Episode notes
The short-term rental market didn't die. It grew up. In this episode, John breaks down exactly what's happened to the STR market over the last three years — and why two owners running properties in the same neighborhood are headed in opposite directions. One is exiting. One is scaling. The difference isn't luck. It's the moves they made.
If you own a vacation rental — or you're thinking about getting in — this is the most honest 8 minutes you'll spend on the state of the industry in 2026.
In this episode:
- The three forces that crushed the casual host (supply, regulation, guest expectations)
- The Mike vs. Linda story — same market, opposite outcomes
- What's coming next: consolidation, tax enforcement, AI, and brand
- Four moves to make in the next 30 days if you want to still be in this business in 2030
Timestamps:
- 0:00 — The Mike story
- 1:15 — The three things that broke the market
- 3:00 — How Linda did the opposite (and won)
- 4:45 — What's coming in the next 12 months
- 6:10 — Four moves to adapt right now
- 7:20 — Run it like a business
Quote from the episode: "The market doesn't decide which one you are. You do."
Let's connect.
If anything in this episode hit home — whether you're stuck like Mike, scaling like Linda, or somewhere in between — I want to hear from you. Email me directly at john@vacationhomehelp.com. Tell me where you're at, what's working, what isn't. I read every email and respond personally.
Whether you want to talk strategy, ask a question, or just say what's up — my inbox is open.
Follow the show so you don't miss the next episode, and if this one helped you, share it with one other vacation rental owner who needs to hear it.
— John Andrew Founder, Vacation Home Help vacationhomehelp.com