Why You Should Trust These 10 Strategies
You can skip straight to the list below, but if you want to understand how these insights were formed—and why you should trust them, keep reading.
My team has operated STRs in over a dozen U.S. cities, and I’ve personally invested in several of those markets using both my own capital and investor funds. I’m entering the Sarasota market soon because, simply put, I like it. The opportunity is huge, and the weather doesn’t hurt either.
Whenever I expand into a new market, I dig deep: studying what works, what drives outlier results (those properties making absurd revenue), what’s absolutely essential, and what’s just a waste of money.
One of the most effective tools I use is Regression Analysis, a statistical method where I collect and clean large sets of STR data to find which factors have the strongest correlation with revenue. Once the math and data cleaning are done, the results are crystal clear.
Below are the 10 strategies that consistently move the needle, either statistically proven to impact revenue or commonly used by the top-earning “outlier” properties.
1. Stay Bookable 365 Days a Year
It’s obvious: you can’t earn revenue from nights that aren’t available. But there’s another layer here, open calendars help your OTA SEO.
When your listing accepts bookings far into the future, you’ll show up more often in search results, even for near-term travelers.
If you want to keep certain dates free, don’t block them. Instead, set your nightly rate sky-high so that if someone does book, it’s worth rearranging your plans.
2. Stage a Professional Lifestyle Photoshoot
Set the tables. Open umbrellas. Stock the bar. Pour some wine. Make it feel like a magazine spread.
Hire models if you can, seriously. This turns your photoshoot into a story rather than a property tour. Think luxury-resort quality: chaise lounges with rolled towels, stocked bar setups, vibrant lighting, and an atmosphere that screams ready to host.
Remember: your photos sell your property more than anything else.
Better photos mean more clicks, more bookings, and higher nightly rates.
👉 Pro Tip: Professional photography also improves your SEO performance on Airbnb and VRBO.
3. Add a Hot Tub — High ROI Guaranteed
Hot tubs add ~$14,000 per year on average to your STR revenue.
That’s a one-year or less payback period for most installations.
Few other upgrades have an ROI that high. Just do it.
4. Waterfront Is King
This only matters if you’re buying, not remodeling, but it’s worth saying anyway.
Water frontage is the single strongest revenue driver in almost every Florida market. It’s the difference between a “good” listing and a top-1% performer.
If you can buy waterfront, do it. It’s the one factor you can’t replicate later.
5. Go All-In on the Pool (or Don’t Do It)
A well-designed pool deck can easily double or even triple your annual booking revenue.
But the keyword here is designed.
A plain rectangle of water won’t cut it. Think statement pool:
- Swim-up bar or built-in cocktail tables
- Beach-entry with chaise lounges
- Water slide or fire features
- Integrated landscaping and lighting
- Covered seating or outdoor kitchen
If you can’t hit that “Better Homes & Gardens” aesthetic, skip the pool and spend that budget elsewhere — maybe on a pickleball court.
Bottom line: only add a pool if you’re ready to go all-in.
6. Maintain a 4.8+ Overall Rating
The data doesn’t lie:
- STRs with an average rating of 4.8+ earn roughly 20% more than lower-rated ones.
- Maintaining a perfect 5.0 can yield another 20% bump on top of that.
Your guest experience is your marketing engine. Every review compounds your earning potential.
7. Master Minimum Night Stay Management
This falls under Revenue Management, but it’s one of the easiest levers to adjust, and one of the most profitable.
Here’s a quick framework:
- 120+ days out: 4-night minimum, top-tier pricing.
- 60–120 days out: 3–4-night minimum, still priced high.
- Under 60 days: Gradually lower both price and minimum stay to fill gaps.
This dynamic approach prevents revenue loss from unsold inventory.
We focus heavily on this at FIBI Vacation Rentals — and we offer free consultations to help you optimize your setup.
👉 Book a free revenue strategy call with our team. (book-a-call)
8. Turn On Instant Book
Flipping this switch often adds $5K+ in annual bookings.
If you’re worried about screening guests, there are better tools than turning Instant Book off.
This is easy, free money — take it.
9. Location, Location, Location
For investors entering Sarasota: neighborhood choice is everything.
Beyond waterfront properties, there are inland neighborhoods where homes just a few blocks off the beach outperform true beachfront properties — sometimes by 3–4x.
If you’re evaluating where to buy, let’s talk — this is one of my favorite parts of the business.
👉 Schedule a 15-minute Sarasota market strategy call.
10. R&D — Rip Off and Duplicate
The simplest formula for STR success:
Find what’s working. Do it better.
The best ideas are already in your market. Look at the top-earning listings, study what they’re doing right, and out-execute them.
Data in this industry is everywhere — execution is where the money’s made.
Final Thoughts
Sarasota is one of the strongest, most dynamic STR markets in Florida right now — and when you combine data, design, and experience, your property can easily outperform the competition.
If you’d like help implementing any of these strategies, my team and I at FIBI Vacation Rentals specialize in turning average properties into top-1% performers.
👉 Get your free STR Profit Analysis here.
(Link to your lead magnet or booking page)
