In January 2021, we purchased our first property with plans to build and sell a spec home on the extra land while keeping the existing house rented long-term. However, our strategy changed when our tenant reached out and wanted to break his lease. At the same time, while selling another property we had fixed up, the buyers—an experienced husband-and-wife team—shared how they had transitioned their long-term rentals to short-term. They explained that short-term rentals produced significantly higher cash flow, reduced the hassle of problematic tenants, and resulted in better property care. Although the idea initially seemed counterintuitive, their insights sparked our interest.
Pivoting to Short-Term Rentals
We decided to give it a try. Unsure of what to expect and admittedly skeptical, we negotiated a buyout with the tenant, closed on the property, remodeled and furnished it, and listed it on Airbnb just days before Memorial Day 2021. To our surprise, it quickly booked for Memorial Day at a great nightly rate, and bookings started flowing in for more dates. By the end of that first month, our earnings significantly exceeded what we would have generated from a long-term lease. Today, in 2025, this short-term rental averages more than 2.5 times the gross rent of a comparable long-term lease and has produced considerably more cash flow. We’ve also been able to use it with friends and family as needed.
Scaling and Streamlining Operations
The early success of our first short-term rental encouraged us to expand our portfolio and fully commit to the vacation rental business. With a background in commercial real estate, we approached this new venture with a rigorous, data-driven mindset. We tested various property management systems before selecting Hospitable, and we leveraged additional tools like AirDNA, Pricelabs, RankBreeze, and Turno to analyze market trends and optimize operations. Along the way, we overhauled our insurance—from traditional homeowner policies to options from AmericanModern, Proper, and Steadily—and refined our accounting by transitioning from REIHub to QuickBooks. These improvements allowed us to manage our portfolio like a well-oiled business.
Global Insights
In 2024, we took a six-month hiatus to travel across 12 countries and experience a wide range of short-term rentals firsthand. This global trip deepened our understanding of effective hospitality and operational excellence. The insights we gained have been instrumental in fine-tuning our approach and ensuring our properties consistently deliver exceptional guest experiences while maximizing owner revenue.
Our Business Model and Leadership
ChattaStays is built on real-world experience and a commitment to excellence. Founders Tyler and Meg blend backgrounds in real estate finance and professional counseling with hands-on property ownership. Based in Chattanooga, we manage each property as if it were our own—focusing on efficiency, transparency, and measurable results. Our business model is straightforward: align our interests with those of our property owners to deliver reliable, profitable management.
If you’re looking for a management team that truly understands the intricacies of short-term rentals and is dedicated to maximizing your property’s potential, let’s connect.
Welcome to ChattaStays—where proven expertise meets practical property management. [Schedule a free consultation!]
