How to start a short-term rental business

Quick answer

This playlist explains the short-term rental business, from becoming a host to choosing a market, running the numbers, following local rules and keeping guests happy. It includes Airbnb, BiggerPockets and reporting from CNBC and The Wall Street Journal. Use Play all on repeat as a course, or loop one analysis example until it makes sense.

Play all on repeat

Videos in this playlist

  1. 1How to Become a Host on Airbnb | AirbnbHow to Become a Host on Airbnb | AirbnbAirbnbPlay from here Loop
  2. 2How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in 5 StepsHow to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in 5 StepsBiggerPocketsPlay from here Loop
  3. 3Short vs. Medium vs. Long-Term Rental Investing: Which Earns More?Short vs. Medium vs. Long-Term Rental Investing: Which Earns More?BiggerPocketsPlay from here Loop
  4. 4Medium-Term Rentals: The Best Alternative to Airbnbs?Medium-Term Rentals: The Best Alternative to Airbnbs?Real Estate RookiePlay from here Loop
  5. 5The 3 Factors to Look for in Short-Term Rental MarketsThe 3 Factors to Look for in Short-Term Rental MarketsReal Estate RookiePlay from here Loop
  6. 6How to Analyze a Short Term Rental Investment (The Enemy Method)How to Analyze a Short Term Rental Investment (The Enemy Method)BiggerPocketsPlay from here Loop
  7. 7How to Calculate Vacation Rental Profits (In 5 Minutes)How to Calculate Vacation Rental Profits (In 5 Minutes)BiggerPocketsPlay from here Loop
  8. 8Stop Being Scared of “Seasonality” When Analyzing Vacation RentalsStop Being Scared of “Seasonality” When Analyzing Vacation RentalsBiggerPocketsPlay from here Loop
  9. 9Will New Short-Term Rental Regulations Affect Investors?Will New Short-Term Rental Regulations Affect Investors?Real Estate RookiePlay from here Loop
  10. 10Will Short-Term Rental Ordinances Cut Your Cash Flow?Will Short-Term Rental Ordinances Cut Your Cash Flow?BiggerPocketsPlay from here Loop
  11. 11Airbnb Sues San Francisco Over Host Requirements | Tech Bet | CNBCAirbnb Sues San Francisco Over Host Requirements | Tech Bet | CNBCCNBCPlay from here Loop
  12. 12Airbnb's Battle with NYC Rental Laws | CNBCAirbnb's Battle with NYC Rental Laws | CNBCCNBCPlay from here Loop
  13. 13Airbnb's Legal Fight in N.Y. ExplainedAirbnb's Legal Fight in N.Y. ExplainedThe Wall Street JournalPlay from here Loop
  14. 14Airbnb Tax Tips: How To Know What You Owe the IRS | #TheShortAnswer w/Jason BelliniAirbnb Tax Tips: How To Know What You Owe the IRS | #TheShortAnswer w/Jason BelliniThe Wall Street JournalPlay from here Loop
  15. 15The Best Short-Term Rental Tax Write-offsThe Best Short-Term Rental Tax Write-offsBiggerPocketsPlay from here Loop
  16. 16The Best Loans for Vacation Rentals (10% Down!)The Best Loans for Vacation Rentals (10% Down!)Real Estate RookiePlay from here Loop
  17. 175 Essential Tips and Tricks for New Airbnb Hosts5 Essential Tips and Tricks for New Airbnb HostsNerdWallet Small BusinessPlay from here Loop
  18. 18The Short-Term Rental "Core Four"The Short-Term Rental "Core Four"Real Estate RookiePlay from here Loop
  19. 196 Vacation Rental Tips for Bigger Bookings & Better Reviews6 Vacation Rental Tips for Bigger Bookings & Better ReviewsReal Estate RookiePlay from here Loop
  20. 20Boost Your Vacation Rental Bookings (Property Listing Tweaks)Boost Your Vacation Rental Bookings (Property Listing Tweaks)BiggerPocketsPlay from here Loop
  21. 215 Tools Every Vacation Rental Host Needs5 Tools Every Vacation Rental Host NeedsBiggerPocketsPlay from here Loop
  22. 223 Ways to Find Short-Term Rental Cleaners & Housekeepers3 Ways to Find Short-Term Rental Cleaners & HousekeepersBiggerPocketsPlay from here Loop
  23. 23Designing & Decorating a Beachside Vacation RentalDesigning & Decorating a Beachside Vacation RentalReal Estate RookiePlay from here Loop
  24. 245-Star Hosting | Airbnb5-Star Hosting | AirbnbAirbnbPlay from here Loop
  25. 25New Tools for Hosting Your Home on AirbnbNew Tools for Hosting Your Home on AirbnbAirbnbPlay from here Loop
  26. 26New updates for hosts | AirbnbNew updates for hosts | AirbnbAirbnbPlay from here Loop
  27. 276 Mistakes That Will RUIN Your Short-Term Rental Investment6 Mistakes That Will RUIN Your Short-Term Rental InvestmentBiggerPocketsPlay from here Loop
  28. 285 Things I Wish I Knew Before Investing in Short-Term Rentals5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Investing in Short-Term RentalsBiggerPocketsPlay from here Loop
  29. 29Buying a Short-Term Rental? Don't Fall for These "Value Adds"Buying a Short-Term Rental? Don't Fall for These "Value Adds"BiggerPocketsPlay from here Loop
  30. 30Airbnb Has Changed: What Short-Term Rental Hosts Must Do NOWAirbnb Has Changed: What Short-Term Rental Hosts Must Do NOWBiggerPocketsPlay from here Loop
  31. 31What the Media Isn’t Tell You About the Airbnb Investing “Crash”What the Media Isn’t Tell You About the Airbnb Investing “Crash”BiggerPocketsPlay from here Loop
  32. 32Airbnb Demand Drops: A Rough Road Ahead for Short-Term Rentals?Airbnb Demand Drops: A Rough Road Ahead for Short-Term Rentals?BiggerPocketsPlay from here Loop
  33. 33Can Airbnb Outperform a Potential Recession? | WSJ The Economics OfCan Airbnb Outperform a Potential Recession? | WSJ The Economics OfThe Wall Street JournalPlay from here Loop
  34. 34Can Airbnb Survive?Can Airbnb Survive?CNBCPlay from here Loop
  35. 35Going Undercover At Illegal Airbnb Rentals In Miami BeachGoing Undercover At Illegal Airbnb Rentals In Miami BeachCNBC Make ItPlay from here Loop
  36. 36Yaeri | Airbnb Host Stories  | AirbnbYaeri | Airbnb Host Stories | AirbnbAirbnbPlay from here Loop
  37. 37Homage Hospitality |  host | AirbnbHomage Hospitality | host | AirbnbAirbnbPlay from here Loop

How does a short-term rental business make money?

Hosts rent a room or home by the night through platforms like Airbnb, earning from nightly rates and cleaning fees minus platform fees, cleaning, supplies, utilities, furnishing and the cost of the property. Income can swing with seasons, competition and demand, and some hosts manage rentals for other owners.

What should I check before starting?

Check whether short-term rentals are allowed where you are. Many cities require permits, limit nights or ban them, and tax rules apply to rental income. Also check your lease, building rules, insurance and mortgage terms before listing anything.

Frequently asked questions

How can RepeatWatch help me learn to analyse a rental?

Set an A–B loop on the part of a video that works through a revenue and expense estimate, and replay it while you build your own spreadsheet. Slow it to 0.75× for notes, or save key steps to keys 1–9.

Is this legal, tax or financial advice?

No. The videos are educational and many describe US markets. Short-term rental rules, permits and taxes vary by country and city and change often, so check with your local authority and a qualified adviser.