Welcome to Hassle-Free RE! Today, Dave Menapace and Will Van Wickler take a closer look at vacation rental design trends and uncover why not all upgrades and amenities actually boost your ROI. From flashy but impractical amenities to simple design tweaks that consistently improve guest satisfaction, they share what really works—and what often gets overlooked.

Dave and Will discuss common misses in STR design, from basics like linens, towels, and functionality, to over-the-top amenities that end up being more liability than asset. They dive into the hidden maintenance challenges of hot tubs, golf simulators, and saunas, and explain why buying local can save owners thousands. The conversation also highlights market-specific insights—what works in Maine may not work in Cape Cod—and simple, high-impact design changes like murals, king beds, and upgraded linens that consistently drive five-star reviews.

This episode is packed with practical takeaways for investors, hosts, and property managers looking to design smarter, avoid costly mistakes, and create guest experiences that deliver. Tune in now to learn how to balance design, durability, and ROI in your short-term rentals.

TIMESTAMPS

1:22 – Design vs. guest basics

2:41 – Scope-of-work misses

4:32 – Wells, water, expectations

6:06 – Amenity boom realities

7:14 – Cheap buys, costly maintenance

9:14 – When amenities fail refunds

11:33 – Market-specific amenity picks

13:36 – High-impact design upgrades

15:54 – Design vs. resale value

18:02 – Cash flow vs. functionality

#ShortTermRentals #VacationRentalDesign #RealEstateInvesting #GuestExperience #PropertyManagement