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This week's roundup covers Airbnb.org's emergency housing efforts following Hurricane Melissa, Nantucket voters' legalization of short-term rentals across the island, Vail's narrowly defeated short-term rental tax, and a stunning Airbnb in East Greenland offering a once-in-a-lifetime wilderness experience. Let's dive in.
Following the landfall of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa at the beginning of last week, Airbnb.org is providing free temporary housing for people displaced by the storm. The nonprofit arm of Airbnb is partnering with local and national emergency organizations to connect evacuees and relief workers with short-term stays in the affected areas. Since its founding in 2020, Airbnb.org has provided 1.6 million nights of free temporary housing to more than 250,000 people worldwide. Anyone interested in supporting those impacted by Hurricane Melissa can visit airbnb.org/hurricanemelissa to sign up as an Airbnb.org host offering free or discounted stays, or to make a direct donation.
This week, Nantucket, Massachusetts, voters approved Article 1, a measure that legalizes short-term rentals across the island and ends a five-year zoning dispute. The article passed at Tuesday’s Special Town Meeting by a vote of 1,045 to 421, reaching the two-thirds threshold with 71 percent support. The new rule permits short-term rentals in all zoning districts except one commercial-industrial area near the airport. Supporters say it provides long-overdue clarity and stability for homeowners and the town’s tourism economy, while opponents continue to warn it could invite more off-island investment and reduce year-round housing availability.
Previously reported in Industry News on October 31st, Vail, Colorado, proposed an additional 6 percent tax on short-term rentals, culminating in a highly debated vote this week. Supporters argued that the tax would help generate needed funding for affordable housing, while opponents cautioned that it would discourage tourism and unfairly burden short-term rental hosts. Airbnb backed the opposition campaign, contributing $30,000 and arguing the proposal targeted individual property owners while leaving larger hotels unaffected. This week, the proposal, known as Ballot Issue 2A, was narrowly voted down, with the final count showing the proposal trailing by a slim margin of 36 votes.
BBC released an article highlighting a floating Airbnb in East Greenland that offers guests a rare wilderness experience, complete with glacier-front views and the chance to see the northern lights from huge panoramic windows. The rental, located on a fjord near Kulusuk, accommodates just two guests and is available for only a few weeks each year. Nightly rates start at around $750, which includes boat transfers and dinner. This listing showcases Airbnb's unique and growing portfolio of stays and reflects the rising trend for experience-driven, nature-focused vacations.
Expect more updates on policy changes, unique stays, and emergency response efforts as the industry continues to adapt to global trends. Check back next week for the latest news!
This week’s roundup covers Airbnb’s use of machine learning to prevent unauthorized parties, Vrbo's new features, insights from Utah’s short-term rental study, Airbnb’s new host fee structure, a proposed STR tax in Colorado, and the top winter destinations for 2025. Let’s dive in.
Airbnb rolled out its anti-party system ahead of Halloween weekend to help hosts prevent unauthorized gatherings. The company says, “This proprietary system uses machine learning to analyze attempted bookings of entire homes over the Halloween weekend, looking for signs of a potential party risk, such as the length of the reservation, the distance of the listing from the guest’s location, property type, and timing of the booking, including last-minute requests.”
Bookings flagged as higher risk will be blocked, and guests can choose alternative accommodations, like a private room where a host is more likely to be present. Last year, the system stopped roughly 38,000 people in the U.S. and 6,300 in Canada from making high-risk bookings. Airbnb says the goal is to reduce disruptive parties and provide hosts with extra support in keeping their properties and neighborhoods safe during one of the busiest weekends of the year.
Vrbo announced a series of updates this week, starting with rebranding its “Book with Confidence Guarantee” as VrboCare and expanding rebooking assistance from 30 days to 90 days for eligible stays. The platform also added new tools to improve listing accuracy and make key details easier for travelers to find. A new "Loved by Guests" badge now highlights properties with exceptional reviews, scoring 9.4 or higher overall and in key categories like cleanliness, location, and check-in. Vrbo is also tightening standards for its Premier Host program, which will move to a listing-level designation next year. Listings must now maintain a 99% acceptance rate, zero cancellations, and a 9.2 or higher rating. Other updates include AI-generated review summaries, AI-generated Q&As, a new Property Highlights section, and the option for travelers to upload photos with their reviews for added transparency.
A recent Utah Taxpayers Association study tested what would happen if the state’s short-term rentals were converted into traditional homes, aiming to provide lawmakers a clearer picture of short-term rental effects, as the industry continues to face blame for housing unaffordability. The report found that short-term rentals account for just 1.9% of the state’s total housing and have minimal impacts on affordability. They concluded that even if all year-round short-term rentals were converted into residential homes, the median price would drop by only 0.4%, approximately $2,000 on a $500,000 home, and fewer than 1,000 units would become affordable for average-income families. The study notes they “would not fundamentally solve local housing shortages or materially shift affordability for most residents.” At the same time, short-term rentals generate $1.19 billion in direct visitor spending and support roughly 10,200 jobs. Billy Hesterman, president of the Utah Taxpayers Association, says lawmakers should focus on “incentivizing more affordable housing types rather than punishing or regulating” short-term rentals.
Airbnb has implemented its “Single Fee” structure for all hosts using property management or channel management software. As of Monday, all API-connected hosts have been automatically transitioned from the old split-fee model, which consisted of a 3% host fee plus a 14–16% guest fee, to a single 15.5% host-only fee. Airbnb says the change aims to improve “price transparency,” increase consumer trust, and address one of the biggest guest complaints: “too many fees.” If you haven’t adjusted your Airbnb rates yet, your payouts will reflect the higher host fee. To maintain consistent revenue, we recommend increasing rates by about 15.5%. With the right adjustments, this update should have little to no impact on your vacation rental business. OwnerRez users can easily update their rates within OwnerRez by navigating to Settings → Channel Integrations → Airbnb. For a step-by-step guide on adjusting pricing and understanding this change, please read our Vacation Rental Guide: How to Adjust Your Pricing for Airbnb’s New Fee Structure.
Vail, a small ski town in Colorado, has added a proposed 6% increase to short-term rental taxes to the November ballot. Short-term rentals are currently taxed at 10.8%, and the Vail Common Sense Housing Committee is concerned that the additional tax, added directly to the guest’s total, could drive away the tourists Vail relies on to thrive. Supporters say the measure would fund housing in and around Vail, while opponents argue it unfairly targets short-term rental hosts. Airbnb has contributed $30,000 to the opposition campaign, noting the tax singles out hosts while exempting larger corporate hotels.
Airbnb shared with Travel + Leisure its list of top trending winter destinations for this year, highlighting the influence of the Winter Olympics and the rise of “gateway travel,” where travelers seek cities on the outskirts of natural landscapes. The Australian Capital Territory and Santiago, Chile, are among the top global destinations reflecting this trend. In the U.S., Champion, Pennsylvania; St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana; Bay St. Louis, Mississippi; Hermosa Beach, California; and Dover, Vermont, ranked among the top destinations. Airbnb also noted a surprising trend of families planning longer stays, with a third of families choosing to stay for a week or more.
As the holiday season kicks into gear, expect more shifts in regulation, technology, and traveler trends across the vacation rental landscape. Check back next week for the latest news!
The leaves are falling, and the holiday season is just around the corner.🦃 November is an excellent time to review your operations and to explore new ways to improve your business for the months ahead. We’ve got a full schedule of live webinars and an exciting in-person event designed to help you get the most out of OwnerRez and grow your vacation rental business.
This month’s lineup includes live demos, Q&A sessions, and Focus Sessions on key features like listing import methods, iCal connections, API connections, and payment methods. Whether you’re looking to optimize your operations or discover a new way to tackle an issue, there’s something for you this month.
Plus, the 2025 EXPORV International Conference is happening November 19th-22nd, in Cancun, Mexico. This event brings together vacation rental professionals, property managers, and industry experts from across Latin America to connect, learn, and share insights. Stop by the OwnerRez booth to meet the team, ask questions, and grab some swag!
Join us for a live demo of OwnerRez! Our client engagement team will give a high-level demonstration of how OwnerRez looks across all of its menus and features.
Join us for an in-depth focus session about importing property data and connecting calendars inside of OwnerRez. We’ll walk through the available import methods, explain the differences between API and iCal connections, and share practical tips to help you choose the best setup for your vacation rental property.
Join us for a live demo of OwnerRez! Our client engagement team will give a high-level demonstration of how OwnerRez looks across all of its menus and features.
Join us for a live demo of OwnerRez! Our client engagement team will give a high-level demonstration of how OwnerRez looks across all of its menus and features.
Join us for a live Q&A! Please write in questions prior to the webinar so we can start off by answering those right away.
Join us for a live webinar on the payment methods available within OwnerRez. We’ll dive into all four supported options: Credit Card Processing, PayPal, Manual Check, and Manual Custom. In this focus session, you’ll learn how to set up and configure each method to simplify payments, streamline your checkout process, and get the most out of OwnerRez’s payment features.
Join us for a live demo of OwnerRez! Our client engagement team will give a high-level demonstration of how OwnerRez looks across all of its menus and features.
EXPORV - International Conference and business meeting point for the vacation rental industry in LATAM, where independent property owners and managers, Short stay specialists, Accommodation businesses, Property management companies, Serviced apartment operators, Property investors, Start ups, newbies, researchers, hosts, owners, investors and real estate agents will meet to discuss, learn and regulate the vacation rental industry in Mexico. Get your tickets here!
When: November 19th-22nd, 2025
Where: Cancun Center, Mexico
This week’s Industry News highlights Airbnb’s updates to its platform, OpenAI’s new ChatGPT Atlas browser, and important decisions in San Diego and Palm Springs affecting vacation rental operators. Let’s dive in.
Airbnb announced a new round of updates on Tuesday, including social features for Experiences, an expanded AI-powered customer support system, and upcoming improvements to how guests search for stays. The announcement also previewed several highly requested hosting tools, which are expected to roll out gradually through early 2026. The planned upgrades for hosts include dynamic cancellation policies that can be set for specific dates, such as holidays or peak seasons, improved pricing tips, and an updated earnings dashboard that makes it easier to compare performance across different seasons.
OpenAI announced the launch of ChatGPT Atlas this week, a brand-new web browser built solely around ChatGPT, competing directly with Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge, and others. The browser stands out by allowing users to interact with web pages, ask ChatGPT to remember context, summarize past searches, and handle tasks more efficiently. OpenAI took this a step further with the integration of ChatGPT Agent, which can navigate sites, fill out forms, and even complete actions such as making online orders based on user prompts.
For the vacation rental industry, ChatGPT Atlas could eventually reduce guests’ reliance on online travel agencies, such as Airbnb and Vrbo, by helping travelers find and book stays directly through the ChatGPT agent. If guests begin adopting ChatGPT as a more personalized search and booking tool, property managers with direct booking websites and an online presence could potentially see an increase in revenue. It will be interesting to see how ongoing advancements in this space shape the vacation rental market in the coming years.
Previously reported in Industry News on October 10th, San Diego officials are considering a new tax on vacation rentals and second homes to help close a year-long budget deficit and fund affordable housing and homelessness programs. The City Council’s Rules Committee voted 3–1 this week to advance the proposal for further review, with a potential ballot placement in June or November 2026.
The proposed measure would impose a $5,000 annual tax per bedroom on whole-home rentals and unoccupied second homes, affecting approximately 10,000 properties in the beach and downtown areas. Supporters argue that it could fund city services and protect housing, while those opposing the tax caution that it will increase visitor costs and reduce rental availability. Officials say the City Council will continue reviewing the proposal before deciding whether or not to send it to voters.
A win for vacation rental operators in Palm Springs, California, as the City Council voted to keep the 36-contract cap for older permits, choosing not to tighten restrictions by lowering it to 26 contracts per year, as planned. Council members cited declining rental numbers, lower citation rates, and data showing most properties operate well below those restrictions as reasons to keep things the same. Vacation rental operators in the area hope this decision will help sustain tourism and, in turn, support local businesses.
As the vacation rental industry continues to rapidly shift, expect more updates on platform changes, policy decisions, and traveler trends before the end of the year. Check back next week for the latest news!
We’re pleased to share our partnership with Cortado AI, bringing OwnerRez users powerful AI tools that help answer guest messages, handle maintenance requests, and unlock new revenue opportunities through automated upsells.
Cortado builds AI Agents that actually work. Respond instantly to guests, boost revenue with automated upsells and focus on growing your rental business, not your payroll. Cortado reads through thousands of historic messages, builds a bespoke portfolio-wide knowledgebase, and starts answering guest questions and generating new revenue in minutes, not weeks. Build custom procedures in natural language to handle more complex tasks like maintenance requests and early check-in requests.
Cortado AI is priced on a per-listing, per-month basis and scales down as more listings are brought online. No hidden fees or add-ons. Read more about their pricing here.
Get started with Cortado AI by visiting here and checking out the OwnerRez support article for integrating OwnerRez with Cortado AI.
Fall into efficiency! 🍂 OwnerRez is treating you to the new Confirm & Pay guest payment form, several Rezzy AI additions, expenses for Blocked-Off Time, and, per usual, so much more. Let's explore!
Online booking forms streamline reservations, reduce emails, capture guest information, enable instant confirmations, and operate 24/7, allowing guests to book immediately when inspired, not just during business hours. OwnerRez enhanced the hosted website's Confirm & Pay guest form with our October 8th update, providing a modernized booking experience.
Depending on how they arrive at the Confirm & Pay guest form — whether through the Public Booking Link or your hosted website's Book Now form — potential guests will be presented with the improved Confirm & Pay guest form booking experience.
Guests can expand each section (e.g., Contact Information, Travel Insurance) by clicking the + sign to make their choices or enter their information, then save.
Users should note that using the new Confirm & Pay guest form with a PayPal payment method will prevent access to this form for now, even if your other payment options are properly set up. However, OwnerRez has a plan for PayPal users. See our October 20, 2025, Get Ready for the New PayPal with Venmo & Pay Later email blast for more information.
Rezzy's new ability to reply automatically offers immediate 24/7 guest communication coverage. By answering questions when you're unavailable will only help boost booking rates, improve guest satisfaction, save time on repetitive inquiries, and help you stay competitive in the vacation rental market. You can now set schedules to control when Rezzy replies automatically. You can specify which properties each schedule applies to. You can also choose which answering mode to use by schedule.
On the Rezzy AI Overview tab > Settings section, you'll see the Default Schedule. You can add additional schedules by clicking the + Add Schedule button.
The Rezzy AI Schedule allows you to create a schedule with options for days of the week or specific dates, date ranges, messaging mode, escalation behavior, conversation-ending methods, and settings for signature, language, and property.
Clearly, there are many options to consider here, but let's assume you know you'll be unavailable on Friday afternoons, and you can set Rezzy to respond to guest questions accordingly.
Want Rezzy to respond to guests over the weekend automatically? You can do that by creating a weekend schedule.
Here's an example of scheduling Rezzy to respond to questions over the Thanksgiving holiday.
For more information, see our Scheduled Responses support article.
Understanding guest experiences enables you to personalize service, address concerns proactively, build stronger relationships, and convert satisfied guests into repeat guests—ultimately enhancing reviews, referrals, and revenue for your vacation rental business. As part of our October 8th release, Rezzy AI now intelligently analyzes your guest communications and user-inputted notes over time to detect and summarize your guests' experiences for bookings made after September 1, 2025.
These summaries, which include an overall score (e.g., Positive, Negative, Angry, or Neutral), are displayed directly in the Unified Inbox guest information panel, as well as in the specific Booking Overview > General Info > Guest Experience section, providing you with quick insights into each guest's experience.
Here's an example of the Guest Experience summary and score displayed in the Unified Inbox guest information panel.
The Guest Experience summary and score are also shown in the specific Booking Overview > General Info > Guest Experience section, with a History available when hovered over.
Since Rezzy's debut, she has been able to analyze guest messages for any guest requests, issues, or needs to create trackable tasks, which becomes your and your team's in-app to-do list. As of the October 1st release, OwnerRez has enhanced Rezzy AI Tasks by introducing new task capabilities.
These new Rezzy AI task features are:
🔧 Manual task assignments - Assign tasks directly to yourself or any team access staff members, giving explicit control over task delegation and workload distribution.
🔔 New task notifications - Receive real-time alerts when tasks are created, assigned, or updated, ensuring your team stays informed and responsive.
🧩 New task resolution options - New and updated resolution status types with more precise terminology to better reflect how tasks are resolved.
🎨 Enhanced Unified Inbox task design - Redesigned task interface for improved clarity and usability, making it easier to view, manage, and prioritize tasks at a glance.
Get started with Rezzy AI today by requesting access to the Rezzy AI, reading our Rezzy AI Setup & Configuration support article, and letting Rezzy handle your busywork.
More Rezzy features are coming in November! Rezzy is also nearing her emergence from beta to be available to all before the end of the year!
Recording expenses for blocked-off times (e.g., owner stays, maintenance) ensures accurate property cost tracking, reveals true profitability per booking cycle, and helps calculate total operational costs. OwnerRez introduced the ability to add and associate specific expenses with blocked-off times in our October 15th update, enabling PMs to track blocked-off time expenses on their PM Statements.
When expenses are added to blocked-off times.
The recorded blocked-off time expense is included on the PM Statement.
We still have plans to do "Owner Bookings," but this is a small step to help in the meantime!
Transparent disclosure of any offline surcharges, stay-collected fees, or third-party charges is essential for maintaining clear and accurate communication with guests. With our October 15th release, OwnerRez added Offline Surcharges, if enabled, to the Confirm & Pay online guest booking forms.
When guests complete their booking with the Confirm & Pay guest form, any configured offline surcharges appear at the bottom of the form.
OwnerRez's optional Damage Protection premium feature shifts some financial risk from hosts to guests, covering accidental property damage without relying exclusively on security deposits. OwnerRez's optional Damage Protection once again supports large properties (10+ bedrooms) and now offers support for mutually blocked properties as well, with our October 8th release.
For mutually blocked properties, depending on the Damage Protection level selected, a flat rate will be charged for each booking for each physically separate property or unit that is part of the same mutually blocked property.
Learn more about covering your properties from accidental guest damage with OwnerRez's Damage Protection premium feature today.
Property managers need access to their historical data to accurately report rental income, track deductible expenses, and maximize legitimate deductions for tax reporting purposes. With our October 22nd release, OwnerRez has migrated PMv1 booking expense data and owner and PM statements to PMv2 user accounts, allowing PMs to access their historical data for data collection and tax preparation.
When PMs access their PMv1 owner and/or PM statements generated before their PMv2 upgrade, they can click on the Download dropdown list to select either the original PDF or Excel files.
Are you starting to manage properties for others? Explore the OwnerRez Property Management premium feature.
Configuring automatic 5-star host reviews provides consistent feedback, encourages guests to leave positive reviews, improves your listing's visibility and ranking, and saves time while maintaining high ratings that attract bookings.
OwnerRez enhanced the automatic 5-star host review process (Reviews > Host Reviews > Automatic 5-star Reviews) in our October 29th release, introducing a more intuitive interface.Similarly, turning off automatic 5-star host reviews is just as straightforward.
Attributing quotes to specific sources, including referrals, shows which listing channels generate the most bookings. You can attribute or include a Listing Source in the Quick Quote tool.
Not only is this option helpful for exposing high-performing referrals and booking sources, but it also allows for any channel-specific discounts or surcharges to be automatically applied to that quote, reducing the need to apply them manually later.
Scheduled triggers send messages at predetermined times based on booking events. OwnerRez enhanced the scheduled triggers interface to clarify timing options with the October 15th release. Instead of showing the scheduled trigger event on a single somewhat confusing line, scheduled triggers are now split into two lines: one to select whether to configure the trigger to run after, before, or on the day of the booking event, and a second line for configuring the trigger's timing.
Let's review how scheduled triggers appeared before this change.
After this release, scheduled triggers are now split into two lines for improved clarity.
There should never be any shame in your guest messaging game. Check out all of OwnerRez's Messaging options.
Granting Limited Access used to allow Staff Members to view and edit Bookings (including financials), compose property-specific Inbox messages, and have access to some limited Tools menu options. Now, with our October 1st release, Limited Access Staff users can create or manage quotes too!
Using OwnerRez field codes in messaging templates enables users to enhance guest communication, making each message appear personalized for every guest. However, we observed that when the {BDOORCODE}, {BDOORCODETABLE}, or {BDOORCODELIST} door code field codes were used for properties with multiple locks using the same door code, the message template displayed each door code (perhaps multiple times), which appeared unprofessional and somewhat confusing to guests.
With our October 1st release, if any combination of the {BDOORCODE}, {BDOORCODETABLE}, or {BDOORCODELIST} door code fields for properties with multiple locks using the same door lock code is used in a message template, the door codes will be transformed to display each unique code only once. This change prevents duplicate (or triplicate) codes from appearing in message templates.
Check out all of OwnerRez's door lock integrations.
Tracking PM escrow expenses by booking enables accurate profit analysis, transparent owner reporting, identifies cost overruns, streamlines tax prep, and optimizes pricing strategies based on actual costs.
With our October 29th release, OwnerRez added a separate 'Other' column for escrow expenses within the individual booking PM tab breakdown section, which includes a hover tooltip with help text.
Additionally, escrow expenses are displayed on the individual booking Expenses tab.
Previously, these escrow expenses paid from PM escrow accounts were incorrectly included in the PM remittance amount. This release offers a more accurate expense snapshot for property managers.
Categories can help organize and identify discount and surcharge adjustments, streamline financial reporting, identify strategies driving bookings, and analyze how discounts and surcharges affect revenue and occupancy. Following our August 27th Simplified Discounts & Surcharges release, OwnerRez added Categories to all Standard (except Rate Adjustment Discounts), Supplemental, and Advanced Discounts with our October 8th release, allowing you to analyze profitability more easily and understand which adjustments have the most significant impact on your revenue.
Following the release of our Simplified Discounts & Surcharges on August 27th, we recognized that Standard Rate Adjustment Surcharges could be enhanced to better serve their original purpose. With our October 1st release, OwnerRez revised the Standard Rate Adjustment Surcharges to be categorized as Rent and automatically inherit taxability from your configured rent pricing preferences. We've removed the category selector and taxability toggle from the rate adjustment edit screen for a more streamlined experience.
Let's review the changes made to Standard Rate Adjustment Surcharges.
✅ All Standard Rate Adjustment Surcharges are automatically taxable, because rent taxability should be based on pricing preferences instead.
Learn more by reading our Rate Adjustment Fee support article.
As OwnerRez continues design updates, we have updated the design of all in-app grids. A little less green helps draw your attention to the content of the rows and columns. Here is the Tags grid as an example:
More design updates and changes are coming soon!
Enable Guest Form Browser Autofill Functionality. To enhance the guest user experience, OwnerRez has enabled guest form browser autofill functionality, allowing browsers to suggest previously entered information.
Improve Review Placeholder Text to be Guest/Host Specific and Update Review Summary Validation Message. The placeholder text for reviews identified guests and hosts in a vague manner, and the validation message for the review summary field was unhelpful. Now, when writing reviews, hosts and guests see different placeholder text tailored to their perspectives. We have also improved the validation message when a review body is required, making it more transparent what information is needed.
Enhance the Display of Review Ratings When There are Only Per-category Ratings and No Overall Ratings. OwnerRez has improved the display of review ratings by now calculating the overall rating based on reviews that include only per-category ratings.
Update the Booking Overview Inbox Link to Direct to the Unified Inbox “All Mail” View. OwnerRez has updated the specific Booking Overview Inbox link to direct users to the booking guest's Unified Inbox messages in the “All Mail” View.
Improve Google Tag Manager Support for Widgets. Previously, OwnerRez widgets couldn't connect to Google Analytics when only Google Tag Manager (GTM) was installed on the main website. To address this, we have enhanced Google Tag Manager support for widgets, allowing them to retrieve client and session IDs from Google cookies when GTM is used.
Rename Charge Categories to Income Categories. To better reflect its purpose as a categorization of income rather than charges, OwnerRez has renamed Charge Categories to Income Categories. This change impacts surcharges, statement views, and formulas throughout the PM premium feature.
Increase Hosted Website CSS Character Limits. To provide more flexibility to customize OwnerRez hosted websites, we've doubled the maximum allowed CSS length from 16,000 to 32,000 characters.
Replace Pending Refunds Insurance Detail Report Status to Credits When Damage Protection is Cancelled or Removed. For clarification, OwnerRez has replaced the Insurance Detail Report Status Pending Refunds with Credits when damage protection is cancelled or removed.
Extract and Display the Specific Booking.com Error Message Instead of Showing Generic Error. With our October 29th release, OwnerRez extracts and displays more details from Booking.com error messages, giving users the opportunity to troubleshoot on their own.
Correct Booking.com Listing Quality Analyzer Warning. Properties with non-taxable discounts linked to Booking.com (BDC) only received Listing Quality Analyzer (LQA) warnings that mistakenly mentioned Vrbo. We have fixed this glitch to ensure that LQA warnings only display the correct associated channel integration.
Correct Google Vacation Rentals Listing Quality Analyzer Errors. The Listing Quality Analyzer (LQA) did not accurately detect or display Google Vacation Rentals (GVR) listing site exclusions for taxes and surcharges, resulting in erroneous warnings or errors. OwnerRez has corrected the LQA to detect GVR listing site exclusions accurately and will now only display applicable warnings or errors.
Ensure Google Vacation Rentals Listing Content is Generated Properly. Listing content for properties with fewer than eight valid photos was not properly sent to Google Vacation Rentals (GVR), and there were no Listing Quality Analyzer (LQA) warnings about the invalid photos. We fixed this bug to ensure listing content is sent to GVR even if the property has fewer than eight photos, and added proper LQA warnings.
Ensure Payment Reminder Emails are Sent at Appropriate Intervals. Some payment reminder emails were being sent multiple times a day due to rounding issues when calculating the days before the second payment. OwnerRez corrected this glitch by fixing the calculation to ensure reminders are only sent once at the appropriate intervals (10 days, 5 days, and on the day of the second payment).
Ensure Stay Dates are Included on Payment Receipts. Booking stay dates were erroneously omitted on some payment receipts. We resolved this issue to ensure that booking stay dates are included on payment receipts.
Fix Booking List View Cancel/Delete Button. Due to a code regression, the Cancel/Delete button in the Booking List view did not function correctly when bookings were selected. OwnerRez fixed this bug, and the Cancel/Delete button in the Booking List view now functions correctly.
Fix Statement View Custom Formula Issues. The PM statement view custom formulas did not properly detect errors when variables were added in the incorrect format, along with other minor issues, resulting in problems in the owner statement columns. We corrected these glitches to detect when variables are added in the incorrect format and fixed other minor issues to ensure that statement view custom formulas are accurate.
Prevent Sending Airbnb Message Update Notifications for Unchanged Message Content. Although the message content remained unchanged, some Airbnb message update notifications were sent in error. OwnerRez fixed this bug to prevent sending Airbnb message update notifications for unchanged message content.
Prevent Unnecessary Margin Space When Printing Reports. Some users found that printing specific report layouts created extra margin whitespace that cut off columns. We resolved this issue to ensure that reports are printed correctly.
Limit Security Deposit Reminder Emails to be Sent Once per Day. OwnerRez discovered that security deposit reminder emails could potentially be sent every hour. To prevent this, we have limited security deposit reminder emails to be sent only once per day.
Correct Spacing Issue on the Channel Integration Property Tab when No Properties are Listed. When no properties were listed on the Channel Integration Property tab, the text spacing was incorrect. We corrected this glitch so that text spacing on the Channel Integration Property tab is correct, regardless of whether properties are listed or not.
Ensure Channel Review Submission Errors are Displayed Correctly. Some channel review submission errors were not displayed correctly to users. OwnerRez resolved this issue, and channel review submission errors will be displayed correctly.
Ensure Triggers Run for Vrbo Request-to-Book Bookings. Configured triggers with a condition for 'Pending Status is Yes' did not always run as expected for Vrbo Request-to-Book (RTB) bookings. We corrected this glitch so that triggers will run correctly for Vrbo RTB bookings.
Ensure Unified Inbox Handles Attachments and Displays Messages Correctly. Sometimes, Unified Inbox messages would disappear from the inbox when sending an attachment right after sending an SMS message. OwnerRez fixed this bug to ensure that the Unified Inbox handles and displays attachments and messages correctly.
Fix Error when Calculating Property Latitude and Longitude from the Address. Occasionally, users encountered errors when calculating the property's latitude and longitude coordinates from the property address. We corrected this glitch so that property latitude and longitude coordinates are calculated correctly.
Fix In-app Surcharge Icons and Adjust Button Spacing. Some in-app surcharge icons and vertically aligned button formatting were incorrect. OwnerRez fixed these bugs to ensure that the in-app surcharge icons button formatting is correct.
Fix PMv1 Owner Statement "In Period" Column Percentage Display. PMv1 "In Period" columns incorrectly displayed decimal values followed by the % character instead of the correct percentages. We corrected this glitch so that PMv1 "In Period" columns display the correct percentages.
Prevent Displaying Unrelated Files when Generating Owner Statements. Sometimes, unrelated files were inadvertently attached to Owner Statements during the generation process. OwnerRez resolved this issue to ensure that unrelated files are not attached to Owner Statements.
Prevent Scheduled Triggers with Retries from Running Outside of the Configured Time Range. Some scheduled triggers with retries configured incorrectly ran outside of the specified time frame. We fixed this bug so that scheduled triggers with retries configured run within the specified time frame only.
Prevent WordPress Plugin from Adding Extra Spaces to Headlines. Extra spaces were inadvertently added to website headlines for sites using the WordPress Plugin. OwnerRez resolved this issue to ensure that website headlines for sites using the WordPress Plugin are displayed correctly.
Alphabetize Quick Quote Listing Source List. The listing sites in the Quick Quote dropdown list were not in alphabetical order or grouped consistently. We corrected this glitch to improve the Quick Quote dropdown list by alphabetizing and grouping listing sites, making it easier to find the desired listing site.
Correct Accommodations Page Row Spacing. The row spacing on the Change Accommodations page was incorrect. OwnerRez fixed this bug to ensure that row spacing on the Change Accommodations page is correct.
Ensure Channel Integration Rate Adjustments are Added to Airbnb Quotes. Rate adjustments added to the Airbnb channel integration were not correctly applied to quotes. We corrected this glitch, and any rate adjustments added to the Airbnb channel integration are now correctly applied to quotes.
Ensure Confirm & Pay Guest Forms are Directed to the Correct Payment Method. Guests were inadvertently directed to the new Confirm & Pay guest form despite incorrect payment method configuration. OwnerRez resolved this issue so that guests are directed to the new Confirm & Pay guest form if the correct payment method is configured.
Ensure Quote and Inquiry Page Links Direct to Unified Inbox "All Mail" View. The Quote and Inquiry Inbox links inadvertently directed users to the default Unified Inbox view instead of the correct All Mail view. We corrected this glitch so that Quote and Inquiry Inbox links are directed to the correct Unified Inbox > All Mail view.
Ensure VRP and Other Payment Methods Properly Handle Refunds. Some refunds could not be processed correctly after the payment was captured for certain payment methods, particularly VRP. OwnerRez fixed this bug to allow the successful processing of refunds for previously captured payments.
Fix Confirm & Pay Guest Form Missing Payment Information for Properties Without Payment Methods. Quote payment information was missing from the Confirm & Pay guest form for properties without any payment methods set up. We resolved this issue so that the Confirm & Pay guest form displays all rates, payment due dates, security deposit details, and other relevant information, even if property payment methods aren't configured.
Fix Listing Quality Analyzer Error for Airbnb Properties with Invalid Lead Times. Airbnb properties with invalid lead times caused Listing Quality Analyzer (LQA) errors. OwnerRez fixed this bug to ensure the correct LQA warning message now appears.
Fix Rates Page Borders. The Rate Calendar's $0 nightly rates borders were too faint and hard to see, so we added a subtle border to make them more visible.
Fix Trigger Forecast Time Zone Inconsistencies. Properties in different time zones than the account displayed incorrect trigger forecast run times. We fixed this glitch so that the trigger forecast run date column always uses the account's time zone to match the status column.
Improve Owner Statement Filtering. Owner Statement filtering did not function properly for users who had owners with only one owner statement. OwnerRez has improved the Owner Statement filter to correctly handle all statement options for both single and multiple statement owners.
Prevent Hiding the Channel Integrations > Properties tab > Actions Dropdown List. The Channel Integrations > Properties tab > Actions dropdown list was hidden and difficult to use. We corrected this glitch by ensuring the dropdown list no longer gets hidden.
Remove "Arrival Days from Now" Condition from Length of Stay Discounts. Since Airbnb does not support the "Arrival Days from Now" condition for Length of Stay discounts, that condition has been removed from the Standard Length of Stay discounts.
Remove Custom Listing Source Text from Confirm & Pay Guest Form. When Custom Listing Sources were selected, the text "Thanks for finding us on Unknown" was inadvertently displayed on the new Confirm & Pay guest form. We resolved this issue by removing that text for Custom Listing Sources, and the welcome text will only appear for standard listing sites.
Remove iCals when Deleting a Property. iCal imports were not consistently removed when their associated properties were deleted, resulting in "Not Found" errors when attempting to access them. OwnerRez fixed this bug to ensure that iCal imports are properly deleted when a property is deleted.
Allow Quick Quotes when No Listing Source is Selected. Due to a code regression, some quick quotes were unintentionally blocked when no listing source was selected. We fixed this glitch to enable quick quotes regardless of listing source selection.
Correct Door Lock Integration Errors. Due to a code regression, errors occasionally occurred during the integration of door lock connections. OwnerRez resolved these issues to ensure that door lock integration connections function correctly.
Correct Misalignment of Task Lines. Individual Task boundary outlines were misaligned, so we fixed those.
Correct Property Rooms Dropdown List. The property room dropdown lists Private and Public options incorrectly, rather than the correct Private and Shared options. We fixed this bug to correctly display Private and Shared in the property room dropdown lists.
Correct Tag Automation Discounts, Optional Surcharges, Door Code Status, and Guest Review Status Conditions. Some tag automation conditions (e.g., discounts, optional surcharges, door code statuses, and guest review statuses) were unavailable for selection. OwnerRez resolved this issue, ensuring that all tag automation conditions are now available for selection.
Ensure Cancellation Policies are Displayed on the Confirm & Pay Guest Form on Mobile Devices. Cancellation policies were not always displayed as expected on the Confirm & Pay guest form on mobile devices. We corrected this glitch to ensure that cancellation policies are always properly displayed on the Confirm & Pay guest form on mobile devices.
Ensure Discount Codes are Displayed When Applied on the Confirm & Pay Guest Form. Even when correctly applied, some discount codes were not properly displayed on the Confirm & Pay guest form. OwnerRez resolved this issue so that applied discount codes are appropriately displayed on the Confirm & Pay guest form.
Ensure Guest Form Theming Settings are Shown as Configured. Configured guest form theming settings were not always correctly honored, resulting in missing cancellation policies and other issues. We fixed this bug, ensuring that any configured guest form theming settings are correctly honored.
Ensure Guests are Redirected to Configured "Redirect After Booking URL" After Confirm & Pay Guest Form Completion. Guests were not consistently redirected to the "Redirect After Booking URL" configured after completing the Confirm & Pay guest form as expected. OwnerRez resolved this issue so that guests are consistently redirected to the "Redirect After Booking URL" configured after completing the Confirm & Pay guest form as expected.
Ensure Listing Quality Analyzer Evaluates Length of Stay Discounts Correctly. Following the release of the Standard Length of Stay (LOS) discounts, the Listing Quality Analyzer (LQA) incorrectly evaluated LOS discounts. We fixed this bug to ensure that the LQA correctly evaluates LOS discounts.
Fix iOS 26 Sidebar Scrolling. Users were unable to use the sidebar scrolling feature on iPads running iOS 26. OwnerRez corrected this glitch so that the sidebar now properly scrolls independently on iPads running iOS 26.
Fix Owner Statement Custom Formula Calculations. When custom formulas included both regular charge categories and discount categories, the custom formula calculations were incorrect on Owner statements. We have fixed this bug so that owner statement custom formulas that include both regular charge categories and discount categories are calculated correctly.
Fix PM Owners Apply To Button Alignment. The PM Owners Apply To button was misaligned, so we corrected the alignment.
Fix Property Tags Styling. Property tags set with the color black were unreadable because the tag text was also black on the ribbon calendar. OwnerRez resolved this issue to ensure proper contrast on different tag backgrounds.
Hide Confirm & Pay Guest Form Discount Code Field when No Discounts are Available. Although no discount codes were available for a property, the discount code field was sometimes inadvertently displayed on the Confirm & Pay guest form. We fixed this bug to hide the Confirm & Pay guest form discount code field when no discount codes are available.
Improve Vrbo Error Handling. Occasionally, Vrbo property errors occurred when unexpected information was returned from Vrbo. We've improved our Vrbo error handling to prevent these property errors.
Prevent Booking.com Layout Update Failures. Sometimes, Booking.com (BDC) Private Beta channel integration listing content failures occurred after reordering photos. OwnerRez fixed this bug to prevent BDC Private Beta channel integration listing content failures after photo reordering.
Clicking the Messages Link From the Guest Timeline Now Shows All Messages From the Guest, not just those in the Inbox. The guest timeline Inbox link did not direct users to the Unified Inbox view that included all messages from that specific guest. We corrected this glitch so that the guest timeline Inbox link now includes the "all" parameter, allowing users to view all messages for the guest.
Fix Bookings Not Being Created with the Correct PMv2 Status in Some Cases. Some bookings were inadvertently created without the configured PMv2 statuses. OwnerRez fixed this bug to ensure all bookings are created with the correct PMv2 statuses, if applicable.
Fix Validation on Latitude and Longitude for Users in Locales that use Commas for Decimal Separators. Properties in locales using commas as decimal separators experienced location validation failures. We corrected this glitch to properly handle location coordinates regardless of property locale by ensuring consistent formatting.
Improve Trigger Timing Checks for Bookings and Blocked-off Time Triggers. We found that scheduled triggers for booked and blocked events were not consistently checked for timing, resulting in some triggers failing to send message templates correctly. OwnerRez resolved this issue to improve scheduled trigger timing checks for booked and blocked events, ensuring that message templates are sent correctly.
Restore for PMv1 Users Where Transaction Fees are Properly Kept as Commission when "Exclude payment and refund fees from owner expenses" Setting is Enabled. We encountered a code regression where PMv1 users experienced a transaction fee commission setting that was not honored as set. We fixed this bug by restoring the previous behavior for PMv1 users, where transaction fees are properly kept as commission when the "Exclude payment and refund fees from owner expenses" setting is enabled.
Tag Imports Now Match Exactly by Name Instead of Partial Matching. Occasionally, booking imports incorrectly included partially matched tags. OwnerRez resolved this issue by requiring tags to match precisely by name during booking imports, preventing incorrect tags from being applied when names partially match.
Viewing a Quote's Booking Form No Longer Crashes when No Payment Method is Configured. Accounts with no payment method configured encountered unhelpful error messages on the Confirm & Pay guest form. We fixed this bug to ensure that accounts with no payment method configured receive more appropriate error messages on the Confirm & Pay guest form.
We are always a bit wary about how much effort to put in to OTA's websites. Effectively doing their work for them.
Meet Tony Goebel, founder and CEO of DoorCo Vacations, a Wisconsin-based vacation rental company built on family values, quality craftsmanship, and genuine hospitality. Tony and his wife, Cara, started with a single lake home, which they poured their hearts into renovating and sharing with others. Today, they have transformed that passion into a growing portfolio of unique properties across their home state of Wisconsin.
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Before DoorCo Vacations, I founded and built 5G Benefits and Insurance, one of Wisconsin’s fastest-growing insurance agencies. Over the years, I’ve worked with thousands of clients and business owners across the Midwest, helping them protect and grow what matters most. DoorCo Vacations started as a passion project. One lake home that my wife and I poured our hearts into renovating and sharing with others. What began as a weekend hobby quickly turned into a company built on family values, quality craftsmanship, and genuine hospitality. For over a year, it was just my wife and me. Today, DoorCo has a team of 7 full-time employees and a growing portfolio of unique properties across Wisconsin, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve built.
My background is in marketing & insurance and benefits, which taught me everything I know about systems, service, and relationships. The transition into hospitality came naturally. It allowed me to blend my business mindset with my love for Wisconsin, real estate, and creating great experiences for people.
I’m proud to be from Wisconsin. I was born and raised here, and I’ve always had a deep connection to the lakes, small towns, and family traditions that make this state special. When I started investing in vacation properties, it was important to me to stay local and to build something that supported our communities while sharing the beauty of Wisconsin with visitors from around the country.
I love building things. Not just properties, but experiences, teams, and systems. The vacation rental business gives me the opportunity to do all of that at once. It’s incredibly rewarding to see families, wedding groups, and corporate teams enjoying time together in spaces we’ve worked hard to create. I also love seeing our team grow; watching people find purpose, pride, and creativity in what we do.
Like any fast-growing business, the hardest part is managing scale while maintaining quality. Every property and every guest matters to us, and as we grow, keeping that personal touch takes constant focus and effort. But that’s also what sets us apart. We never want to lose the family-owned, hands-on feel that built our reputation in the first place.
OwnerRez is our operational hub. It’s where everything connects. We use it to manage reservations, track finances, automate guest communication, and streamline workflows for our team and vendors. With so many moving parts across multiple teams, OwnerRez gives us the structure we need to stay efficient without losing the personal touch our guests appreciate.
Automation, hands down. The ability to create custom triggers, tailored messaging, and consistent communication across all our properties is invaluable. We’ve built our internal systems around OwnerRez because it scales with us. It allows us to manage 20+ properties with the same level of care and attention we had when we managed one.
From a single lake home to a growing portfolio of unique properties across Wisconsin, Tony and Cara Goebel have truly built DoorCo Vacations on family values, quality craftsmanship, and genuine hospitality. With OwnerRez helping them run their day-to-day operations, we’re excited to see their continued success as they share the beauty of Wisconsin and deliver personal touches to every stay.
Hey Howdy Hangout,
It's working for me, though I do have to sign into Crowdcast to get the replay. If you're still having trouble, please write to us at help@ownerrez.com and we can take a closer look!
I can't get this link to work
I had a call with them to discuss. I was interested in the idea. However the pricing was not as advertised, and the actual service seemed rudimentary, something that i can do myself, for example develop seasonal listing descriptions and adjust captions on pics monthly. The notion that their software scrapes AIRBNB inquiries and they can use that data to have AI re-do listing descriptions weekly is info i know and work that can be done by an intern. I have 9 properties, maybe this service makes sense on a larger portfolio. I would be interested to see feedback from OR users to see if it works as advertised.
This week’s roundup covers Hilton Head’s updated short-term rental rules, Formula 1 driving a massive increase in rates, Booking.com’s top travel trends for 2026, and new developments in Maui’s vacation rental phase-out. Let’s dive in.
Hilton Head, South Carolina, leaders have reached an agreement on updates to short-term rental rules, though final approval is still pending. The proposed changes include a new requirement for third-party monitoring of fire alarm systems in larger homes, a limit of six exterior parking spaces, the removal of earlier plans for occupancy caps, and more. The rejection of an occupancy limit after much public discussion is a major win for short-term rental operators. These updates are expected to take effect on May 1st, 2026, if approved, giving hosts time to prepare. If you rent in Hilton Head, now’s a good moment to review your property’s fire safety measures, parking arrangements, and make sure your listings align with the new proposed guidelines.
The Formula 1 race in Austin, Texas, this weekend drove a sharp increase in short-term rental prices, with Airbnb rates up 84 percent compared to the weekend before the event. According to Vegas Insider, average nightly rates rose from about $423 to $780 during the F1 weekend. This highlights the importance of setting up seasonal rates or utilizing spot rates within OwnerRez. Planning for major events in your area can help you stay competitive and capture more revenue when demand is at its peak.
Booking.com has released the 10th edition of its annual travel predictions, highlighting a major shift toward highly personalized travel in 2026. Based on feedback from over 29,000 travelers across 33 countries and territories, the report outlines ten trends showing that travelers are increasingly seeking trips that reflect their personalities, unique preferences, and close relationships. Highlighted trends include tech-forward “Humanoid Homes,” astrology-influenced “Destined-ations,” and “Glow-cations” focused on skincare and wellness. Travelers are also showing interest in relationship-testing getaways, shared road trips, nostalgic travel based on past memories, and trips tied to personal milestones.
James Waters, Chief Business Officer at Booking.com, wrote, "In 2026, travel is becoming a reflection of who people truly are, with journeys built around interests that perhaps in the past felt too niche or bold to explore. Travelers are stress-testing relationships, stepping into fantasy worlds, turning their kitchens into reflections of their journeys, and looking at new ways to experience road trips and vacation rentals with enhanced technology features."
For short-term rental operators, the key takeaway is to consider how your marketing appeals to the new audience entering the marketplace. Highlighting features of your property that align with these trends, whether through photos, listing descriptions, or amenities, could help increase visibility and demand heading into 2026.
In continued coverage of Maui County’s vacation rental phase-out, previously reported in Industry News on June 6th, June 13th, July 4th, August 1st, and August 29th, new recommendations from a County Council investigative group could allow thousands of rentals to remain. The temporary investigative group was formed after the council voted to advance Bill 9. Their role was to assess the social and economic impacts of the legislation, identify apartment-zoned properties that should continue operating as vacation rentals, and suggest improvements to the zoning change process. The group proposed a hotel zoning designation for over 50 buildings on the “Minatoya List,” potentially sparing about 4,500 units. They also recommended that vacation rentals in apartment districts on Molokai not be phased out, regardless of what happens on Maui. The public was invited to weigh in on these proposals this week. The bill still plans to move forward with a phase-out of many rentals starting in West Maui in 2028 and across the rest of the county by 2030. With legal challenges likely, the future of Maui’s vacation rental market remains uncertain.
As we quickly approach 2026, new trends, rules, and events will continue to shape the vacation rental market. Check back next week for the latest updates!
That’s company #25 that’s related same services last couple of years :)
At Getaway Properties AZ, Lori Baker has built a business around the belief that every getaway should tell a story. Managing 17 short-term rentals for other owners and several of her own, Lori’s mission is to craft spaces that inspire connection, relaxation, and unforgettable memories. From the desert to the pines, her homes offer a true home away from home, where every detail invites guests to unwind and experience Arizona’s natural beauty.
I was raised in a small town in Arizona and now live on the outskirts of the city. My spouse and I purchased our first long-term rental in 2003. Many years, a few moves, and a few more purchases later, we turned our casita into our first short-term rental. From there, we bought a small one-bedroom cabin in my hometown, which quickly became a guest favorite. That growth eventually led to our real estate broker asking if we’d be interested in purchasing his short-term rental management business. We took the leap, and today we own GPAZ, LLC dba Getaway Properties AZ, where we manage 17 short-term rentals for other owners in addition to our own three long-term rentals and two personal STRs.
First and foremost, I’m a wife, a mother to three, and a grandma to the best three littles. For many years, I was a stay-at-home mom while working various jobs from home, everything from daycare to data entry. During tax season, I worked as a tax preparer.
As my kids grew into their teens, I earned my real estate license and began working for a company that sold homes to investors while also managing long-term rentals. Later, I became a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked in a school nurse’s office before transitioning to a pediatric hospital. I’ve now been with that hospital for nearly 15 years, working in both admitting and the pediatric emergency department.
Throughout those years, I continued helping buyers and sellers in real estate and assisted my husband with managing our rental properties. Eventually, that experience, combined with our passion for hospitality, led us to open our homes on Airbnb, manage additional properties through Getaway Properties AZ, and ultimately purchase the company ourselves.
Yes, I’m originally from Arizona. I currently live about three hours away from the mountain areas where most of our properties are located. I actually grew up about 45 minutes from that area, so the mountains have always felt like home to me. I’ve always loved the fresh air, tall pines, and slower pace of mountain life; it’s the perfect escape from the desert heat and city hustle.
I love being a part of creating lifelong memories for guests. Knowing that families, couples, and friends are celebrating milestones, reconnecting, or simply finding peace in one of our homes is incredibly rewarding. It’s about more than a place to stay; it’s about providing a space that feels like home and helps people unwind from the stress of everyday life.
It can be challenging when guests ask us to bend rules that are clearly outlined in the listing, especially when it comes to bringing pets to no-pet properties or requesting steep discounts during peak or holiday seasons. We always strive to be kind and accommodating, but we also have to protect the property and maintain fairness to owners and other guests.
OwnerRez allows us to manage all of our properties from one central system, everything from pricing and calendar control to guest messaging and reporting. It’s incredibly efficient and helps us stay organized while managing multiple owners, properties, and guests.
I love the automation and messaging features, which save so much time and help ensure consistency across all of our listings. But my favorite feature is definitely Rezzy AI, and I can’t wait until the full system is live! The idea that it can handle guest inquiries automatically is a huge game-changer for busy managers like us.
From a single casita to managing 17 vacation rentals, Lori Baker has built Getaway Properties AZ around a clear mission to craft spaces that inspire connection, relaxation, and unforgettable memories. With OwnerRez supporting her business, we look forward to seeing her continued success as she helps guests feel right at home across her home state of Arizona.
Ruslan, founder of Away2PA, has built a thriving vacation rental business in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains through patience and determination. What started as a complete unknown has grown to 10 properties and given her the freedom to step away from corporate life.
I came to the U.S. from Russia twenty years ago. I ended up at SUNY Oneonta and graduated in 2006 with a degree in Business and Economics. Like a lot of people who come here, I started from scratch, moving jobs, doing kitchen work, even Burger King for a bit, just trying to figure things out and get my first "real" job.
Definitely a second career. Eventually, I got into finance and landed on Wall Street, which was a big shift from where I started. I spent over a decade in that world, working in New York, London, and Montenegro. I was still in finance when I got pulled into short-term rentals. A friend of mine had a few properties up in the Pocono Mountains and convinced me to give it a try. Getting that first property wasn’t easy. I fought with the mortgage process and tried to find a perfect first investment for almost a year, but once it was listed, it pulled in about forty grand in the first six months. That kind of result makes you pay attention.
So I leaned into it. I started buying more places, renovating, figuring out what worked, and slowly building a portfolio. It wasn’t fast or glamorous, but it was real. Over time, I realized I was putting more energy into this than my actual job, so I made the switch.
Before short-term rentals, I was in finance for about thirteen years, trading, analyzing, the whole thing. I learned a lot about money management and risk, but I also learned that corporate life just wasn’t for me long-term. I wanted something that was mine, where the results, good or bad, were on me. I was thinking of it as a strategic game with real dollar results.
What I love most is the freedom. I don’t have a boss or a commute. I like the creativity that comes with it too. Every property is a chance to do something different, whether it’s a renovation or a brand-new build. Over time, I’ve gone from fixer-uppers to full-on custom homes, places with indoor pools, movie theaters, water features (rivers, streams, ponds).
The challenges are definitely the regulations. Zoning laws change constantly, and that can really throw you off. There’ve been times when I had to sell properties just because the local rules shifted. And like most hosts, I’ve had my share of frustration with big platforms; they’re essential, but they don’t always treat hosts as partners. Still, that’s part of the business. You adapt, keep building, and move forward.
OwnerRez is the backbone of how I run things now. When you’ve got multiple properties and a team involved, you need something that keeps all the moving parts in sync, pricing, messages, team access, all of it. What I like about OwnerRez is that it’s built for real operators, not just casual hosts. It’s flexible, reliable, and it gives me the control I need to manage everything without getting buried in spreadsheets or manual updates. It took me 6 months to understand the basics, but then it got much easier. I'm still learning and discovering new features though.
With patience and hard work, Ruslan has grown Away2PA into a dynamic portfolio. We look forward to seeing Ruslan continue to push her company forward with the help of OwnerRez.
This is good to know. I was considering moving from Fire TV to Roku just for this feature ... but if it doesn't return the device to the previous guest ready config then that is a show stopper!
We clearly communicate to our guests that it is their responsibility to log out of any streaming accounts before they leave ... and we do this in multiple places. While I know that doing a good job of communicating a guest's responsibilities doesn't always work, it should pass the "reasonability" test if someone wants to claim their information was exposed to other people. And I also know, that none of that stops a lawyer from going after me because that is just what lawyers do. In the end, this is more about balancing risks and costs.
We’re excited to announce our latest integration with CodeBox, offering OwnerRez users a dependable and affordable way to manage guest access.
CodeBox Inc. is dedicated to providing an affordable, safe and dependable hassle-free means for transferring/exchanging keys between you and your guests. They are excited to bring a lockbox solution to Vacation Rentals after more than a decade of providing exceptional service to property managers, REALTORS®, equipment rentals, as well as many other industries.
Their LOW COST CodeBox digital lockbox solution offers different sizes, models and modes, so no matter your need they have you protected. Their code generation technology and options allow for years of unique codes, and their common battery operated design means no pesky charging devices or expensive replacements.
Additional features, such as the mode of lockbox, vendor codes, accessories, code length, or expiration, are available at the time of order and easily upgraded in the field if a change is required.
Get started with CodeBox by visiting here and checking out the support article for integrating OwnerRez with CodeBox.
Roku "Guest Mode" is the biggest waste of time, and a completely useless feature that vacation rental hosts really can not use!
What Roku fails to mention when promoting this 'feature' is that it only benefits the guest, in that it wipes out their credentials when the Roku is taken out of guest mode.
But do all of the owner's pre-existing settings come back and are available to use again after the Roku guest mode is turned off? NO! All of the owner's settings that were in place before the Roku was put in guest mode are lost, and wiped from the device's memory. Meaning that after every time guest mode is used, the Roku needs to be setup all over again, which depending upon the complexity of the setup and programming, and the number of streaming services connected to (all of which have had their account and password information removed) can take up to an hour to complete! Per TV! Then multiply that times 5 TVs in the property!
Who has got 5 hours to reprogram and setup TVs and streaming accounts every time there is a guest turnover?
And if the property manager is not technically adept (like mine is... NOT) this is not something easily done, and may require the owner to do, and they often do not live in the same area as their vacation rental and can not be travelling to their VR just to reset up all of their TVs! Like me! Take a 4000 km trip to another country just to setup TVs every time a guest leaves? I don't think so!
There has been much talk about the uselessness of this so-called feature on the Roku user forums, because the cost in time and hassle getting the Roku back the way it was before it was put into Guest Mode just isn't worth it!
Guest Mode? Sorry... the proper name of this 'feature' on Roku should be Reset!
Don't use it! You'll be sorry if you do!
Is there any update yet on the streamlining of Booking.com with OR so the connection of new listings uploads smoothly?
I am interested in the concierge service, and would love to be able to utilize but I only have 2 properties. Quite a few of these new services are only available for 5 or more properties. I hope OwnerRez can negotiate to be able to bring the smaller owners onboard.
I was also looking for some reviews and couldn't find any. All these services promise the world but for some reason want to tie you into a subscription where they get paid regardless of results, and the results often don't follow. Was interested in trying, but even this blog post already has 1x false advertising claim: concierge starting at 9.80 for a monthly subscription, but that price is only if you pay for the year, so that is what I would call a yearly subscription. Rethinking signing up if they can't even be upfront with their pricing.
Hi - I did a broad search on Google and could not find any reviews. There was one suggestion to use chatgpt the writeups instead. This probably would work if you first seed chatgpt with the desired emphasis. All for free.
Would be interested to know this too? I've searched but can't find any outstanding reviews.
Has anyone here in the OR community got experience in collaborating with Autorank? What was your experience?
We’re excited to announce our new integration with Reva, helping OwnerRez users automate their guest review strategy, gain actionable insights, and boost direct bookings.
Reva’s review and reputation platform helps vacation rental managers automate their guest review strategy to save time, drive valuable business insights, and boost direct bookings. Reva aggregates your reviews into one centralized channel, giving you the visibility and control needed to drive actionable insights and improvements across your business.
Boutique ($69/month)
Professional ($99/month)
Enterprise ($.99/property per month)
View additional pricing info here.
Get started with Reva by visiting here and checking out the OwnerRez support article for integrating OwnerRez with Reva..
This week’s roundup covers Booking.com’s partnership with ChatGPT, a proposed short-term rental tax in San Diego, reports on Airbnb’s potential business profiles, and smart TV liability risks in vacation rentals. Let’s dive in.
Booking.com has been selected as one of the first partners to launch an app inside ChatGPT, joining a small group that includes Spotify, Expedia, and Zillow. The integration lets guests explore destinations, search for stays, view photos and amenities, and compare options directly within ChatGPT. Once a stay is selected, guests are directed to Booking.com to complete their booking. This exciting partnership between Booking.com and OpenAI aims to make trip planning more seamless and conversational, potentially leading to added visibility for vacation rental operators.
San Diego officials are turning their attention to short-term rentals as they look for new ways to close a year-long budget deficit. A proposal introduced this week would establish a new tax on vacation rentals, with the funds allocated toward affordable housing and homelessness programs. If approved, the measure could introduce new costs and reporting requirements for short-term rental operators, making it crucial for hosts in the San Diego area to stay informed and act quickly as the proposal takes shape.
In the wake of Airbnb’s first-ever North American Host Summit, Skift reported that property managers were introduced to Airbnb’s new concept for business profiles. The feature reportedly would allow hosts to group multiple listings under a single profile, showcase their vacation rental brand, and access enhanced performance insights. These exciting reports seem to point towards Airbnb wanting to help professional hosts manage their portfolios more effectively and draw a line between professional and individual hosts on the platform. No official announcements have been made, but these reports share a potentially interesting path forward for Airbnb.
Short Term Rentalz released an article this week discussing the liability of smart TVs in vacation rental properties. The article highlights the importance of credential clearing, which ensures that previous guests’ streaming accounts and personal information are removed during the turnover and before new guests check in. Failing to clear logins can expose hosts to potential legal issues. An easy solution for removing this potential liability is to utilize Roku Guest Mode. For vacation rental operators already using Roku TVs in their properties, check out our guide on How to Use Roku Guest Mode in Your Vacation Rental here.
With exciting new partnerships and evolving regulations, the vacation rental market continues to undergo rapid changes. Check back next week for the latest news!
Excellent work! keep cranking them out!. Thanks
Thanks, Johnny P! 😁
Excellent work! keep cranking them out!. Thanks
This week, we look at Marriott’s outdoor-focused loyalty expansion, Airbnb’s 2026 World Cup efforts, Oregon’s strengthened guest privacy rules, and what’s next for Airbnb’s rewards program. Let’s dive in.
Marriott is expanding its Bonvoy program with a new outdoor platform that includes both stays and curated activities like hiking, biking, skiing, and water sports across North America. Members can now earn and redeem points not just on hotel rooms, but also on outdoor-focused lodging and experiences through partner resorts and outfitters. The move signals the strong demand for travel that goes beyond a place to sleep, as more guests seek trips built around wellness, adventure, and the outdoors. For short-term rental operators, this trend opens the door to highlight your property’s proximity to outdoor activities and even consider partnering with local outfitters to offer guests a more complete travel experience.
A recent report commissioned by Airbnb warns that Vancouver could face a shortfall of 70,000 overnight stays during the FIFA World Cup 2026, with hotel prices expected to soar by more than 200%. Airbnb is calling for temporary special event hosting rules, also known as event exemptions, to ease short-term rental restrictions during the tournament. Similar measures have been used successfully in the UK and Japan, allowing residents to host visitors for major events without affecting long-term housing supply. Airbnb says a time-limited exemption would help Vancouver close the lodging gap, keep prices more affordable for fans, and fully capture the economic benefits of hosting the World Cup. If approved, the exemption could create significant opportunities for hosts during the tournament and potentially set a precedent for future global events, such as the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
The state of Oregon has passed a new law strengthening privacy protections for guests in short-term rentals and hotels. Guests now have the right to take legal action and recover monetary damages if they are recorded through photos, video, or audio in spaces where they would reasonably expect privacy. The law expands protections beyond what was previously in place. For short-term rental operators, it’s a good opportunity to review your listings and ensure everything is fully compliant.
Airbnb is investing $5 million in communities hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup across North America, with $1 million specifically allocated to New York and New Jersey. The funding will support the creation of five new soccer mini-pitches in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and New Jersey in collaboration with the U.S. Soccer Foundation. Airbnb will also sponsor community events, including the Queens Community Day festival and a celebration in the Bronx during the tournament. The company says the initiative aims to build a lasting community legacy while supporting local engagement ahead of the World Cup.
Skift released an interesting article this week speculating on a long-awaited rewards program from Airbnb. Sources say the company is currently evaluating loyalty options and may favor a membership style program over a traditional points system, offering perks like discounts, early check-ins, or waived fees. CEO Brian Chesky has described a loyalty or membership program as “a very, very compelling thing” and said “something big is coming” while development is underway. Analysts suggest a membership model could help Airbnb compete with hotel loyalty programs while staying true to its lifestyle and community driven brand. No launch date has been announced, but the discussion highlights Airbnb’s focus on deepening customer engagement as it expands further into hotels.
As the industry gears up for major events like the World Cup, expect more updates across the vacation rental landscape this fall. Check back next week for the latest news!
Once again, an amazing batch of updates. Can't wait to try the review triggers and field codes. New design looking good, too. Thanks team!
Thanks so much, Mar Bella! 😁 Check out our new support articles with ideas for using these new review triggers and field codes.
