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I clicked the link to go to the document and it says it no long exists?

Thanks, Jeff!  Great info.

Hi everyone—Jeff Manheimer here, CEO of Stay. First off, thanks so much for sharing your feedback and ideas. Your questions around traffic, awareness, scale and pricing models are exactly the sort of input we need at this stage, so I’d like to address each point:

The way we drive traffic & build awareness is a well-proven strategy we have deployed for multiple STR sites we’ve launched. Some aspects include: 

1. Paid Search, Custom-Tailored Local Campaigns

Every new property manager partner kicks off with a dedicated marketing call to map out your seasonality and targets. From there, we build a fully tailored paid search strategy targeting geo-specific terms to drive traffic to travelers showing intent for your area. It ramps spend at peak times and conserves budget during slower months.

2. Dynamic Paid Social and Email Retargeting

Once a traveler views properties on Stay, we retarget them with eye-catching ads and emails featuring the exact properties they viewed on our site. For the next ~6 weeks, as they scroll their feed and open their inboxes, we keep your properties top of mind through the booking journey.

3. Dedicated Newsletters

We email our growing audience of over 100,000 engaged subscribers with curated property spotlights, market insights, and special offers—so your listings land right in front of qualified travelers’ inboxes.

4. Social Media & Scott McGillivray Collaborations

We regularly post on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn, featuring standout properties alongside Scott’s team. This gives your listings an extra boost across Scott’s loyal HGTV-follower base. We also handpick "Scott Stay" properties to highlight unique homes that get shared on our various social media channels. 

5. Customer Service

This week we are training our customer service team with regard to OwnerRez and the overall partnership. Most of the folks who call in are travelers looking for vacation homes, but we will make sure they are prepared to speak to our PMS partner integrations (like OwnerRez) if owners or management companies reach out. 

Our scale, experience & roadmap

• We’re a newer company with fresh funding, but our core team are vacation-rental veterans who’ve built and scaled multiple marketplaces from zero up to 5 million+ unique visitors per month.
  
  
• While our current SEO footprint is modest (as one comment pointed out), we’ve scaled traffic from 0 to hundreds of thousands of monthly sessions multiple times. This is a top priority herein Q2 and Q3. We have a robust, modern content strategy to turbocharge our organic reach.
  
  
• As we add more inventory through our OwnerRez integration and other PMS partners, you’ll see listing counts grow rapidly in markets like the Gulf Coast and beyond.
  
  

Flexible pricing & hybrid model options
We currently offer:

• 20% off subscription rates (starting at $159/year) for OwnerRez users, plus
  
  
• An additional 20% volume discount for 10+ properties.
  
  

We’re happy to be an open book and can share our volume-based discount table if you contact us directly. 

That said, we love the hybrid plan ideas you’ve outlined (Plan A/B/C)—and are evaluating how to incorporate a performance-based or revenue-share option alongside our annual model. Our goal is to give you the flexibility to choose the approach that best aligns with your business, with the ability to switch at each renewal anniversary.

We’re committed to making Stay the most effective, transparent and partner-friendly platform in vacation rentals. If you’d like to dive deeper into traffic metrics for your specific market or explore a custom pricing structure, please reply here or email partnerships@stay.com—we’ll set up a one-on-one session right away.

Thanks again for your input—looking forward to proving our ability to scale together!

Warm regards,

Jeff Manheimer
CEO

STAY

I just added them to my channels and I reached out to Stay via 833-782-9277. Unfortunately, they have no clue who OR is. At least the person I spoke with had no clue. Tried to look up properties and found 1 not close La Marque, Texas.

From global crackdowns and price surges to platform safeguards and event-driven policy shifts, this week’s vacation rental headlines reveal how external pressures are reshaping the industry ahead of the busy summer season.

In anticipation of Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, Airbnb is once again activating its “anti-party technology”, now in its fourth year. The system blocks high-risk bookings such as short local stays by young guests, helping to prevent disruptive gatherings. In 2024, Airbnb reported a 50% drop in party incidents across the U.S. during similar blackout periods.

Spain is intensifying its efforts against short-term rentals amid a worsening housing crisis. The government has ordered Airbnb to remove over 65,000 listings that lack proper licensing or ownership disclosures, following a court ruling backing the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. Madrid alone accounts for over 15,000 illegal listings. In parallel, a new legislative proposal seeks to impose a 21% VAT on short-term rentals under 30 days, double the rate applied to hotels. The bill also includes taxes on vacant properties and foreign buyers from outside the EU, aiming to prioritize housing for residents over tourism.

Anticipating an influx of visitors for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Parkville’s Board of Aldermen voted to relax short-term rental regulations for a three-month period. The temporary measure aims to accommodate players, staff, and fans, reflecting how major events can influence local housing policies.

A new Bankrate study using AirDNA data highlights significant seasonal price surges in short-term rental markets across the U.S. Focusing on single-family homes with at least two bedrooms, the study identifies 20 vacation hotspots where rental prices can more than double during peak seasons. For instance, Augusta, Georgia, experiences a 178% increase in average daily rates during the Masters Tournament in spring, while Oxford, Mississippi, sees a 125% hike in the fall, coinciding with college football season. Other notable summer destinations with substantial markups include Long Island, New York (117%), and Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri (92%).

As summer kicks into gear, the vacation rental landscape continues to evolve. Check back next week for more news on the vacation rental industry!

I suppose every new platform must start from zero...

How does Stay draw potential guests to their website?  I went out and performed multiple searches on Google (Stay, stay with stay, stay property rental.......) and could not get their website to show up.  That along with the fact that there is only one listing on their site for the entire Gulf Coast tells me they are very unlikely to draw business for my rental properties and would most likely be a waste of money.  OwnerRez needs to look at forming an integration with Furnished Finders which is also aimed at mid-term rentals and has a similar operating model as Stay but has a much larger presence on the internet with a more established following of guests that use the site.  I have several friends and family who are travelling nurses that all use Furnished Finders and have told me to go list my rentals on the site.  The only reason I haven't signed up with Furnished Finders is because I don't want to manually update their availability calendar every time one of our rentals gets booked via a different channel.

 

R/

Butch

Furnished Finders is not going in this direction anytime soon.  I had calls with the CEO, (former VRBO executive) and he has a lot of other tech stack things he needs to fix and doesn't have the bandwidth (or see the opportunity) to flood furnished finder with STR inventory.  Strange because STR inventory is turn key and more hospitality based.  Happy to share his contact info with you privately if you would like.  Maybe some more people reaching out would help.

1000% agree on Stay, they need inventory and exposure.

How does Stay draw potential guests to their website?  I went out and performed multiple searches on Google (Stay, stay with stay, stay property rental.......) and could not get their website to show up.  That along with the fact that there is only one listing on their site for the entire Gulf Coast tells me they are very unlikely to draw business for my rental properties and would most likely be a waste of money.  OwnerRez needs to look at forming an integration with Furnished Finders which is also aimed at mid-term rentals and has a similar operating model as Stay but has a much larger presence on the internet with a more established following of guests that use the site.  I have several friends and family who are travelling nurses that all use Furnished Finders and have told me to go list my rentals on the site.  The only reason I haven't signed up with Furnished Finders is because I don't want to manually update their availability calendar every time one of our rentals gets booked via a different channel.

R/

Butch

Without knowing the kind of traffic stats and performance metrics they have in specific luxury markets, a revenue split would be preferred. They are already doing better than Furnished Finder  by having an integration, however we have no problem paying a good sales agent (ie them) for their performance.  Why can’t both an annual model and a PPB commission exist?  Would also support pay for search placement.

Maybe even a hybrid model of picking plan a or plan b or plan C.

Plan A = Annual Fee, no percentage.

Plan B = 5% of rent capped at 2x annual fee.

Plan C = 5% of rent capped at 3x annual fee and priority search placement.

You can only switch plans on renewal anniversary.

We would pick an C all day.

 

 

 

 

100% that’s why I believe stay will never be big 

Without knowing the kind of traffic stats and performance metrics they have in specific luxury markets, a revenue split would be preferred. They are already doing better than Furnished Finder  by having an integration, however we have no problem paying a good sales agent (ie them) for their performance.  Why can’t both an annual model and a PPB commission exist?  Would also support pay for search placement.

Maybe even a hybrid model of picking plan a or plan b or plan C.

Plan A = Annual Fee, no percentage.

Plan B = 5% of rent capped at 2x annual fee.

Plan C = 5% of rent capped at 3x annual fee and priority search placement.

You can only switch plans on renewal anniversary.

We would pick an C all day.

We are pleased to announce our integration with Linkbase, offering users a way to enhance the guest journey.

About Linkbase

Linkbase is the all-in-one tool vacation rental managers have been waiting for. Packed with best-in-class features, Linkbase gives property managers everything they need to handle guests, from check-in to check-out and everything in between. Automate lock and lobby access, verify guest IDs, collect damage deposits, send step-by-step check-in instructions, and offer upsells like boat rentals or wine tours—all through a simple, branded link. It even captures guest emails via Wi-Fi to help drive repeat direct bookings. Linkbase isn’t just a tool—it’s your digital co-host.

With a background in real estate, interior design, and property management, Caroline Jordan has worn many hats in the industry. However, her passion for the Gulf Coast and connecting with people led her to build Coastal Link Properties, where she helps create unforgettable stays for travelers.

Can you tell us a little bit about your history?

I’m Caroline Jordan, the owner of Coastal Link Properties, and I’ve been in the vacation rental industry for over 10 years. My journey started in Gulfport, Mississippi, where I grew up, and after high school, I spent a lot of time visiting the Alabama coast with my pseudo-parents, Jimmy and Sheila Stewart. We’d stay on their boat at SanRoc Cay in Orange Beach, and it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with the area. I moved to Orange Beach and started working for RE/Max, where I met my future mother-in-law, Debbie Freund. After a few years, in 2014, I took over Rental Link, the vacation rental business my husband had started in 2009. That’s when Coastal Link Properties came to life. I’ve been running the business ever since, blending my love for human connection with real estate and property management.

What is your background?

My background is a bit eclectic. I’ve done everything from pressure washing houses to interior design, the mortgage industry, working at UPS, appraisals, sales, and running for RE/Max. I’ve dabbled in just about every facet of the industry over the years, which has led me here to vacation rentals and property management.

Were you always in VR or property management, or is this a 2nd/3rd career?

I started in property management in 2007 and moved through various roles like advertising, interior design, and real estate. However, property management was the one area that truly stuck with me. It’s what I returned to and made my career, especially once I took over Coastal Link Properties.

If a later career, what did you do before?

Before entering property management, I worked in advertising, sales, appraisals, real estate, and interior design. I’ve tried my hand at various jobs, and they all helped shape my current business approach.

Are you from that geographical area, or did you move there later?

I am originally from Gulfport, Mississippi. After graduating high school, I moved to Orange Beach, where I began working for RE/Max. Following that, I relocated several times—first back to Ole Miss, then to Atlanta, Biloxi, and finally Pensacola. Now, I have settled in Pensacola, where Coastal Link Properties continues to grow.

What do you love the most about the VR business?

What I love most about the vacation rental business is the people involved. It’s incredibly rewarding to create beautiful getaways for our guests, but what I find even more fulfilling is the relationships I build with both property owners and guests. I enjoy connecting with everyone and making their experiences memorable.

What do you dislike the most about it?

The only downside for me is dealing with people who are simply unpleasant. It’s rare, but it’s the aspect of the business I don’t enjoy. I much prefer establishing positive, helpful connections.

How do you use OwnerRez to manage your business?

I use OwnerRez for literally everything. It’s a crucial tool in my daily operations and helps me keep everything organized and running smoothly. From booking to communication, it’s my go-to platform.

What is the most useful feature OwnerRez offers?

The calendar is undoubtedly the most useful feature for me. It is a game-changer in terms of managing bookings, and the communication tools with guests are incredibly efficient and user-friendly. It truly helps streamline everything.

It’s inspiring to see how Caroline Jordan has built Coastal Link Properties with passion and dedication! Wishing her continued success as she grows her business and creates unforgettable experiences for guests and homeowners alike.

Hi I have updated info on this --the promo code is working now. It will expire 6/30/2025 and it is good for the monthly subscriptions.  The annual subscription is already discounted 10%.

This promo code was unrecognized by Hello Guest Screen upon sign up.

We are excited to announce our partnership with Topkey to offer users a powerful financial automation solution tailored for vacation rental managers. This collaboration simplifies bookkeeping, automates expense tracking, and streamlines payments, giving you complete control over your financial operations with minimal manual effort. 

About Topkey

Topkey is the leading financial automation platform built specifically for vacation rental managers. Integrating directly into your PMS and accounting software, Topkey provides a single, unified system that automates expenses, bookkeeping, receipts, banking, corporate cards, AP/bill pay, and more.

With over 130 property managers using Topkey, we help you increase profitability by eliminating cash leakage and automating time-consuming financial workflows. As the only expense platform in the property management industry with direct integrations to Visa, American Express, and Mastercard, Topkey delivers unmatched accuracy, flexibility, and confidence over your expenses.

See what customers say about using Topkey at topkey.io/customers.

Features

• No more wild cards - Create and control as many company cards as you need, physical and virtual.
• Spend wisely - See every transaction as it happens and take advantage of intel that reveals opportunities to save even more.
• Spare no expense - Upload receipts and assign expenses to properties on the go, so every purchase is 100% tracked and reimbursed.
• Bank* with confidence - Utilize one solution for business checking and owner deposit accounts to gain a clearer financial picture.

Spend More Time Investing in Your Properties

• Consolidate Systems: Manage credit cards, banking, expenses, and bill pay all in one place and all integrated w/ your PMS and accounting software—no more juggling systems.
• Save Time: Use Topkey's PMS integrations to save time on manual data entry by automating work order and owner charge creation.
• Cut Leakage: Catch every expense and protect your margins.
• Automate Processes: Your team should focus on scaling, not admin work.

Pricing

For pricing details, email info@topkey.io or visit topkey.io.

Happy Friday! From regulatory reforms and real estate restrictions to platform overhauls and pop culture throwbacks, the vacation rental world is buzzing with change.

Airbnb unveiled its 2025 Summer Release this week, marking a significant shift from a home-sharing platform to a comprehensive travel and lifestyle marketplace. The updated app now offers “Airbnb Services,” allowing users to book amenities like private chefs, spa treatments, and personal trainers in over 260 cities. Additionally, “Airbnb Experiences” have been reintroduced, featuring curated activities hosted by locals, including celebrity-led events under the new “Originals” category.

In a move to enhance consumer protection, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has implemented a new rule requiring all short-term lodging businesses, including vacation rentals and platforms like Airbnb, to disclose total prices upfront in advertisements. This regulation targets hidden fees, such as resort or destination charges, ensuring travelers are aware of the full cost before booking. While government taxes are excluded, all mandatory charges known to the business must be included in the listed price.

Australia has enacted a ban on foreign investors purchasing established dwellings from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2027, aiming to increase housing availability for residents. This policy restricts temporary residents, including international students and contract workers, from buying existing properties unless they plan to significantly increase housing stock. The ban is anticipated to reduce the number of properties available for short-term rentals, potentially affecting platforms like Airbnb and impacting local economies reliant on tourism.

Fans of the “Twilight” series can now stay at Bella Swan’s iconic house, featured in the film saga, by booking it on Airbnb. Located in St. Helens, Oregon, the five-bedroom, 1930s whitewashed home served as the filming site for Bella’s residence and is now dubbed the “Twilight Swan House.” Accommodating up to eight guests, the rental boasts a near-perfect rating of 4.99 stars from over 580 reviews, with many guests praising its authenticity and nostalgic value.

That’s a wrap for this week’s updates. Check back next Friday for more news and trends shaping the vacation rental world!

before going through the process of answering a bunch of questions and taking a quiz, I’d like to understand what’s in it for us.

To put it bluntly, if you have to ask this question, the CA program probably isn't for you. 🙂

The broader answer... There are many OwnerRez advanced users (ie. power users, experts) who sell consulting services to others like setting up accounts, giving accounting advice, optimizing rules, setting up websites, etc.  These experts want to show that they are certified by OwnerRez to sell these services, so that they stand out from the crowd. A lot of people claim to understand how OwnerRez works, but do they really? As a new customer, how do you know who to trust before you send someone money. 

A close analogy would be the Microsoft MVP certification or Cisco CCT and CCDA certifications. Oracle, Apple and many other companies offer certifications to show the world who is a tested tried-and-try export at using their software. That's what we are setting up with our new OwnerRez CAP.

If this all sounds like a bunch of pointless testing with no value, then you probably aren't running a consulting business.

Hi, Sam - If you are an OwnerRez user who assists other users by setting up their accounts or answering questions, the Badge is one more way for you to promote your services. Since not everyone will qualify for certification, it is a way to set yourself apart from others.

I would like to be a certified advisor, but before going through the process of answering a bunch of questions and taking a quiz, I’d like to understand what’s in it for us. 

right!

Hi, JRS1!  We have a helpdoc in our Support Center with info on the Certified Advisor program. As you will see, we have a section on Program Policies which defines things a little more. The Badge is a recognition of the Advisor's knowledge but does not cover anything related to the services they offer, their pricing or any agreement an OwnerRez user may make with them. Each Advisor is asked to provide a link to their personal website where you should be able to find more information. I hope that answers your questions. 
https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/certified-advisor-program

Hi, ATA:  I know the learning curve can be a bit much with OwnerRez, but we hope you've found it's well worth it. That's one of the reasons we're excited about offering another resource for new users. Appreciate your being a client for over two years!

Thanks for your note. At this time there are no discounts being offered to Advisors. 

Hi, Tammie!  We're also excited about the Certified Advisor Program and the potential benefits for our users. Thanks for being one of our clients!

Will there be a platform/page that advisors can list their services?  If so, how structured is the profile, services listed, and pricing sections?  Does OR plan on providing any guidelines on pricing or packages or are the company staying completely out of that?

Just curious if there is any benefits to being an advisor?  Like free platform usage?

Thank you for adding this program. It was so overwhelming for me to get started using OR,  I am doing fine now but i am happy that this will be available for new people coming in.

YAY! I feel like you made this just for me! I'm excited to go look at the advisors. 

Connect with experts. Get personalized help. Maximize your success.

We’re excited to announce the launch of the OwnerRez Certified Advisor (CA) Program, designed to connect experienced OwnerRez users with those seeking hands-on guidance and tailored support.

Certified Advisors are seasoned OwnerRez users who have demonstrated deep proficiency in using the platform and are passionate about helping others succeed. Whether you're just getting started or looking to optimize your setup, CAs provide one-on-one assistance beyond the scope of standard OwnerRez support.

What Is a Certified Advisor?

OwnerRez Certified Advisors are independent users who have passed rigorous testing to demonstrate expertise in specific areas of the OwnerRez system. They understand the real-world challenges of managing short-term rentals and offer personalized help with everything from account setup to advanced configurations.

This program empowers OwnerRez users to learn from peers who’ve “been there, done that”, ensuring that the help they receive is both practical and actionable.

Types of Certified Advisor Badges

Certified Advisors can earn badges in various specialties. Our first available badge is:

Account Setup – Demonstrates expertise in configuring OwnerRez accounts for operational use. This includes property setup, rate and rule configuration, messaging templates, and other core features (excluding channels and hosted websites).

More badges are coming soon in areas such as:

• Hosted Websites
• Property Management
• QuickBooks Integration

Program Policies at a Glance

• Certified Advisors are not employees or representatives of OwnerRez.
• There is no fee to become certified, but all CAs must pass specific quizzes and sign an agreement with OwnerRez.
• All services, fees, and expectations are arranged directly between the CA and the user.
• OwnerRez does not assume liability for work performed by a Certified Advisor.

Want to Become a Certified Advisor?

If you're an advanced OwnerRez user and love helping others, consider becoming a Certified Advisor! You’ll have the opportunity to support the community while earning income for your time and expertise.

To qualify, you must:

• Pass a series of quizzes specific to each badge.
• Sign a program agreement.
• You must be an OwnerRez user for at least two years.
• Renew your certification annually if desired (badge shows the latest certification year).

Interested? Fill out our request form here to start your certification journey. The process typically takes 2–3 weeks.

Looking for Help? Find a Certified Advisor

If you’re seeking help with your OwnerRez setup or want expert guidance on best practices, working with a Certified Advisor is a great option. Visit our public Certified Advisors page to browse current advisors, read their bios, and learn about their offerings.

Before getting started, consider these tips:

• Verify their badge is current.
• Set clear expectations for scope, timeline, and deliverables.
• Ask for references or past examples.
• Discuss fees and payment terms upfront.
• Establish regular check-ins and request documentation of their work.
• Use Team Access in OwnerRez to give temporary login access that you can revoke later.

We’re thrilled to see our community grow through shared expertise and peer-to-peer learning. Whether you're offering help or seeking it, the Certified Advisor Program is here to support your journey.

We’re thrilled to roll out our new integration with PetScreening, giving OwnerRez users a smarter, automated way to screen pets and service animals before guests arrive.

About PetScreening

In today’s travel landscape, pet-friendly accommodations are no longer a luxury; they’re a necessity. With more travelers seeking to bring their furry companions along, vacation rental owners have a golden opportunity to tap into this growing market. Enter PetScreening: a comprehensive solution designed to streamline pet management, ensure compliance, and boost your rental’s appeal.

Why Embrace Pet-Friendly Policies?

70% of vacation rentals aren’t pet-friendly, yet a significant portion of travelers are pet owners. By welcoming pets, you not only cater to a broader audience but also increase your booking potential. PetScreening facilitates this transition by offering a platform that handles the intricacies of pet management, ensuring both hosts and guests have a seamless experience. 

Comprehensive Pet Screening Before Check-In

PetScreening requires guests to provide detailed information about their pets, including breed, weight, bite history, and vaccination records. This proactive approach ensures that all pets entering your property are vetted, reducing potential risks and fostering a safe environment for all guests.

Save Time and Mitigate Risks

Managing pet-related documentation can be time-consuming. PetScreening takes the burden off your shoulders by handling the screening process, including validations for emotional support and service animals. This not only ensures compliance with regulations but also minimizes potential liabilities.

Integrate and Automate It All

PetScreening integrates seamlessly with OwnerRez, making pet verification a fully automated part of your guest’s booking experience. Once a guest completes the pet screening, status tags are automatically pushed into OwnerRez, allowing you to view the verification status directly from the bookings screen, and no manual lookup is required. This ensures a consistent, hands-off workflow that aligns with your custom pet policies.

Pricing

PetScreening is offering a limited number of free early adopter slots through the end of 2025. Regular pricing: $10 per pet per booking – no monthly minimums, no contract or base subscription required.

Ready to Connect?

Get started with PetScreening by visiting here and checking out the OwnerRez support article for integrating OwnerRez with PetScreening.