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- 💬 Why Every Review Matters: A Host’s Guide to Winning Hearts (and Stars)
💬 Why Every Review Matters: A Host’s Guide to Winning Hearts (and Stars)
Reviews aren’t just feedback—they’re the lifeblood of your short-term rental business. Here’s why they matter and how to make every guest experience worthy of five glowing stars.
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.
October 9th, 2025
Good evening STR Report Community!
In today’s issue, you will find:
📱Today’s Article: 💬 Why Every Review Matters: A Host’s Guide to Winning Hearts (and Stars)
📈 Trending Market Highlight: Finger Lakes, New York and Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
✉️ STR News: Boom secures $12.7m funding to scale agentic AI & more
💸 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
💬 Why Every Review Matters: A Host’s Guide to Winning Hearts (and Stars)
If you’ve ever held your breath waiting for a new review to roll in—you’re not alone. As a short-term rental owner, those few sentences from a guest can make (or break) your business. Reviews are more than reputation—they’re your story told through your guests’ eyes.
Every host knows that reviews fuel visibility. Platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com reward high-rated listings with better placement in search results. But beyond the algorithm, reviews are social proof—the trust signal that convinces new guests to hit “Book Now.”
So how do you keep those stars shining bright? Here are a few battle-tested steps that turn good stays into great reviews:
🌟 1. Nail the First Impression
Guests start forming opinions the second they pull into the driveway (or open the door). Keep the entry spotless, well-lit, and easy to access. A welcome note or local snack goes a long way toward making them feel special from the start.
💡 2. Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Check in with your guests early—ask if everything’s working or if they need anything. A quick message can prevent small hiccups from turning into negative feedback. It also shows that you genuinely care about their comfort.
🧴 3. Sweat the Small Stuff
A perfectly stocked coffee station, soft towels, and a few extra toiletries can elevate the entire experience. Guests remember how your place felt, not just how it looked.
🕐 4. Respond Like a Human (and Fast!)
Whether it’s a question before booking or during their stay, quick, friendly replies build confidence. Guests love feeling like there’s a real person behind the listing—someone who’s got their back.
✍️ 5. Ask for the Review—Gracefully
After checkout, send a warm thank-you message and a gentle reminder to leave a review. Timing matters: reach out when their great memories are still fresh.
💬 6. Learn from Every Comment
Even a less-than-perfect review can be gold. Take notes, make improvements, and let guests see that you value their feedback. Respond professionally—it shows integrity and a growth mindset.
At the end of the day, reviews are a reflection of your hospitality. They tell the world how you treat your guests—and how much pride you take in their experience. With a little extra care and consistency, every stay can earn the kind of feedback that keeps your calendar booked solid.
Because when you put your heart into hosting, five stars tend to follow. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Finger Lakes, New York🥾
Downloadable Finger Lakes, New York Short-Term Rental Market Report
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Average Daily Rate (ADR): $368.48 per night
Occupancy Rate: 47.99%
Annual Revenue Potential: Around $68,136 per year
Read our full Finger Lakes, New York Short-Term Rental Market Report attached above.
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri 🎣
Downloadable Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri Short-Term Rental Market Report
|
Average Daily Rate (ADR): $376 per night
Occupancy Rate: 39.50%
Annual Revenue Potential: Around $58,767 per year
Read our full Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri Short-Term Rental Market Report attached above.
📬 See our collection of 120+ market reports here: Prior Trending Market Reports
🏡 Ibiza removes more than 2,800 illegal listings from Airbnb
Ibiza’s governing body has removed over 2,800 illegal short-term rental listings from Airbnb as part of a crackdown on unlicensed accommodation across the island.
📱Boom secures $12.7m funding to scale agentic AI
AI-powered property management system Boom has raised $12.7 million in a funding round led by Avenue Growth Partners, with participation from former Hilton International CEO Ian Carter, Goldman Properties CEO Scott Srebnick, and Siemplify co-founder Gary Fatakov.
🏦 Airbnb Ramps Up Its Hotel Biz With Global Job Openings
Airbnb's bid to vastly expand its hotel business will be labor intensive and a years-long effort. The job openings it is advertising are just the start.
💻 ChatGPT launches travel apps with Expedia and Booking.com
OpenAI has launched third-party apps within ChatGPT, starting with travel giants Expedia and Booking.com, allowing users to research and book trips directly through the chatbot.
💸Mortgage Rate Watch – October 9th, 2025
Current Mortgage Rates (as of October 9, 2025):
30-Year Fixed: 6.36% (−0.02%)
15-Year Fixed: 5.87% (−0.03%)
30-Year Jumbo: 6.28% (−0.01%)
30-Year FHA: 6.05% (−0.03%)
30-Year VA: 6.08% (−0.02%)
7/6 SOFR ARM: 5.83% (−0.02%)
Market Overview: Mortgage rates continue their sideways drift, with slight declines across the board. The 30-year fixed rate slipped to 6.36%, inching ever so slightly below recent levels. Given scant new economic data amid ongoing policy uncertainty, the market is treading carefully—with bond yields exerting subtle influence on rate pricing.
Rate Trends & Forecast:
Short-Term: Expect mortgage rates to remain in a narrow range, as traders await clearer signals from upcoming bond auctions and any surprises in economic releases. Small moves are more likely than sweeping changes under current conditions.
Long-Term: If inflation continues to moderate and Treasury yields ease, there’s room for modest rate declines. However, much of the downward potential may already be baked in. Larger moves will likely depend on dovish surprises in macro data or central bank guidance.
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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