We know we’re the best at what we do. We want you to prove it to yourself!

Below is a list of questions you should ask when you’re interviewing potential management companies (including us)!

General Business & Experience

1. What sets your STRs apart from others in the market / what do you do that’s different than everybody else?
   We offer unique features like our trademarked Chore-Free Checkout™, luxury-grade coffee bars, consistent high-quality ecofriendly amenities, and loads more, across all properties.

2. What is your average guest rating across your properties, and how many reviews do you have?
   We maintain an industry-leading 4.93/5 rating across 13k+ reviews, demonstrating exceptional guest satisfaction at scale.

3. How do you ensure consistency & quality across all properties in your portfolio?
   We standardize our key amenities, with features like whole-bean coffee bars, high quality toiletries, smart technology, TVs in all bedrooms, a scent program, and lots more! Hotel brands do it - why don’t STRs?

4. What’s your retention rate for property owners, and why do owners typically stay with or leave your company?
   We’ve never been fired! We have had a few owners sell their properties, or convert back to LTR for consistent (though lower) revenue, but we’ve never had an owner leave for someone else.

5. How do you support properties operationally? Do you have a local presence or rely on third-party vendors?
   We have a local, full-time team in each market and handle all aspects of property care, including a dedicated warehouse for efficient supply management. One of our catch-phrases for guests is “Don’t Trust Your Stay to Someone Far Away.”

6. What is your business & growth strategy?

   HostWise has grown from 22 properties in May ‘21 to 110 in December 2024. We are laser focused on becoming a recognized national brand. That said, we will not sacrifice our quality standards for growth, and are committed to maintaining our top 0.1% rating in the market.

Guest Experience

1. What do you do to ensure a five-star guest experience at every property?
   Our guest-facing differentiators include 24/7/365 rapid guest support, smart speakers, customized digital guest portals, high-speed internet, & high quality amenities, among others. Operationally, we have a 7k sq. ft warehouse where we stock a lot of replacements, when needed quickly, we regularly inspect our cleans with a rigorous 85pt checklist, re-stock our properties every ~60 days via payroll employees, have full-time maintenance, and lots more.

2. How do you handle guest communication and emergencies, especially after hours?
   We employ an international team whose job it is to triage & solve most common situations. If needed, our local team is ready to handle any in-person needs same-day. Our team aims to respond to all messages within 5 minutes or less, and phone calls immediately. Our team is based in Bolivia, Mexico, and the Philippines, along with Pittsburgh, Colorado, and Austin.

3. What unique amenities or features do you provide to elevate the guest experience?
   Guests love our coffee bar (complete with locally-roasted Commonplace Coffee), smart technology, our eco-friendly products, our guest portal, scent program, smart locks, and comfy beds, which help properties stand out and drive repeat bookings.

Operations & Maintenance

1. How do you handle property maintenance and emergency repairs?
   We use a combination of in-house maintenance staff & trusted local contractors, ensuring quick responses and transparent communication with property owners.

2. Do you conduct regular inspections to ensure the property remains in top condition? How often?
   Yes, we perform routine property inspections to proactively address maintenance needs and uphold high standards of quality. Our full-time team is in your property at least once every 60 days, and our cleaners are in your property on average 6 times a month, where they report any issues.

3. How do you source and manage supplies for properties?
   Our 7k sq ft Pittsburgh warehouse ensures properties are always stocked with high-quality essentials, from linens to toiletries, without delays. We purchase from various GPOs & online sources, buying in bulk to save you money!

4. What is your process for ensuring cleanliness and readiness between guest stays?
   Our cleaners, while 1099, are part of our “team” - every one of them is in our Slack instance. We use detailed turnover checklists to ensure properties are spotless and guest-ready every time. We follow up with inspections - 100% inspections until we have at least ten 5* reviews. New cleaners are inspected 100% until we are comfortable of their skills, and our “graduated” cleaners are inspected ~20% of their cleans, to keep them on the toes & polish their skill-set.

Property & Guest Safety

1. How do you protect my property from parties & environmental damage?

   We use Minut sensors - these battery-powered devices monitor decibels, occupancy, humidity, & temperature. We are alerted to tampering, switching off, etc. They alert us to potential issues, at which point we’ll login to our external camera(s) to determine if there’s an issue.

2. How do you prevent issues with / not disrupt our neighbors?

   Every neighbor of our properties receives a “postcard” that introduces us, what we do, how we do it, and how to contact us in the rare instance of an issue, with a dedicated 24/7 neighborhood concerns line. We have a strong commitment to being good neighbors. We were founded Pittsburgh after all, home of Mr. Rogers - “Won’t you be my neighbor?”

3. How do guests access our property?

   Our locks are automated via our SuiteOp software, which generates random codes for our guests, automatically writing & deleting at check-in & out. Each cleaning team member has a unique code as well.

4. What happens if there’s damage to my property?

   We fix it! If it’s significant enough ($20 - $50+, in general) we’ll submit a claim via Airbnb to get the guest to pay for it. We also require $500 damage deposits for all non-Airbnb bookings, and also offer guest insurance for accidental damage.

Revenue & Financial Management

1. How do you optimize pricing and occupancy for properties?
   We leverage dynamic pricing tools, primarily Pricelabs, combined with local market expertise to maximize revenue year-round.

2. What fees do you charge, and how are they structured?
   Our pricing is transparent, with management fees ranging from 17-24% of “accommodation fee” revenue.

3. Do you provide financial reporting, and how detailed is it?
   Yes, we deliver detailed financial reports via KeyDataDashboard that give you full visibility into your property’s performance, including revenue, expenses, and trends.

4. How do you make money?

   We charge a commission based only on the accommodation fee. We don’t treat cleaning fees as a "profit center”. Maintenance is at a highly competitive $65 / hr in 15 minute increments. If we have to use a third party, we only mark it up 10%. Our financial incentives are 100% aligned with yours. We only make money when you make money.

Marketing & Bookings

1. How do you market properties to stand out from competitors?
   We use professional photography, optimized listings, and unique branding & slogans such as Chore-Free Checkout, Walk In & Say Wow, Why Trust Your Stay to Someone Far Away, and more to attract high-quality guests.

2. On which platforms will my property be listed, and how do you ensure maximum visibility?
   Your property will be listed on major platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, Expedia, Marriott, Google Vacations, BNBFinder, Furnished Finder, Booking.com, plus our own direct booking site, which drives repeat guests.

3. How do you attract high-quality guests who will respect the property and leave great reviews?
   We focus on guest screening, proactive communication, and providing a premium experience that attracts respectful, satisfied travelers. We use a guest portal + screening tool, SuiteOp, to collect IDs + selfies of all non-Airbnb guests.

Owner Support & Regulatory

1. What kind of support do you require from property owners?
   We provide a truly hands-off experience for owners, handling everything from guest communication and maintenance to financial reporting and performance optimization. While we say this somewhat tongue-in-cheek, “Our favorite clients are the ones we never talk to.” Our job is to make you as much money as possible, with the least amount of effort as possible. Your job is to keep collecting properties for us to manage!

2. How do you handle onboarding for new properties?
   Our onboarding process includes professional staging, listing creation, and optimized setups to ensure your property is guest-ready and positioned for success.

3. Are you concerned about regulation?

   Yes and no - regulation is always a risk in the STR industry. That said, we are founding members of SteelSTRA - the Steel City Short Term Rental Alliance. We work with government officials to stay ahead of deleterious regulatory issues, including one-on-one meetings, speaking at council meetings, and more. We are connected with Airbnb’s national policy team, which quickly alerts us to any potential regulation. Finally, our founder, Chad, is a board member of one of the most effective STR non-profit organizations in the country - Mile High Hosts.

…And here’s a list of questions you should ask yourself!

1. Why do I want to own a short-term rental?

   Whether it’s to generate passive income, diversify investments, or offset the costs of a vacation home, understanding your “why” will help you set clear goals and expectations. At HostWise, we help you maximize the potential of your property, whether you’re seeking steady income, long-term appreciation, bragging rights,

2. Do I want to stage a property myself?

   Staging a home is a lot of work! Do you know how to make it stand out? Are you handy? Do you know what amenities are required? What about ease-of-cleaning? We know all of these answers, and can get your property up faster, and make it look better, than anyone out there. And at a highly competitive price!

3. How involved do I want to be in the day-to-day operations?

   If you want a truly hands-off experience, you need a partner who can manage everything—guest communication, maintenance, marketing, and more. HostWise offers full-service management with local boots-on-the-ground teams and 24/7/365 support, so you don’t have to lift a finger. We generally do not work with “active” owners, as we are experts in our field, and highly involved owners tend to cause mixed messaging.

4. Am I willing to invest in furnishing and maintaining a high-quality property?

   Today’s guests expect more than a basic rental—they want a memorable experience. Gone are the days of “thrift store chic” - guests are demanding. Properties with amenities like luxury linens, coffee bars, and smart technology consistently earn higher reviews and more revenue. At HostWise, we specialize in creating standout listings that exceed guest expectations.

5. Do I understand the difference between "landlording" and "hospitality"?

   Short-term rentals aren’t just about providing a roof—they’re about creating exceptional guest experiences. HostWise approaches hosting as hospitality, ensuring every guest feels valued and cared for, which is why we maintain a 4.93/5 rating across 13k+ reviews. Happy guests only write glowing reviews for well-maintained homes.

6. Am I comfortable with variable revenue tied to seasonality?

   STR income fluctuates with demand, but with the right strategies—like HostWise’s dynamic pricing and local market expertise—you can maximize revenue during peak seasons and stay competitive year-round. With most markets being seasonal, there will likely be months where you don’t cover your costs. Financial planning is important.

7. Do I know what makes a property successful in my market?

   A prime location, standout amenities, and professional management are key. HostWise combines local market knowledge, operational efficiency, and market-leading processes, ensuring every property is positioned for success.

8. Do I understand the legal and regulatory requirements in my area?

   Every market has unique STR regulations, from permits to taxes. HostWise helps owners navigate these complexities, ensuring full compliance so you can avoid unnecessary headaches.

9. How will hosting impact my personal life?

   Managing an STR on your own is time-consuming and can be stressful. With HostWise’s full-service management, you can enjoy the financial benefits of hosting without sacrificing any of your time, energy, or peace of mind.

10. Am I ready to treat this as a business?

    STRs are no longer a hobby. They require strategic planning, financial oversight, and attention to detail. HostWise offers transparent reporting, proactive maintenance, and tailored strategies to help you achieve long-term success.

11. Am I ready to partner with the right management team to succeed?

    Your property’s potential is only as strong as the team managing it. HostWise’s proven track record, innovative amenities, and hands-on support make us the ideal partner for owners who want to maximize their investment.