482. Hosting Hotline: Can You Actually Sell Your STR as a Turnkey Business?

This week on the Hosting Hotline, Lori from Fort Wayne, Indiana calls in with a big-picture question: how do you prepare your short-term rental (STR) for sale—and is it possible to sell it as a functioning business, not just a piece of real estate?

In this episode, Sarah and Annette walk through everything you need to know before listing your STR, including how appraisers and lenders view short-term rentals, why finding the right realtor is essential, and how to identify—and package—your property’s intangible value. They also share strategies for maximizing your sale price by building out a direct booking system, collecting guest emails, and keeping historical data.

Whether you're thinking about an exit strategy or just want to better understand your business’s future value, this episode is packed with insight.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why STRs are typically valued as residential properties, not businesses
• How to find a short-term rental-friendly realtor
• What makes your listing more appealing to investor buyers
• The value of email lists, websites, and direct bookings in a sale
• Creative ways to structure a win-win sale (including co-hosting transitions)
• Why historical performance data adds credibility
• Tips for networking your way to a buyer

Resources Mentioned:

• StayFi – StayFi helps you collect guest emails for future marketing and direct bookings.
• Google Vacation Rentals – A powerful way to generate direct bookings outside Airbnb.
• Hosting Business Mastery – Learn how to run your STR like a business with Thanks for Visiting’s exclusive program.