July 1 marked the one-year anniversary of ChattaStays taking over management of a large upstairs/downstairs duplex within walking distance of Chattanooga’s Main Street area.
As a Chattanooga vacation rental management company, we saw a property with strong potential: size, location, character, walkability, and flexibility. Just as importantly, the owners were engaged, thoughtful, and ready to collaborate.
One year later, the results speak for themselves.
From July 2025 through June 2026, the property generated over $109,000 in gross revenue under ChattaStays management—an increase of roughly 60% compared with prior performance.
That improvement did not come from one change. It came from a series of decisions made together, with ownership and management aligned around a shared vision.
1. A Budget-Conscious Decor Refresh
From our first conversation, the owners made it clear that the property felt like an economy listing and they wanted it to feel more upscale.
The owners were actively involved throughout. Meghan worked closely with the wife to move away from text-heavy decor and toward lighter colors, cleaner lines, and a more cohesive look.
At approximately 3,677 square feet, a full redesign could have been expensive. Instead, we created a meaningful transformation for less than $2.00 per square foot.
We used peel-and-stick wallpaper, photographed Chattanooga landmarks, printed the images locally, and reused existing frames. The owners also had spare decor we were able to repurpose, while Meghan sourced additional pieces through closeouts, scratch-and-dent finds, and other discounted options that still looked great.
Much of the work happened between guest stays, allowing us to improve the property without taking it offline.
We also added ceiling fans and string lights to the front porches to make them more inviting. Because the property is within walking distance of restaurants and attractions such as Alleia, Main Street Meats, Niedlov’s, Velo Coffee, the Chattanooga Choo Choo, and STIR, we wanted the porch to feel like an intentional part of the guest experience.
2. Repositioning the Property as a Six-Bedroom Rental
One of the biggest opportunities was recognizing that the two three-bedroom units could be marketed not only separately, but also together as one six-bedroom rental.
Previously, the upstairs and downstairs units were only offered individually.
By offering the entire property, we created an option for larger families, wedding parties, work crews, and groups that wanted to stay together without being spread across multiple rentals.
There are very few six-bedroom short-term rentals in the Downtown/Southside area, especially within walking distance of Main Street. That helped the property stand out.
As whole-house bookings began coming in, we adjusted the pricing and calendar strategy.
We kept the six-bedroom whole-house listing open up to 12 months in advance, giving larger groups more opportunity to book early. The individual upstairs and downstairs units were generally opened only within 30 days of arrival, allowing us to fill remaining gaps without undercutting the more lucrative whole-house reservations.
3. Better Hospitality and Guest Experience
Revenue growth cannot come at the expense of the guest experience.
We worked with the owners to improve presentation, supplies, communication, and responsiveness. We also looked at the property through the guest’s eyes.
Were the beds sturdy? Did the doors close correctly? Did the porches feel welcoming? Did the listing photos reflect the experience? Did guests know what to expect from an older upstairs/downstairs duplex?
Those details matter.
Better hospitality leads to better reviews. Better reviews improve rankings and conversion. Better conversion supports revenue.
It all works together.
4. Professional Photography and Ongoing Listing Improvement
High-quality photography was another important part of the process.
Short-term rental listings are often judged in seconds, so the photos need to make the property feel clean, comfortable, attractive, and worth booking. At the same time, they need to give guests an accurate understanding of the property and the experience they can expect.
Because we handle photography in-house, we can quickly capture improvements and keep the listing current without relying on outside scheduling.
We didn’t treat the listing as finished once it went live. As the property improved, the listing improved with it.
When we refreshed the decor, we updated the photos. When we added ceiling fans and string lights to the porches, we highlighted those spaces. Because the property does not have a traditional yard, we photographed the nearby park and playground so families could see the outdoor amenities available within walking distance.
For short-term rentals, the listing is the sales page. It should present the property at its best while remaining clear, current, and honest about what guests will experience.
5. Strengthening Operations and Maintenance
Over the past year, we also worked with the owners to address operational and maintenance issues.
That included coordinating HVAC upgrades, resolving an inherited pest issue, fixing misaligned doors, repairing wobbly beds, improving landscaping, and bringing the property to a stronger operating standard.
These improvements are not always highly visible, but they make a major difference in how smoothly a property runs.
A strong listing may get a guest to book. The actual property still has to deliver.
We are grateful to work with owners who are willing to invest thoughtfully in both guest satisfaction and long-term performance.
6. Managing Noise in an Upstairs/Downstairs Duplex
Noise management is especially important in an older upstairs/downstairs duplex.
Rather than ignore that reality, we implemented clearer communication, quiet-hours messaging, signage, and Minut noise monitors.
The goal is not to over-manage guests. It is to set expectations, protect both units, and respond quickly when needed.
7. Looking Ahead to Year Two
We are proud of the first-year results, but the work is not finished.
We’re currently exploring the addition of a hot tub, which could strengthen bookings during shoulder seasons. We are also looking forward to seeing performance over a full year with the improvements and strategy fully in place.
This is the kind of partnership we value at ChattaStays.
We do more than manage listings. We provide full-service vacation rental management designed to improve performance.
One year in, this Main Street-area duplex shows what is possible when thoughtful ownership and hands-on management work together.
ChattaStays is more than a Chattanooga property management company. We’re owners ourselves, and we understand what it means to invest in a property and expect it to perform.
We’ve helped properties increase income by 12%, 22%, 60%, and even 139% in a year or less.
If your property is underperforming and you are looking for a collaborative management partner, we would love to talk.
