Top 10 Articles of 2024

Updated on December 16, 2024

This year, the STR industry faced increasing headwinds that show no sign of slowing. As our top articles this year show, it’s these trying times that light up the entrepreneurial nature of hosts and property managers. We as an STR community have been asking, “How can we do this better?”, and our most popular content reflects a broad theme of leveling up and telling those headwinds, “Bring on the challenge. I’m here for it.”

In no particular order, here are the top 10 articles across RentResponsibly.org and the RR Network, chosen by readers and RR staff. Thank you for reading!

Roundup: Big 2025 destination events that attract guests [Hosting Must-Have]

Events like the Super Bowl and Eras Tour concerts are big business and big to-dos for destinations – and hosts. The influx of guests they bring offers hosts a unique opportunity to attract bookings, maximize profits, and showcase hospitality to event-goers, who are often eager and willing to pay a premium for lodging and ready to have the time of their lives. See if there’s a big event coming to your area in 2025 >

Dos and Don’ts: Using AI in Your Vacation Rental Marketing [RR Network Exclusive]

One of the hottest topics in STRs right now is, unsurprisingly, AI. If you’re a vacation rental business with a limited marketing budget, incorporating artificial intelligence can help you streamline your marketing tasks. However, effectively using AI to market your vacation rentals requires knowledge of what to do and not to do with this relatively new tool. Read our tips here >

Bonus: Check out more on AI in Garrett’s RR Summit session AI x STR: How to Hire a Robot in the RR Network

9 STR books to add to your library [Dana’s Pick]

“I picked this article because I’ve recently (finally!) fallen in love with reading and have been diving into books that expand both my perspective and skills,” Dana said. “The Business of Belonging is one of my favorites on the list—it’s full of ideas on building strong, connected communities, which is so core to what we do. This article feels like a perfect reflection of how we aim to empower and uplift the STR community with the best tools and resources.” See the complete list inside the RR Network >

Kris Leslie-Curtis: A champion for New Mexico Short-Term Rentals [Abbi’s Pick]

“This article stands out as one of my favorites in 2024 because it shines a spotlight on a remarkable leader I’ve had the privilege of working alongside for several years,” Abbi said. “It celebrates the incredible progress they’ve achieved within their local alliance, tracing the journey of the New Mexico Short-Term Rental Association, which began as the Santa Fe Short-Term Rental Alliance. The piece also captures the passion and dedication that make professionals in our industry truly exceptional.” Read Kris’s story >

Productivity Hacks from Conrad O’Connell: Tools & Tips to Get More Done in Less Time [Alexa’s Pick]

“I believe time is our most valuable asset – it’s the one you can’t get back,” Alexa said. “I am a sucker for productivity tips, and Conrad imparted a masterclass worth of advice in his recent RR Summit session. My favorite takeaway: Using an app launcher for automated workflows on my desktop.” Read his advice here or watch the replay of his session in the RR Network >

Short-Term Rental Agreements: A Guide for Hosts [Hosting Must-Have]

Right up there with vetting your guests, rental agreements are arguably the most powerful tool you have in protecting your property, your business, and yourself. In this reader favorite, we provided tips and essential elements for drafting a rental agreement tailored to your specific property, rules, expectations, and local laws. Read the guide >

Small Rental, Big Style: Tips for Small Space Design [RR Network Exclusive]

Small properties can still pack a punch! Smaller vacation rentals – 400 square feet or less – hold some innate advantages, according to BecomingMinimalist.com. But to maximize their advantages, they require thoughtful design. In this guide, designers shared creative ideas and practical tips to transform your small space into a cozy haven for guests. Read for free inside the RR Network >

VR Photography: Dos and Don’ts [RR Network Exclusive]

If there’s one thing that makes or breaks a booking conversion, it’s photography. The right photos can capture the attention of potential guests and evoke feelings of desire and excitement that motivate them to book your vacation rental — and the wrong photos can turn them away instantly. In this article, we shared the dos and don’ts of vacation rental photography to help ensure the best return on your marketing investment. Read the guide >

Top Takeaways from the State of the STR Industry Report [Need-to-Knows]

In June, Rent Responsibly published the State of the STR Industry Report 2024, more than 70 pages of data and insights on STR operations, marketing, technology, staffing, economic impact, and more, including an entire section on never-before-captured intelligence on how local policymakers are thinking about and addressing STRs in their communities. While we highly recommend reading the full report, this article distills some of the most important findings and interesting takeaways from between the lines. Read now >

Affordable housing vs. STRs: What does the data say? [Advocacy Essential]

Even if your market isn’t facing an affordable housing vs. STRs debate (yet), it’s hard to miss all the headlines about communities blaming and banning STRs to restore affordable housing. (Spoiler alert: It won’t.) One of the biggest issues with pinning housing issues on STRs is that it can delay finding effective solutions to the complicated multiple factors that drive housing prices and availability, exacerbating a problem we all want to solve. Data can help untangle these complex supply equations. In this article, we explored some major studies on STRs and housing that offer helpful starting points. See the data >

Honorable Mentions:

Several pre-2024 articles remained popular reader favorites this year, as did some of our non-article content.