On this week’s episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke is joined by guests Jeff and Jenny, first-time short-term rental investors who share their journey of overcoming a major challenge: their well running dry just months after purchasing a Smoky Mountain cabin. The couple recounts navigating the emotional and financial stress, installing a 1,000-gallon water storage system, and maintaining a positive mindset through it all. They also discuss what they’ve learned about resilience, systems, and generational wealth.

How to connect with Luke:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/

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For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

On this week’s episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke Carl shares a personal milestone—he’s selling one of his vacation rental homes. He opens with a humorous tale about replacing a toilet valve himself, then dives into the reasoning behind the sale, including shifting family preferences, property management logistics, and market timing. Luke reflects on pricing strategy, buyer behavior, and current real estate trends, emphasizing that sellers need to be realistic in 2025's slower market.

How to connect with Luke:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/

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Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

On this week’s episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke sits down with Miles from Hospitable for an in-depth discussion on the evolution and current state of property management software. They cover Hospitable’s recent dynamic pricing launch, AI-powered tools like the Knowledge Hub and Copilot, and how sentiment analysis is flagging guest issues in real time. The conversation also touches on the growing momentum behind direct bookings and the future of PMS as a “short-term rental super app.”

How to connect with Luke:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/

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Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group

Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

On this week’s episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke takes listeners through a string of recent challenges he faced in the world of property ownership—from termites and fire damage to a $46,000 miscommunication with a vendor. He walks through seven issues in total, including an inherited tenant move-out requiring a full unit renovation, a fragrance-sensitive guest, and a collapsing porch post that turned out to be decorative. Through it all, Luke emphasizes the importance of communication and staying resilient as a property owner.

How to connect with Luke:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/

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Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group

Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

On this week’s episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke breaks down the eight biggest mistakes he sees short-term rental owners make. From rushing into deals without patience, to poor guest communication, neglecting pricing and finances, and underestimating the true cost of real estate, Luke delivers a rapid-fire reality check.

How to connect with Luke:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/

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Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group

Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

On this week's episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke interviews Ryan Ferguson, an electrician-turned-hot tub repair expert serving East Tennessee's Smoky Mountains. They dive into common hot tub issues in vacation rentals—like economy mode, airlocks, and water damage from improper draining—while sharing maintenance tips, regulatory insights, and hilarious stories involving bears, raccoons, and overloaded tubs. Ryan also emphasizes the importance of simplicity, proper electrical installation, and regular inspection to keep STR hot tubs guest-ready and code-compliant.

How to connect with Ryan:

Website

Phone #: (865) 635-9383

Email: FergusonPM865@gmail.com

How to connect with Luke:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/

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Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group

Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

On this week's episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke emphasizes that buying a short-term rental is not a get-rich-quick scheme. He compares unrealistic expectations in real estate to gambling, warning against the “slot machine mentality” of hoping to strike it rich with one or two properties. Instead, he advocates for long-term wealth building through hard work, patience, and realistic expectations—reminding listeners that real estate is slow, steady, and most rewarding when treated as part of a broader, disciplined financial strategy.

How to connect with Luke:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/

Follow us on Instagram

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Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group

Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

On this week's episode of Short Term Rental Management, Luke talks with photographer Mike Sutton about what makes great short-term rental photos, especially in the competitive Smoky Mountains market. They discuss the evolution of the vacation rental photography space, how to vet and select a photographer, what types of shots matter most (like twilight, drone, and 3D floor plans), and why authenticity in staging is more important than over-styling. Mike also shares personal insights into raising eight kids, his journey from IT to photography, and how hosts can prepare for seasonal and update sessions the right way.

Check out Mike's portfolio:

https://mikesuttonjr.com/

How to connect with Luke:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/

Follow us on Instagram

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Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group

Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon