Ep 65 - Why Top Hosts Earn 3x: Jeff Stibbard on Photos, Reviews and Pricing

<p>Jeff Stibbard has run the same training company for more than 30 years, and for the last decade he has pointed all of that systems and performance experience at short term rentals. He now runs six properties, four he owns and two on rent arbitrage, including a four bedroom home in Surry Hills that books at $1,000 a night while similar properties sit at $330.</p><p>In this episode Jeff explains the three things that separate a top earning listing from an average one: photography, reviews and furniture. He makes the case for going multi channel from day one, explains why he is deliberately avoiding AI in guest communication, and why he would rather hold his price and accept a vacant night than chase occupancy. Ray gives an update on his move to Guesty and multi channel distribution, including what changed with payouts and cash flow, and Silvia raises the peak season pricing mistake she keeps seeing new hosts make.</p><p>Chapters<br>00:00 Welcome<br>00:20 Weekly topic: Ray&#39;s move to Guesty and multi channel<br>03:45 Does your co-host need a trust account<br>06:40 Meet Jeff Stibbard<br>08:35 The infrastructure behind six properties<br>09:50 Inside the STR intensive programs<br>12:35 The 3x earning gap: photography, reviews, furniture<br>15:30 Multi channel, and where the bookings actually come from<br>18:00 Calendar sync and avoiding double bookings<br>21:00 AI, automation and the personal touch<br>26:00 Review culture across platforms<br>27:10 The most costly mistakes new hosts make<br>29:30 Testing photographers and the hero shot<br>31:00 Repainting stairs and choosing robust materials<br>34:00 Do not put heirlooms in your listing<br>36:30 Pricing: smart pricing, engines, and holding your rate<br>42:25 Silvia on peak season pricing mistakes<br>44:30 Rent arbitrage versus owning the asset<br>49:25 Regulation, the 180 day rule and development approvals<br>53:35 Jeff&#39;s advice for anyone getting started</p><p>Find Jeff<br>www.discoverperformanceadvisory.com<br>Instagram: @discoverperformance</p><p>Stay with us<br>Ray&#39;s South Yarra Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/slink/I2cCaaW5<br>Ray&#39;s North Melbourne Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/l/KGfcunu3<br>Silvia&#39;s Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X</p><p>Recorded on Riverside. Use code RAY15 for 15% off.</p>