Five tips for running a short-term rental while working full-time
- Apr 3
- 4 min read
Running a short-term rental alongside a full-time job sounds like a recipe for burnout. But it doesn’t have to be.
With the right systems in place, what starts as a side hustle can quickly become a streamlined, scalable business.
In a recent episode of Host Planet Bitesize, Colter Robinson from Hostfully shared five practical strategies to make it work. If you’re balancing a career with your rental business, this is essential listening. Catch the full episode on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple.
Tip 1: Automate everything from day one
Colter's number one tip is to treat your STR like a software company – built on systems, not sweat. Bandwidth is your scarcest resource when you're working full time, and automation is how you get it back.
The foundation is a good property management system (PMS) that handles your day-to-day operations. Layer on top of that: smart home technology (keyless entry locks, smart thermostats), dynamic pricing tools so you're not micromanaging your rates across 15 different properties, and turnover tools that let your cleaning team check-in, complete checklists, and upload photos in real time.
"If you're working a full-time job, bandwidth is probably going to be one of those number one issues," Colter says. "So automation is going to be the way to solve that."
Don't forget automated guest communication too – booking confirmations, mid-stay messages, and review requests can all run without you lifting a finger.
Tip 2: Build a killer cleaning and turnover team
Your cleaners aren't just cleaners – they're your eyes and ears on the ground, especially if you're not local to your properties. Colter recommends having a minimum of two reliable cleaners per property so you always have backup cover.
The key is empowering them with the right tools: detailed, property-specific checklists (not a generic cookie-cutter template), photo verification after each clean, and turnover software that lets them report issues in real time. This gives you peace of mind and ensures consistent five-star results even when you're at your desk.
Training your cleaners on your hospitality standards is equally important. The cleanliness of your property is, as Colter puts it, "the most important thing within short-term rentals" – and the first impression a guest forms when they walk through the door.
Tip 3: Use your 9-5 job as leverage
This might be the most counterintuitive tip of the five: don't be in a rush to quit your day job. Your primary income is actually one of your biggest assets in building an STR business.
It helps you qualify for mortgages and loans to acquire more properties. It funds furnishings and renovations without forcing you to cut corners. And crucially, it gives you the financial runway to make calm, rational decisions – rather than panic-driven ones when bookings dip in a slow month.
"If everyone is in a pinch financially, that's where you make emotional decisions which don't ultimately end up playing in your favour," Colter explains. Building your STR portfolio slowly and intentionally – while your salary provides stability – gives you a much better chance of long-term success.
Tip 4: Create a zero confusion short-term rental property
Nothing kills a five-star review faster than a frustrated guest who can't figure out how to turn on the TV. Colter's fourth tip is to design your property so that guests never have to ask a question.
Digital guidebooks are a game-changer here. Platforms like Hostfully let you create and send a digital guidebook before guests arrive, covering everything from Wi-Fi codes and door access to local restaurant recommendations and appliance tutorials. No printing, no laminating, and you can update it instantly if something changes.
Colter's practical tip: put a QR code on the kitchen counter with a note saying "Scan for Wi-Fi and house information." It's the first thing guests want, and it gets your guidebook onto their phone immediately.
The goal is zero confusion – from the moment guests arrive to the moment they check out.
Tip 5: Design for revenue, not just aesthetics
The final tip is about making your property work harder for your bottom line – not just look pretty on Instagram (although that matters too).
Create one or two genuinely 'Instagrammable' moments in the property: a neon sign, a themed nook, a stunning view. Guests who post about their stay are marketing your property for free. Colter mentions a Green Bay Packers-themed property in Wisconsin that absolutely nailed this – guests felt immersed in the experience and couldn't stop sharing it.
Then think about upsells. Early check-in and late check-out are among the easiest revenue boosters available – almost every guest wants them, many will pay for them, and they cost you very little in effort. Automated upsell tools make this effortless.
Invest in direct booking capabilities so you're not entirely reliant on Airbnb or Booking.com. And don't underestimate the power of high-quality bedding and professional photography – they're not luxuries, they're the difference between a scroll-past and a booking.
The bottom line
Running an STR alongside a full-time job isn't just possible – with the right systems, it can be remarkably smooth. Automate the operations, build a team you trust, use your income as fuel, eliminate guest confusion, and design for both experience and revenue.
Colter Robinson's journey from part-time host to full-time STR professional is proof that a methodical, tech-forward approach can get you there – without sacrificing your sanity along the way.
Hostfully special offer
Looking for a leading property management software? Give Hostfully a try! With Host Planet, you can get $500 off PMS onboarding and 30% off digital guidebooks for life. Click here for details.
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