Part 3: More Brain Power
You see, when a guest shows up to a property and stays there without incident, that’s the easiest thing in the world to deal with. Protocols are easy to follow. Their questions are easy to answer. Our software automations fire correctly, door codes go out on time, cleaners are notified of the departure clean imminent. […]
FIBI Success Story: Part 2 – Reinventing Guest Communication
Getting on the same page with managers regarding all the problems we need to address and with the front desk on how we deal with guest problems in particular were both great starting points for the months long road ahead. FIBI Success Story. Reinventing Guest Communication
Part 1: When Growth Nearly Killed Us
When we were consistently achieving 4.9 average ratings from guests on a monthly basis, the number of reservations that were serviced were much less. In January 2024 we serviced 30 reservations. By the following January we serviced 180. In January 2024, my Wife was handling nearly 100% of communications with guests as well as coordinating […]
Guest Reviews Nearly Killed My Business — How We Rebuilt to 4.8 Stars
This is the story of how guest reviews almost killed my business. It’s a story of survival. It’s a story of growing exceptionally stronger. Really, it’s the story of how this happened: Last year (2024) our review scores started going down from a 4.9 Average in January to a 4.2 Average by the following January […]
STR Setup Costs Are Climbing Fast: Here’s Why and What to Do About It
Outfitting a short-term rental (STR) in 2025 is significantly more expensive than it was just a year ago. Our internal data at FIBI Vacation Rentals shows a 36.93% average increase in the cost of essential furnishing and setup materials across multiple properties we’ve launched over the past two years. These aren’t luxury upgrades we’re talking […]
STR Inflation Watch: How Rising Costs Impact Short-Term Rental Profitability
STR inflation is accelerating operating expenses, where rising costs impact short-term rental profitability despite steady revenue growth. With cleaning and supply costs increasing faster than income, maintaining short-term rental profitability now depends on smarter cost control and efficient operational strategies.
Bigger, Better, Smarter? What Nationwide STR Trends Reveal About the Most Investable Property Type
In a market where margins matter and competition is fierce, not all short-term rentals (STRs) are created equal. Recent data shows that larger homes are pulling ahead not just in revenue, but in efficiency and overall investability. And the numbers back it up. To understand where the best opportunities lie, we looked beyond surface-level metrics […]
Big Tax Changes That Help Real Estate and Airbnb Owners
A new tax law was passed, and it’s great news if you own real estate or run short-term rentals (STRs) like Airbnbs. Here’s what it means for you. 💼 Investing in Real Estate Just Got Better ✅ Opportunity Zones Are Forever You can invest in special areas called Opportunity Zones and get big tax breaks. […]
Why Your Airbnb Needs Automated Messaging + a Human Touch
Automation Isn’t Optional But It’s Not Enough Airbnb guests expect quick, clear communication. But relying solely on automation creates gaps in service that can lead to confusion, frustration, and bad reviews. On the flip side, trying to manage every guest message manually—especially across multiple listings, can overwhelm even the most experienced host. That’s why at […]
Why We Require a Rental Agreement & Security Deposit for Every Booking (Even on Airbnb)
Most Hosts Can’t Do This—But We Can (And Do) Airbnb’s typical Terms of Service prohibit hosts from asking guests to sign rental agreements or pay security deposits outside of the platform. But at FIBI Vacation Rentals, we do both—for every single reservation, whether it’s from Airbnb, Vrbo, or a direct booking. How? We’re a software-connected […]