On this week's episode, Avery is joined by Kelsey Ardoin to break down what’s working right now in the Galveston and Crystal Beach short-term rental market. Using one of her own properties as a case study, Kelsey shares how investors can dramatically improve bookings without spending tens of thousands on major renovations, focusing instead on guest experience, outdoor entertainment spaces, hot tubs, and highly photographable amenities. She explains why large-group properties continue to perform well in this drive-to market, how to design beach houses that stand out from the competition, and why maximizing comfortable sleeping arrangements is critical to success. Avery and Kelsey also discuss current market conditions, why Crystal Beach remains one of the more affordable beach investment markets in the country, and how today’s buyer-friendly environment compares to the frenzy of the COVID-era boom.

Connect with Kelsey:

agents@theshorttermshop.com

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

On this week's episode, Avery is joined by Chris McKenna, a former Fortune 500 executive who retired at 49 after building a portfolio of short-term rentals across Alabama, Oklahoma, and Maine. Chris shares how hearing Avery on a BiggerPockets podcast sparked his real estate journey, leading him from a demanding corporate career to owning multiple vacation rental properties that now generate nearly $1 million in annual revenue. He recounts the unforgettable challenges of his first investment property—including a renovation disaster that landed him in the emergency room with Bell’s palsy—and explains why staying focused on long-term goals helped him keep moving forward. Chris also discusses scaling a portfolio across multiple markets, transforming underperforming properties through strategic upgrades, and the lessons he learned from purchasing and revitalizing a lakeside cabin resort in rural Maine.

How to connect with Chris:

https://lawrenceslakesidecabins.com/
https://vandellvacationrentals.com/gulfshores/

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon

On this week's episode, Avery is joined by Lance Lalanne, a Louisiana-based business executive and real estate investor who transformed his family's dream of owning a beach condo into a successful short-term rental business. Lance shares how a conversation with a friend, Avery’s audiobook, and guidance from the Short Term Shop team helped him confidently purchase a condo in Orange Beach, Alabama, negotiate a significant discount, and build a thriving rental from the ground up. They discuss the importance of buying based on numbers rather than emotion, leveraging coaching and community support, and creating a long-term wealth-building plan through strategic real estate investing. Along the way, Lance shares lessons from his first year as an STR owner and why he’s already planning property number two.

Connect with Lance:

LeiLani321.com

Connect with us:

The Short Term Shop - https://theshorttermshop.com/
https://stsplus.com/
Follow Avery Carl on Instagram
Follow Avery Carl on TikTok
Join the Short Term Shop Facebook group
Check out the Short Term Shop on YouTube

For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s books:

Smarter Short Term Rentals - Buy it on Amazon
Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties – Buy it on Amazon