Podcast

Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing with Jonathan Greene

314: Why Higher Short-Term Rental Rates Start With Better Design with Bri West

In this episode, Bri West joins Jonathan to explore what really drives performance in short-term rental investing. She shares how design, strategy, and guest experience all play a role in long-term profitability.

Bri dives into why many investors underestimate the impact of thoughtful design and how smart planning can help properties stay competitive as markets become more crowded. She also explains how niche strategies can succeed when backed by clear data and scenario analysis.

The conversation wraps with practical insights on optimizing layouts and amenities, showing how small decisions can dramatically influence booking behavior and overall returns.

In this episode, you will hear:

Why design should be treated as an investment in short-term rentals
How to use data to validate niche rental strategies
What occupancy and ADR reveal about profitability
Why guest experience starts with layout decisions
How to design properties for long-term performance

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