Ep 65 - Why Top Hosts Earn 3x: Jeff Stibbard on Photos, Reviews and Pricing

Jeff Stibbard has run the same training company for more than 30 years, and for the last decade he has pointed all of that systems and performance experience at short term rentals. He now runs six properties, four he owns and two on rent arbitrage, including a four bedroom home in Surry Hills that books at $1,000 a night while similar properties sit at $330.

In this episode Jeff explains the three things that separate a top earning listing from an average one: photography, reviews and furniture. He makes the case for going multi channel from day one, explains why he is deliberately avoiding AI in guest communication, and why he would rather hold his price and accept a vacant night than chase occupancy. Ray gives an update on his move to Guesty and multi channel distribution, including what changed with payouts and cash flow, and Silvia raises the peak season pricing mistake she keeps seeing new hosts make.

Chapters
00:00 Welcome
00:20 Weekly topic: Ray's move to Guesty and multi channel
03:45 Does your co-host need a trust account
06:40 Meet Jeff Stibbard
08:35 The infrastructure behind six properties
09:50 Inside the STR intensive programs
12:35 The 3x earning gap: photography, reviews, furniture
15:30 Multi channel, and where the bookings actually come from
18:00 Calendar sync and avoiding double bookings
21:00 AI, automation and the personal touch
26:00 Review culture across platforms
27:10 The most costly mistakes new hosts make
29:30 Testing photographers and the hero shot
31:00 Repainting stairs and choosing robust materials
34:00 Do not put heirlooms in your listing
36:30 Pricing: smart pricing, engines, and holding your rate
42:25 Silvia on peak season pricing mistakes
44:30 Rent arbitrage versus owning the asset
49:25 Regulation, the 180 day rule and development approvals
53:35 Jeff's advice for anyone getting started

Find Jeff
www.discoverperformanceadvisory.com
Instagram: @discoverperformance

Stay with us
Ray's South Yarra Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/slink/I2cCaaW5
Ray's North Melbourne Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/l/KGfcunu3
Silvia's Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X

Recorded on Riverside. Use code RAY15 for 15% off.