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.

February 5th, 2026

Good evening STR Report Community!

In today’s issue, you will find:

📱Today’s Article: ✨ Small Portfolio, Big Presence: The Power of Branding Your STR (Even with Just One Property)

📈 Trending Market Highlight: Duluth, Minnesota and Ann Arbor, Michigan

✉️ STR News: Pricelabs finds 88% of Airbnb listings fall short on standards

💸 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

✨ Small Portfolio, Big Presence: The Power of Branding Your STR (Even with Just One Property)

If you think branding is only for hosts with multiple listings, think again. Whether you manage one cozy cabin, a chic city loft, or a beachside bungalow, branding transforms your short-term rental from “just another option” into the place guests remember — and choose again. 🌟

Why Branding Matters (Yes, Even for One Property)

Today’s travelers aren’t just booking a place to sleep — they’re booking an experience. Strong branding communicates professionalism, builds trust, and signals that you care about the details before guests even walk through the door.

A well-branded STR can:

✅ Command higher nightly rates
✅ Increase direct bookings
✅ Inspire guest loyalty
✅ Generate word-of-mouth referrals
✅ Create a polished, professional reputation

In other words: branding helps you compete with larger operators without needing a massive portfolio.

Your Property Is a Business — Treat It Like One

Think about the difference between a generic coffee shop and a recognizable café brand. One is forgettable; the other becomes part of someone’s routine.

Your STR works the same way.

Start by asking:

👉 What feeling do I want guests to have when they stay here?
👉 Who is my ideal guest? Couples? Families? Remote workers?
👉 What makes my property uniquely memorable?

Once you know the answers, you can design an experience around them.

The Building Blocks of a Strong STR Brand 🧱

You don’t need a marketing degree or a huge budget — just consistency.

1. Create a Memorable Name
“The Maple Retreat” is far more compelling than “2BR Near Downtown.” A distinctive name sticks in guests’ minds and makes your property easier to recommend.

2. Develop a Visual Identity
Use cohesive colors, fonts, and photography across your listing, guidebook, and digital touchpoints. This instantly elevates perceived value.

3. Write with Personality
Skip robotic listing descriptions. Tell a story. Help guests imagine sipping coffee on the patio or curling up for movie night.

4. Deliver Signature Touches
A welcome basket, locally roasted coffee, luxury linens, or a handwritten note — these small surprises create big emotional impact. 💌

Branding = Higher Perceived Value 💰

Here’s the secret many hosts miss: guests often choose the property that feels more thoughtful — even if it costs more.

When your branding signals quality, guests expect a better stay… and are happy to pay for it.

Better yet? They remember it.

That means more repeat guests, fewer pricing wars, and stronger long-term profitability.

Don’t Wait Until You “Grow”

Many hosts say, “I’ll focus on branding once I have more properties.”

Flip that mindset.

Brand early, and your future properties naturally fit under the same identity — making expansion smoother and marketing far easier.

Plus, starting now helps you avoid the messy rebrand that comes from trying to retrofit a business identity later.

One Property Can Spark an Empire 🚀

Every major hospitality brand started somewhere — often with a single location and a big vision.

Your STR doesn’t need dozens of listings to feel legitimate. It just needs intention, consistency, and a guest experience worth talking about.

Because when guests remember your property by name…

When they recommend it to friends…

When they come back year after year…

You’re no longer “just a host.”

You’re a brand.

Duluth, Minnesota

Downloadable Duluth, Minnesota Short-Term Rental Market Report

• Average Daily Rate (ADR): $265 per night

• Occupancy Rate: 54%

• Annual Revenue Potential: Around $60,461 per year

Read our full Duluth, Minnesota Short-Term Rental Market Report attached above.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Downloadable Ann Arbor, Michigan Short-Term Rental Market Report

• Average Daily Rate (ADR): $241 per night

• Occupancy Rate: 56%

• Annual Revenue Potential: Around $64,485 per year

Read our full Ann Arbor, Michigan Short-Term Rental Market Report attached above.

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

💻 Key Data partners with BookingsCloud to automate direct booking revenue
STR market intelligence platform Key Data has partnered with automated performance marketing platform BookingsCoud.

✈️ Must-Attend Short-Term Rental Conferences and Events in 2026
Inside the global guide for property managers and hosts planning to attend industry events to stay informed, connect, and learn what’s working.

📝 Albuquerque city council votes down short-term rental regulations
An Albuquerque, New Mexico city council bill implementing a 100-foot buffer zone between future short-term rentals was voted down by five votes to four Monday.

🏡 Pricelabs finds 88% of Airbnb listings fall short on standards
Dynamic pricing tool PriceLabs studied over 10,000 listings in nine cities worldwide, finding only 12 per cent could be classified as ‘good’ by industry standards.

💸 Kindred Raised $125 Million in Funding to Expand Home-Swapping Platform
Home-swapping platform Kindred raised $125 million in funding to build infrastructure and expand its social network.

💸Mortgage Rate Watch – February 5th, 2026

Current Mortgage Rates (as of February 5, 2026):

• 30-Year Fixed: 6.20% (+0.00%)

• 15-Year Fixed: 5.76% (+0.00%)

• 30-Year Jumbo: 6.36% (+0.01%)

• 30-Year FHA: 5.84% (+0.00%)

• 30-Year VA: 5.85% (–0.01%)\

• 7/6 SOFR ARM: 5.64% (+0.00%)

Market Overview: Mortgage rates held mostly steady today, with the 30-year fixed remaining at 6.20%. Minimal movement across loan types suggests lenders are maintaining cautious pricing as bond markets show little volatility and economic data offers few surprises. Overall, the market continues to reflect stability rather than directional momentum.

Rate Trends & Forecast:

• Short-Term: Rates are expected to stay within a narrow range, with small day-to-day changes likely unless a meaningful economic catalyst shifts bond market activity.

• Long-Term: If inflation continues to ease and long-term Treasury yields gradually decline, mortgage rates could trend lower over time. However, significant decreases will likely depend on clearer signs of economic cooling or a shift in Federal Reserve policy.

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

Bored of staying at regular Airbnbs?

How about a retreat to Texas? 🧲

This spacious six-bedroom, four-bathroom retreat in Austin, Texas is designed for unforgettable group getaways, comfortably hosting up to 22 guests on two private acres. Blending modern luxury with relaxed Texas charm, the home features a fully stocked chef’s kitchen, multiple inviting living areas, and entertainment options like a pool table, board games, and built-in speakers. Outside, guests can enjoy an expansive backyard complete with a heated private pool, hot tub, fire pit, patio dining area, BBQ grill, and lawn games—perfect for both lively gatherings and peaceful evenings. Conveniently located about 20 minutes from downtown Austin and near popular wedding venues, the property is family- and dog-friendly, offers ample parking, and provides everything needed for a comfortable, memorable 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

🏠 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!