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54. Instagram-Worthy Airbnbs Aren’t the Goal… Profit Is

Episode Summary

In this episode, I’m sharing a real-time mindset shift I’ve been going through as an Airbnb owner, investor, and mom. After a year of podcasting, learning from top producers, academy students, and coaches, my expectations for what an Airbnb should look like quietly skyrocketed. And honestly? I had to reel it back in.

We’re talking about the pressure to make every Airbnb Instagram-worthy, why “quietly performing” properties are often the best ones, and how guests actually compare your listing (hint: it’s usually not to viral Airbnbs). I also share lessons learned from buying existing Airbnbs, backend organization mistakes I made early on, and why I’ve developed a new respect for property managers—especially in this season of life with baby Melanie.

This episode is part reflection, part reality check, and part permission slip to stop overcomplicating your Airbnb.

Key Takeaways

  • Following top producers and high-level investors can raise your standards—but it can also distort reality

  • Not every Airbnb needs luxury upgrades, hot tubs, cowboy tubs, or viral features to perform well

  • Guests are usually comparing your Airbnb to local listings or hotels, not Instagram-famous properties

  • Clean, comfortable, and accurate listings often outperform “over-designed” spaces

  • ROI, maintenance, and long-term sustainability matter more than wow-factor

  • Backend systems (utilities, logins, account numbers) matter more than you think

  • Property managers aren’t “giving up”—they’re choosing a different goal

  • Some Airbnbs are meant to be destination stays, others are meant to quietly cash flow

  • Instagram fame does not equal profitability

  • Simpler systems = less stress and more freedom

Why Listen to This Episode?

If you’ve ever felt like:

  • Your Airbnb isn’t “good enough” compared to what you see online

  • You’re overthinking upgrades and design choices

  • You’re torn between self-managing and hiring a property manager

  • You’re scaling faster than your systems can keep up

This episode will help you reset expectations, refocus on what actually matters, and make smarter decisions based on your market—not social media pressure.

Mentioned in the Episode

Let’s Connect

Thinking about simplifying your Airbnb, setting realistic expectations, or scaling without burnout?
 DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your progress! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.

Work With Me

If you want to learn how to set up systems that let you manage your Airbnb in 15–30 minutes a week, early bird access for my Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator is coming soon.

This course walks you through:

  • Systems & automation

  • Guest communication

  • Backend organization

  • Scaling without chaos

And the best part? I keep it affordable because I believe your money is better spent buying your first Airbnb—not overpriced education.

I also have turnkey Airbnb retreats for sale in La Crosse, Wisconsin. If you want details, just reach out.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome & life update
 02:30 One-year podcast reflection
 05:00 Expectations rising from high-level exposure
 08:30 What guests actually care about
 12:00 Existing Airbnb inspection reality check
 15:00 Instagram vs. real-world performance
 18:00 Backend organization mistakes
 21:00 Utility tracking lessons
 23:00 Property management mindset shift
 25:00 ROI vs. luxury upgrades
 27:00 Course mention & closing thoughts

Subscribe and Share

If this episode gave you permission to stop overthinking your Airbnb, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another host who needs to hear this. It helps the podcast more than you know—and I truly appreciate you being here.