Frans Garðarsson, Co-founder and VP of Product at Sweeply, breaks down why property managers are stuck in WhatsApp hell coordinating cleanings.He shares how housekeeping automation replaces phone calls and spreadsheets with real-time visibility, better staff morale, and consistent five-star guest experiences. From the baby crib story to the future of AI in vacation rentals, this conversation reveals what’s broken in operations and how to fix it.Key Takeaways:✅ Manual coordination through WhatsApp and spreadsheets creates costly errors like forgotten special requests and wasted return trips✅ Housekeeping automation eliminates micromanagement by giving property managers real-time visibility without constant check-ins✅ Consistent operations through digital checklists directly improve guest reviews, occupancy rates, and revenue✅ The vacation rental industry is the most tech-savvy space in hospitality, with AI and agentic systems transforming operations in the next few yearsRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: Housekeeping Automation with Sweeply: Stop Micromanaging and Improve Guest Experience 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/housekeeping-automation-sweeply-guest-experience/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
Guest no-shows are draining your rental income because pay on arrival policies give you zero payment security. The booking looks confirmed, but when guests don’t show up, you can’t charge the card on file.This episode breaks down why this happens and how switching to pre-payment eliminates the problem before it costs you another dollar.Key Takeaways:✅ Pay on arrival bookings aren’t actually guaranteed, you can’t access guest payment details when no-shows occur✅ New hosts face the biggest risk due to platform verification delays and restricted account settings✅ Pre-payment policies eliminate no-show losses by collecting payment 30+ days before guest arrival✅ The conversion trade-off is real, but most hosts earn more by protecting revenue than chasing volumeRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: Pay on Arrival vs. Pre-Payment: Why Your Payment Policy Determines Your Revenue 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/pay-on-arrival-vs-pre-payment-rental-hosts/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
New vacation rentals face a trust problem, guests won’t book without reviews, but you can’t get reviews without bookings.This episode breaks down the exact pricing formula successful hosts use to overcome the zero-review barrier, including how much to discount, how long to maintain promotional rates, and when to raise prices as your credibility builds.Key Takeaways:✅ Why 20% below market rate is the optimal discount for new listings (and why going deeper can backfire)✅ The 8-10 review milestone that signals when to start raising your rates gradually✅ How to screen for scammers who target discounted properties during your launch phase✅ Multi-channel distribution tactics that get your unreviewed property in front of more potential guestsRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: Vacation Rental With No Reviews: How to Get Your First Bookings 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/vacation-rental-no-reviews-first-bookings/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
Giacomo, Chief Revenue Officer at Turbosuite, breaks down the real cost of static pricing and shows how AI-powered revenue management systems help property managers increase both occupancy and revenue.He shares a case study where dynamic pricing turned a €160 booking into €2,500 during a high-demand event, and explains the three steps property managers should take to implement automated pricing without feeling overwhelmed.Key Takeaways:✅ Static pricing is like using last year’s map to navigate a city where streets have changed, you’re constantly reacting instead of leading your market✅ Real-time data from channel managers creates better pricing decisions than scraped or delayed competitor data✅The practical implementation path: understand your current situation, get a solid channel manager, then connect your revenue management system✅ AI-powered pricing outperforms manual strategies because it processes market signals humans can’t track at scaleRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: Revenue Management System: How Turbosuite’s Dynamic Pricing Beats Static Rules 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/revenue-management-system-dynamic-pricing-turbosuite/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
Five hours of calls, concrete proof, multiple escalations, and the fake review stayed up. This episode breaks down why review system failures are more than frustrating inconveniences. When one platform controls your entire income, their policy enforcement problems become your business emergencies.We explore how experienced hosts are building safety nets through diversified revenue sources and what technology makes multi-platform management actually practical.Key Takeaways:✅ Review system failures can drop bookings 20-40% overnight, especially when you depend on a single platform✅ Hosts report spending hours fighting automated decisions with robotic support that never resolves disputes✅ Diversifying across multiple booking channels and building direct booking capability protects against platform policy failures✅ Property management systems now handle multi-channel operations without multiplying your workloadRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: Review System Failures That Threaten Your Revenue Source 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/review-system-failures-revenue-source/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
A guest breaks $7,000 worth of custom stained glass doors, apologizes profusely, then vanishes the moment they see the repair estimate. This pattern repeats across the industry daily, yet property owners keep expecting different results.We break down why the “guests should pay for what they break” mindset fails, the hidden liability risk most hosts miss completely, and what separates amateur operations from professional property management.Key Takeaways:✅ Why pursuing guest accountability typically costs more than filing an insurance claim (legal fees, time investment, and reputation damage add up fast)✅ The liability reversal nobody talks about: when property damage becomes a guest injury lawsuit against you✅Why $7,000 custom doors don’t belong in a short-term rental (and how to evaluate which assets match your business model)✅ The professional operator’s approach: treating damage as an operational cost covered by commercial insurance, not a personal offenseRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: Guest Accountability: The $7,000 Lesson Every Host Should Know 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/guest-accountability-vacation-rental-insurance/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
Most property managers treat pricing like a set-it-and-forget-it task. But the ones seeing 30% revenue increases understand something different: pricing affects operations, reputation, and long-term owner relationships.In this episode, we break down why dynamic pricing works, where AI falls short, and the exact steps to implement a strategy that scales from 1 to 100+ properties.Key Takeaways:✅ Why static pricing creates financial risk, owner turnover, and operational strain✅ How to read competitor calendars and demand patterns to identify pricing opportunities✅Why AI can’t replace human oversight when it comes to owner expectations✅ The step-by-step roadmap for implementing dynamic pricing at any portfolio sizeRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: The Secret to Dynamic Pricing in Rental Management 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/blog-dynamic-pricing-vacation-rentals/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
Arthur Kolker, founder and CEO of StayFi, breaks down how property managers are using email marketing, SMS, and brand building to capture direct bookings without abandoning OTAs.He shares real examples from operators who’ve shifted 30-40% of their bookings to direct channels and explains why WiFi splash pages are the key to collecting guest data that actually converts.Key Takeaways:✅ Open your high-season calendar to your email list before listing on OTAs to capture your best bookings commission-free✅ Use WiFi splash pages to collect emails from every guest (not just the booker) without violating OTA policies✅ SMS gets 98% open rates vs 20-40% for email, reserve it for last-minute cancellations and high-value offers✅ Make your OTA listing title match your direct website so guests can easily find you when they search GoogleRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: Direct Booking Strategies with StayFi for Property Managers 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/direct-booking-strategies-with-stayfi-for-property-managers/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
Hosts are getting opposite advice about what happens when booking requests expire. Some say it’s harmless. Others claim they lost their accounts because of it.We break down what hosts are experiencing, why platforms won’t clarify their policies, and the automation strategy that eliminates this problem entirely.Key Takeaways:✅ The vacation rental community is split between “no penalty” and “severe consequences” camps, with hosts reporting account removals on one side and zero impact on the other✅ Expired requests happen because hosts are manually screening guests message-by-message, which doesn’t scale and creates unnecessary risk✅Automated pre-booking workflows protect your response rate while vetting guests effectively, no more choosing between metrics and business protection✅ The 5% of guests who ghost when asked basic questions reveal why screening matters, but manual screening is the wrong approachRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: Expired Booking Requests: Do They Hurt Your Approval Rate? 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/expired-booking-requests-approval-rate/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
A guest hammered nails into walls and caused severe wood paneling damage, but the host couldn’t prove which booking was responsible, resulting in $405 in total losses.This episode breaks down why attribution failures happen in most vacation rentals and reveals the four-pillar system that creates 100% damage recovery certainty. Learn how to implement attribution processes today, whether you’re managing one property or one hundred.Key Takeaways:✅ Why damage discovered more than 2 hours after checkout has only a 30% attribution success rate✅ The four pillars every property needs to prove which guest caused damage✅How automated systems eliminate attribution failures and increase claim approvals by 85-95%✅ The difference between cleaning duties and inspection duties, and why role confusion costs thousandsRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: Property Damage Attribution: The System That Stops $1000s in Losses 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/property-damage-attribution-system/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
You decline a booking because guests want to exceed your posted occupancy limit. Days later, your listing ranking drops and bookings slow down.We break down why platforms penalize hosts for enforcing legitimate house rules, the real business impact of these penalties, and six strategies to protect your listings without compromising your standards.Key Takeaways:✅ Platform algorithms penalize all booking declines equally, even when you’re enforcing clearly stated policies✅ Multi-channel distribution protects your business when one platform drops your ranking✅Direct booking websites eliminate penalty risk entirely while keeping 100% of revenue✅ Documentation and strategic support contact can successfully reverse penalties already appliedRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: How to Avoid Host Penalties: A Property Manager’s Guide 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/6-effective-tips-on-how-to-avoid-host-penalties/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
A guest cancels under your strict policy, then hours later asks to come back. It sounds straightforward, but experienced hosts recognize this as one of the riskiest situations in property management.We break down the refund-then-cancel-again scam, the red flags to watch for, and the exact payment protection protocols that prevent you from losing income twice on the same reservation.Key Takeaways:✅ Why canceling first, then asking for a refund signals potential fraud✅ The payment timing rule that protects you from the double-refund scam✅How to respond professionally while maintaining firm business boundaries✅ When rebooking requests are legitimate and when to walk awayRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: Guest Rebooking After Cancellation: Protection Guide for Hosts 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/guest-rebooking-after-cancellation/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
VRMA 25 Las Vegas kicks off October 12-14 with a completely refreshed focus on where the vacation rental industry is heading.We break down the major themes that will dominate conference discussions, from AI automation to direct booking strategies, and what they mean for property managers at every scale.Key Takeaways:✅ AI automation is moving from “nice to have” to baseline requirement for competitive property management operations✅ Multi-channel distribution complexity is forcing operators to choose between sophisticated tools or limiting their growth✅ Direct booking strategies are back in focus as property managers look to reduce OTA commission costs without sacrificing occupancy✅ Revenue optimization through dynamic pricing is becoming accessible to mid-sized portfolios, not just enterprise operationsRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: VRMA 25 Las Vegas: Join Tokeet October 12-14, 2025 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/vrma-25-las-vegas-join-tokeet-october-12-14-2025/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
Key Takeaways:✅ Platform protection programs have critical gaps, some offer no damage reimbursement at all, and strict reporting windows can disqualify legitimate claims✅ Deposits above $2,000 create measurable booking friction, while low deposits leave you exposed to out-of-pocket costs that can exceed thousands✅Successful protection strategies combine tiered deposits, third-party verification services, and insurance-backed waivers rather than relying on a single approach✅ Integrated management systems automate deposit processing and verification, reducing administrative work while maintaining consistent protection across all propertiesRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: Damage Deposit: How Much Should You Charge Guests? 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/damage-deposit-how-much-should-you-charge-guests/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
Property managers with 4.8 cleanliness ratings get 20% more bookings than those at 4.6. John Stokinger (Director of Sales Operations) and Cristina Vascil (Director of Partnerships) from Turno explain how automated turnover coordination eliminates the communication gaps that hurt your scores.They share real data from Turno users who improved their ratings and reveal which cleaning areas guests complain about most.Key Takeaways:✅ Properties rated 4.8 receive 20% more reservations than those at 4.6, platform algorithms prioritize higher cleanliness scores✅ Bathroom cleanliness generates more negative reviews than any other area (hair in drains is the #1 guest complaint)✅ Turno integration automates turnover scheduling, standardizes checklists, and provides backup cleaner coverage when primary cleaners cancel✅ 36% of travelers base booking decisions entirely on reviews, making cleanliness consistency your most valuable operational metricRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: Vacation Rental Cleanliness Score: Turno Integration Tips 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/vacation-rental-cleanliness-score-turno-integration-tips/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
Guests don’t carry cash anymore, which means your cleaning staff and maintenance team miss out on tips they’ve earned. David Waxman, founder of TopTipper, breaks down how cashless tipping works, where to place QR codes, and why small tips make a massive difference to your workers.This episode covers everything from setup to messaging so you can implement it without annoying guests.Key Takeaways:✅ Why 8 out of 10 guests no longer carry physical cash✅ Three ways to let guests tip digitally without feeling pressured✅ How to distribute tips fairly across your team or third-party cleaners✅ Why timing your tipping request matters more than the amountRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: Cashless Tipping with TopTipper: Why Your Staff Deserves Better 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/cashless-tipping-with-toptipper-why-your-staff-deserves-better/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
A tree branch cracks a guest’s windshield in your driveway. Your instinct says file through your homeowner’s insurance, but that’s exactly the mistake that can spike your premiums and signal legal liability.We break down the three insurance paths for guest property damage, reveal which phrases can accidentally admit fault, and explain why the guest’s own insurance should almost always be your first recommendation.Key Takeaways:✅ The guest’s auto or renters insurance should handle their property damage, not your homeowner’s policy✅ Filing a claim through your insurance can be interpreted as admitting fault, even if you’re just trying to help✅ Simple phrases like “I’m sorry this happened” can create legal liability in insurance disputes✅ Simple phrases like “I’m sorry this happened” can create legal liability in insurance disputesRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: Guest Property Damage Insurance: Who Pays When Things Break? 👉 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
An experienced property manager accepted a one-night local booking after platform pressure to improve her search ranking. The guest’s story about hosting her sister and three kids was convincing, detailed, and completely fabricated. By 5 AM, neighbors were calling about a full-scale party with over 30 attendees, and security footage suggested something even more concerning than noise complaints.We break down the red flags, the real cost of manual screening, and why AI-powered risk detection is becoming essential for party prevention.Key Takeaways:✅ One-night local bookings remain the highest-risk category for unauthorized parties, even experienced hosts fall victim to polished deception✅ The real cost extends beyond the $1,348 in damages: emergency response time, neighbor relations, legal exposure, and reputation risk✅ Redundant security systems caught what the primary camera missed, backup devices placed strategically documented all 30+ guests✅ AI automation screens multi-factor risk patterns that manual review can’t catch at scale, especially as portfolios grow beyond 10-20 propertiesRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: Party Prevention for Vacation Rentals: How One Host Lost $1,348 in 24 Hours 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/party-prevention-for-vacation-rentals-how-one-host-lost-1348-in-24-hours/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
A Superhost in Rome went from 98% occupancy to zero bookings in 48 hours. Same property. Same reviews. One invisible platform change destroyed their business overnight.We break down what happened, why it’s happening to more hosts, and the insurance policy every property manager needs right now.Key Takeaways:✅ Platform algorithm changes can kill your bookings instantly, without warning or explanation✅ Multi-channel distribution protects your revenue when one platform suppresses your listing✅ Vacation rental software with channel managers syncs 50+ booking sites in real-time✅ Hosts using dynamic pricing see 20-30% revenue increases over manual rate managementRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: Vacation Rental Software: Why Your Bookings Can Drop to Zero Overnight 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/why-your-bookings-can-drop-to-zero-overnight-vacation-rental/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com
A guest checks in, complains about “smell,” leaves within an hour, gets a full refund, and still destroys your rating.This episode breaks down the three major platform vulnerabilities threatening hosts today and the proven strategies experienced property managers are using to protect their businesses. Read the full blog post and listen to the full podcast episode.Key Takeaways:✅ Why “smell” complaints trigger automatic refunds regardless of evidence✅ The 19:1 mathematics, you need 19 five-star reviews to offset one bad review✅ How platform diversification and direct booking websites reduce your risk✅ Documentation tactics that actually work when disputes happenRelated Links:Company: https://www.tokeet.com/Blogs: https://www.tokeet.com/blog/Blog: Why Airbnb Hosts Are Losing Superhost Status (And How to Stop It) 👉https://blog.tokeet.com/airbnb-hosts-superhost-status-protection/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit podcast.tokeet.com