Community Perks with The STR Report

🏠 Top-Tier Property Management – Lower fees, higher payouts, and premium service. Built for investors who want performance and peace of mind. See how much more your property could earn—click to get your free performance assessment.

🔎 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 a 10-15% 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.

January 26th, 2026

Good evening STR Report Community!

In today’s issue, you will find:

📱Today’s Article: ❄️ Ice Storms, No Problem: A Remote Airbnb Manager’s Survival Guide

📈 Trending Market Highlight: Los Angeles, California and New Braunfels, Texas

✉️ STR News: ChatGPT Ads Are Live and They’re Changing How Guests Find Vacation Rentals

💸 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

❄️ Ice Storms, No Problem: A Remote Airbnb Manager’s Survival Guide

If you were managing an Airbnb during this weekend’s ice storm, you weren’t alone. From power outages to icy roads, winter weather can test even the most seasoned remote property managers. Here’s how to keep peace of mind when a natural storm is on the way—and exactly what to do once the ice clears.

🧊 Step 1: Prep Your Guests (Because Surprises = Panic)

When you manage remotely, communication is everything.

As soon as a storm is forecasted:

• Send a calm, proactive message about what guests might experience (icy roads, possible outages).

• Share emergency contacts and how to reach you quickly.

• Point guests to emergency supplies (flashlights, blankets, extra batteries).

• Explain heating systems, fireplaces, or generators in plain English.

Bonus guest tips to include:

• 🛑 Avoid unnecessary travel

• 👟 Watch for slippery decks and stairs

• 📱 Message you ASAP if heat, water, or power goes out

Guests feel safer (and complain less) when they know what’s coming.

🧰 Step 2: Storm Prep (Even When You’re Miles Away)

You don’t need to be on-site—you just need the right people and systems.

Before the ice hits:

• Double-check thermostats (vacant homes included!)

• Ask cleaners or maintenance to salt walkways if timing allows

• Make sure gutters were cleared earlier in the season

• Confirm smart devices (thermostats, leak detectors) are online

• Touch base with your local “emergency contact” team

Ten minutes of prep can save you thousands later.

📲 Step 3: Support Guests During the Storm (From Afar)

While guests are staying:

• Send one friendly check-in: short, calm, reassuring.

• Ask guests to alert you immediately if:

  • Heat stops working

  • Water pressure drops

  • Pipes appear frozen

  • Power goes out

Important safety reminder:
🚫 No grills, ovens, or outdoor heaters indoors—ever.

Being responsive (even remotely) builds trust and great reviews.

🔍 Step 4: Post-Storm Check (Before the Next Guest Arrives)

Before reopening the calendar, schedule a local post-storm walkthrough.

Ask your cleaner or handyman to check:

Outside:

• Fallen branches or roof damage

• Decks, stairs, and railings

• Walkways for refreezing hazards

Inside:

• Water stains on ceilings or walls

• Leaks under sinks or near exterior walls

• Heat, hot water, and major appliances

• Smoke & carbon monoxide detectors

Request photos or short videos—documentation is your best friend.

🛠️ Step 5: Damage Control (Remote Edition)

If something did go wrong:

• Fix safety issues first (water, heat, electrical)

• Call licensed pros right away

• Document everything for insurance

• Block your calendar if repairs take time

• Communicate clearly with upcoming guests

Transparency now = fewer headaches later.

⚙️ Must-Have Tools for Remote Airbnb Managers

Managing remotely in storm-prone areas? These are non-negotiable:

• Smart thermostats with freeze alerts 🌡️

• Leak detectors near sinks & water heaters 💧

• A go-to list of emergency contractors 📞

• A written storm SOP for each property 📝

• Emergency supplies stored year-round 🧤

Remote management isn’t risky—it’s systemized.

❄️ Final Takeaway

Ice storms are unpredictable—but your response doesn’t have to be. With solid prep, strong local partners, and proactive guest communication, remote Airbnb managers can handle winter weather like pros… without ever scraping ice off a windshield 😉

Los Angeles, California

Downloadable Los Angeles, California Short-Term Rental Market Report

• Average Daily Rate (ADR): $211 per night

• Occupancy Rate: 67%

• Annual Revenue Potential: Around $89,193 per year

Read our full Los Angeles, California Short-Term Rental Market Report attached above.

New Braunfels, Texas

Downloadable New Braunfels, Texas Short-Term Rental Market Report

• Average Daily Rate (ADR): $255 per night

• Occupancy Rate: 44%

• Annual Revenue Potential: Around $57,678 per year

Read our full New Braunfels, Texas Short-Term Rental Market Report attached above.

📬 See our collection of 120+ market reports here: Prior Trending Market Reports

📝 Airbnb Is Still Bashing Hotels in Its Ads, While Adding Them to Its Platform
Airbnb’s 2026 ads strategy walks a tightrope: bash traditional hotels in global ads while quietly onboarding boutique hotels to expand supply.

🏡 ChatGPT Ads Are Live and They’re Changing How Guests Find Vacation Rentals
Chatgpt ads mark a shift from AI as a research tool to AI as a direct booking channel.

💸 Scaling Short-Term Rentals Is Harder Than the Industry Admits
Short-term rentals are no longer a frontier business. Outside of a small group of disciplined operators, the sector has settled into a slow, operational grind that favors local execution over national ambition.

💸Mortgage Rate Watch – January 26th, 2026

Current Mortgage Rates (as of January 26, 2026):

• 30-Year Fixed: 6.19% (+0.00%)

• 15-Year Fixed: 5.76% (+0.00%)

• 30-Year Jumbo: 6.38% (+0.00%)

• 30-Year FHA: 5.85% (–0.01%)

• 30-Year VA: 5.87% (–0.01%)

• 7/6 SOFR ARM: 5.71% (+0.00%)

Market Overview: Mortgage rates were essentially unchanged today, with the 30-year fixed holding steady at 6.19%. Most loan types showed no movement, reinforcing the sense that the market is in a holding pattern. Limited economic data and a stable bond market continue to keep lender pricing calm and predictable.

Rate Trends & Forecast:

• Short-Term: Rates are expected to remain in a narrow range, with only minor day-to-day adjustments unless new economic data or market volatility emerges.

• Long-Term: If inflation continues to moderate and long-term Treasury yields trend lower later in the year, gradual rate improvement remains possible. However, meaningful declines are unlikely without a clearer shift in the broader economic or policy outlook.

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

Bored of staying at regular Airbnbs?

How about playing on your own private beach volleyball court?🏐

This newly renovated 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home in Florida is the ultimate vacation retreat, perfectly designed for families and groups of up to 12 guests. Just 1.5 miles from Indian Shores Beach, the house is packed with resort-style amenities, including a heated private pool, sand volleyball court, outdoor fire pit, and a fully loaded game room with a pool table, ping pong, and basketball arcade. Inside, you’ll find spacious, comfortable bedrooms (including two king suites and a room with two queens), a fully stocked kitchen, washer and dryer, and plenty of room to relax. With ample outdoor seating, dining areas, family-friendly extras like a pack ’n play and high chair, and easy access to local dining and attractions, this home offers everything you need for a fun, stress-free Florida getaway.

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 – Lower fees, higher payouts, and premium service. Built for investors who want performance and peace of mind. See how much more your property could earn—click to get your free performance assessment.

🔎 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 a 10-15% 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!