The Airbnb & STR Market Is Oversaturated—Here’s How to Stand Out and Succeed

The Market Has Changed—Are You Ready to Compete?

The short-term rental (STR) boom has hit a turning point. What was once a wide-open space with minimal competition is now saturated with listings—and travelers are more selective than ever.

No, the market isn’t dead. It’s maturing.

And hosts who treat their property like a real business are the ones rising to the top.

Why Most Hosts Are Losing the Booking War

Here’s the harsh truth: most hosts don’t have a plan.

• They don’t invest in their properties.

• They don’t market properly.

• They don’t optimize their pricing or listing descriptions.

As platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com crack down on poor-quality listings, those who treat their rental like a hobby will get left behind.

But the hosts who understand experience, quality, and strategy? They’re thriving.

🎯 13 Proven Strategies to Stand Out and Increase Your STR Revenue

Here’s how the best short-term rental operators stay booked—and booked at premium rates.

1. ✨ Nail the Guest Experience

Your STR isn’t just a bed—it’s a destination.

How to level up:

• Thoughtful interior design (not just IKEA basics)

• Quality linens and amenities (think hotel-level comfort)

• Local touches: Arizona desert-themed décor, Sedona coffee in the kitchen, hiking maps

📌 Example: A Goodyear rental with a backyard firepit, string lights, and cozy seating saw a 3x increase in guest rebookings after focusing on outdoor ambiance.

2. 📷 Showcase Your Space with Pro Photography

Low-light, blurry photos are instant booking killers.

What to include:

• Hero shot: the most inviting photo first

• Bright, well-lit rooms with clean staging

• Unique angles of your best features (hot tubs, mountain views, office nooks)

🎯 Listings with pro photography earn up to 40% more revenue than DIY ones.

3. 🧠 Optimize Your Listing Description Like a Copywriter

Most guests book based on emotion. Write descriptions that spark a feeling.

Instead of:

“Spacious 2BR condo in Phoenix.”

Try:

“Relax under desert skies at this beautifully designed 2BR getaway—minutes from Camelback hikes and Old Town nightlife.”

🧲 Tip: Add strategic keywords to boost search visibility like “vacation rental with pool near Scottsdale,” “family Airbnb in West Valley,” or “remote work rental near Tempe.”

4. 🏷️ Build a Brand Around Your Property

What’s your rental’s identity?

Branding elements:

• Memorable property name (e.g., “The Sunrise Casa” or “The Cactus Loft”)

• Consistent aesthetic (boho, modern desert, minimalist luxury)

• Custom logo and Instagram handle

• Branded guest materials (wifi cards, fridge magnets, etc.)

📈 A Peoria host gained influencer attention by branding their Airbnb as “The Prickly Pearl”—a chic desert escape with curated merch.

5. 🔗 Get Listed Everywhere

Don't rely solely on Airbnb.

Expand your reach:

• Vrbo

• Booking.com

• Expedia Group listings

• Local relocation platforms or traveling nurse networks

• Direct booking website

📌 A Surprise, AZ STR owner added their listing to a mid-term rental platform for traveling professionals and saw a 2-month booking during a typically slow season.

6. 💰 Implement Smart Dynamic Pricing

Don’t guess your price. Use data-driven pricing tools like:

• PriceLabs

• Wheelhouse

• Beyond Pricing

Adjust for:

• Seasonality

• Weekends vs. weekdays

• Local events (Spring Training, golf tournaments, music festivals)

📈 Using smart pricing helped one Chandler STR outperform market average by 22% in nightly rate.

7. 📈 Track Your Metrics and Know Your Numbers

STRs are businesses—so track performance like one:

• Occupancy rate

• Average daily rate (ADR)

• Revenue per available night (RevPAN)

• Cost per booking channel

• Guest acquisition cost

🧠 Knowing this data helps you make strategic decisions—like when to discount, when to upgrade, or which platform performs best.

8. 🤝 Build Repeat Guest Relationships

Create a repeat-worthy experience:

• Offer discounts to returning guests

• Follow up with a personalized thank-you and invite them to book directly next time

• Collect emails for future promotions

💡 Tip: Add a “stay again” coupon inside your welcome binder or guest book.

9. 🎥 Create Video Walkthroughs and Reels

People love visual storytelling.

Use video to:

• Create 360° tours

• Walk through the space with storytelling

• Post short Reels or TikToks on Instagram/Facebook

🎥 A Sedona host added a Reel with the caption “Wake up to red rock views” and saw a viral boost that led to 4 new bookings within 72 hours.

10. 🤳 Get Social with Your STR

If your property isn’t on social media, it’s missing visibility.

Best platforms:

• Instagram for aesthetic storytelling

• TikTok for viral reach

• Facebook for community groups + travel planning

Hashtag ideas:

• #AZAirbnb

• #DesertGetaway

• #VacationRentalGoals

11. ✨ Encourage User-Generated Content (UGC)

Ask guests to:

• Tag you on social

• Leave Google and Airbnb reviews

• Share photos of their stay

🎯 Properties that generate UGC naturally build trust and book faster.

12. 🧳 Appeal to Specific Audiences

Design and market your rental for one of these:

• Remote workers (with desk space + fast Wi-Fi)

• Pet-friendly stays (dog bed, treats, fenced yard)

• Family getaways (pack ‘n play, toys, board games)

• Couples retreats (romantic lighting, privacy)

🎯 Niche-focused listings convert better than generic ones.

13. 📊 Audit & Adapt Regularly

You should revisit your listing, pricing, and guest experience every 60–90 days.

Review:

• Guest reviews

• Booking trends

• Competitor activity

• Local event calendars

📌 Pro tip: Use this opportunity to update photos seasonally and refresh your listing description.

💼 Need Help Turning Your STR Into a Winning Investment?

Whether you're…

• A homeowner struggling to stay booked

• An investor ready to scale

• Or a first-time buyer looking to get started the right way

I can help you optimize, reposition, and turn your STR into a high-performing asset.

📩 Reach out to me for a free strategy call

Let’s make your rental work smarter, not harder.

🧭 Related Reads from The Ravenscroft Group:

• 👉 Boost Your Vacation Rental Revenue with These 12 Marketing Strategies