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