The Best Books About the Short-Term Rental Business
The Best Books About the Short-Term Rental Business
Learn from the pros, level up your listings, and maximize your profit.
The short-term rental industry is booming—and it’s more competitive than ever. Whether you’re just getting started or scaling a portfolio of properties, the right resources can give you a serious edge. We’ve rounded up the best books that break down everything from branding and pricing to guest experience and ranking strategies.
Here are the top books every short-term rental host should read:
1. A Year at The Lemondrop by Zephyrus White
Part memoir, part masterclass.
This isn’t just a story—it’s a blueprint. Zephyrus White shares the real-life ups and downs of launching a short-term rental during the chaos of the pandemic. Equal parts heart and hustle, A Year at The Lemondrop offers actionable insights into what it actually takes to run a profitable Airbnb, from marketing to maintenance. If you want a behind-the-scenes look at building a brand and weathering uncertainty, start here.
✅ Great for: Beginners, hosts seeking inspiration, fans of personal storytelling.
2. How to Create the Ultimate Airbnb Listing by Zephyrus White
Rank higher. Book faster. Make more.
If you want to crack the Airbnb algorithm and create a listing that actually converts, this book is your cheat code. Zephyrus White distills years of experience into a straightforward guide that teaches you how to write a killer title, take photos that pop, and optimize every detail for maximum visibility. It’s practical, punchy, and made for hosts who want real results—fast.
✅ Great for: Hosts who want to rank higher in search results, boost bookings, and master Airbnb SEO.
3. Get Paid For Your Pad by Jasper Ribbers and Huzefa Kapadia
The original Airbnb host playbook.
This book helped define the early era of Airbnb education. It covers how to create a standout profile, write a compelling listing, and automate your operations. While some info feels dated in the age of smart pricing and algorithmic changes, the fundamentals still hold up.
✅ Great for: First-time hosts, people exploring Airbnb as a side hustle.
4. Optimize YOUR Bnb by Daniel Rusteen
Written by an ex-Airbnb employee who knows the system inside and out.
Rusteen goes deep on the tactics to make your listing stand out. From pricing strategy to guest communication, he brings insider knowledge that most books don’t. If you're already hosting and want to improve performance, this book delivers.
✅ Great for: Active hosts ready to level up their game.
5. Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth by Avery Carl
Thinking bigger? This one’s for you.
Carl’s book is all about using short-term rentals as a path to financial freedom. It focuses less on individual listings and more on scaling a portfolio and investing strategically. If you’re trying to grow beyond one property, this is a must-read.
✅ Great for: Investors and ambitious hosts focused on growth and wealth-building.
Final Thoughts
Books won’t scrub your toilets or reply to guest messages at midnight—but they will help you build a smarter, more profitable short-term rental business. If you're looking for inspiration, strategy, and next-level tactics, start with A Year at The Lemondrop for the heart, and How to Create the Ultimate Airbnb Listing for the hustle.
Ready to turn your rental into a revenue machine? Crack open one of these, and get to work.
