, they discuss the difference between basic AI chat tools and true AI agents, how operators can use AI without losing the hospitality element, and why most hosts are still thinking too small when it comes to automation.They also break down:AI agents and how they actually workUsing automation to increase direct bookingsWhy hospitality still matters more than AIThe future of Airbnb algorithms and booking platformsAI tools that save operators hours every weekHow hosts can leverage guest data more effectivelyThe importance of owning your customer relationshipsReal examples of AI-generated revenue growthMark also shares details about Boostly Connect, the new platform designed to help hosts better manage guest data, automate outreach, and improve direct booking performance.If you’re trying to stay ahead in the short-term rental industry, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.__Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR 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

May 25, 2026Episode 367 min

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.

May 22, 2026Episode 8234 min

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 automationSurviving a million-dollar loss during COVIDThe biggest mistakes STR hosts make with techWhy hospitality still matters more than AIHow Airbnb algorithms really workPricing strategy and booking optimizationThe future of direct bookings and alternative platformsWhy “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 SearchSTR 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

May 18, 20269 min

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.

May 15, 202636 min

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 hospitalityThe biggest mistakes hosts still make with property accessWhy physical keys are creating massive operational headachesHow smart lock systems integrate with PMS software and automationThe importance of backup systems and emergency access plansHow remote operators can manage properties more securelyWhere AI and smart access technology are headed nextReal stories from the field — including a property manager literally Kool-Aid-manning through a door to save a guest stayIf 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 SearchSTR 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