The setup phase of an STR determines a large portion of its long-term performance. We've onboarded properties that were live within a week and immediately hit 4.9-star averages — and we've seen properties that needed months of fixes before they could compete. The difference is almost always preparation.
Photography Is Non-Negotiable
Professional photos are the single highest-ROI investment you can make before your first booking. We've tested this across our portfolio: properties with professional photography book 30–40% faster and command higher rates than equivalent properties with owner-shot photos. This is not optional.
The Amenity Baseline
Colorado mountain guests expect: fast WiFi (100+ Mbps), smart lock or keypad entry, well-stocked kitchen (good knives, enough cookware, coffee setup), quality linens, and a clear house manual. Anything below this baseline will show up in reviews within the first month.
What Differentiates a 4.8 from a 4.5
The gap between average and excellent is usually: a hot tub in good working order, reliable heating and cooling, outdoor furniture worth using, and responsive issue resolution. None of these require significant investment — they require attention.
Our onboarding process walks through 46 specific setup items before we accept a property into management. If you want to see the full checklist, start your onboarding at the link below.
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