STR Investing, The Podcast
Welcome to STR Investing, The Podcast, where hosts Taylor Jones & Mark Lumpkin reveal the keys to financial freedom through short-term rental investing. Whether you're taking your first step into this lucrative market or looking to expand your portfolio, this podcast is your ultimate resource for success.
Taylor, who has successfully acquired over 200+ properties, brings not only his personal experiences but also sits down with industry experts to share insights and stories from every corner of the STR world. From sharing insights of building 9 figures of STR businesses, to staying on top of the latest trends in acquiring, designing, furnishing, and operating profitable short-term rentals, he covers it all.
But that's not all. We're also lifting the veil on the challenges and triumphs of entering the industry, offering invaluable advice that you won't find anywhere else. Whether it's navigating regulatory changes or finding the perfect property, STR Investing, The Podcast is your trusted guide at every stage.
Join Taylor & Mark as he shows you how short-term rental investing can lead to financial freedom. Don't just dream about it - make it a reality with STR Investing, The Podcast today.
STR Investing, The Podcast
Transatlantic Host: Managing Your U.S. Airbnb from Italy with Chris Van Arnam
We sit down with Chris Van Arnam, an STR operator who’s not just building high-performing short-term rentals in the Smoky Mountains, but doing it while living halfway across the world in Italy.
Chris walks us through how he built a 10-cabin portfolio rooted in data, operational efficiency, and design differentiation. He opens up about why he sold off part of his portfolio, how he pivoted into new construction, and what it’s really like managing from a different continent.
We unpack:
- How Chris sourced and scaled his first 10 properties
- The power of data when choosing a market
- Why operational density matters—and how to achieve it
- What makes a short-term rental truly “differentiated”
- The hard lessons from new construction vs. heavy renos
- Building a property management company (even when you didn’t plan to)
- How to operate a U.S.-based STR portfolio from Europe with precision
Whether you're just getting started or are in the thick of growing your portfolio, this episode is packed with real-world insights from someone who’s quietly built a scalable STR business from scratch.
🎧 Tune in, take notes, and get ready to think differently about scale, systems, and strategy.
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Episode Sponsored By:
STR Search
STR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com
