Case Study: How Stay Nordic Built a Host-First Property Management Model with Torbjörn Fredman

In this case study, Katya sits down with Torbjörn Fredman, a seasoned leader in the Swedish and European travel industry. With a career that spans decades and includes high-level roles in both incoming and outgoing tourism, Torbjörn shares how his journey led him back to the short-term rental world—and how he’s building a host-first property management company with Stay Nordic.

We dive into the story behind Stay Nordic’s launch, their current portfolio of around 300 properties, and why Torbjörn believes the real challenge in this space isn’t finding guests—it’s earning the trust of property owners. He talks about the turning point that led him to seek out better protection solutions, and how working with Truvy has helped create more confidence among homeowners through guest screening and damage protection.

We also touch on cultural nuances around guest verification, how his team manages resistance when it comes up, and why flexibility and strong host relationships are at the heart of long-term success in this space.

Highlights from the conversation:

• Torbjörn’s early days in short-term rentals and his return to the industry after a brief pivot
• Why he started Stay Nordic and what sets their approach apart
• How Truvy’s protection services fit into their host-first philosophy
• The biggest pain point in short-term rentals—and how they’re addressing it
• Thoughts on guest screening, trust-building, and adapting to a fast-changing market

Stay tuned through to the end for Torbjörn’s honest, no-fluff advice for running a successful property management company.

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