In this episode, co-host Taylor Jones breaks down a simple, practical framework for building your short-term rental buy box without needing expensive tools or large amounts of capital.

If you’ve ever asked yourself where to buy, what to buy, and how to know if a deal actually works, this episode walks you through it step by step.

Taylor explains how to use Airbnb itself to identify top-performing areas, how to analyze amenities and design trends, and how to reverse-engineer what’s already working in your market. He also dives into how to validate your assumptions with data tools like AirDNA or Rabbu and, most importantly, how to determine if a deal will actually cash flow.

This is a straightforward, actionable approach to help you stop guessing and start making smarter acquisition decisions.

We’re bringing back one of our most actionable episodes on using Instagram to drive real bookings.

In this episode of the STR Investing Podcast, co-host Taylor Jones sits down with Ben Wolff, founder of Onera and a pioneer in the unique stays space.

Ben shares how he built standout hospitality experiences that naturally attract attention online and convert that attention into direct bookings. From treehouse hotels to outdoor stays, his approach proves that the right content can become a powerful revenue engine.

This episode breaks down the real strategy behind influencer collaborations, content marketing, and building a brand that drives demand. Including how one influencer partnership generated $25,000 in direct bookings with no upfront cost, and how these strategies contributed to over $1,000,000 in bookings.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Instagram can drive serious revenue for STRs
• Why unique stays perform so well on social media
• The strategy behind a $25K influencer win
• How to turn content into consistent direct bookings
• What’s working right now in STR marketing

If you’re looking to grow bookings and reduce reliance on OTAs, this is one to study.

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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

Mark Lumpkin breaks down the amenity data for Blue Ridge, one of the most popular cabin markets in the Southeast.

Using insights from STR Search, this episode dives into which amenities top-performing properties are using to dominate the market—and how much additional revenue those features are generating annually.

Here’s what the data shows in Blue Ridge:

• Hot Tubs (91%) → +$20,000+/year
• Game Rooms (50%) → +$16,451/year
• Home Gyms (8%) → +$9,123/year
• Saunas (5%) → +$24,861/year
• Swimming Pools (3%) → +$57,348/year
• Mini Golf (4%) → +$14,700/year

The biggest takeaway? In Blue Ridge, amenities drive performance.

Hot tubs are essentially mandatory for top-performing cabins, while features like saunas, pools, and mini golf courses are still rare—but generating massive revenue advantages for properties that have them.

If you’re investing in Blue Ridge or planning upgrades to an existing cabin, this episode reveals the amenities that can help your property stand out and maximize revenue.

Subscribe to the STR Investing Podcast for market data every Monday and expert guests every Friday.