On this week's episode, Avery is joined by Joe Young, an Austin-based luxury short-term rental operator and co-founder of SPRKhost. Joe shares how he and his wife began with a Lake Travis vacation home in 2017 and ultimately turned their primary residence into a single property grossing nearly $500,000 a year. He breaks down how they expanded to managing 20+ high-end listings, the power of combining neighboring properties into mega-listings, and why Austin’s STR “crash” is really a market correction shaped by permitting, density rules, and growing competition. Joe also reveals his new venture, ExperiHaus, a TV-based guest-experience and revenue platform designed to help hosts elevate their brand and earn additional income.

How to connect with Joe:

https://sprkhost.com/
https://experihaus.com/

How to connect with Avery:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
Short Term Shop Plus - stsplus.com
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Production done by Outlier Audio

On this week's episode, Avery is joined by Naomi Brown, a commercial real estate agent and owner of the iconic Hanes Shoe House in York, Pennsylvania. She shares the wild backstory of the three-bedroom, shoe-shaped home that was originally built in 1950 as a marketing stunt for a local shoe store and how she transformed it from an ice cream shop into a short term rental grossing around $100,000 a year. Naomi and Avery dig into how to price truly one-of-a-kind properties, manage heavy maintenance on quirky builds, and use history, nostalgia, and souvenirs to create memorable guest experiences that drive five-star reviews.

How to connect with Naomi:

https://www.hainesshoehouse.com/

How to connect with Avery:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
Short Term Shop Plus - stsplus.com
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Production done by Outlier Audio

On this week’s episode, Avery is joined by Jake Cohen, hospitality veteran and founder of Step by Step BNB. Jake grew up running a family bed and breakfast in Lake Tahoe, learned the art of pricing while managing boutique hotels, and eventually built a portfolio of short term rentals before launching his own revenue management company. He and Avery dig into why most investors overprice, how to shift your mindset from nightly rates to total revenue, and the biggest mistakes new hosts make with restrictions and minimum stays. Jake also walks through real data-driven pricing strategies using PriceLabs dashboards and shares his top lessons from nearly a decade in the industry.

How to connect with Jake:

https://www.stepbystepbnb.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/priceyourstr

How to connect with Avery:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
Short Term Shop Plus - stsplus.com
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Production done by Outlier Audio

On this week's episode, Avery is joined by Brittany Magsig, the social worker turned short-term rental investor and content creator behind Mountain Mama Cabins. Brittany shares how motherhood, a pandemic trip to the Smoky Mountains, and a desire for freedom inspired her to pivot from education into real estate investing. She opens up about buying her first cabin in Wears Valley, navigating management challenges, and building a viral social media presence that now drives over 70% of her bookings directly. Avery and Brittany also discuss the myth of the “Airbnb bust,” staying adaptable in a saturated market, and how authenticity fuels both business and personal growth.

How to connect with Brittany:

mamacabins.com
@mountainmamacabins - TikTok
@mountainmamascabins - IG
Mountain Mama's Cabins - Facebook

How to connect with Avery:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
Short Term Shop Plus - stsplus.com
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Production done by Outlier Audio

On this week's episode, Avery is joined by Sandeep Nanda, one of the highest-volume Short Term Shop clients. Sandeep shares how he went from corporate revenue management to buying his first condo in downtown Austin, identifying the early opportunity in short term rentals, and scaling from one property to over thirty. He breaks down how data analysis, conviction, and a few bold power moves with lawyers and lenders led to multi-million-dollar exits—along with lessons about timing, asymmetric bets, and why “time kills deals.” Sandeep also discusses how he’s now applying those analytical skills to artificial intelligence through his new company, AI MySTR, helping hosts automate and optimize their businesses.

How to connect with Sandeep:

deepnanda.com

How to connect with Avery:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
Short Term Shop Plus - stsplus.com
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Production done by Outlier Audio

On this week's episode, Avery is joined by Bethany LaFlam, a “recovering attorney,” community architect, and author of The Power of OPE. Bethany and Avery dive into what it really means to stay in your lane, leveraging “other people’s everything” (money, time, assets, skills) so you can scale without burning out. They break down how to safely and legally use other people’s money in syndications, why true operators—not just capital raisers—are the ones who last, and the dangers of growing too fast without experience or infrastructure. Bethany also shares how transparent communication with investors during tough seasons can build trust, and how offloading work outside her lane transformed both her business and her life.

How to connect with Bethany:

http://bethanylaflam.com

How to connect with Avery:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
Short Term Shop Plus - stsplus.com
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Production done by Outlier Audio

On this week's episode, Avery is joined by Frank Napolitano. Frank shares how he and his family transitioned into short-term rentals in the Smokies, leveraging bonus depreciation and cost segregation to maximize tax advantages. He discusses what makes their property stand out—like a pool, tiki bar, and ADA accessibility—and how small touches such as holiday decorations and guest amenities have led to rave reviews. Frank also talks about navigating market saturation, negotiating during high-interest rate cycles, and his long-term goal of building a small portfolio, along with the lessons he’d give his younger self about money and investing early.

How to connect with Frank:

https://smokymountaincozycottage.com/
https://www.facebook.com/p/Smoky-Mountain-Cozy-Cottage-61563198517049/

How to connect with Avery:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
Short Term Shop Plus - stsplus.com
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

Production done by Outlier Audio

On this week's episode, Avery is joined by Joe DelGrosso. Joe shares his journey from working in TV production to owning short-term rentals and why his first Smokies cabin proved that thoughtful refreshes can outperform flashy, high-cost amenities. He explains his boutique management approach at Southern Sons Hospitality, focusing on capped inventory, strong revenue management, and design upgrades that truly make properties stand out. Joe also offers advice for new operators, emphasizing the importance of running the numbers, staying focused, and building slowly with intention.

How to connect with Joe: https://www.facebook.com/people/Southern-Sons-Hospitality/

How to connect with Avery:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
Short Term Shop Plus - stsplus.com
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon