Community Perks with The STR Report

🏠 Top-Tier Property Management – The best property management company you’ve never heard of. Rated 4.9 stars on Google, delivering a 27% revenue increase. Serving clients nationwide.

🔎 Personal Airbnb Investment Finder – Connect with an expert to handpick profitable Airbnb properties that match your criteria. With 213+ 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 29th, 2025

Good evening STR Report Community!

In today’s issue, you will find:

📱Today’s Article: 🛋️ How Interior Design Can Elevate Your Short-Term Rental and Attract More Guests✨

📈 Trending Market Highlight: Chicago, Illinois and Kansas City, Missouri

✉️ STR News: Southwest’s Overhaul: New Bag Fees, Seating Changes – What's at Stake & 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: Top-Tier Property Management, Personal Airbnb Investment Finder, and STR Loans & More

📬 See our collection of newsletters here: Prior Newsletters

How Interior Design Can Elevate Your Short-Term Rental and Attract More Guests

In the world of short-term rentals, first impressions are everything—and those impressions often begin long before a guest ever steps foot inside your property. Scrolling through Airbnb or Vrbo, it’s the eye-catching photos that make a listing stand out, and at the heart of those scroll-stopping images? Great interior design.

But the importance of design goes far beyond aesthetics. It plays a powerful role in shaping guest expectations, experience, and satisfaction—directly impacting your reviews, occupancy, and revenue. Here's how interior design can make or break your short-term rental’s success.

📸 Design Is Your First Sales Tool

Before a guest reads your description or checks your amenities, they look at your photos. A thoughtfully designed space translates into more clicks, more saves, and more bookings.

Why it matters: Guests are emotionally drawn to beautifully styled listings that look clean, cohesive, and inviting. If your property looks like a showroom—or better yet, a dream Pinterest board—you’re already winning.

Quick tips:

• Choose a clear design style (e.g., coastal chic, rustic modern, mid-century minimal).

• Use natural light and invest in professional photography.

• Incorporate texture, plants, and accent pieces to make rooms feel lived-in and welcoming.

🛋️ Design Sets the Tone for the Guest Experience

Interior design isn’t just about looks—it affects how your guests feel. The flow of a space, the lighting, the color palette, and the comfort of the furniture all contribute to how relaxed, inspired, or pampered a guest feels during their stay.

Example: A well-designed living room with plush seating, soft throws, and ambient lighting invites guests to unwind. A poorly designed one with awkward furniture placement or harsh lighting does the opposite.

Design thoughtfully: Think about how guests will use each room and what mood you want to create—then design with that intention in mind.

🛏️ Design Influences Reviews (and Repeat Bookings)

Guests might not mention your boho throw pillows by name, but their sense of comfort and satisfaction is deeply tied to how the space makes them feel. A beautiful, well-planned interior leads to glowing reviews filled with phrases like “so cozy,” “well-designed,” and “Instagram-worthy”—all of which help future guests trust your listing.

Bonus: Memorable design increases the likelihood of repeat bookings and word-of-mouth recommendations. People love sharing beautiful spaces, especially when they look great on camera.

🧼 Good Design Makes Maintenance Easier

Stylish doesn’t have to mean high-maintenance. With the right choices, interior design can also make turnovers more efficient and durable.

Pro tips:

• Choose washable, stain-resistant fabrics.

• Use furniture with storage to reduce clutter.

• Opt for materials that are both beautiful and durable, like quartz countertops or faux leather seating.

Great design isn’t just guest-facing—it should work for your operations team too.

🎯 Design Tells a Story (and Builds a Brand)

Want your STR to stand out in a sea of sameness? Design is your chance to build a distinct brand. Whether it’s a retro 1970s hideaway or a serene desert escape, a strong design identity gives your listing personality and character.

Guests love: Themed stays, curated decor, and spaces that tell a story. It gives them something to remember—and something to post about.

Final Thoughts

Interior design is more than just a pretty face for your short-term rental—it’s a strategic tool that attracts bookings, enhances guest satisfaction, and builds your brand. In a competitive market, the way your space looks and feels can be the deciding factor between “just another listing” and a fully booked calendar.

Investing in design is investing in your success. So, whether you’re staging your first rental or upgrading an existing one, remember: thoughtful design isn’t just decoration—it’s your secret weapon.

Chicago, Illinois 🌆

Downloadable Chicago, Illinois Short-Term Rental Market Report

• Average Daily Rate (ADR): $267.99 per night

• Occupancy Rate: 63.31%

• Annual Revenue Potential: Around $61,906.53 per year

Read our full Chicago, Illinois Short-Term Rental Market Report attached above.

Kansas City, Missouri 🌃

Downloadable Kansas City, Missouri Short-Term Rental Market Report

• Average Daily Rate (ADR): $218.97 per night

• Occupancy Rate: 59.73%

• Annual Revenue Potential: Around $47,735.99 per year

Read our full Kansas City, Missouri Short-Term Rental Market Report attached above.

📬 See our collection of 40+ market reports here: Prior Trending Market Reports

✈️ Southwest’s Overhaul: New Bag Fees, Seating Changes – What's at Stake
Southwest Airlines has ended its long-standing "Bags Fly Free" policy, now charging $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second on flights booked from May 28, 2025, aligning with industry norms and marking a significant shift in its customer service approach.

⭐️ Vrbo expands accessibility features
Vrbo has introduced new accessibility filters and host education tools to help travelers with disabilities find more inclusive vacation rentals.

🌎 Can Kayak.ai Solve Travel’s 'Complex Problems'? Here’s How it Works
Kayak has launched a new AI-powered trip planning tool that streamlines the travel booking process by integrating flight, hotel, and activity options into a single, user-friendly platform.

💸 Travaras collects $1.54 million in pre-seed funding
Travaras, a regenerative travel startup, has raised $1.54 million in pre-seed funding, surpassing its initial target and signaling strong investor confidence in its mission to promote sustainable tourism.

💸 Mortgage Rate Watch – May 29th, 2025

Current Mortgage Rates (as of May 29, 2025):

• 30-Year Fixed: 6.97% (↓ 0.01%)

• 15-Year Fixed: 6.23% (↓ 0.02%)

• 30-Year Jumbo: 7.10% (no change)

• 7/6 SOFR ARM: 6.25% (↓ 0.02%)

• 30-Year FHA: 6.47% (↓ 0.02%)

• 30-Year VA: 6.48% (↓ 0.03%)

Market Overview:

Mortgage rates have shown minor declines across most loan types. The 30-year fixed rate decreased slightly to 6.97%, maintaining its position just below the 7% threshold. This stability follows a period of modest fluctuations, with rates experiencing a mid-week peak before settling. The performance of the bond market, especially mortgage-backed securities (MBS), continues to influence these rate movements. Despite some volatility, the overall trend suggests a steady environment for borrowers.

Rate Trends & Forecast:

Short-Term Outlook:

• Stable Rates: Mortgage rates are anticipated to remain within a narrow range, influenced by ongoing economic data and Federal Reserve communications.

• Investor Sentiment: Market reactions to inflation reports and bond yield movements will play a crucial role in short-term rate adjustments.

Long-Term Outlook:

• Federal Reserve Policy: Decisions regarding interest rates by the Federal Reserve will be pivotal in determining the future trajectory of mortgage rates.

• Economic Indicators: Continuous monitoring of inflation trends and economic growth metrics will provide insights into potential long-term rate changes.

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

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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

🏠 Top-Tier Property Management – The best property management company you’ve never heard of. Rated 4.9 stars on Google, delivering a 27% revenue increase. Serving clients nationwide.

🔎 Personal Airbnb Investment Finder – Connect with an expert to handpick profitable Airbnb properties that match your criteria. With 213+ 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].

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