Shows
Straight Fire VRSeason 3 Episode 6 : Naughty Nice List (Guest Michelle Marquis)Send us a textWith 2024 almost in the rear-view mirror, we wrap up the year by mentioning a few on the naughty and nice list. We have our eyes set on 2025 and the positive signs ahead. Returning guest Michelle Marquis discusses with Co-Host Miriam Ramsey and Host Steve Milo what will continue to 2024 and what may end up on the yule log.
2024-12-2047 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 3 Episode 7: Bad News Bearers (Guest Dennis Goedheid)Send us a textQ3, 2024 results are out and we go over the results. We also react to VRMA Fall 2024 in Phoenix. Guest Dennis Goedheid discuss with Co-Host Miriam Ramsey and Host Steve Milo discuss the results and respond to how AirBnB and Uber's new entry to the market means.
2024-11-1244 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 3 Episode 6 : Wild West in Quality (Guest Richard Vaughton)Send us a textWith micro/ DYI property managers crowding the market, many consumers are feeling like the vacation rental market is the "Wild West" in standards. Professional Property managers are working hard to win back the trust in the market. Guest Richard Vaughton speaks with co-host Miriam Ramsey and Host Steve Milo about how standardization of quality can help boost confidence in the market. They also speak about the current cycle trends both the European and US markets are facing going into 2025.
2024-11-1150 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 3 Episode 5 : Built to BOOK (Guests Mike Harrington, Sebastien Long)Send us a textBuilding a solid future in the vacation rental world means building purpose built. Hosts Steve Milo and Miriam Ramsey speak with experts in the propco world, Mike Harrington and Sebastien Long about the challenges and pay offs of considering all of the special considerations that need to be made when designing new constructions meant for use as a vacation rental.
2024-10-0151 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 3 Episode 4 Bright Idea (Guests Jason Sprenkle and Amy Hinote)Send us a textOur returning ALL STARS Amy Hinote and Jason Sprenkle join the panel to go over the latest moves in the vacation rental world. See what ideas are seen as shining examples and which are just dim wattage. Co-Host Miriam Ramsey and Host Steve Milo bring enlightenment to the topics.
2024-09-1757 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 3 Episode 3 : Harvest DOOM (Guest Michelle Marquis and Jeff Robertson)Send us a textThe summer 2024 numbers are out and they are not rosy. A tough fall "harvest" is to be expected however it seems that some part of the harvest can be saved. Guest Michelle Marquis and Jeff Robertson speak with Co-Host Miriam Ramsey and Host Steve Milo about strategies that may mitigate impending doom. We also speak about #vacasa #marriott and #sonder
2024-09-1041 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 3 Episode 2 Alex Nigg: AirBnB, Bull Stock or just all BULL?Send us a textReturning Guest Alex Nigg joins host Steve Milo on covering publicly traded Vacation Rental companies and analyze by the numbers their current trajectories. Can AirBnB continue with their stock high? Will the Sonder & Marriot deal be a new force in the industry to contend with? Will Vacasa's risky debt pay off?
2024-09-0350 minStraight Fire VRSeason 3 Episode 1 : The Pricing Puzzle (Guest Melanie Brown)Send us a textStraight Fire VR Investigates: The Vanishing Act. Where has the middle market gone, and will it come back? When pricing is crucial to a strategy, acknowledging the missing middle is key to putting together the ADR puzzle. We analyze the numbers to understand the forces driving the market and how to best plan for fall 2024 and 2025. We also discuss the international markets and how shifts in demand overseas will affect U.S. property managers. Our expert guest, Melanie Brown, breaks down the numbers with Co-Host Miriam Ramsey and Host Steve Milo.
2024-08-2755 min
Straight Fire VR0:13 / 53:24 Season 2 Episode 15 - Special report on SB 280 - Ginger Harrelson, Dennis GoeheidSend us a textStraight VR in this Emergency Episode discusses Governor Ron Desantis' final decision on SB 280 and what that means for Florida Property Managers. We also take a temperature check of the current market
2024-07-0953 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 2 Episode 14 : The Vacation Rental Royalty GamesSend us a textWelcome to the Straight Fire Summer Games where we pay tribute to those in the Vacation Rental Royalty. A leaner market means only the fittest will survive. Those who have been treading water the past year may be fated to sink in an untimely manner.Joining in the games is a returning guest and expert of Revenue Management the Founder and CEO of Wheel House Andrew KitchellOverseeing today’s games is our co host and Regional Director of business development at Vtrips. Miriam RamseyOur Host is the Founder and...
2024-07-0158 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 2 Episode 13 : Paying the price of silence (Guests Scott Fasano, Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Amy Hinote)Send us a textSeason 2 Episode 13 : Paying the price of silence (Guests Scott Fasano, Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Amy Hinote)
2024-05-2859 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 2 Episode 12 : The V Files (Guests Andy Morris and Michelle Marquis)Send us a textOut in the open! Straight Fire VR speaks with guests about their outspoken opinions on three very important players in the industry: the three V’s, VRMA, Vacasa, and VRBO.Joining us this week in the crossfire are two outspoken industry experts: the Founder of Seattle Vacation Homes, Andy Morris, and the Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Manager at Short Cutz, Michelle Marquis. Both go on record with co-hosts of Straight Fire VR, Miriam Ramsey and Steve Milo, to give us a behind-the-scenes look into the industry
2024-05-201h 07
Straight Fire VRSeason 2 Ep 11 Top Dog BillionaireSend us a textStraight Fire VR is keeping an eye on the market that is heating up in time for summer.AirBnB’s stock prices have seen a rocket ride this past year and they have taken a bigger bite of the market share. Will it last and what does their high rise mean for the industry?Also, does Expedia need an exit ramp for VRBO? Our experts debate. And with more troubling news over at Vacasa, will there be a saving grace in the horizon? Returning Guest Alex Nigg the Founder & CEO...
2024-05-1659 minStraight Fire VRSeason 2 Episode 11: Dirty Tricks, Airbnb’s “Trashy” Policies.Airbnb has a few practices and policies that should be trashed. In this week’s Straight Fire VR episode, we look at the “housecleaning” that Airbnb is doing on some of their sloppy practices and discuss what work still needs to be done.We also discuss Expedia and VRBO. Does Expedia need an exit ramp for VRBO? Our experts debate. And with more troubling news over at Vacasa, will there be a saving grace on the horizon? Returning Guest Alex Negg, the Founder & CEO at Properly, Inc., joins in the analysis on these topics alongside our co-host Miriam Ramsey...
2024-05-1559 minStraight Fire VRA Special Episode : In Memoriam to Vacasa's stock prices- Guests Drew Ewing and Dan SawyerSend us a textVacasa, a onetime Unicorn in the Vacation Rental industry is now a struggling property management company. With prices as of April 9, 2021 of of over $200 a share to now trading under $6.00, where did it all go wrong? Straight Fire VR performs an autopsy to investigate the cause of death. Our Guests former Vacasa Sales Executive Dan Sawyer and Vacation Rental Consultant Drew Ewing investigate what caused this massive hemorrhaging of their current cash situation
2024-05-0953 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 2 episode 8 The Ghost Town called VRMASend us a textVRMA is the largest Vacation Rental Manager's association in the world. Recent low attendance and leadership shakeups has raised eyebrows in the industry. Our panel guests Scott Leggat and Amber Carpenter do a deep dive to try to uncover what is at the root of recent chaos.
2024-04-2153 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 2 Episode 8 : Corporate RaderSend us a textThe firestorm that the vacation world has seen in the last few years may have cleared the forest floor a bit and allowed the surviving players to grow. In this week’s episode, our guests speak about the players that are left on the board and the new moves they may take to raise capital and grow using a leaner and more profitable model. Guests Marcus Räder, Matt Golis, and Roopak Pati speak with Host Steve Milo about the new opportunities on the horizon.
2024-04-191h 00
Straight Fire VR1:10 / 56:31 s2 episode 7 Great Scotts! ( Guests Scott Bunce,Scott Seay, Amber Carpenter)Send us a textMessage Received? Answer: MAYBE. Have you noticed your emails falling short lately? Many property managers may have noticed their emails being sent coming up short, and this could be due to new changes over at Google.If undeliverable messages and email kickbacks seem like a real “kick in the business,” it could be that your marketing team is unaware of how to maneuver these new email rules. If you are getting an ERROR message, now is not the time to ignore it! 2024 is an Election Year, which historically is a trying time for...
2024-04-0956 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 2 Episode 6 Know Shortcuts Guest Jeff RobertsonSend us a text If as a property manager you are feeling that the headwinds are quickly turning into a hurricane, you are not alone. Increasing labor prices, lowered ADR and shortened stays require a manager ro become more sophisticated with your marketing and data collection. Straight Fire VR Episode 6 goes in depth with Jeff Robertson and Co Founder of ShortCuts on what can be done to mitigate these headwinds and how to potentially harness these hardships for a win. When there are no "shortcuts" to success it is vital to KNOW SHORTCUTS.
2024-04-031h 01Straight Fire VRSeason 2 Episode 5 The Women Breaking the sound of silenceSend us a textWomen make up 70% of the vacation rental industry workforce but hold only a fraction of leadership roles. In this episode we speak with two female business owners about the landscape of the changing industry and technology challenges. We also touch upon recent domestic violence claims in the industry and how speaking up and standing together helps victims pick up the pieces personally and professionally.
2024-03-2656 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 2 Episode 4 House of STRs (Guests Tiffany Edwards, Ben Edwards)Send us a textSPECIAL ALERT EPISODE! An urgent CALL TO ACTION is needed. Our latest Straight Fire VR episode outlines Florida SB 280 which passed the house and now threatens the industry if Governor De Santis signs it. Our fellow vacation rental owners and industry experts, Tiffany Edwards and Ben Edwards talk about the lobbying efforts being made on our behalf to stop this problematic bill. We ask that you contact the Governor and ask he NOT SIGN THE BILL. Each one of your calls, letters and social media postings are needed to help protect the industry. ...
2024-03-2054 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 2 Episode 3 : Getting the Drop on Pricing with Guest Jason SprenkleSend us a textSpring may be the time of the year that the weather finally thaws winter's stronghold on the ground. This spring, as the weather gently warms across America it is also the time we are seeing bookings start to increase. The cooler markets of the last two years may be seeing a warming up as ADR drops. Property manager are looking closely at where market pricing may end up. In the hopes that a fruitful spring will lead to a healthy summer, everyone is planning now to make sure to get “the drop” on prici...
2024-03-1353 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 2 Episode 2: Team Pink and the Pink Slip with Guest Michelle MarquisSend us a textSeason 2 Episode 2: Team Pink and the Pink Slip examines the recent layoffs industry wide. From #Vacasa, #Expedia, #Sonders and #Frontdesk have rattled the industry. Returning Guest Michelle Marquis discusses with Host Steve Milo what is rooted in these layoffs and what it means for the industry in 2024. First quarter of 2024 may almost be done, but what does it mean for the coming year.
2024-03-0556 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 2 Ep 1 Cracking the Bro Code SilenceSend us a textStraight Fire VR is back and no topic is safe from our sights. It is 2024 and we are ready to take score. In our sights this week we will be looking at women on the rise to powerful positions in the industry, decoding Airbnb “Hot Air” reports. We will also be taking a serious look at what the moral and ethical responsibilities for a company when crimes are reported that involve their members. Can companies continue to stay silent, effectively closing rank in support of the “Bro Code” in 2024? Joining...
2024-03-0155 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 2: Episode 1 Cracking the Bro CodeStraight Fire VR is back and no topic is safe from our sights. It is 2024 and we are ready to take score. In our sights this week we will be looking at women on the rise to powerful positions in the industry, decoding Airbnb “Hot Air” reports. We will also be taking a serious look at what the moral and ethical responsibilities for a company when crimes are reported that involve their members. Can companies continue to stay silent, effectively closing rank in support of the “Bro Code” in year 2024? Joining in the discussion today is a nearly 20 yea...
2024-03-0155 minStraight Fire VREpisode 20 : Failure to Plan is a Plan to FAIL (Guest Michelle Marquis and Amber Carpenter)Send us a text🗓 As we wrap up 2023 and look to plan for 2024, and beyond for some of us. As the man who is best known for both the lightening rod ⚡ and the 💵 $100 USD note Benjamin Franklin put it best, " If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail." Our latest Episode of Straight Fire VR covers the latest Women's Summit, DARM and our 2024 predictions. ▶ Click now to listen to our 20th Episode : Failure to plan is a plan to fail ( Guests Amber Carpenter and Michelle Marquis) Also available on Spotify and...
2023-12-2151 min
Straight Fire VREpisode 19 Here LIES the Truth IN Toxic PositivitySend us a text🤔 Can we be frank? 💻 Social Media is a great place to get the word out, however it can be MORE conducive to toxic positivity than actual constructive critical discourse. 🍭 Sugarcoating potential threats, hyping up systemicinadequacies, and flat out omitting any industry criticism is a recipe for failure. 😭 Blunt honesty may sting; however it can allow for opportunities to course correct before the point of no return is crossed. 📣 A cheer squad may be useful in getting a team motivated, but when it becomes deafening to a coach's instruction to their team, it...
2023-12-1543 min
Straight Fire VREpisode 18 : In for the Penny Pinch in for the Pound (Graham Donoghue & Paul Smith)Send us a textGoing into 2024 , looking at every dollar is more important than ever. Conversion rates depend on strategic placement of money early on. The "Spray and Pray spending " may have gotten 100% occupancy during the pandemic highs is no longer a viable strategy in today's market. Experts Graham Donoghue, Paul Smith and Steve Milo speak about how Cash Management look like today in today's market.
2023-12-0459 min
Straight Fire VREpisode 17 : Replicating Success ( Chad Blankenship and Andrew Kitchell)Send us a textMistakes, missteps and common pitfalls can cause major cash flow problems and even lead up to shutting your doors down, but simply avoiding problems are not enough to keep your business going strong. Building a successful business means having a support team that not only can avoid mishaps, but can be trained to manage equally well as your key performers. Being flexible, using technology to your advantage makes an upward market manageable. Guests Revenue Manager at V Trips Chad Blankenship and Andrew Kitchell founder and CEO of Wheelhouse speak about technology, software and o...
2023-11-291h 01
Straight Fire VREpisode 16: Doug Kennedy ( K.P. Eye on the Business)Send us a textHospitality IS at the root of the vacation rental industry. Doug Kennedy a trainer and fixture for over 30 years in both the hotel and vacation rental space will delve into key elements of hospitality. Keeping an eye on your business is key to survival and spotting trends within our own organization can help you keep you and your team on the right track, and conversely loosing sight can have you drift directly into a storm. KPI's along with asking the right questions from your customers and staff can give shore up problems early an...
2023-11-2740 min
Straight Fire VREpisode 15 : As Cold as ICE ( Guests Scott Fasano and Adam Norko)Send us a textSteve Milo speaks with fellow podcasters Scott Fasano and Adam Norko of the Art of Hospitality Podcast.🎯 Steve Milo and guests take aim at the topics of #Vacasa 3rd quarter results, #Airbnb vs. #bookingcom, #VRMA, #Marriott and the Franchise Model. Also in this episodes sights are Scott Breon Doug Brindley, Graham Donoghue and Henrik Kjellberg.
2023-11-1555 min
Straight Fire VREpisode 14: WE GOT YOUR charge BACK! ( Guests Matt Golis Amber Carpenter and Ryan Bailey)Send us a textThe vacation rental industry has seen capital flooding into the market. With this growth comes growing pains like chargebacks, fraud, and cancelations as well as policy changes at OTAs like VRBO, Airbnb and even google listings. In this episode, we sat down with Vacation Rental technology specialist and Professor Amber Carpenter and spoke with CEO's Matt Golis of Stretch Bill and Ryan Bailey of TNS on this matter. Steve Milo, as always, provides his unorthodox but blunt takes on the issues.
2023-11-1345 min
Straight Fire VREpisode 13 : Kill the BILL or be OUTLAWEDSend us a textUnfavorable laws throughout the United States are being purposed to limit, ban and hamper short term rentals. Rather than just reacting to legislation that threaten the livelihood of those in the vacation rental business, many local groups are organizing to help prevent the spread of such laws. Listen as Steve Milo, Miriam Ramsey and guest Tom Powers speak about what steps are being taken in that fight in the South Carolina market.
2023-11-0728 min
Straight Fire VREpisode 12 : Hang on, the RIDE is WILDSend us a textSteve Milo speaks with Lino Maldonado about riding the tides of change in the short term rental industries. Trends that ebb and flow as well as emerging opportunities in the industry. When uncertainty can cause unease, it can also create opportunities.
2023-11-0544 min2023-10-2647 min
Straight Fire VREpisode 11 - Back to Reality, 2008? (Guests Michelle Marquis and Jeff Robertson)Send us a textSteve Milo and Miriam Ramsey speak with Guests, Michelle Marquis and Jeff Robertson about how the easy money of the Pandemic years are now over and what needs to happen to survive in a market that has returned to "Normal".
2023-10-2347 min
Straight Fire VREpisode 10 Dessert, Best Served COLDSend us a textThe conclusion to Chef of Industry Steve Milo's buffet of topics. We speak about many companies in the vacation rental space and analyze their business model.
2023-10-1130 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 1 Episode 9: Appetite for DESTRUCTIONSend us a textWe sink our teeth into the latest topics facing the industry. We talk Marriot Homes and Villas, AirBnB and Vacasa. Steve Milo dishes with Amy Hinote and Amber Carpenter.
2023-10-0642 min
Straight Fire VREpisode 8 : The Price is DOWN!Send us a textEpisode 8 : The Price is DOWN! We speak with Jason Sprenkle CEO of Key Data about how more supply and lower consumer demand create reduced average daily rates. #VacationRentals #Airbnb #Vrbo #Expedia #Bookingcom #KeyData
2023-09-2744 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 1 Episode 7: Slicing up the OTA MarketSend us a textOn Line Travel agents such as Expedia, Booking.COM and Air B NB are growing and working on acquiring inventory, expanding reach through new technology ventures and making strategic acquisitions. No matter how you slice it, the market share for the alternative housing market is getting competitive and gaining outside interests. This week's episode we speak with Jed Kelly from Oppenheimer to discuss winners and losers in the market. See who we believe will come out on top as European and American companies enter the Vacation Rental sector.Host: Steve Milo
2023-09-1944 min
Straight Fire VREpisode 2 of 2 - Vacasa Buy or BYE!Send us a textPart 2 of 2 takes a closer look at Vacasa stock to see if now is the time to buy or just say BYE!Seth Borko and Steve Milo debate and discuss what your next move should be.
2023-09-1644 min
Straight Fire VREpisode 4 - Maui's RecoverySend us a textWe speak with Regional Direct for Hawaii, Texas and New Mexico Melissa Prewitt and Reservations Manager Jeff Malafu. We see what tourism looks like in Maui with those who are currently working in that area.
2023-09-1651 min
Straight Fire VRStraight Fire Vacation Rental : Season 1 Episode 1 (AirBnB Guest from hell)Send us a textThis BRAND NEW podcast about the Vacation Rental world, pulls the curtain back on the on the REALITY of the business. In an industry where homeowners entrust their valuable properties to us and guests rely on us to create memorable vacation experiences, real talk becomes a fundamental aspect of our business. Real talk means being forthright and candid about the opportunities and challenges that come with managing vacation rentals including bad business models that give our industry a poor reputation, discussing both the pros and cons of vendors, and having real talk about e...
2023-09-1335 min
Straight Fire VREpisode 3 part 3of 3 : The conclusion of Funding the fight!Send us a textIn this installment, we will see what happens when you DO and DO NOT prune relationships in the legislative wing of the government. Steve Milo continues the discussion about the challenges about the vacation rental business as it relates to government overreach. See what happens when Steve Milo and Tiffany Edwards secure a private audience with Governor DeSantis. Rember to CLICK on Episode of 3 of 3 for the conclusion. #vacationrentalhomes #airbnb #advocacymatters #floridarentals #shorttermrentals
2023-09-1318 min
Straight Fire VREpisode 3 part 2 of 3 : FUNDING THE FIGHTSend us a textThis week Steve and Miriam speak with vacation rental insiders & advocates Tiffany Edwards and Jeannie Dailey. Part one covers the cost that owners pay when a markets looses heat and as a result get burned. In the high steaks of property management, companies that loose sight of the target become riddled with problems. #vacationrentalhomes #vacasa #propertymanagement
2023-09-1324 min
Straight Fire VREpisode 2 :( Vacasa, Buy or Bye?) Part 1Send us a textThis week Steve and Miriam speak with vacation rental insiders & advocates Tiffany Edwards and Jeannie Dailey. Part one covers the cost that owners pay when a markets looses heat and as a result get burned. In the high steaks of property management, companies that loose sight of the target become riddled with problems. #vacationrentalhomes #vacasa #propertymanagement
2023-09-131h 08
Straight Fire VRSeason 1 Episode 3 part 1 of 3 - Churn baby churn! Vacasa InfernoSend us a textThis week Steve and Miriam speak with vacation rental insiders & advocates Tiffany Edwards and Jeannie Dailey. Part one covers the cost that owners pay when a markets looses heat and as a result get burned. In the high steaks of property management, companies that loose sight of the target become riddled with problems. #vacationrentalhomes #vacasa #propertymanagement
2023-09-1319 minStraight Fire VREpisode 4 (Maui's Recovery)After the worst fire in US history, Maui has a long road ahead to recovery. In this very special Episode, Steve and Miriam speak to those in the front line of hospitality to hear about the current situation and what the next steps are to rebuild. In an industry that is THE lifeblood of the island, rebuilding is of utmost importance, and time is ticking. #mauifires #hawaiitravel #shorttermrentals #mauihawaii
2023-09-1351 min
Straight Fire VRSeason 1 Episode 6: Game of Homes, WINTER IS COMINGSend us a textWe speak to industry insider Scott Bunce, Brian Harris about the challenges facing the vacation rental industry. Storms and OTAs can leave the market in tatters. Listen now to hear how experts are preparing .
2023-09-1342 min
Straight Fire VRStraight Fire Episode 5 Air B N B rising or falling ?Send us a textWe discuss with CEO and Founder of Properly Inc Alex Nigg the sky rocketing stock of Air B N B . Can this San Francisco company maintain their high or are they set to have their BUBBLE burst?
2023-09-1330 min