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.

🏨 End-to-End Boutique Hotel Solutions – From expert operations and guest experience optimization to full design, construction, marketing, and acquisition support, connect with end-to-end solutions built to elevate your property and maximize long-term performance. See how your hotel can reach its full potential.

February 26th, 2026

Good evening STR Report Community!

In today’s issue, you will find:

📱Today’s Article: The Biggest Time Leaks in Hosting (And How to Fix Them)

📈 Trending Market Highlight: Santa Barbara, California and Monterey / Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

✉️ STR News: AirDNA survey shows STR buying activity concentrated among scaled operators

💸 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, STR Loans & More, and End-to-End Boutique Hotel Solutions

📬 See our collection of newsletters here: Prior Newsletters

The Biggest Time Leaks in Hosting (And How to Fix Them) ⏰

If there’s one pattern across the short-term rental industry right now, it’s this: the operators who feel “less busy” aren’t doing less — they’re automating more.

With guest expectations rising and competition intensifying, automation is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s the infrastructure that lets you scale without burning out. Industry guidance consistently shows automation tools reduce repetitive work, improve guest experience, and help properties operate more efficiently and profitably.

Below are the core automations worth setting up now so your operation runs smoother.

1️⃣ Messaging Flows: Your 24/7 Digital Co-Host

Automated guest communication is often the fastest win because messaging is one of the most time-consuming tasks for hosts.

Marketing automation tools can handle confirmations, pre-arrival instructions, mid-stay check-ins, and review requests — turning repetitive communication into scalable workflows that save hours each week.

Automated messaging also improves response times and keeps guests informed without constant monitoring, which enhances satisfaction and reduces support volume.

What to automate first:

• Booking confirmation + upsell message

• Pre-arrival instructions

• Check-in day reminder

• Mid-stay check-in

• Checkout instructions + review request

💡 Pro tip: Keep personalization tokens (name, trip reason) so messages don’t feel robotic — experts recommend balancing automation with personalization to maintain guest experience quality.

2️⃣ Smart Locks: Frictionless Check-Ins That Guests Expect

Contactless entry isn’t just convenient — it’s becoming a baseline expectation.

Smart locks allow guests to arrive on their own schedule and create a smoother first impression, which can directly impact reviews.

They also reduce operational workload because access codes can activate at check-in and deactivate at checkout automatically.

From the guest perspective, smart tech drives booking decisions:

• 80% of vacation guests are more likely to book properties with smart home tech

• 60% say they would pay more for it

Automation ideas:

• Auto-generate codes tied to reservation dates

• Trigger access instructions via messaging flow

• Notify cleaners when guests check out

3️⃣ Dynamic Pricing Tools: Revenue on Autopilot

Manual pricing is one of the biggest hidden time drains — and revenue leaks.

AI-driven pricing tools analyze historical data, seasonality, demand, and competitor rates to automatically adjust nightly prices, helping capture revenue spikes and maintain occupancy during slower periods.

These tools continuously monitor local events and market changes, something nearly impossible to do manually at scale.

Why it matters:
Pricing automation helps ensure your property remains competitive 24/7 while maximizing average daily rate when demand surges.

4️⃣ Task Management + Operations Automation: The Backbone of Scale

Behind every smooth guest stay is a lot of invisible coordination — cleaning, maintenance, inspections, and calendar syncing.

Property management software centralizes data and automates workflows like booking synchronization, maintenance tracking, and reporting, reducing manual updates and human error.

Automation also coordinates complex operational processes so managers can focus on growth instead of administrative tasks.

Key workflows to automate:

• Cleaning tasks triggered by checkout

• Maintenance tickets

• Owner reporting

• Multi-platform calendar sync

Why This Matters More Than Ever

The short-term rental industry has become increasingly professionalized, with higher guest expectations and more competition than ever.

Operators who implement automation today position themselves to scale portfolios, deliver smoother guest experiences, and avoid burnout as they grow.

The Big Picture: Automation = Time + Better Reviews + Revenue

Across the industry, automation consistently delivers three outcomes:

✅ Fewer repetitive tasks
✅ Better guest experiences
✅ Improved operational efficiency

Property management systems with automation capabilities can synchronize bookings, manage routine tasks, and optimize pricing — all of which drive higher occupancy and revenue.

Think of automation like hiring a digital operations team that works 24/7 without adding payroll.

Set up the right messaging flows, smart access, pricing automation, and task workflows now — and next year you’ll spend less time putting out fires and more time growing your portfolio.

Santa Barbara, California

Downloadable Santa Barbara, California Short-Term Rental Market Report

• Average Daily Rate (ADR): $426 per night

• Occupancy Rate: 59%

• Annual Revenue Potential: Around $160,462 per year

Read our full Santa Barbara, California Short-Term Rental Market Report attached above.

Monterey / Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Downloadable Monterey / Carmel-by-the-Sea, California Short-Term Rental Market Report

• Average Daily Rate (ADR): $454 per night

• Occupancy Rate: 61%

• Annual Revenue Potential: Around $165,705 per year

Read our full Monterey / Carmel-by-the-Sea, California Short-Term Rental Market Report attached above.

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

🏆 Airbnb’s Winter Olympics 2026 Strategy: Gen Z, Global Events, and the Long Game Beyond Bookings 
Airbnb’s Winter Olympics 2026 strategy goes beyond bookings. Through Gen Z storytelling and short-form content, it’s using Milano-Cortina to build brand loyalty, cultural legitimacy, and long-term positioning in key markets.

☔️ Vrbo Guests Can Pay Fees to Get Refunds When Rain Ruins a Stay
Vrbo is testing a new way to give travelers peace of mind with a weather-guarantee option powered by WeatherPromise.

🌊 Casago expands along Florida-Georgia coast 
Casago acquired Vacasa’s coastal holdings in St. Augustine, Amelia Island and St. Simons Island.

💰 AirDNA survey shows STR buying activity concentrated among scaled operators
Acquisition activity in the US short-term rental market is being driven by experienced, multi-property operators, according to AirDNA’s first Short-Term Rental Investor Survey.

🌺 Debate erupts around short-term rentals in Hawaii as hotels estimate 30,000 illegal rentals
An Oxford Economics study released by hotel associations last week set fire to a debate between short-term rental and hotel lobbies around Hawaii’s hospitality industry and its effect on the housing crisis.

✈️ Airbnb Is Testing Airport Pickups. Are Flights Next?
Airbnb likely sees how flights are driving Booking Holdings' connected-trip vision. The timing is unclear, but it needs flights if it wants to be a true "travel concierge."

💻 What Happens When AI Becomes the First Step in Booking a Stay?
AI travel booking is compressing the discovery funnel. Instead of browsing and comparing listings manually, guests now describe full travel scenarios to AI tools, which instantly synthesize reviews, amenities, pricing, and policies.

💸Mortgage Rate Watch – February 26th, 2026

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

• 30-Year Fixed: 6.00% (+0.01%)

• 15-Year Fixed: 5.62% (+0.04%)

• 30-Year Jumbo: 6.28% (+0.00%)

• 30-Year FHA: 5.65% (+0.02%)

• 30-Year VA: 5.67% (+0.02%)

• 7/6 SOFR ARM: 5.38% (+0.09%)

Market Overview: Mortgage rates ticked slightly higher today, with the 30-year fixed returning to 6.00% after briefly dipping below that threshold earlier in the week. Most loan types posted modest increases, particularly adjustable-rate mortgages, which saw the largest move. Overall, the market remains relatively stable, with lenders adjusting pricing cautiously amid small shifts in bond yields.

Rate Trends & Forecast:

• Short-Term: Rates are likely to remain in a narrow range, with minor day-to-day fluctuations tied to bond market activity and upcoming economic data releases.

• Long-Term: If inflation continues to moderate and long-term Treasury yields trend lower, mortgage rates could gradually improve over time. However, meaningful declines will depend on clearer signs of economic slowing or changes in monetary policy.

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

Bored of staying at regular Airbnbs?

How about taking an Evergreen Escape? 🌲

Nestled in the heart of Pocono Lake, Evergreen Escape is a welcoming 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom retreat that comfortably accommodates up to 10 guests, perfect for families, friends, and group getaways.
Inside, the home features an open-floor layout that brings everyone together, with a bright and comfortable living area ideal for relaxing after a day of adventure. The fully stocked kitchen makes cooking easy and enjoyable, whether you’re preparing a quick breakfast or a full family meal.
Step outside to enjoy the spacious outdoor deck with patio seating and a BBQ grill, perfect for dining al fresco. Unwind in the private hot tub, or gather around the firepit for cozy evenings under the stars. Guests also enjoy access to community amenities, adding even more options for fun and relaxation during your stay.
Whether you’re here for lake days, hiking, skiing, or a peaceful mountain escape, Evergreen Escape offers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and Pocono charm year-round.

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.

🏨 End-to-End Boutique Hotel Solutions – From expert operations and guest experience optimization to full design, construction, marketing, and acquisition support, connect with end-to-end solutions built to elevate your property and maximize long-term performance. See how your hotel can reach its full potential.

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!