Community Perks with The STR Report

📊 Property Analysis – Instantly discover key metrics like Rent, Cash flow, ROI, and Cash-on-Cash returns to make smarter investment decisions for your Airbnb, Mid-term, or Long-term rentals.

🔎 Personal Airbnb Investment Finder – Connect with an expert to handpick profitable Airbnb properties that match your criteria. With 200+ successful deals, all cash-flowing, you’re in good hands. Take 15 seconds to fill out the form to see how all of these properties are experiencing at least a 15% Cash-on-Cash return.

🤑 STR Loans & More – Need funding for your next short-term rental? Expect expert guidance, personalized service, and the best possible rates.

May 5th, 2025

Good afternoon STR Report Community!

In today’s issue, you will find:

📱Today’s Article: 📖 Host Like a Pro: The Power of an Airbnb Welcome Book 🏠

📈 Trending Market Highlight: Lake George, New York & Green Bay, Wisconsin

✉️ STR News: Smart Thermostats Could Reduce Carbon Emissions & more

💸 Mortgage Rate Watch

🌾 Unique Airbnb of the Week

🏫 Subscriber Perks: Go Live Playbook, including: Beginner’s Guide E-Book, Guest Communication Messaging Templates, Airbnb Welcome Guide Template, STR Buy Box Template, & Tax Savings E-Book

✅ Community Perks: Property Analysis, Personal Airbnb Investment Finder, and STR Loans & More

📬 See our collection of newsletters here: Prior Newsletters

📖 Host Like a Pro: The Power of an Airbnb Welcome Book 🏠

As an Airbnb host, providing an exceptional guest experience is crucial to earning great reviews, securing repeat bookings, and boosting your overall ratings. One often overlooked yet powerful tool to enhance the guest experience is the Welcome Book. This simple guide helps guests navigate your property and the local area, ensuring they feel comfortable, informed, and valued throughout their stay.

Benefits of a Welcome Book:

• Improves Guest Experience: By providing clear, upfront information about your property and the local area, guests are less likely to feel confused or frustrated. A well-organized Welcome Book answers common questions, making their stay more enjoyable and less stressful.

• Reduces Host-Guest Communication: No more repeatedly answering the same questions about Wi-Fi passwords, check-out instructions, or local recommendations. A detailed Welcome Book allows your guests to find the information they need without bothering you.

• Adds a Personal Touch: Personalize your guide with your favorite local spots, special tips, or anecdotes. Guests love feeling like they’re experiencing the destination from a local’s perspective, which enhances their overall trip.

• Builds Trust & Professionalism: A well-structured, informative guide shows guests that you’re a professional host who’s invested in their comfort and satisfaction. This can lead to higher ratings, positive reviews, and more bookings.

What to Include in Your Airbnb Welcome Book:

1. Warm Welcome Message: Start by expressing your gratitude for their booking and offer assistance throughout their stay. A personal touch goes a long way in making guests feel welcome.

2. House Rules: Clearly outline your expectations regarding smoking, pets, parties, and noise. Be sure to phrase them in a friendly, approachable tone.

3. Wi-Fi & Tech Instructions: Provide easy-to-find information like Wi-Fi passwords and instructions for any appliances, smart home devices, or entertainment systems.

4. Local Recommendations: Share your top picks for coffee shops, restaurants, parks, hikes, and local attractions. Guests love insider tips and personalized suggestions that make their trip special.

5. Emergency Information: Include important details like emergency contacts, the location of fire extinguishers, and first aid kits. Safety should always come first.

Digital vs. Physical Welcome Book:

• Physical Book: A tangible, personal option that guests can flip through at their convenience. However, it needs to be updated regularly and may wear out over time.

• Digital Guidebook: Convenient, always up-to-date, and accessible anywhere. Digital books can be linked to websites, QR codes, or apps for easy access. A digital version can be shared after booking confirmation to get guests familiar with your space before they arrive.

Pro Tip: For maximum convenience, offer both. Leave a physical Welcome Book in the unit, but also send a digital version to guests upon booking.

Design Tips for Your Welcome Book:

• Use high-quality photos of your property and the local area to make the book visually appealing.

• Keep the layout simple and clean with clear headings, bullet points, and icons for easy navigation.

• Include maps, QR codes, and menus for quick access to important information.

• Consider laminating pages if you’re using a physical version to make it more durable.

A thoughtfully crafted Welcome Book is a small investment that pays off big time. Not only will it save you time answering questions, but it can significantly improve your guest reviews and lead to more bookings. When your guests feel informed, comfortable, and appreciated, they’ll be more likely to leave glowing reviews and return for future stays.

Need some guidance? Check out our FREE Airbnb Welcome Book Template. ✨

Lake George, New York 🌄

Downloadable Lake George, New York Short-Term Rental Market Report

• Average Daily Rate (ADR): $362.14 per night

• Occupancy Rate: 43.55%

• Annual Revenue Potential: Around $57,580.11 per year

Read our full Lake George, New York Short-Term Rental Market Report attached above.

Green Bay, Wisconsin 🧀

Downloadable Green Bay, Wisconsin Short-Term Rental Market Report

• Average Daily Rate (ADR): $326.67 per night

• Occupancy Rate: 44.22%

• Annual Revenue Potential: Around $52,723.04 per year

Read our full Green Bay, Wisconsin Short-Term Rental Market Report attached above.

📬 See our collection of 30+ market reports here: Prior Trending Market Reports

📱Social Commerce Is Transforming Travel – Brands Need to Move Fast
Social commerce is rapidly transforming the travel industry, compelling brands to act quickly in order to reduce customer acquisition costs and leverage influencer-driven bookings and video-focused content strategies.

✈️ JetBlue Sells Venture Capital Arm in Bid to Boost Profitability
JetBlue has sold its venture capital arm, JetBlue Ventures, to focus on boosting profitability through reinvestment in its core operations, including expanding its route network and enhancing customer service.

💸 Airbnb cracks down on off-platform payments and guest registrations
Airbnb is implementing a new policy, effective May 10, 2025, that prohibits hosts from collecting off-platform fees and using third-party guest registration systems, aiming to enhance platform security and ensure consistent guest experiences.

🌱 Smart Thermostats Could Reduce Carbon Emissions, says Vacation Rental Platform
Implementing smart thermostats in vacation rentals can significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, especially when adopted across large property portfolios.​

💸Mortgage Rate Watch – May 5, 2025

Current Mortgage Rates (as of May 5, 2025):

• 30-Year Fixed: 6.90% (+0.07%)

• 15-Year Fixed: 6.19% (+0.03%)

• 30-Year Jumbo: 7.00% (+0.05%)

• 30-Year FHA: 6.28% (+0.08%)

• 30-Year VA: 6.30% (+0.08%)

• 7/6 SOFR ARM: 6.45% (+0.09%)​

​Note: These rates are based on Mortgage News Daily's daily survey data as of May 2, 2025. ​

Market Overview:

Mortgage rates have experienced a slight uptick this week, with the average 30-year fixed rate rising to 6.90% from the previous week's 6.84%. This increase is attributed to stronger-than-expected economic data, particularly the recent jobs report, which showed faster-than-anticipated job creation. Such positive economic news can lead to higher mortgage rates as investors adjust their expectations. ​

Rate Trends & Forecast:

• Short-Term: Mortgage rates are likely to remain volatile, influenced by upcoming economic data releases and Federal Reserve policy signals.

• Long-Term: The Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates will continue to be a key driver of mortgage rate movements. If inflation continues to ease, we may see gradual declines in rates throughout 2025.​

For real-time mortgage rate updates, visit Mortgage News Daily.

Bored of staying at regular Airbnbs? 🌾

Book your next stay at a silo in Montana.

Escape to the Clark Farm Silos for a peaceful retreat surrounded by breathtaking mountain views. These unique, thoughtfully designed metal silos offer a perfect balance of rustic charm and modern amenities. Featuring a spacious loft bedroom with a king-sized bed, a fully equipped kitchenette, and a private bathroom, each silo is the ideal getaway for solo travelers, couples, or small families. Relax under the stars by your own campfire after a day of adventure, or enjoy a morning coffee with the fresh mountain air. With a strategic location in the heart of Flathead Valley, you'll have easy access to local attractions while enjoying maximum privacy and tranquility. Please note that there are five silos on the property, and although pets are not allowed, a short walk and onsite parking will ensure a comfortable and relaxing stay.

Subscriber Perks:

📖🏡💰 Go Live Playbook

The "Go Live Playbook" is your all-in-one guide featuring a beginner’s guide e-book, messaging templates, Airbnb welcome book, STR buy box template, and tax savings tips to kickstart your short-term rental success.

Community Perks with The STR Report

📊 Property Analysis – Instantly discover key metrics like Rent, Cash flow, ROI, and Cash-on-Cash returns to make smarter investment decisions for your Airbnb, Mid-term, or Long-term rentals.

🔎 Personal Airbnb Investment Finder – Connect with an expert to handpick profitable Airbnb properties that match your criteria. With 200+ successful deals, all cash-flowing, you’re in good hands. Take 15 seconds to fill out the form to see how all of these properties are experiencing at least a 15% Cash-on-Cash return.

🤑 STR Loans & More – Need funding for your next short-term rental? Expect expert guidance, personalized service, and the best possible rates.

Partner with Us!

If you have a project you’d like us to promote, or a product or service you’d like to share, please reach out to us at [email protected].

We appreciate you being a part of our STR community and for sharing our group with your business partners and associates. Thank you!