December 17th, 2025

Good evening STR Report Community, and welcome to a special edition of The STR Report!

In today’s issue, you will find:

📱Special Edition: 🏡 How to Build a Rockstar Team for Your Short-Term Rental Business

📬 See our collection of newsletters here: Prior Newsletters

How to Build a Team to Help with Your Short-Term Rental Business 📊

From guest communication to turnovers, bookkeeping to maintenance, running a short term rental can quickly become a full-time job. The secret to sustainable growth? Building a reliable team that supports operations, protects your investment, and elevates the guest experience.

Below is your blueprint for assembling a team that keeps your STR running smoothly while giving you back your time.

1. Start with the Core Crew: Cleaning & Maintenance

Your cleaners and maintenance professionals are the backbone of your STR operation.

• Cleaners: Look for detail-oriented pros who understand hospitality standards, can communicate proactively, and offer photo-verified checklists.

• Maintenance Techs/Handymen: You want someone trustworthy, quick to respond, and familiar with short-term rental needs—everything from unclogging drains to emergency fixes.

These roles directly impact your reviews, making them the first hires you should prioritize.

2. Add Guest Support for Seamless Stays

Guest communication can be relentless. A support teammate—whether a virtual assistant or a co-host—can:

• Respond quickly to inquiries

• Assist with booking management

• Handle check-in instructions and troubleshooting

Delegating communications helps ensure guests feel taken care of while you maintain work-life balance.

3. Enlist an Operations Manager as You Scale

Once you have multiple properties or a high volume of bookings, an Operations Manager becomes invaluable. They ensure consistency across properties, manage vendors, inspect turnovers, and refine systems. This role transforms your business from reactive to proactive.

4. Don’t Forget Behind-the-Scenes Support

A strong STR team also includes:

• Bookkeeper or Accountant: Someone who understands rental income, tax deductions, depreciation, and occupancy taxes.

• Interior Designer or Stager: For creating an eye-catching listing that boosts your ADR.

• Marketing Professional: To improve visibility across platforms and optimize your STR branding.

These contributors elevate your property’s value and long-term performance.

5. Create Clear Processes for a Smooth Operation

Even the strongest team needs structure. Establish:

• Standard operating procedures

• Turnover checklists

• Emergency protocols

• Communication guidelines

• Shared calendars and digital tools (like Hospitable, Breezeway, or Turno)

Clear systems empower your team to do their best work—and make your business scalable.

6. Build Relationships, Not Just a Roster

The most successful hosts treat their team members as partners, not contractors. Offer fair pay, express appreciation, and maintain consistent communication. When your team feels valued, they’re more invested in your success.

Want a management team you can trust?

You don’t have to do every task yourself to grow a thriving short-term rental business. By assembling a trusted team, you’ll elevate guest satisfaction, protect your asset, and reclaim your time—so you can focus on scaling, not scrambling. If you want a trusted team assembled for you, connect with our recommended partner using the button below. 💥

^{_{Disclaimer: Some of the products, services, or partners featured in this newsletter may be part of a paid sponsorship. We only promote companies we trust and believe can bring value to our readers.}}

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.

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!