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The mistake most investors make is that they think luxury means expensive. So they either blow their budget trying to make everything high-end, or they cheap out everywhere and wonder why their photos don't convert. Luxury isn't about cost. It's about how a space feels and photographs. You can create a high-end look without spending high-end money if you know where to invest and where to save. Focus on Visual Impact The elements that create "luxury" in photos are lighting, t

Most investors pour money into kitchens because they think that's what guests care about most. But in most markets, the kitchen isn't what drives rate. The room that impacts your rate the most is the room that creates your hero moment. The space that makes someone stop scrolling and think "I need to stay here." That's usually your primary bedroom, your outdoor space, or whatever room delivers the most unique experience. Lake rental kitchen designed around what guests value du

There's this misconception that if your rental looks nice, it'll book. But "nice" is subjective, forgettable, and doesn't differentiate you from the hundreds of other rentals in your market. Nice doesn't make people stop scrolling. Nice doesn't make people feel like they have to book your place or they'll miss out. Nice gets you lost in the noise. Hot tub setup designed around what guests value and will pay for when they visit “The Scenic City”.  Your Rental Doesn't Need to

Usually investors make design decisions based on trends, Pinterest boards, or what their friends think looks good. But if you're not asking the right question before every decision, you're designing without strategy. And design without strategy is just decoration. Dining area that sat the entire group, because that's what guests in this market value. The One Question That Matters Before you choose anything (furniture, paint color, lighting, layout) , ask yourself: "Does this

As an investor you're choosing properties based on purchase price, location, or gut feeling without thinking about how each property will actually perform as a rental. I get it, but that can lead to regret once your STR is finally live. The cheapest property isn't always the best investment. The best location isn't always the most profitable. You need to think about how each property can be positioned, what design will cost, and what nightly rate the market will support. Outd

You're probably looking at average nightly rates or occupancy percentages and think that's enough to understand your market. But those numbers don't tell you anything about wh y a property performs well. You need to understand what design features, amenities, and experiences are driving those rates. Otherwise, you're just copying surface level stuff without understanding the strategy behind it. Entertaining lakefront deck designed for families and groups that want to getaway

You may look at star ratings and call it a day. But are you actually reading the reviews to understand what guests value? If not, that's a missed opportunity. Reviews are free market research. They tell you exactly what guests loved, what they expected, and what they wish had been different. If you're not reading them, you're missing insights that could directly impact your design strategy. Intentionally styled coffee station designed to attract guests that value unlimited co

Most investors design for the wrong guest. They throw around terms like "families" or "couples" and think that's specific enough to guide their design decisions. But here's the thing: that approach is way too broad to actually move the needle on your bookings or your rate. If you don't know exactly who your ideal guest is, what they value, and what they'll pay for, you're just guessing. And guessing means you end up with a rental that appeals to everyone and stands out to n

The most expensive mistake you can make is to design your rental around what you like. Your favorite colors, your style, the furniture you'd buy for your own home. But that will cost you bookings down the line. Your taste doesn't matter. Your ideal guest's taste matters. If you're designing for yourself, you're designing for the wrong person, and that limits your market and your rate. Ice cream themed vacation rental designed for content creators and families that want a fun

Investors set income goals based on what they need to cover the mortgage, not on what the market will actually support. And that's a problem. If your market tops out at $250/night and you need $400/night to hit your numbers, no amount of design will fix that. You either need a very different property, a different market, or a different expectation. Spa like bathroom in luxe mountain vacatin rental home. Your Income Goal Has to Be Grounded in Reality Look at what premium pro