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- Trim the Fat, Not the Five-Star Reviews ⭐
Trim the Fat, Not the Five-Star Reviews ⭐
Running a short-term rental doesn’t have to mean runaway expenses. Discover where to cut costs without cutting corners—or guest satisfaction.
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 22nd, 2026
Good evening STR Report Community!
In today’s issue, you will find:
📱Today’s Article: Trim the Fat, Not the Five-Star Reviews ⭐
📈 Trending Market Highlight: Eureka Springs, Arkansas and Washington, D.C.
✉️ STR News: Hospitable launches automated trip insurance upsell for hosts
💸 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
Cost-Cutting for STRs: Where to Save Without Hurting Guest Experience
With rising utilities, cleaning costs, and platform fees, many short-term rental owners feel stuck between protecting profit and protecting their reviews. The good news? You can reduce expenses without guests ever noticing—if you cut strategically.
Start with what guests don’t value.
Overly premium cable packages, excessive subscription services, and decorative items that require constant replacement often add cost without adding perceived value. Most guests care more about fast Wi-Fi and a comfortable bed than a long list of TV channels or fragile decor.
Optimize, don’t eliminate, cleaning and supplies.
Instead of cutting cleaning quality (never worth the risk), focus on efficiency. Standardize restocking lists, buy consumables in bulk, and audit turnover times. Many hosts save significantly just by tracking overuse of linens, paper products, and toiletries.
Upgrade once to save long-term.
Energy-efficient appliances, smart thermostats, LED lighting, and water-saving fixtures reduce monthly bills without affecting comfort. Guests still enjoy the same experience—your utility bill just quietly shrinks.
Automate wherever possible.
Smart locks, automated messaging, and dynamic pricing tools reduce labor costs and human error while improving guest communication. Automation often improves the guest experience while saving hours of manual work.
Protect what guests truly remember.
Never cut corners on cleanliness, bed quality, water pressure, or responsiveness. These are the pillars of five-star reviews—and the areas where saving money almost always costs more in the long run.
The most successful STR hosts don’t spend less everywhere, they spend smarter. Cut the costs guests don’t notice, and reinvest in the details they do.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Downloadable Eureka Springs, Arkansas Short-Term Rental Market Report
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Average Daily Rate (ADR): $195 per night
Occupancy Rate: 45%
Annual Revenue Potential: Around $49,309 per year
Read our full Eureka Springs, Arkansas Short-Term Rental Market Report attached above.
Washington, D.C.
Downloadable Washington, D.C. Short-Term Rental Market Report
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Average Daily Rate (ADR): $166 per night
Occupancy Rate: 64%
Annual Revenue Potential: Around $60,774 per year
Read our full Washington, D.C. Short-Term Rental Market Report attached above.
📬 See our collection of 120+ market reports here: Prior Trending Market Reports
📝 Booking windows shorten across US markets, Key Data reports
According to Key Data, the US vacation rental market has entered 2026 with softer early demand, although pricing trends suggest operators are expecting a stronger performance later in the booking cycle.
🏡 Airbnb Debate Continues: Who Is STR Innovation Actually For?
Those invested in the current model aren’t happy when we point out a simple truth: The magic of short-term rentals has been professionalized out of existence.
🔒 Hospitable launches automated trip insurance upsell for hosts
Property management software provider Hospitable has launched an automated trip insurance upsell designed to allow property managers to earn commission from guest-purchased travel protection.
🍽️ Airbnb Services Is Offering ‘Ready to Heat’ Meals From Celebrity Chefs
Airbnb began offering guests and locals "ready to heat meals" from award-winning chefs in a bid to expand its range Airbnb Services.
💸 StayTerra invests in Vacation Homes of Hilton Head
StayTerra has announced an investment in Vacation Homes of Hilton Head (VHHH), a luxury property management company operating on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
💸Mortgage Rate Watch – January 22nd, 2026
Current Mortgage Rates (as of January 22, 2026):
30-Year Fixed: 6.20% (–0.01%)
15-Year Fixed: 5.76% (+0.01%)
30-Year Jumbo: 6.38% (+0.00%)
30-Year FHA: 5.88% (+0.00%)
30-Year VA: 5.89% (–0.01%)
7/6 SOFR ARM: 5.71% (–0.01%)
Market Overview: Mortgage rates were mixed today, with the 30-year fixed dipping slightly to 6.20% while some shorter-term and government-backed loans saw minimal changes. Overall movement remains limited, reflecting a steady bond market and cautious lender pricing as markets await clearer economic direction.
Rate Trends & Forecast:
Short-Term: Rates are expected to remain in a narrow range, with small daily fluctuations driven by bond market activity and incoming economic data.
Long-Term: If inflation continues to moderate and long-term Treasury yields ease, rates could gradually trend lower over time. However, meaningful declines are unlikely without a more pronounced shift in economic conditions or monetary policy.
For real-time mortgage rate updates, 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 – 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.
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