Latest Activity...
I'm looking for more information about this, but in the meantime can you write in to help@ownerrez.com about it, including the ORB## for the booking you're looking at as an example?
Meet Tanya Lee, owner of Vivaro Roatan, a collection of luxury villas in the Caribbean. Inspired by her love for travel and a desire for consistent quality, she’s built a strong hospitality brand focused on delivering five-star service and thoughtful amenities.
I grew up in California as part of a family that was always on the move, which sparked my love for travel at an early age. After meeting my husband, we started a family of our own and had three daughters. It became a priority for us to continue that tradition of travel, introducing our girls to the world and sharing those global experiences together. Today, we split our time between Nashville, California, Roatan, and Italy.
My background is a blend of academic passion, entrepreneurship, and personal adventure. I hold a Master’s in Art History, and while I spent many years as a stay-at-home mom raising our three daughters, I was also involved in helping my husband launch and grow a telecommunications company. I am also a certified yoga instructor and a private pilot.
This was very much an accidental career that grew out of a personal project. When I designed our first home, I drew directly from our family's years of travel. We had stayed in so many vacation rentals where the bedroom quality was wildly inconsistent or the kitchens were poorly provisioned, and I wanted to fix that.
I designed the home specifically to ensure every guest had a high-quality experience, but it started renting so often that we realized we had something special. We quickly understood that scaling was the only way to consistently provide the five-star service and thoughtful amenities we felt were missing in the industry, turning that initial personal vacation home into a professional hospitality business.
While I’m not originally from Roatan, my family chose to build here after our very first visit as tourists. Over the years, the island has become a true home to us, filled with wonderful friends. It is incredibly special to see our family and friends, and now our granddaughter, enjoying the island. Seeing her splash on the tanning ledge makes all the design work worth it, as it’s exactly the kind of multi-generational connection I hoped to create when we first built here.
What I love most is the opportunity to share our homes with others, especially multi-generational families and guests celebrating a special event who are looking for a place to truly connect.
There is nothing more gratifying than reading reviews that praise my fantastic island team for their hard work, or receiving a personal note from a guest saying it was the best family vacation they’ve ever had. Knowing that the spaces I designed helped facilitate those lifelong memories makes the 'accidental' start of this career completely worth it.
If you are in this industry, you already know where to start! The most challenging part is definitely navigating the unexpected costs of upkeep on a tiny Caribbean island; everything from salt-air wear to logistics is just more complicated.
Beyond the physical maintenance, OTAs can be a major hurdle. They often stand in the middle of great communication, which is frustrating because, with large-format properties in a unique location like Honduras, guests naturally have extensive pre-booking questions. It’s much harder to build that initial trust and provide the detailed answers they need when you're restricted by a platform's interface. And of course, there are the challenging guests who don't always realize the amount of heart and effort my team and I put into making everything perfect.
OwnerRez is truly the heart of my backend operations. It is the engine that allows me to manage the business seamlessly from anywhere in the world, whether I am at home or traveling.
The platform’s greatest value is how it enables me to communicate effectively and in a timely manner with every guest. From the first inquiry to the post-stay follow-up, it ensures that no detail falls through the cracks. For large-format properties where guests often have extensive questions, having that centralized hub is the only way to maintain the high level of service and responsiveness that our guests expect.
The most indispensable feature of OwnerRez is how it handles the integration of booking platforms and payments; it is the engine that keeps our global operations synced and secure. We also rely on their hosted website to maintain a professional direct-booking presence.
Having this infrastructure in place is a massive relief as we begin a major remodel of a villa in the Barolo wine region, a structure that hasn't been updated since roughly 1740. While I know we’ll face plenty of historic hurdles during the renovation, I have total confidence that once the work is done, adding Vivaro Monforte to our portfolio and beginning to market it will be a seamless process, thanks to OwnerRez.
Tanya has built a standout hospitality brand by focusing on thoughtful design and creating spaces where families can truly connect. We look forward to seeing Vivaro Roatan continue to grow as she expands into new destinations.
This week, we are excited to feature Justus Smith, an OwnerRez user for over five years and the person behind Ozark Stays. With strong systems in place, Justus has built a portfolio of 15 listings in the Ozarks, driven by his passion for bringing tourism to a beautiful, lesser-known part of the region.
Ozark Stays was born from just a couple of hosts who operated in the same area, brainstorming about how we could bring additional tourism to our area. The Spring River region of the Ozarks posed good investment potential for people starting out in the STR industry, with lower-cost vacation homes and great proximity to a popular spot for rainbow trout fishing and rafting.
I am a data engineer and software integration specialist by trade. This aligned nicely with my ability to self-teach OwnerRez.
I have several pursuits, including VR management. One of my pursuits actually involves OwnerRez, as I am one of the OwnerRez Certified Advisors and consult with new OwnerRez users to help them get integrated and connected to useful 3rd-party applications. So it is a happy marriage between my career as a data engineer and hospitality.
My business partner is a born-and-bred local, whereas I am a regional neighbor. But we both have a love and passion for bringing tourism to our corner of the Ozarks.
I was drawn to the area by its wonderful natural beauty and outdoor pursuits such as fishing and whitewater kayaking.
I love getting to be a part of people's family trips and their memories. Guests so often share great, heartwarming stories about why they're visiting and how much fun they had. And that is so rewarding to me: getting to help shape positive, memorable experiences.
Sometimes there can be difficult customers that cause a good bit of stress, but that's with any industry. You just have to dust yourself off and move on.
I use OwnerRez to automate my logistical processes as much as possible. This frees up my time for higher-level business pursuits and prevents having to hire an admin assistant at a lower scale. I also utilize the PM module to keep track of earnings for Owners and to send them polished Owner Statements.
I'd say above all, it is the Channel Management. Being able to have a central calendar that you can tie other technology into and broadcast across nearly unlimited channels is an absolute game-changer.
Justus has built a strong, efficient business in the Ozarks by combining his technical background with a passion for hospitality. We look forward to seeing Ozark Stays continue to grow.
I was thrilled to see the "Scroll to read entire agreement" text and a modern mobile-friendly aesthetic on the revised Rental Agreement mobile view image you included in the font size update! However, when I went to test it for an upcoming guest who has not yet completed hers, it still shows up the old way. No scroll-explainer text, and not the mobile-stylized version shown in your picture above either.
Is that new view only available for direct bookings when the Confirm & Pay screen comes up? Or only for those who use the default OR rental agreement? I'm perplexed...
My str’s are in Port Aransas,TX. We already pay the same tax as hotels (currently 9%), have an annual registration fee of $500 per property which requires an annual inspection. This seems to be the standard for other tourist heavy towns in TX.
Hi all,
I appreciate the comments! I'm one of the developers working on Baileys Analytics. We're looking to make the best use of the OR API and expose as much information as we can to you all. All of this feedback is super helpful as we look at and draft future updates. Keep it coming. Thanks!
P.S., I did not use Lovable. But I looked it up, and it seems interesting :)
Both of these would be super interesting. Seeing days people search for but don't complete the booking would be very valuable for example.
I have been asking for years data that nobody provides that would be helpful:
Maybe we we can build it with lovable.
People are pumping out those lovable apps! Keep it coming.
This week’s roundup covers Airbnb’s most wishlisted listings across the U.S., a new tax proposal in Victoria, Texas, PriceLabs’ major platform update, and Airbnb’s $150K donation to local nonprofits in New York. Let’s dive in.
Airbnb released on Wednesday its most wishlisted listings across the U.S., pointing to continued demand for unique, experience-driven properties. According to Airbnb, more than half of surveyed travelers in early 2026 said a unique listing would inspire them to visit a destination they had not previously considered, and 86 percent said they are interested in remote or rural destinations. The report highlights an ongoing trend, especially among younger travelers, where the stay itself is playing a bigger role in the overall trip and even influencing the overall destination.
The City of Victoria, Texas, is considering a proposal that would require short-term rentals in the area to pay the same tax as hotels. While the state of Texas already taxes short-term rentals, the city currently does not impose its own local tax. Officials say the goal is to create a more level playing field between STRs and hotels while also generating additional revenue for the city. The proposal, still in its early stages, would also create a registry of short-term rentals and require inspections. Local officials point to a steady rise in short-term rentals in the area since 2017 as a key driver behind the proposal. The measure is under review, making this a good time for local operators to stay informed and make their voice known.
PriceLabs announced on Wednesday the release of its 2026 Revenue Accelerator, a significant update that expands the software beyond setting the daily rate through dynamic pricing to a more complete revenue management tool. The update adds more than 30 new features for vacation rental operators, including: a market-driven base price helper, a safety minimum price setting, a listing optimizer, new forecasting tools, and more. PriceLabs says this release is "designed to transform PriceLabs into your end-to-end revenue growth platform."
Airbnb shared this week that New York hosts have helped direct $150,000 to three local nonprofits focused on preventing homelessness, supporting first-time homeownership, and helping low-income individuals build long-term careers. As part of the initiative, local hosts will also volunteer with each organization, including a “build a bed” event in Albany and a homebuilding day in New York City this summer. The donation builds on more than $3 million Airbnb has contributed to nonprofits across New York in 2025, and is part of Airbnb's goal to distribute $100M to communities through 2030.
As the vacation rental community looks to give back and tools like PriceLabs expand their capabilities, there is a lot already happening in 2026. Check back next week for the latest news.
May kicks off the busy season in many markets, making it a great time to tighten up your operations and learn a few new tips and tricks.🌴
This month’s webinar lineup includes live demos, Q&A sessions, and Focus Sessions covering brand-new and refreshed OwnerRez features, including in-app Tasks and the newly designed Bookings overview page. We’ll also be hosting several partner webinars focused on practical, high-impact topics like choosing the right amenities, driving more bookings, and improving safety. Sign up today and learn something new you can apply to your operations this summer.
We’ll also be attending the 2026 Michigan STR Conference in Grand Rapids, MI. If you’re planning to be there, stop by our booth to meet the team and grab some swag.
In this webinar, we'll share which amenities are consistently selling, how to position them to influence booking decisions, and how to easily implement these strategies into your OwnerRez workflows.
Join us for a live webinar on the brand-new Tasks feature inside OwnerRez. In this Focus Session, we’ll walk through how to use the new in-app Tasks area to manage to-dos, guest requests, and maintenance all in one place.
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 webinar where we’ll walk through how Airbnb evaluates listings, what impacts your visibility, and how you can use OwnerRez to improve performance across the board.
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 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 webinar on Bookings inside OwnerRez. In this Focus Session, Adrielle from our Onboarding Team will give an in-depth tutorial on how to view and manage bookings inside the system. She’ll cover all the key parts of a booking, including rules, charges, messages, and the recently redesigned booking overview page, built to make it faster and easier to scan a booking and take action.
Join us for a live webinar with Justin Ford, Breezeway’s Director of Safety & Certification Programs, to learn how to proactively identify common STR hazards, implement high-impact fixes, and make safety a standard part of how you operate.
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.
Michigan Short Term Rentals is your go-to resource for buying and investing in vacation rentals in the state of Michigan. Whether it’s learning more about township ordinances or learning how to evaluate a short-term property, they've got you covered. Register here!
When: May 7-8, 2026
Where: Grand Rapids, MI
We are excited to announce our new integration with AllStay.ai, giving OwnerRez users a new way to manage cleaning coordination, scheduling, and day-to-day operations.
AllStay.ai is an operations platform for short-term rental hosts, helping automate cleaning coordination, scheduling, and day-to-day workflows. Built to work seamlessly with PMS systems like OwnerRez, AllStay.ai streamlines everything after a booking is made, so you can run your operations with less manual work.
Transparent Pricing. No hidden fees. No long-term contracts. Pay only for the units you manage.
View more pricing info here.
Get started with AllStay.ai by visiting here, and check out the OwnerRez support article for integrating OwnerRez with AllStay.ai.
Episode eleven of Walk ’n Talk: The Business Behind Vacation Rentals podcast is live!
Hosted by Paul Waldschmidt and Chris Hynes, CEO and CTO of OwnerRez, the Walk ’n Talk podcast is inspired by their weekly walks, where they’ve spent years talking through ideas, challenges, and product decisions. Now, those conversations are recorded for you to listen in and walk away with something you can apply to your own business.
In Episode Eleven, Paul and Chris dive into the frequently debated topic of cancellation policies and share what the data is actually showing. They walk through why there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, and how property type, price point, and booking volume all play a role in choosing the right policy for a vacation rental. They also discuss how cancellation policies tie into the guest experience and the overall feel of a stay, beyond just the numbers.
You’ll hear about:
Walk ’n Talk: The Business Behind Vacation Rentals is available on:
New episodes are already in the works, and we can’t wait for you to join us on the walk.
This week, we are highlighting Jacqui Parkhill, owner of Ozark Mountain Shay Getaways and an OwnerRez user since 2019. With a background in real estate and over 15 years in the industry, Jacqui manages all six of her properties on her own using strong systems and automation to keep everything running smoothly.
I have been running my own vacation rental business for about 15 years. Real estate has always been a part of my life. My father and family began investing in rental homes nearly 10 years before I was born, and grew that business to over 150 rental properties across three different states. So in many ways, I grew up around this industry. Vacation rentals, of course, are a very different world compared to traditional long-term rentals, which is how my family started. What I’ve built has evolved into a full-time business, and I truly love the flexibility it provides, allowing me to be home, travel, and create a lifestyle I enjoy.
My background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Marketing from Missouri State University.
I live right in Branson, Missouri, where my properties are located, which makes it much easier to stay hands-on and be available for guests when needed.
One of my favorite parts of this business is the interaction with such a wide variety of guests, along with the creative side of designing and setting up each unit when it’s purchased.
The most challenging part has been managing everything on my own. I don’t have employees, so I personally handle the day-to-day operations and coordinate out any maintenance or additional needs as they arise.
OwnerRez has truly been a game-changer for me. It keeps everything organized and in one place, making it simple to manage reservations, payments, and guest communication.
I especially appreciate how seamlessly it integrates with platforms like Vrbo, Airbnb, and my own direct booking website. Having those systems automated has saved me an incredible amount of time and allows me to run my business much more efficiently.
Jacqui has done an impressive job growing her business while still managing the day-to-day operations on her own. Her story is a great example of how, with the right tools in place, you can manage vacation rentals at scale without a large staff. We look forward to seeing Ozark Mountain Shay Getaways continue to grow.
We’re excited to share our latest integration with Wander, a luxury OTA channel focused on connecting quality properties with quality guests.
Wander.com is a luxury OTA channel focused on the top 10% of short-term rental inventory, where nightly rates consistently outperform Airbnb and Vrbo. Think higher occupancy, better guests, and a brand that commands trust from day one. Wander drives massive demand, with over 750,000 high-intent users in the network and six figures in monthly ad spend fueling growth. That includes differentiated distribution channels most operators can’t access, like influencer partnerships and Comcast TV, where Wander achieves ~100,000 placements daily.
Wander charges 8% + a CC processing fee whenever a booking is completed. Wander is the merchant of record, and payouts are sent 24 hours after guest checkout. No commitment. Sign up and test the Wander channel anytime you'd like.
Get started with Wander by visiting here, and check out the OwnerRez support article for integrating OwnerRez with Wander.
Okay thanks for letting me know Michael, so do we (OwnerRez hosts) decide which system to use since I assume there is no way for both systems to be used at the same time, correct? Does HelloHost, Rezzy AI or any other OwnerRez integration incorporate AI mediated phone conversations?
Hi Cedric,
I'll let Rezzy summarize the features of each for you!
HelloHost vs. Rezzy AI — Key Differences🤖 Rezzy AI (Built into OwnerRez)
Rezzy AI is OwnerRez's own native AI assistant, included directly within the platform. Its guest communication features include:
Rezzy AI Guest Communication > Unified Inbox > Messaging Mode > Booking Transaction Information > Quotes > Pause Responses
🏠 HelloHost (Third-Party Integration)
HelloHost is a purpose-built, third-party AI guest communication platform that connects to OwnerRez via an integration. Key features include:
HelloHost > Steps for Integration > What Data is Transmitted
We’re excited to spotlight Patricia Knight of Desert Vacation Rentals, an outstanding OwnerRez user for many years. What started in 2017, almost by accident, has grown into a focused, sustainable business built on quality over quantity, memorable guest experiences, and strong owner relationships.
I like to call myself an accidental host. I started out as a professional real estate photographer here in the Morongo Basin, and in 2017, one of the homes I photographed unexpectedly turned into my first vacation rental management opportunity. What started as helping with one desert property quickly grew into three, then more, and within six months, I had built the foundation of what would become Desert Vacation Rentals.
At one point, I was managing 27 properties, and that rapid growth taught me a lot about systems, standards, and the importance of building something sustainable instead of simply growing for growth’s sake. Today, my focus is much more intentional: quality over quantity, memorable guest experiences, strong homeowner relationships, and building direct bookings in a sustainable way.
My background is wonderfully layered. Professionally, I come from photography, especially real estate, landscape photography, and astrophotography, which deeply shaped how I approach vacation rentals. Photography trained my eye for detail, visual storytelling, composition, and what makes a property emotionally resonate with a guest before they ever click “book.” But my background goes beyond the creative side.
I’ve also had careers in the medical and legal fields, both of which gave me skills I still rely on daily: communication, calm under pressure, contracts, compliance, systems, and trust. All of those experiences now show up in how I care for guests, communicate with homeowners, and position each home in a highly competitive market.
I officially moved to the Morongo Basin in 1995, so this desert has truly become home. Over the years, I’ve built deep roots here not only through my business, but through the arts community, tourism initiatives, and my love for the landscape itself. Because I’ve lived here for decades, I’m able to offer guests and homeowners something beyond property management: true local insight, community knowledge, and a deep respect for the desert environment. That local connection has become one of the most valuable parts of my business.
What first drew me here was actually a connection that began long before I officially moved here in 1995. I’ve been coming to this desert since I was a baby. My aunt, uncle, and cousins had property here, so my family visited often over the years. Some of my earliest memories are of large family picnics in the Joshua Tree Monument, long before it officially became a National Park in 1994. Those experiences created a deep emotional connection to this landscape from the very beginning.
As I got older, the desert’s light, silence, textures, and endless sense of space continued to pull me in. Later, as a photographer, it became an even bigger source of inspiration. What made me stay was the lifestyle and the community. There’s something incredibly grounding about the desert. It has a way of helping people reconnect with what matters, and I think that’s exactly what so many of our guests are seeking when they come here.
What I love most is the connection. I’ve truly loved meeting new people from all over the world and getting to share this desert with them. So many guests arrive curious about the landscape, and I love helping them better understand the wildlife, the arid environment, the dark skies, and the unique way of living out here. For many, this is their first real desert experience, and I enjoy helping them see the beauty in things they may have never noticed before: the silence, the night sounds, the jackrabbits at dusk, the way the stars feel close enough to touch.
What means the most to me is when that connection continues beyond the stay. I absolutely love when guests send me photos during or after their trip, showing me the sunsets they captured, the wildlife they spotted, or the memories they made. The handwritten thank-you cards and thoughtful little gifts over the years have also stayed with me, from Danish treats and specialty teas from one guest to a recent box of chocolates from guests I helped when their vehicle broke down during their stay.
To me, this business has always been about more than reservations. It’s about people, shared experiences, and creating genuine connections that sometimes last far beyond checkout. Over the years, I’ve even received invitations to stay at guests’ rentals in Australia and France. Hopefully one day I’ll get to do a little more traveling myself.
The hardest part is that hospitality is truly 24/7. Problems don’t always happen during business hours. A hot tub issue, a Wi-Fi outage, or an urgent guest question can come in at any time, and when you care deeply about the guest experience, you’re always mentally prepared to step in. That said, I’ve learned that the right systems make this sustainable. Without strong workflows and automation, this business can quickly become overwhelming. With the right systems in place, it becomes scalable and far more enjoyable.
Honestly, I would be lost without OwnerRez. I still remember the early days before I expanded beyond Airbnb. When I first started branching out to list properties on Vrbo and Booking.com, I was literally using a paper calendar and colored pencils to keep track of reservations and cleanings. Back then, I wasn’t just managing the rentals, I was also personally cleaning every property, so I had different colors for arrivals, departures, and cleaning schedules spread across multiple homes. It worked for a while, but it quickly became obvious that it wasn’t sustainable if I wanted to grow.
I actually worked with two other software vendors before finding OwnerRez, and over the years, I’ve also demoed other platforms as my business evolved. For me and the way I run my business, OwnerRez is the one that truly meets my needs. Today, it’s the operational backbone of my business. I use it to manage channel distribution across Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and direct bookings, while also handling guest messaging automations, rental agreements, security deposits, payment processing, PM commissions, owner statements, and financial reporting.
One of the biggest advantages has been the ability to manage properties across different states and even, at one point, different countries; the U.S. and France. Being able to easily set different time zones, currencies, taxes, and operational rules was huge. Because I manage multiple homes with different owners, transparency is critical. OwnerRez allows me to keep everything centralized, accurate, and easy to communicate. It’s truly the system that allowed me to scale from a paper calendar operation into a professional hospitality business without losing the personal touch.
The feature I probably value the most is the rental agreements and the ability to securely hold security deposits. I truly believe this is one of the biggest reasons I’ve had so few bad guest experiences over the years. I’ve heard plenty of horror stories from other hosts online and even from people here in my local market, but I’ve always felt that holding guests to a higher standard from the very beginning creates fewer problems in the long run.
When guests know they are signing a clear rental agreement and that there is accountability through a security deposit hold, it sets the tone for mutual respect. It attracts the kind of guests who value the home, understand expectations, and treat the property with care. That one feature alone has protected both my homeowners’ investments and my own peace of mind.
Beyond that, having so much information in one central hub is absolutely vital to success and, honestly, to one’s sanity in this hospitality business. Being able to manage agreements, deposits, guest communication, financials, owner reporting, and property details all in one place creates the kind of structure that makes long-term growth possible. For me, OwnerRez helps create both better guest behavior and better business systems, which is a powerful combination.
Patricia’s approach is a great example of how to grow a business with passion and intention. We are excited to see Desert Vacation Rentals continue to deliver memorable guest experiences for years to come.
This week, we are highlighting John Muuse, owner of Beach Vacations OBX and an OwnerRez user since 2020. With a wide range of properties from quaint seaside cottages to large oceanfront estates, John draws on decades of hands-on experience and a genuine passion for the area to deliver exceptional service and local insight to his guests.
I grew up along Lake Michigan, so being on the water was a big part of my life from an early age. Summers were spent fishing, boating, and enjoying the beaches, and our family often camped on nearby lakes. Some years, we would even rent a house in the Outer Banks, which gave me an early appreciation for the coast as well. Growing up surrounded by inland lakes and Lake Michigan meant we spent as much time on the water as possible, from summer well into the fall and even early winter before the lakes froze. Those experiences really shaped my love for the water and the outdoors.
No, I wasn’t always in the vacation rental business. My first career was as a civil engineer with Norfolk Southern Railroad. In many ways, that experience prepared me well for property management. A big part of managing vacation rentals and owning properties is responding quickly when issues arise, as well as constantly looking for ways to improve and protect what you have. If a guest calls with a problem, you have to be able to respond right away. Working for the railroad was very similar; if a tree was down on the tracks or there was a broken rail, it didn’t matter what time of day it was, we had to respond immediately and get things resolved. That mindset of staying proactive and handling issues quickly has translated really well into the vacation rental world.
I’m not originally from the areas where my properties are located. My first career eventually brought me closer to the Southeast, with my last transfer being to Richmond, Virginia. That move put me within reach of places like North Carolina and Florida, where my properties are today. From there, I eventually transitioned into the vacation rental and property management path.
Yes, there were definitely things that drew me to the area. Growing up near Lake Michigan, I always loved being around the water: boating, fishing, and spending time on the beach. As a kid, my family would sometimes vacation in the Outer Banks, and those trips left a lasting impression on me. Later, when my career brought me closer to the Southeast, it felt like a natural fit to invest in areas like North Carolina and Florida that offered that same connection to the water and coastal lifestyle.
What I love most about the vacation rental business is how flexible and portable it is. In many ways, it’s a business that can travel with you. The same core principles: taking care of guests, maintaining properties well, and responding quickly when issues arise, apply almost anywhere. That makes it a unique industry where you can operate and grow in different locations while still relying on the same fundamentals.
One of the more challenging parts of the vacation rental business is that it’s not really a 9-to-5 job. Issues can come up at any time, late at night, on weekends, or during holidays, and guests expect quick responses. While that level of responsiveness is important for providing a great experience, it does mean you always have to be ready to jump in and solve a problem when something unexpected happens.
I use OwnerRez as the central hub for managing my vacation rental business. It helps me handle reservations, track payments, and communicate with guests efficiently. I rely on it to coordinate calendars, automate confirmations and reminders, and keep all property information organized. It also makes reporting and analyzing performance much easier, so I can quickly see what’s working and where improvements can be made. Overall, it’s a key tool that keeps the business running smoothly and allows me to respond quickly when issues arise.
Being able to sync calendars, automate guest communications (like confirmations, check‑in instructions, and reminders), and manage bookings all from one place saves a huge amount of time. That automation not only reduces errors, it also ensures guests get the information they need quickly and consistently, which makes for a much smoother experience on both sides.
John has built a strong, full-service business in the Outer Banks by combining his passion for the water with strong operations. We look forward to seeing Beach Vacations OBX continue to grow.
Episode ten of Walk ’n Talk: The Business Behind Vacation Rentals podcast is now live!
Welcome to the Walk ’n Talk podcast, hosted by Paul Waldschmidt and Chris Hynes, CEO and CTO of OwnerRez. Inspired by their weekly walks, each episode captures the candid conversations that have shaped product decisions and strategy over the years at OwnerRez. Whether you’re a host, manager, entrepreneur, or just curious how the industry works, this is a chance to listen in and hopefully walk away with ideas you can apply to your own business.
In Episode Ten, Paul and Chris talk about execution, why sometimes “ugly” is the most effective way to build, and the danger of getting caught up in the design before the underlying functionality is there. They also discuss how AI is changing the way they develop the product, lowering the cost of testing new ideas, and making it easier to maintain a consistent mindset long enough to refine and improve what they’re working on.
You’ll hear about:
Walk ’n Talk: The Business Behind Vacation Rentals is available on:
New episodes are already in the works, and we can’t wait for you to join us on the walk.
This is the release many have been waiting for... Recurring Triggers is here! Think "trash reminders" or other needs that benefit from a messaging reminder. But we didn't stop there. April brought along many more things: granularity to scheduled triggers, Tasks for Teams, Ask Rezzy now in-app, the redesign of the Rental Agreement guest form, Announcements revamp, simplified Taxes, and much more! Proceed on!
You requested, OwnerRez delivered. With 200 votes, it was at the top of the list of open feature requests. Recurring Triggers for managing message-based reminders, such as trash reminders, was released on April 15th, enabling users to configure triggers on a recurring schedule (e.g., weekly, monthly) for guest-occupied and vacant properties. OwnerRez also included new Property templates to use when your property is vacant, but you still want to remind someone (e.g., neighbor, cleaner) about a task at your specific property.
Configure your own recurring trigger by navigating to Settings > Messaging > Triggers > + Create Trigger > Type > Recurring.
In the Recurring section, determine who you want to send your message template to: a current guest (Occupied), someone like a neighbor or cleaner (Vacant), or to the same contact regardless of the property occupancy status.When Occupied properties is selected, only Booking type email, channel, and SMS templates can be used. When Vacant properties or Occupied and Vacant properties are chosen, only Property type email and SMS message templates can be utilized.
In the Recurrence section, users can set up their trigger to send their message template to repeat weekly or monthly, on a specific day of the week or month, at a specific time of day, and on a specific start date.
Scheduled triggers send your selected message template at predetermined times based on booking events, such as before or after a Booking arrives or departs, or Blocked-off Time starts or ends. OwnerRez has improved Scheduled Triggers, enabling users to set a trigger to activate a specific number of minutes before or after an event, in 10-minute increments. This enhancement, introduced in our April 8th release, offers greater flexibility and precision in guest messaging.
To see this improvement in action, navigate to Settings > Messaging > Triggers > + Create Trigger or edit an existing trigger > Type > Scheduled.
When Minutes before or after are selected, you can specify how many minutes, in 10-minute increments, before or after the event you want your message template sent by your scheduled trigger.
There should never be any shame in your guest communication game. Explore all of OwnerRez's dynamic messaging options.
OwnerRez allows users to grant Team Access to their Staff Members or Portal Users (owners, cleaners, maintenance staff, etc.) to view calendar availability and perform actions such as blocking time or viewing owner statements. With our April 8th release, we've expanded Team Access to include Task management, with configurable roles for both Limited Access Staff and Portal users: Manager to resolve Tasks or Worker to view, create/modify, or resolve assigned Tasks.
Configure your Team Access Tasks by navigating to Team Access > and + Invite Staff/Portal Member or edit an existing Staff/Portal Member > Tasks section, and check the Allow access to tasks with role of Worker or Manager checkbox.
Users can grant Managers permission to Limited Access Staff and Portal users to resolve Tasks by checking the Resolve tasks checkbox.
Users can grant Workers permission to Limited Access Staff and Portal users to view, create/modify, or resolve assigned Tasks by selecting the appropriate checkboxes.
Remember that Full Access Staff Members have complete access to your account and are essentially a duplicate of you, so there's no need to configure Tasks management for them.
In case you missed our April 23, 2026, 👀 First Look: Tasks just got a big upgrade (yes, another one!) email, OwnerRez added some powerful new improvements to Tasks with our April 22nd release. These enhancements make Tasks a more complete task management system, helping your team stay organized and communicate clearly by collaborating and documenting the work in one place, with attached documents (e.g., photos, invoices, project documents), sharing updates, and tracking maintenance projects.
Ask Rezzy — free, in-app, and ready to help you anytime! OwnerRez implemented our free Ask Rezzy tool as an in-app popup, which remains accessible as users navigate between different pages within the app, with our release on April 29th.
Just click the in-app Help menu to activate Rezzy and get assistance.
You can also start a new chat, expand the Rezzy window, minimize or close Rezzy directly in her top menu.
Used by over 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp Business supports vacation rental businesses of all sizes. In case you missed our April 6, 2026, You asked for WhatsApp. We built it. Still want in? email, OwnerRez released our WhatsApp Business (Private Beta) integration on April 15th for ad-hoc guest communication, letting you connect directly with your guests in the OwnerRez Inbox.
A streamlined contact and rental agreement guest form reduces friction and offers guests a professional, hassle-free experience, building confidence in your property. With our April 29th release, OwnerRez redesigned the Rental Agreement guest form for enhanced user-friendliness, allowing guests to update contact information and sign agreements on a single page. This new one-step process captures the same data while maintaining signature verification, timestamping, and IP tracking. It also features real-time preview updates and improved phone number validation.
Users can see this new Rental Agreement guest form in action by navigating to a specific Booking > Legal > Request e-Signature, selecting an agreement from the dropdown list, and, on the Request an e-Signature from Guest Name, clicking Preview.
Guests can now also scroll through and read the entire rental agreement by either using the right scroll bar or clicking the Scroll to read entire agreement button at the bottom of the agreement.
Keeping up with OwnerRez news, new features, and important updates directly within the app ensures you don't miss anything critical. In case you missed our March 31st 👀 First Look: Smarter, cleaner announcements email blast, OwnerRez's announcement system was upgraded in our April 1st release to be less disruptive, more organized, and easier to respond to. Although the changes may seem minor, we believe they will greatly improve your daily workflow.
After our August 27th Discounts & Surcharges release, OwnerRez shifted our focus to taxes. With our April 1st release, we simplified the tax creation and editing process, with a look and feel similar to our discounts and surcharges areas. Additionally, we added a dedicated section for Airbnb passthrough taxes, allowing property-specific registration numbers and business tax IDs to be added.
Experience the new tax functionality yourself by navigating to Settings > Pricing > Taxes. If fewer than ten taxes are configured, they will be displayed in a tile format. Accounts with more than ten taxes configured will appear in the previous grid format.
The new, simplified tax creation page is much more intuitive, allowing you to select the tax type from the dropdown list right at the top.
When Airbnb is selected in the Channels section, the Airbnb Passthrough Taxes section (if required) appears dynamically, allowing you to enter your Business Tax ID (EIN) and the property's tax jurisdiction Registration Numbers for each property when you click on the associated buttons.
Additionally, OwnerRez improved the display and new Tax Rate and Channel configurations for existing taxes.
Looking for accounting assistance? Explore OwnerRez Accounting integration options.
As a follow-up to our February 18th Booking Overview release, OwnerRez updated the Quotes Overview in our April 29th release to ensure alignment and consistency. Just like the Booking Overview, the improved Quote Overview is a more organized, visually structured Overview layout that includes the same types of information in the same places, making it simpler to locate and edit guest quotes.
High-quality property photos create a strong first impression, build trust, and can influence a traveler's decision to book your property over a competitor's. OwnerRez redesigned the property photo upload process for improved efficiency, uses existing embedded color profiles during processing for more accurate color reproduction, and visual fingerprinting technology to detect duplicate or similar images during upload with our April 29th release.
When you upload a photo that looks like one already in the gallery (even at different resolutions or compression levels), you'll see a side-by-side comparison noting duplicates. Clicking the Dismiss link automatically replaces lower-quality copies with your higher-quality version, keeping your property galleries clean and organized.You can now edit photos in either grid view (with drag-to-reorder) or the new list view (with inline batch editing for captions and metadata) by clicking on the top right Grid and List View icons.
Additionally, we resolved some photo-sorting issues that caused photos to go out of sync when deleting or saving changes, ensuring sequential numbering is maintained with this release.
Thinking about upping your guest communication game? Explore all of our dynamic messaging options.
Online booking forms simplify reservations, reduce email back-and-forth, automatically capture guest information, provide instant confirmations, and operate 24/7. OwnerRez redesigned the Confirm & Pay guest form to show or hide sections based on host booking requirements with our April 15th release. This allows guests to finalize bookings more quickly and easily when options like travel insurance or security deposit sections may be unnecessary, with clearer labeling for a better guest experience.
Strategic discounts can enhance your vacation rental's performance by attracting more guests, encouraging longer stays, and filling gaps in your booking calendar. OwnerRez reorganized and renamed some Discounts to enhance usability, simplify pricing rules, minimize errors, and improve promotion management as part of our April 29th release. Changes include the following.
✅ The Supplemental Discounts section was renamed to Guest Applied DiscountsThe OwnerRez PM Owner Statement Summary is a summary report that contains owner income and expense totals based on your remittances. OwnerRez improved the Owner Statement Summary report Excel exports to include professional formatting with merged headers, proper indentation, grouped sections for Income and Expenses, and calculated totals using formulas with our April 29th release.
Check out the Owner Statement Summary report Excel export by navigating to PM > Reports > Owner Statement Summary > Run Report > Export.
Are you starting to manage vacation rentals on behalf of other property owners? Consider using OwnerRez's Property Management premium feature!
Setting nightly rates several years in advance lets you take advantage of peak pricing on high-demand dates before market conditions change and competitors respond. In our April 1st release, OwnerRez expanded the Nightly Rates calendar display from two to three years, enabling you to set rates for your market's busy periods.
The OwnerRez booking overview page features a modern, organized layout. Following our February 18th Booking Overview release, OwnerRez identified additional improvements to enhance space efficiency on both mobile and desktop, and updated print formatting for better readability when printing booking details.
On desktop, we combined the financial information, Guest Balance, and Net Financials into a single section that you can toggle to view each individually.
Additionally, we moved the Booking Overview Source section under the Guests and Door Code sections for greater space efficiency.
On mobile, we condensed the Booking Overview layout to display essential information at the top, with collapsible financial details.
OwnerRez long had channel rules that could be overridden at the property level, which often caused more confusion than clarity. In our April 1st update, OwnerRez moved the Airbnb-specific Required Gaps setting from the channel level to the property level for better clarity and flexibility. Additionally, the Professional Hospitality Business setting, which is no longer supported by Airbnb, has been removed, and all Airbnb property types can now be selected in the Property Accommodations Type dropdown list.
You'll notice the Required Gap update when you go to Properties > your specific Property > Listing Content > Channel Rules > Change > Required Gaps.
In the Property > Listing Content > Accommodations > Type > Airbnb dropdown list, you'll see that all Airbnb property types are now available for selection.
We value our users and aim to retain everyone, but we recognize our service might not suit everyone. Previously, canceling your OwnerRez subscription meant immediate loss of access to reports and important data. Rather than closing your account immediately, OwnerRez now allows users to retain access until the end of their current billing cycle, with our April 1st release.
After users close their accounts in the Billing section, the Pending account closure date will be displayed with a red label.
Authorize.net has a Fraud Detection Suite that can detect some potential mismatches in card security code, a high rate of card attempts, and other scenarios. However, OwnerRez does not support Authorize.net's "Authorize and Hold for Review" option because they don't return the correct approval/decline code to OwnerRez, so the payment can't be recorded automatically.
OwnerRez added a system email notification to warn users when their Authorize.net account is configured with the unsupported "Authorize and Hold for Review" setting, which includes a link to OwnerRez's support article explaining how to properly configure Authorize.net's fraud settings as part of our April 15th release.
Improve layout in Quality Center reviews section. OwnerRez enhanced the layout in the Quality Center Reviews section by fixing tab misalignment and removing the Import/Export icon label text to match other in-app designs for smaller screens, improving the mobile experience.
Update Channel Rate Tester to show Promos not included when running for Vrbo. OwnerRez improved the Vrbo Promotions display in the Channel Rate Tester by listing them in the Notes section at the top of the results, with clearer messaging that explains they're not included in the rates and renamed "Adjustments" to "Notes" for clarity.
Remove tax attestation checkbox for Airbnb integration. Following the April 1st Taxes release, OwnerRez removed the requirement to check the Airbnb tax attestation checkbox because it was causing errors due to missing Registration or Business Tax IDs.
Add warning alert for Airbnb Limited 14-day cancellation policy. Since Airbnb users must verify their eligibility for this policy in their region, OwnerRez has added a warning message that is displayed when selecting the Limited (firm_14) cancellation policy for Airbnb channels or property rules.
Add character limit and validation for Hosted Website blog posts.Instead of silently truncating excess content, OwnerRez has implemented a character limit and validation in the Hosted Website blog post editor to display a character counter and prevent saving when content exceeds 64 KB.
Convert large outgoing Unified Inbox SMS attachments to downloadable links. OwnerRez has improved SMS messaging by converting large file attachments into downloadable links when sent from the Inbox, preventing delivery failures, and ensuring consistent behavior with other SMS features.
Improve Booking Overview display of Booking.com and Vrbo reservation IDs. OwnerRez improved the display of the reservation ID in the Booking Overview for channel-integrated bookings. Booking.com now shows only the reservation ID (without room ID suffix), and Vrbo bookings display the OwnerRez booking ID instead of the channel reservation ID.
Mark Airbnb Channel Bridge as deprecated. As noted in-app and the support center, the OwnerRez Airbnb Channel Bridge is now deprecated in favor of our full-featured Airbnb channel integration. The Vrbo Channel Bridge tool continues to support bookings.
Prevent selection of damage deposit category for offline surcharges. OwnerRez improved the Offline Surcharge process by preventing the selection of the damage deposit category, which caused Vrbo sync errors.
Support search for more Contact phone number formats. OwnerRez implemented more phone number filtering in the contacts grid to support different phone number formats. In addition to the previously supported numeric-only formats, phone number filters in the contacts grid now support parentheses, dashes, and spaces.
OwnerRez's monthly Product Update blog posts summarize the new features, enhancements, tweaks, and design progress released throughout the month. Additionally, you can review our weekly Changelogs for a complete list of each week's releases.
We’re pleased to introduce our latest integration with Hopy Suite, a platform built to help property managers automate guest communication and streamline messaging through WhatsApp.
Hopy Suite is a platform designed for property managers who want to automate communication, especially on WhatsApp.
It allows you to:
Automate up to 70% of your messages
With Hopy, you can set:
Write it once, and the system takes care of the rest.
Built around WhatsApp
Hopy is designed around WhatsApp:
And you manage everything from a single platform.
Simple to use
No complex setup. No technical skills required.
Just:
A key advantage: language and support
When you use a tool every day, working in your own language makes a real difference.
Hopy is available in 5 languages (Italian, English, Spanish, French, and German), so you can use the platform comfortably in your preferred language.
Customer support is available in Italian, English, and Spanish, a big plus when you need fast and clear assistance.
Hopy Suite starts from €210 per month, with a 20% discount on annual plans. You can also add features, users, and roles as needed, without having to upgrade to a higher plan right away, giving you full flexibility as your business grows.
Get started with Hopy Suite by visiting here and checking out the OwnerRez support article for integrating OwnerRez with Hopy Suite.
Hey Jenny,
Following up here, we haven't been able to make contact with you per our reply. Is there a good number or email address to reach you at? If you prefer, you can also send an email to, Adam@PaywithCause.com
This week’s roundup covers Airbnb’s latest expansion beyond stays, new short-term rental regulations in South Lake Tahoe, fresh data on traveler preferences, and an upcoming industry rally focused on STR advocacy. Let’s dive in.
Airbnb announced this week that it is introducing private car services through a new partnership with Welcome Pickups, designed to make arrivals more seamless for guests. Airbnb says, “the best trips often start with one simple thing: getting there stress-free.” After booking a stay in an eligible city, guests will now be automatically prompted in the Trips tab to schedule a private ride directly to their listing. The service is now available in more than 125 cities across Asia, Europe, and Latin America, with additional cities and regions expected to roll out throughout 2026.
South Lake Tahoe’s City Council approved updates to its Vacation Home Rental regulations this week, introducing a new framework for short-term rentals in residential areas. The updated rules remove the previous 150-foot buffer required between vacation rentals and instead establish a cap of 900 permits. Additional changes include a new minimum renter age of 25, expanded eligibility for ADUs, and new reporting and enforcement measures such as room-night tracking and an updated appeals process. The ordinance is set to take effect in late April. Those previously disqualified due to the 150-foot buffer can reapply for permits starting April 23rd, opening up new opportunities for operators.
NerdWallet released the results from a recent survey this week examining traveler preferences between hotels and vacation rentals. The study found that 51% of Americans prefer vacation rentals over hotels. Digging into the data reveals a clear generational divide in those preferences. According to the survey, younger travelers and families are much more likely to favor vacation rentals, often driven by the need for more space and group accommodations, while older travelers tend to lean toward hotels for their consistency, amenities, and loyalty programs. It’s an interesting look into which travelers are choosing vacation rentals and how this generational divide may impact the industry in the coming years.
Beyond this week's announcement of private car services, Airbnb is already looking ahead to what’s next, including the potential addition of flights. In an interview this week with Skift, Airbnb's Chief Business Officer Dave Stephenson said the platform is considering adding flights as part of its long-term strategy, noting that “Airbnb’s goal is to provide guests with a better and more well-rounded travel experience.” The comments reflect Airbnb’s continued vision to expand beyond stays and to build toward a more complete travel platform.
In upcoming news, the Right to Rent Collaborative (R2RC) is hosting a live Industry Rally on April 8th, bringing together short-term rental operators and industry partners for a critical briefing on the future of STRs. Across the country, the rules of the short-term rental industry are being rewritten, often without hosts at the table, as local bans and unpredictable tax changes continue to impact operators. The open virtual event is designed to provide a blueprint to protect the right to operate, with a focus on how coordinated efforts are beginning to outperform fragmented approaches and what a long-term advocacy infrastructure could look like for the industry. The session will be led by Julie Marks of R2RC and Dana Lubner of Rent Responsibly. You can register for the event here.
As platforms roll out new offerings and look for new ways to reach guests, the vacation rental industry continues to evolve. Check back next week for the latest news.
The main advantage as I see it would be WhatsApp integration.
How is this different than Rezzy AI?
How is HelloHost different than using Rezzy AI?
This week’s roundup covers new short-term rental legislation in Pennsylvania, a major court decision in Spain, Airbnb’s push into lesser-known U.S. destinations, and a new pricing model from Lake.com. Let’s dive in.
Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced House Bill 2303 this week, which would create a statewide regulatory framework for short-term rentals. The proposal, if passed, would require vacation rental operators to register their properties through countywide registries, designate a 24/7 local contact, and comply with baseline health, safety, and occupancy standards. It also establishes three separate regulatory categories: homestays, vacation rentals, and corporate STR operations, with stricter requirements applied to larger-scale operators. The bill aims to create consistent, baseline standards for short-term rental properties while preserving flexibility for local communities. A public hearing is scheduled for March 25th. If you are a vacation rental operator in Pennsylvania, now is a great time to get involved, as the bill is still in its early stages.
Previously reported in Industry News on December 19th, the Spanish government fined Airbnb 64 million euros, or about 75 million U.S. dollars, for advertising short-term rentals without valid licenses or accurate registration information. This week, a Spanish high court ordered Airbnb to pay the fine, rejecting the company’s request to delay payment while it appeals the ruling. Airbnb says it still plans to challenge the fine. The decision reflects Spain’s continued push to enforce short-term rental regulations and hold platforms accountable for compliance.
Airbnb released its first-ever “America Off-the-Map” list this week, spotlighting lesser-known destinations where short-term rentals are driving new opportunities for tourism. The report highlights the role short-term rentals play in dispersing travel across smaller communities, rather than concentrating demand in already crowded destinations. Airbnb reports that in 2025, hosts earned more than $9.9 billion in areas with no hotels, accounting for nearly 40% of all U.S. host earnings, as interest in rural getaways continues to grow. The list includes emerging markets such as Sekiu, Washington; Matador, Texas; and Sodus Point, New York, among others.
Lake.com announced this week the launch of a new tiered membership model designed to give vacation rental operators more control over distribution and revenue. The new structure introduces two annual subscription plans: a Premium tier for independent hosts at $499 per year and a Portfolio tier for professional hosts at $3,999, both offering 0% commission on bookings. Hosts can continue using Lake.com’s standard pay-per-transaction option with a 10% commission, or choose one of the new annual subscription models offering 0% commission and direct booking tools. CEO David Ciccarelli said in a statement, “We’re giving them the option to choose the approach that works best for their business, whether that’s a commission model or paying once for the year and keeping more of what they earn.”
As new regulations take shape in the U.S. and listing platforms look to innovate, the vacation rental landscape continues to evolve this spring. Check back next week for the latest news.
This week’s roundup highlights rising demand tied to concerts and festivals, new short-term rental legislation in Washington, D.C., fresh data from AirDNA on the European market, and a helpful glimpse into what travelers are looking for before they book. Let’s dive in.
Airbnb released a report this week that highlights a surge in concert and festival-driven travel, with major events fueling triple-digit increases in search demand across cities like Boston, New York, Chicago, and more. In Boston alone, searches are up nearly 600 percent for BTS and more than 200 percent for artists like Noah Kahan and Ariana Grande. Airbnb also points to an emerging trend of increased group travel among Gen Z guests during these events, as friends book larger homes and turn concerts and festivals into shared travel experiences. For vacation rental operators, now is a great time to identify major events in your area that could drive demand and adjust your pricing strategy accordingly.
A newly proposed bill in Washington, D.C. could have notable impacts on the vacation rental industry in the city by expanding access to short-term rentals for tenants and introducing a new “special event” license. The proposal would allow renters to operate short-term rentals in their primary residence, marking a shift from current rules that largely limit hosting to property owners. The bill also introduces a “special event” license that would allow residents to rent out their homes during designated events and holidays without being present during a guest’s stay, similar to the temporary event-based permits Kansas City put in place ahead of the World Cup, covered in Industry News on November 14th.
AirDNA released its latest European market review on Wednesday, showing a slower start to 2026 as short-term rental supply continues to grow while demand softens in the "shoulder seasons" across many markets. The report indicates a more stable growth rate across Europe in the year ahead, with demand expected to be more concentrated between May and September. It also highlights that the ongoing conflict in Iran is starting to drive higher cancellation rates across European countries. At the same time, the upcoming solar eclipse in August is driving a noticeable increase in demand across Iceland and inland Spain.
Reader’s Digest released an interesting article this week highlighting the importance of carbon monoxide detectors in short-term rentals and hotels. The article notes that they spoke with three experts to identify the “one thing” every traveler should always check before booking any temporary home away from home, pointing specifically to the presence of carbon monoxide detectors. For vacation rental operators, this serves as a great reminder to always have and clearly highlight safety features in property listings.
As traveler behavior shifts and new regulations emerge, the vacation rental landscape continues to evolve. Check back next week for the latest news.
Yes, please. I would like to donate to my local P.E.O. chapter in Georgetown to be used forlocal scholarships for women.
That sounds great! Please shoot a quick email to adam@paywithcause.com and I can send you more info.
Adam Pierce
Sales Director
248-956-0434
Adam@paywithcause.com
