News and Articles

As a short-term rental (STR) host, your goal is to create unforgettable guest experiences that earn 5-star reviews and drive repeat bookings. One powerful, low-cost tool to achieve this? A guest welcome book. More than a simple guide, a well-crafted welcome book sets the tone for the stay, provides essential information, and adds personal touches that make guests feel at home. In 2025, with 90% of travelers reading reviews before booking (per a 2024 Tripadvisor study), a welcome book can elevate your STR’s appeal and boost your ratings. Here’s how to create a guest welcome book that delights guests and secures glowing reviews, with NSTRA resources to streamline the process.

Why a Guest Welcome Book Matters

A guest welcome book is your chance to communicate directly with guests, combining practical details with hospitality. It reduces questions, prevents rule violations, and enhances the guest experience, leading to higher review scores. A 2024 Airbnb report found that hosts who provi...

Starting a short-term rental (STR) is an exciting way to earn extra income or build a full-time business, but success requires dedication, planning, and a clear understanding of the challenges ahead. Whether you’re listing your home on Airbnb, Vrbo, or a direct booking site, launching an STR involves upfront costs, legal considerations, and ongoing management. In 2025, with STR markets booming and regulations evolving, new hosts must be prepared to stand out in a competitive landscape. Here’s what to expect when starting your STR, along with practical tips to ensure confidence and profitability, supported by NSTRA’s expert resources.

Understanding the Costs of Starting an STR

Every STR begins with startup costs, which vary based on your property’s condition and furnishings. A 2024 STR industry report estimates initial costs for a furnished home range from $2,000-$10,000, covering essentials like:

• Furnishings and Amenities: Beds, linens, towels, kitchen appliances, dishes, and Wi...

As a short-term rental (STR) host, your property is more than a home—it’s a business generating income and guest experiences. But here’s a hard truth: if you’re relying on a standard homeowner’s policy, a landlord policy, or even Airbnb’s $1M Host Guarantee, you’re likely underinsured. These policies often exclude coverage for paid guests, leaving you vulnerable to costly damages, lawsuits, or lost income. In 2025, with STR regulations tightening and guest expectations rising, securing the right insurance is non-negotiable. The good news? With specialized STR insurance, you can protect your business affordably and effectively. Here’s a guide to the essential insurance types you need, key questions to ask, and how NSTRA’s Preferred Sponsors can help you find the best coverage.

Why STR-Specific Insurance Is Critical

Unlike traditional rentals, STRs involve frequent guest turnover, increasing risks like property damage, injuries, or legal disputes. A 2024 Insurance Journal report found ...

As a short-term rental (STR) host, your financial strategy is as critical as your guest experience. Whether you’re launching your first rental or scaling to a portfolio of properties, access to funding, vendor partnerships, and operational efficiency can make or break your success. One powerful tool to unlock these opportunities? A Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) D-U-N-S Number. This free, unique identifier establishes your STR business’s credit profile, reducing reliance on personal credit and paving the way for growth. In 2025, with STR hosts facing rising costs and competitive markets, leveraging D&B can transform your financial landscape. Here’s how a D&B number benefits your STR business and how to get started, with NSTRA resources to support your journey.

Why Business Credit Matters for STR Hosts

In the early stages of your STR business—typically the first 1-6 properties—lenders and vendors often rely on your personal credit score to assess risk for loans, leases, or service agreements....

As a short-term rental (STR) host, your entrepreneurial journey is fueled by vision, hard work, and financial savvy. One often-overlooked factor that can make or break your success? Your credit score. In 2025, a strong personal credit score is more critical than ever, influencing not just your ability to secure loans or mortgages but also your STR business’s growth, from purchasing properties to accessing vendor services. Whether you’re launching your first rental or scaling to a portfolio, understanding and managing your credit—both personal and business—is essential. Here’s why your credit score matters and how to leverage it to thrive as an STR host, with NSTRA resources to support your financial strategy.

The Growing Importance of Credit in STR Businesses

Credit scores, once limited to mortgages and car loans, now permeate nearly every aspect of financial life, including running an STR business. A 2024 Experian report notes that 78% of small business owners rely on personal credi...

As a short-term rental (STR) host, your house rules are the cornerstone of a successful operation. They’re not just guidelines—they’re a legally binding agreement that sets expectations, protects your property, and ensures a positive guest experience. Clear, comprehensive house rules communicated upfront via platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, or your direct booking site can prevent misunderstandings, reduce disputes, and safeguard your business. In 2025, with guests expecting transparency and hosts facing increased regulatory scrutiny, well-crafted house rules are more critical than ever. Here’s how to create effective house rules for your STR, with practical suggestions and NSTRA resources to support your success.

Why House Rules Matter

Your house rules are a contract without the formal title, outlining what guests can expect from you (e.g., a clean, well-equipped property) and what you expect from them (e.g., respectful behavior). According to a 2024 Airbnb report, hosts with detailed ho...

As a short-term rental (STR) host, your team—cleaners, maintenance crews, virtual assistants, or marketing specialists—is the heart of your business, delivering the seamless experiences that earn 5-star reviews. But when team members prioritize individual goals over the collective mission of creating unforgettable guest stays, morale can falter, communication can break down, and quality can suffer. The solution? Foster a culture of gratitude and teamwork. By recognizing each person’s contributions and uniting around a shared goal, you can transform your STR operation into a thriving, motivated unit that delights guests and drives success. Here’s how to boost team morale in your STR business using gratitude and teamwork strategies, tailored for 2025.

Why Gratitude and Teamwork Matter for STR Hosts

A cohesive, appreciated team is your STR’s greatest asset. According to a 2024 Gallup study, high employee engagement boosts productivity by 23% and reduces turnover by 66%. For STR hosts, t...

As a short-term rental (STR) host, your team—whether it’s cleaners, maintenance crews, virtual assistants, or guest communication specialists—is the backbone of your business. Without their dedication, you couldn’t deliver spotless properties, seamless guest experiences, or consistent 5-star reviews. Yet, in the fast-paced STR world, it’s easy to focus on bookings and guest satisfaction while overlooking the people who make it all possible. With economic uncertainties, remote work trends, and competitive job markets in 2025, retaining your team is more critical than ever. High turnover disrupts operations, increases costs, and risks guest dissatisfaction. Here are five proven strategies to keep your STR team engaged, loyal, and motivated, even during difficult times.

Why Team Retention Matters for STR Hosts

Your team is your greatest asset, turning your property into a welcoming haven for guests. According to a 2024 Gallup study, companies with high employee engagement see 23% higher...

Running a short-term rental (STR) can feel like a whirlwind—managing bookings, coordinating cleanings, and responding to guest inquiries often leave little time for reflection. Amid the hustle, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters: the blessings that fuel your passion and purpose. As a Christian STR host, practicing gratitude opens your heart to God’s goodness, helping you find joy in your work and create memorable experiences for guests. By taking time to reflect on what you have, you can reduce stress, strengthen your business, and align your efforts with a higher purpose. Here’s how to consciously cultivate gratitude in your STR journey, inspired by faith and practical strategies for 2025... and beyond (thanks, Buzz!).

Why Gratitude Matters for STR Hosts

Gratitude is more than a feel-good practice—it’s a transformative mindset that enhances every aspect of your STR business. A 2024 study from the Journal of Positive Psychology found that practicing gratitude reduces stres...

As a short-term rental (STR) host, you wear many hats—marketer, cleaner, guest communicator, and maintenance coordinator. With a capable team or vendors around you, you have the potential to streamline operations and boost your business. Yet, if you’re a self-proclaimed “control-freak,” you might find yourself micromanaging every detail, from folding towels to responding to guest inquiries. Sound familiar? There’s a better way. Delegating tasks effectively can free up your time, reduce stress, and help you scale your STR business—whether you’re managing one property or a growing portfolio. Here’s how to overcome control-freak tendencies and master delegation in your STR operations, inspired by proven strategies and tailored for 2025 and beyond.

Why Delegation Matters for STR Hosts

Delegation isn’t just about offloading tasks—it’s about empowering your team to shine while you focus on high-impact goals, like improving guest experiences or expanding your rentals. A 2024 study by the Ha...