Airbnb’s new 24-hour free cancellation policy is officially live—and if you’re not prepared, this change could mean a bumpy ride ahead. In this week’s episode, Sarah and Annette break down exactly what’s new, what’s going away, and how these updates impact hosts of every size.

From understanding the shift toward guest-friendly policies, to forecasting cancellations as a standard cost of doing business, to tightening up your communication strategies—this conversation gives you the mindset, tactics, and next steps you’ll need to stay profitable and confident.

Whether you’re managing a luxury cabin, an urban apartment, or an entire portfolio, this episode will help you adapt quickly and strategically to Airbnb’s platform-wide changes.

What we cover in this episode:

• What Airbnb’s new 24-hour free cancellation policy includes
• Why strict cancellation policies are being phased out for new listings
• What existing hosts can expect moving forward
• How to forecast cancellations as a normal cost of business
• The importance of proactive guest communication
• How to reduce cancellations through relationship-building
• What these changes mean for larger or luxury properties
• Steps to stay prepared, not reactive, as the platform evolves

Key takeaway:

You can’t control Airbnb’s policy decisions, but you can control how prepared you are. Anticipating cancellations, knowing your numbers, and communicating intentionally are now essential pillars of running a resilient STR business.

Resources:

Airbnb Help Center: Updated Cancellation Policies

Mentioned in this episode:

Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

 Avalara | Book a demo to save $100

How long should you clean your own property before handing it off to a professional cleaner? In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette tackle one of the biggest questions for new hosts: when to outsource cleaning—and how to make sure your standards don’t slip once you do.

From systemizing your process to defining what a “done” bed actually looks like, the duo walks through the mindset shift every host needs to make: your guests should never be the ones to discover a bad clean. Learn how to document your cleaning routine, train your team with clarity, and implement “trust but verify” systems that keep your short-term rental running like a pro.

They also peek into the future of cleaning (yes, robot cleaners are coming!) and share tips for maintaining quality control, even from afar.

Resources mentioned:

Neo Cleaning Robot (coming 2026)

Mentioned in this episode:

Lodgify | Use code TFV20

This week, Sarah and Annette sit down with CPA and tax strategist Amanda Hahn to break down the major tax updates hosts need to know heading into 2025.

From the newly passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” to evolving depreciation rules, Amanda explains what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and how short-term rental owners can use these updates to maximize savings and make smarter financial decisions.

She also shares why bookkeeping is the “bad B word” no host can ignore, the truth about the short-term rental loophole (and why it’s not actually shady), and how to identify a CPA who truly understands the STR world.

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by tax talk, this conversation will help you feel empowered, informed, and ready to approach 2026 with confidence.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What the One Big Beautiful Bill means for STR investors
• How to qualify for the short-term rental “loophole” (and why that term can be misleading)
• Updates to bonus depreciation and cost segregation
• What “material participation” actually looks like in practice
• How to structure your bookkeeping and track expenses property-by-property
• Tips for hiring your kids, using sub-accounts, and working with the right CPA
• The growing role of AI in accounting and what not to trust it with

Resources mentioned:

Amanda Hahn, Keystone CPA

Relay Financial: Business banking we use at Thanks for Visiting

Mentioned in this episode:

 Avalara | Book a demo to save $100

Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!