Why We Cap Growth at 100 Properties with Michael Steinkirchner of Uncharted Vacations - Vacation Rental Show
Update: 2025-11-26
Description
Most vacation rental managers chase unlimited growth, but Michael Steinkirchener is doing something radically different. In this episode of The Vacation Rental Show, host Lynell Gordon speaks with Michael, founder of Uncharted Vacations, about why he's deliberately capping his portfolio at 100 properties and how strategic limitations have become his competitive advantage. Michael reveals the innovative programs and partnership approaches that allow boutique operations to thrive in an industry obsessed with scale.
What you'll learn:
- Why capping growth at 100 properties creates a competitive advantage through personalized service
- How to finance property renovations for owners through an innovative retention program
- Critical tech stack decisions that prevent costly migrations down the road
- Negotiation strategies with vendors that can fund entire staff positions
- Why travel insurance uptake should be 30-40% instead of the current 10-15%
- How to demonstrate monetary value to owners through transparent accounting practices
Michael Steinkirchener brings a refreshingly different perspective to vacation rental management. As founder of Uncharted Vacations and the consulting firm Stream Advisors, he's built his business around a provocative idea: sometimes the best growth strategy is knowing when to stop growing. Michael has deliberately capped his portfolio at 100 properties, arguing that beyond this threshold, companies lose the intimate knowledge of owners and guests that defines exceptional service.
His "Redesign on Our Dime" program exemplifies this innovative thinking. When owners lack cash for necessary property updates, Uncharted finances the improvements and recoups costs through a slightly higher management fee over time. The result? Higher ADRs, improved retention, and owners who feel genuinely partnered with rather than simply managed. Michael also reveals how he demonstrates value by listing all included services on owner statements, then showing them discounted to zero, creating a powerful year-end tally that combats competitor poaching.
From startup advice about choosing scalable tech stacks before you have 600 reservations to migrate, to practical tips on negotiating credit card processing fees that could fund another employee, Michael offers actionable insights for managers at every stage. He's particularly passionate about recognizing cleaners as the backbone of the industry, sharing stories of providing emergency housing during hurricanes and surprising team members with new equipment.
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👉 Fame Host - https://bit.ly/hwg-podcast
👉 iheartradio - https://ihr.fm/3Z8qqlg
👉 RSS - https://feeds.fame.so/the-vacation-rental-show
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Previous guests include: Jim DeVos of Best Beach Getaways, Stacy Wesson of Cascara Vacation Rentals, Michael Friedman of The Simple Life Hospitality, Steve Caron of Inhabit, John An of TechTape, Jessica Gillingham of Abode Worldwide, Justin Ford of Breezeway, Mahwussh Alam of One Perfect Stay, Lisa Stinnett of Inhabit, and many more.
Check out the three most downloaded episodes:
- Vacation Rental Stories: Episode 63 - Driving Innovation and Partnership
- Homeowners Become Family with Michael Godfrey, Owner of Michael’s Vacation Rentals
- Life in Maui as a Property Manager with Scott Jordan, Owner of Maui Life Realty
Are you a vacation rental industry leader looking to share your expertise? We're seeking innovative voices to join our conversation about growing and scaling vacation rental businesses.
The Vacation Rental Show reaches thousands of property managers worldwide. We're particularly interested in perspectives on:
- Scaling your vacation rental portfolio
- Optimizing guest experiences
- Revenue management strategies
- Industry trends and market insights
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