Interviewer: Hello and welcome to our weekly programme “This is What I Do.” Today, I’ve invited Becky Rain, a realtor and an owner of several properties which she offers to travellers by means of a short‑term private lodging rental platform.

Becky Rain: Hello everyone!

I: Becky, you’ve invested in building some properties with the aim of leasing them as short‑term private lodging. Could you tell us how it all started, and what made you interested in this type of business?

BR: Yes, well, to tell you the truth, I hadn’t planned to get into this business, but then I found this cute little A‑frame cabin in Georgia, and I decided to invest in buying and remodelling it. It proved to be a really good business decision, so I got a business partner and together we’ve built three more cabins.

I: What is important in this business?

BR: I’d say gaining trust and keeping it. You have to build a good reputation and this happens through good host ratings. We have already received the superhost status, but it wasn’t easy. You have to have 98% good ratings, less than 90% cancellations, and at least 100 days of stays. Now we are working hard on maintaining the status. We respond to the inquiries and reservations very quickly, within 24 hours of receiving them, and we never cancel, because our platform takes it very seriously – it may cost you losing your superhost status or even deactivating your account.

I: I see, tough rules! What other challenges are there for potential hosts?

BR: The biggest challenge from my experience is the management of the property, and finding the right people that can help us run it. You know, cleaning, restocking, managing, general maintenance etc. You should also know your demographic – it’s usually young, tech‑savvy millennials now, and they are particularly attracted to authenticity. They make experiences their top priority while travelling, so you should also be prepared to cater for such needs.

I: Have you ever had any problems with your guests?

BR: We try to keep our guests happy and exceed their expectations, and so far all our guests have been super nice as well, knock on wood! But I’ve heard of guests damaging or stealing from our rentals. Of course, our short‑term private lodging platform will usually reimburse you, but you need to have sufficient proof, and that is not always possible.

I: On a lighter note, how about some amusing stories about your experiences with guests?

BR: Well, our cleaning lady sometimes texts us that guests left behind different pieces of wardrobe, and somehow it’s usually underwear!

I: Hmmm… Obviously people become forgetful when they travel! But let’s talk about the most crucial part for the host: the benefits. What are they?

BR: The basic advantage is the monthly cash flow, but the biggest benefit for me is the asset that I hold in the property, which keeps growing all the time while other people are covering the cost. 

I: So it’s a long‑term investment? 

BR: Absolutely!

I: Would you recommend this way of making a profit?

BR: Yes, but I will repeat that you have to think of it as an investor, and be really good with numbers!

I: And how would you encourage our listeners to stay at private lodging instead of a hotel?

BR: Hotels are good, but our short‑term private lodging offers a more personalised experience. Besides, not everybody who is travelling can afford to stay at a hotel, much less find a hotel room in the middle of a busy tourist season. I think affordability and great variety of the properties listed is what draws a lot of travellers to this option. By the way, a fun fact is that you can find hotel rooms on our platform listings.

I: Really? I didn’t know that! Well, Becky, thank you for coming to talk to us. I'm sure our listeners have learnt a lot about your short‑term private lodging platform.

BR: Thank you for inviting me!