Articles

If someone had told us years ago that we’d one day write a book about short-term rentals, we probably would have laughed.

We didn’t set out to become Airbnb hosts. We weren’t real estate investors looking to build a portfolio, and we certainly didn’t have a master plan to become “experts.”

We simply loved creating beautiful spaces and welcoming people.

Our journey began with a 1915 farmhouse that needed far more work than we expected. Like many first-time hosts, we made our share of mistakes. We spent money on things that didn’t matter, overlooked things that did, second-guessed countless decisions, and learned lessons the hard way. But with every challenge came a new insight, and before long, one project turned into another.

We built a home with a dedicated short-term rental wing. We transformed an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) into one of our most profitable rentals. We converted a primary residence into a luxury mountain retreat. Along the way, we welcomed hundreds of guests, earned more than 100 five-star reviews, and discovered what truly makes a short-term rental successful.

What surprised us most wasn’t just how rewarding hosting could be—it was how difficult it was to find trustworthy, practical advice.

The internet is filled with articles, YouTube videos, Facebook groups, and podcasts offering opinions about short-term rentals. Some of it is excellent. Much of it is outdated, incomplete, or based on someone else’s unique situation. We found ourselves piecing together information from dozens of sources, often learning through trial and error.

We kept saying the same thing to each other:

“I wish someone had told us this before we started.”

Eventually, we realized we had accumulated something valuable—not because we had all the answers, but because we’d lived the journey ourselves.

That’s why we wrote Booked Solid.

This book isn’t about getting rich overnight or promising effortless passive income. Short-term rentals are real businesses, and like any business, they require planning, preparation, and ongoing effort. But they’re also one of the most rewarding ventures we’ve ever pursued.

Our goal is simple: to give you the guide we wish we’d had when we started.

Whether you’re dreaming about buying your first investment property, converting a home you already own, exploring an ADU, or simply wondering if hosting is right for you, we want to help you move forward with confidence. We’ll share the strategies that worked for us, the mistakes we hope you never make, and the systems we’ve developed to create memorable guest experiences while building profitable businesses.

This website is an extension of that mission.

Here you’ll find practical articles, hosting tips, real-life stories, checklists, and resources designed to help you at every stage of your short-term rental journey. As we get closer to the release of Booked Solid, we’ll continue adding new content to answer the questions we hear most often from aspiring and experienced hosts alike.

We’re glad you’re here, and we hope you’ll follow along.

Whether your goal is to earn extra income, build long-term wealth, or simply create a place where guests make lasting memories, we believe it’s possible—and we’d love to help you get there.

Welcome to Booked Solid. We’re excited to be part of your journey.

—Joan Friedenfels & Jean Adair