Smart locks are no longer optional in short-term rentals.

In this episode, Mark Lumpkin sits down with Amber Baron from Dormakaba to talk about why access control is one of the most overlooked parts of the guest experience — and how bad systems can completely ruin a stay.

They break down:

• Why check-in is one of the most important moments in hospitality
• The biggest mistakes hosts still make with property access
• Why physical keys are creating massive operational headaches
• How smart lock systems integrate with PMS software and automation
• The importance of backup systems and emergency access plans
• How remote operators can manage properties more securely
• Where AI and smart access technology are headed next
• Real stories from the field — including a property manager literally Kool-Aid-manning through a door to save a guest stay

If you own, manage, or plan to scale short-term rentals, this episode is packed with practical insights on security, operations, and creating a smoother guest experience.

Listen now and learn why access is the new front desk in hospitality.

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Episode Sponsored By:
STR Search

STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

Chattanooga might be one of the biggest STR opportunities flying under the radar.

In this week’s Monday Market Data Report, Mark Lumpkin breaks down why Chattanooga is still in the early innings of the amenity arms race — and how investors can create a true “unicorn” property with surprisingly little competition.

The numbers are eye-opening:

• Only 18% of listings have hot tubs
• Only 3.8% have swimming pools
• Less than 1% have movie theaters, saunas, mini golf, or pickleball courts

Translation?

Most properties in Chattanooga still look basic.

That creates massive opportunity for investors willing to buy the right property, add strategic amenities, and stand out in a market that hasn’t fully matured yet.

In this episode, Mark breaks down:

• Why Chattanooga’s tourism market keeps growing
• The events and attractions driving travel demand
• Which amenities are becoming mandatory
• Which amenities almost nobody has yet
• How to create a top-performing STR without competing against thousands of heavily amenitized properties

If you’ve been looking for a market where you can still get ahead of the curve instead of fighting oversaturation, this episode is worth your attention.

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Episode Sponsored By:
STR Search

STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

AI is changing business faster than ever — and short-term rentals are no exception.

Mark Lumpkin sits down with Nick Korwin to talk about building a luxury micro resort from the ground up while working full-time in the AI and autonomous vehicle industry.

Nick shares:

• How he transitioned from traditional rentals into short-term rentals
• Why he chose to build a micro resort instead of buying more houses
• The lessons learned developing raw land into luxury cabins
• How he’s using AI to automate parts of his STR business
• Why unique stays continue to outperform average rentals
• The realities of scaling while still working a W2 job
• How technology is reshaping hospitality and operations
• The biggest mistakes investors make when developing properties

They also dive deep into the future of AI, automation, hospitality, and what STR operators should be paying attention to over the next few years.

If you’ve ever thought about building something bigger than a traditional Airbnb — or wondered how AI could give you an edge in business — this episode is packed with insights.

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Episode Sponsored By:
STR Search

STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com