In the feast or famine industry of real estate, it can be draining to stay on top of your game. Navigating unstable markets and competition—in addition to keeping morale high after countless showings for a one-time commission—probably isn’t your dream scenario.
Short-term rental (STR) management has the potential to give you and your property owners a stable monthly income—even in unreliable real estate markets.
But, without experience in this lucrative industry, it’s hard to know where and how to start a vacation rental property management business. Not to mention how to make a success of it.
The best short-term rental podcasts are a goldmine of information. And we’ve compiled some of our top picks for real estate agents.
STR podcasts give you insight into real-world property management experiences and actionable tips for growing your vacation rental management business, so you can scale with confidence.
This is your guide to the eight best short-term rental podcasts for real estate agents. Learn from experienced industry pros and influencers in the real estate or STR worlds. Then pick your favorites and start learning (and earning) more.
Table of contents:
- The 8 best short-term rental podcasts for real estate agents
- Short-term rental podcasts: learn as you grow your STR business
- Frequently asked questions about the best short term rental podcasts
The 8 best short-term rental podcasts for real estate agents
The best short-term rental podcasts for real estate agents will help you navigate the ins and outs of property management while inspiring you with new and creative ways to grow your income stream—and delight your clients and guests.
Let’s explore the best podcasts out there—and help you find your next go-to show.
STR podcasts can fill you in on popular STR trends and strategies—giving you the tools you need to get started
1. BiggerPockets
BiggerPockets is the largest and longest-running real estate podcast out there. It breaks down real estate investing and other strategies and income streams for real estate agents that work.
Hosts David Greene and Rob Abasolo interview real estate investors and entrepreneurs of different niches, backgrounds, and experience levels to discuss successes, failures, and hard-earned lessons. They release three episodes a week that range from simple Q&As to feature-length episodes.
Their episodes often feature intimate stories as guides for what to do and what not to do in this feast-or-famine industry. They act as a roadmap for up-and-coming investors, realtors who want to stay informed, and those who are just getting started in the industry.
Podcast focus: Advice for realtors who are getting started with their STR business and looking to grow their business, services, and expertise.
Noteworthy episodes:
- The ultimate beginner’s guide podcast with Josh Dorkin & Brandon Turner
- Building wealth and passive income with rental properties with Ben Leybovich, Brian Burke, and Surge Shukhat
- How to become set for life through house hacking, frugality, and maximizing your income with Scott Trench
BiggerPockets helps realtors expand their industry knowledge so they, too, can get bigger pockets
2. Real Estate Today
Real Estate Today is the National Association of Realtors’ podcast. It provides property buyers and sellers with important insights and information on the real estate market.
Real Estate Today includes weekly episodes that feature interviews, call-ins, experts, field reports, and updates on current market conditions for an overall understanding of market drivers and trends.
Topics range from overall real estate temperature checks like updates on current mortgage rates, home prices, and home supply to house improvement, renovation, and interior design projects.
Hosts include Stephen Gasque, Melissa Dittmann Tracey, and Bill Thompson—each specializing in either real estate and/or real estate journalism.
It’s invaluable for real estate professionals to gauge the current and future market, so they know when and how to prepare for a market downturn or crash.
Podcast focus: A comprehensive look into real estate trends, data, expert opinions, and general market insights.
Noteworthy episodes:
Listen to Real Estate Today for visibility into general real estate market trends, expert opinions, and advice.
3. Top Agents Playbook
Top Agents Playbook is a real estate podcast that provides useful tips, anecdotes, teachable moments, and strategies to real estate professionals.
It’s run and hosted by realtor, author, and marketing wizard Ray Wood with the aim of helping realtors scale their businesses and attract more seller leads. He interviews industry influencers who have a proven track record of creating a recognizable and successful brand through tried and tested marketing strategies.
It’s a great resource for learning how to market yourself and outcompete newcomers or industry giants through content and lead-capture marketing.
Podcast focus: Growing your real estate business through strategic marketing, connecting to rental owners, and lead generation techniques.
Noteworthy episodes:
- How real estate agents can cash in on the short-stay rental boom: an interview with Jessica Larsen
- The top 5 ways to attract listings: an interview with Trent Pool
Top Agents Playbook focuses on what the industry’s top agents are doing, so you don’t just get by, but thrive
4. STR Unfiltered
STR Unfiltered takes real estate agents through various ways to capitalize on the booming short-term rental market.
Hosted by short-term rental investor and host, Bill Faeth, each episode delivers granular insights, tips, and ideas to help you scale your vacation rental business and get results.
Rather than interviewing industry professionals, Bill personally dives into important topics and trends and draws from his own expertise for hyper-focused segments and episodes. It’s a useful resource for short-term rental managers or realtors looking to manage their clients’ rental properties for supplemental income—and find quick and detailed answers to their questions.
Podcast focus: Dives deep into short-term rental industry topics, trends, opinions, and advice.
Noteworthy episodes:
STR Unfiltered gives you direct access to short-term rental mogul Bill Faeths’ experience
5. Short-term Rental Secrets
Providing useful and actionable content, the Short-term Rental Secrets podcast helps real estate investors and professionals grow their businesses through online travel agency (OTAs like Airbnb) hacks and tactics.
Hosted by Emmanuel Pani and Michael Sjogren, episodes range from general takes on the short-term rental industry—like getting out of the corporate grind through STRs—to granular interviews with seasoned professionals.
It helps you start, automate, and scale your vacation rental business by helping you get the most out of booking channels, including important platform updates, nuances, and features.
Podcast focus: Helping realtors navigate STR challenges and OTAs for long-term success in their short-term rental side hustle.
Noteworthy episodes:
- How to build a tech company servicing 45,000 STR units with Emmanuel Lavoie
- 3 tips to get more 5-star reviews for your Airbnb
- How to identify the right markets for short-term rentals
Short-term Rental Secrets podcast tells you how to be an OTA and Airbnb superhost
6. Slick Talk
Geared toward the hospitality industry as a whole, Slick Talk gives you a broad look into trending topics, themes, thought leaders, and experiences across the real estate and hospitality sector.
Hosted by Wil Slickers, episodes vary from actionable, inside scoops from industry influencers, like how to set the highest standards for the guest experience to general reflections and insights on industry changes.
It’s great for learning about interesting and inspiring experiences in the world of vacation rentals, hotels, restaurants, and travel offers. So you can keep your finger on the pulse of all things real estate and add more value to your clients.
Podcast focus: A comprehensive overview of hospitality and real estate trends to deepen your knowledge as an agent and property manager—and benefit from industry experts’ experiences.
Noteworthy episodes:
- How to win & influence owners – Breezeway Elevate panel
- Not every vacation rental business is the same with Assaf Karmon
Slick Talk podcast shows you the full spectrum of, and granular insights into, the hospitality industry at large
7. Vacation Rental Machine
For the more tech-savvy among you, Vacation Rental Machine helps guide STR managers and realtors to automate their vacation rental business.
Hosts Jon Bell and Julian Sage dive into topics like the tech you need to be able to focus on big-picture tasks like creating an impressive guest experience and growing your business. Also, which tech is the most suitable for different property niches.
Released every Tuesday, each episode lasts just 4-14 minutes, which is great for realtors who are strapped for time and need quick answers.
After listening to this podcast, you’ll know more about technology for vacation rentals, how to streamline calendar and booking management, and everything you need to know about co-hosting.
Podcast focus: How to use automation technology to streamline manual or repetitive vacation rental tasks—for more guest-facing time.
Noteworthy episodes:
- What is a PMS & why you need it
- What is dynamic pricing & why you need it
- 3 ways to destroy your Airbnb business
Vacation Rental Machine podcast gives you quick temperature checks of the STR industry, including popular STR tech and tools
Pro tip: By outsourcing to Jetstream, you can easily automate manual or repetitive tasks like scheduling cleaning and maintenance, guest communication, or updating your listings across booking channels—so you can earn more without lifting a finger.
With Jetstream and the right STR podcasts, you can jump right into vacation rental management without prior STR knowledge or experience
8. Vacation Rental Success
A firm favorite, Vacation Rental Success (aka Vacation Rental Formula) provides realtors with valuable tips and tricks centered on winning at property management.
Host Heather Bayer—an author, blogger, and property management CEO—helps newcomers get started in the STR industry by sharing her experiences owning and managing a robust property portfolio.
Released weekly, podcast episodes cover topics like how to brand your business and home decor ideas, to getting smart with short-term rental technology. Heather brings her views and expertise on every aspect of the business—and interviews industry heavyweights for their added insights and experience.
By tuning in to this podcast, you’ll learn how to spot good investment opportunities, how to get more direct bookings, how to better manage your vacation rental properties, and who to market to—to ensure your short-term rental success.
Podcast focus: Actionable tips and tricks to help STR managers sustainably market, scale, and manage their business.
Noteworthy episodes:
- 14 things you must have in your vacation rental
- How to get your control back from the OTAs with Damian Sheridan
- Building a unique short term rental business with minimal investment
Vacation Rental Success podcast covers everything from home improvement and interior design to scaling your STR business
Short-term rental podcasts: learn as you grow your STR business
Short-term rental podcasts bring you tons of actionable insights across the hospitality and real estate industries. And help you win and manage more short-term rental properties for your budding business.
Some of the best podcasts for getting started and gaining a holistic understanding of the real estate and vacation rental industry are:
- BiggerPockets
- Real Estate Today
- Top Agents’ Playbook
- STR Unfiltered
- Short-term Rental Secrets
- Slick Talk
- Vacation Rental Machine
- Vacation Rental Success
And, when you outsource property management to Jetstream, you can boost your cash flow and secure financial freedom without doing any extra work. Automate your guest communication, scheduling, bookings, and listings, so you can delight your clients and guests—and find the stability you’ve been looking for.
Frequently asked questions about the best short term rental podcasts
Which short term rental platform is best?
Although there are many different short-term rental platforms, Jetstream is one of the best platforms on the market. It lets you list your short- and long-term rentals and become an Airbnb superhost with listing optimization and distribution—so you can win more bookings. When you outsource to Jetstream, you can make a name for yourself in the vacation rental industry without a lot of extra work.
Are short term rentals profitable?
Short-term rentals can be more profitable than your standard annual lease agreement—and can help secure a stable, passive income for yourself and homeowners. More and more, real estate agents are turning to short-term rentals and becoming Vrbo and Airbnb hosts or property managers to supplement their income and diversify their portfolio.
What are the benefits of short-term rentals?
While there are many benefits to short-term rentals, some of the most popular are:
- Passive income from rental revenue
- Ability to be your own boss
- Outsourced property management to automate repetitive tasks
- Grow networks and connections in your area and field
- Expand your portfolio
- Add more value to real estate clients
How do you perform a short-term rental market analysis?
To perform a short-term rental market analysis, there are a few steps you need to take:
- Select your tools and tech stack to unify key data points
- Understand short-term rental market types. For example, suburban/residential, beachfront/waterfront, retreat markets, regional vacation areas, urban/downtown.
- Analyze tourism data
- Check market regulations
