John Hildebrand and Mariah Kamei sat down to talk about the joys and challenges of operating short-term rentals. John is a seasoned owner and property manager who first started by renting out a room in his Malibu apartment to help pay his rent. As a kid, John moved frequently which fostered a love for real estate. His life experiences and that first shared-room listing launched a small management empire in Arizona. John is a self-professed real estate and STR addict who loves converting a new property into a special experience for his guests. He is the founder of Hildehomes.
John also shared his journey to advocacy through working with Rent Responsibly. He found his voice and is now in the public forum to ensure the STR industry can thrive. He leads the largest 501c coalition in the state and helps many cities stay ahead of regulation. He encourages everyone to get involved in advocacy by donating money or time and opening a dialogue in their neighborhood.
We also talked about how we’re in an industry correction where hosts who give 120% to their properties and focus on customer service and design will thrive. John’s advice is to use data to figure out what you can do differently and take back control of your listings and investment strategy.