Short Term Rental Management

Luke Carl questions whether hosts have become too focused on asking guests for five-star reviews, arguing that constantly requesting feedback can come across as desperate and may even encourage negative responses. Using Disney's customer service as an example, he explains why delivering an exceptional guest experience should take priority over chasing reviews, and suggests that hosts be more selective about when they ask for feedback. Luke also encourages property managers to trust that genuine hospitality, thoughtful service, and authentic communication will naturally inspire guests to leave positive reviews without repeated reminders.

How to connect with Luke:

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

Short Term Shop Plus - stsplus.com

Follow us on Instagram 

Follow us on TikTok

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

Luke Carl explains why bad guest reviews are one of the most valuable tools for improving a short-term rental business, arguing that even unfair criticism often contains a lesson worth addressing. He discusses the importance of separating legitimate feedback from unreasonable expectations, reminds hosts that vacation rentals are homes—not hotels—and encourages property managers to use reviews as motivation to refine operations, strengthen the guest experience, and continually improve. Luke also reflects on how years in the business have taught him to respond with professionalism, focus on what he can control, and treat every review as an opportunity for growth.

How to connect with Luke:

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

Short Term Shop Plus - stsplus.com

Follow us on Instagram 

Follow us on TikTok

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

Luke Carl is joined by Holly from Killington Mountain Homes to discuss how she leveraged her background in the tech industry to build a high-performing short-term rental management company in Vermont. Holly shares how investing heavily in systems, staff training, in-house laundry operations, and owner communication has helped her properties consistently outperform the market, while explaining why genuine care, operational consistency, and a strong guest experience are the foundation for long-term success. The conversation also explores scaling a property management business, overcoming the challenges of a seasonal market, and building a brand that owners and guests can trust.

How to connect with Holly:

https://www.killingtonmountain.com/ 

@KillingtonMountainHomes on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok

How to connect with Luke:

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

Short Term Shop Plus - stsplus.com

Follow us on Instagram 

Follow us on TikTok

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

Luke Carl shares practical advice on planning and managing short-term rental rehabs, explaining why the offseason is the ideal time to tackle major projects and why new owners should resist renovating immediately after purchasing a property. He discusses the unique challenges of working with contractors in small vacation markets, encourages investors to learn their property before making costly upgrades, and emphasizes that patience, realistic expectations, and strong local relationships are essential for successful renovations. Luke also explains why starting with smaller projects can build confidence before taking on larger rehabs, while reminding listeners that consistent planning and organization are key to long-term success.

How to connect with Luke:

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

Short Term Shop Plus - stsplus.com

Follow us on Instagram 

Follow us on TikTok

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

Luke Carl explains why setting clear guest expectations—what he jokingly calls "guestspectations"—is one of the most important responsibilities of a short-term rental property manager. He argues that vacation rentals are homes, not hotels, and encourages hosts to communicate a property's limitations upfront, resist unrealistic guest demands, and avoid creating expectations that can't consistently be met. Luke also shares why online travel agencies should focus on being listing platforms rather than acting as property managers, while emphasizing that honest communication and proactive expectation-setting lead to better guest experiences and fewer conflicts.

How to connect with Luke:

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

Short Term Shop Plus - stsplus.com

Follow us on Instagram 

Follow us on TikTok

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