The Ultimate Guide to STR Property Management in 2025: Software, Services & Scaling

In Q1 2025, the U.S. short-term rental market showed record-breaking winter performance.

If we do a year-over-year comparison, the demand rose by 7.2%, the number of listings increased by 4.3%, nights booked increased by 8.9%, and ADR hyped by 5.3%.

That is a huge leap—and it clearly shows that this industry is moving fast.

More people are investing in short-term rentals than ever before. Many of them are realizing one thing: successful property management is what truly sets a great STR apart from the rest.

In 2025, STR property management isn’t just about handing over keys or replying to messages. It is about using smart tools, automation, and professional services to save time, increase bookings, and deliver a five-star guest experience.

Do you want to learn the true meaning of STR property management?

Read this guide, then.

We’ll cover everything—how to manage your property yourself, hire a full-service company, select the right software, understand costs, and scale your business efficiently.

Keep reading!

What Is STR Property Management?

Let’s start simple.

STR stands for Short-Term Rental.

And STR property management means taking care of a property that is rented out for short stays—usually for a few days or weeks.

It is to handle all the behind-the-scenes tasks that keep a rental running smoothly, such as:

Answering guest messages
Arranging/coordinating cleanings
Setting the right prices
Fixing small issues
Restocking essentials

And the list goes on.

In other words, it mixes hospitality, maintenance, and business—all rolled into one.

STR property management is quite different from traditional property management.

Traditional managers usually deal with long-term tenants.

Once someone moves in, all they need is to collect rent, handle the occasional repair, and check on the property now and then. Things stay predictable.

But short-term rentals? They move fast.

Guests check in and out all the time. Cleanings happen several times a week. Prices need to change frequently. And communication never stops.

That is what makes STR management unique.

Managing Your STR Yourself vs. Hiring a Property Management Company

One of the first big choices you’ll face as a short-term rental owner is this:

Should you manage everything yourself, or hire a professional property management company to do it for you?

Both options work—but it all depends on your time, skills, and comfort level.

Want to know the differences between the two? Go through this table:

Aspect	Self-Management	Hiring a Property Management Company
Control	You make every decision, from pricing to guest messages.	Company handles most operations, you review reports or updates.
Cost	No management fee—you keep more of your earnings.	Usually 10–30% of rental income is cut as a service fee.
Time	Requires daily attention—Guest messages, cleaning schedules, and maintenance.	Minimal time needed; company handles daily work.
Experience Needed	You need to learn pricing, hosting, and problem-solving skills.	Professionals already know how to manage guests and issues.
Flexibility	You can change anything anytime—prices, policies, decor, etc.	Changes may go through the company’s system or approval.
Stress Level	Higher—You deal with every issue directly.	Lower—The company takes care of most problems.
Earnings Potential	It can be higher if you manage well and keep costs low.	Slightly lower after fees, but often more consistent bookings.

Here is what this table means, if put simply:

Self-management saves money, but costs time.

Hiring a management company costs money, but saves time.

You can manage your STR yourself if you live near your property, enjoy hosting, and have flexible hours. You’ll learn a lot and have full control over how everything runs.

But you should hire a property management company if you have multiple properties, live far away, or just don’t have time to manage day-to-day tasks.

It all comes down to what you value more—your time or your control.

List of Top STR Property Management Companies

These are the best STR property management companies out there:

1. Vacasa

Vacasa is one of the biggest short-term rental management companies out there.

They handle almost everything—guest messages, pricing, cleaning, maintenance—you name it.

What most hosts like about Vacasa is how easy they make things.

Once you sign up, their system takes over and adjusts your pricing based on market demand. You can see everything in your dashboard—earnings, bookings, guest reviews—all in one place.

They also advertise your home on different platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com, which means more people see your listing.

If you are busy or just don’t want to deal with day-to-day work, Vacasa is a solid pick.

It is designed for owners who prefer peace of mind over hands-on hosting.

2. Evolve

Evolve is known for keeping things simple and fair.

They act as kind of a “half-and-half” setup—they handle the online side, and you manage what happens on the ground.

They help with listings, guest communication, and pricing, while you still manage things like cleaning and local upkeep.

Many hosts like this model because they keep some control while still getting help with marketing and guest support.

Instead of taking a big cut from your bookings, they charge a flat fee—so you always know what you are paying.

If you want your listing to look professional but don’t want to give up full control or pay heavy fees, Evolve might fit perfectly.

3. DOSbnb

DOSbnb takes a personal approach to STR property management.

They don’t just manage your listing—they help you grow it.

They handle daily work like guest messages, check-ins, maintenance, and pricing, but they also focus on improving your listing’s visibility and brand image.

Unlike large companies that treat every home the same, DOSbnb works closely with each owner. They automate boring stuff via smart tools—but their support feels human, not robotic.

Their main goal is simple: to help hosts earn more, save time, and build a stronger business.

Do you need a management team that actually cares about your success?

DOSbnb is worth checking out, then.

4. AvantStay

AvantStay manages high-end, group-friendly vacation rentals—the kind of homes you see in travel magazines.

They do more than just rent properties—they turn them into experiences.

They have a team that handles everything: interior design, cleaning, maintenance, guest communication, and even pricing.

Each property gets a polished, hotel-like touch so that guests know exactly what to expect.

AvantStay does use technology for booking management and payment, but the heart of their business is hospitality.

Go with Avanystay if you want to attract premium guests and deliver a five-star experience every single time.

5. Awning

Awning combines property management with investment expertise.

They are not just about hosting—they help you grow your rental business strategically.

Their system uses real data to find profitable pricing, handle guest bookings, and manage maintenance.

What is nice is their transparency—you can always see what’s happening with your property.

Awning works well for investors who have multiple properties or plan to scale in the future. They take the heavy lifting off your shoulders while making sure your rentals perform well month after month.

If you are thinking long-term and want your rentals to grow like a business, Awning is a good fit.

Full-Service vs. Tech-Powered STR Management Solutions

When you start running a STR, one of the big questions is how much help do you really need?

Some owners want to hand off everything, while others like to stay involved and just use smart tools to make things easier.

That is where the two main types of management come in:

Full-service
Tech-powered

They both help hosts, but in very different ways.

With full-service management, you pretty much let a company take over your property.

They handle bookings, guest chats, cleaning, repairs, and all the small stuff that usually eats up your time. You just check your account to see how your place is doing and collect your earnings.

It is perfect for people who don’t want to deal with daily messages or late-night calls from guests.

Tech-powered management works differently.

No team or person is hired but smart software and apps are used to do most of the work.

The system can reply to guests, adjust prices, and keep your calendar in sync—all without you sitting in front of a laptop all day.

You still manage things yourself, but it is much faster and easier.

Here is a simple look at how both compare:

Feature / Aspect	Full-Service STR Management	Tech-Powered STR Management
Level of Involvement	Very low—The company handles everything	Moderate—You still manage, but with tools
Who Handles Operations	Professional team (cleaners, support, etc.)	You (with help from software)
Guest Communication	Managed by the company	Automated messages or templates
Pricing Strategy	Dynamic pricing managed by experts	Algorithm-based dynamic pricing
Maintenance & Cleaning	Included and managed by the company	You schedule and manage vendors
Cost / Fees	Usually higher (20–40% of revenue)	Lower (around 5–15% or flat monthly fee)
Control Over Property	Less—Company makes many decisions	More—You decide and manage directly
Best For	Busy owners or investors who want hands-off income	Active hosts who enjoy being involved
Example Platforms	Vacasa, AvantStay, Awning	Evolve, Hostaway, Hospitable, Guesty

Full-service is for people who’d rather pay more to save time and stress

But tech-powered is better for those who like to stay in control but want less manual work.

If you think of it in simple terms, one is like hiring a property manager, and the other is like using a smart helper that makes hosting smoother without taking over completely.

What Are STR Management Software Options?

Some software and tools that can help with short-term rental management are:

1. Guesty

Guesty is a powerful property management system made for hosts and companies with large rental portfolios.

It is built to handle complex operations and helps automate nearly every part of the job—from bookings to communication.

Its biggest strengths? It connects with all major booking platforms—Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. If something is updated on any platform (price or availability), the same changes happen on all the rest platforms automatically.

The platform also includes built-in accounting tools, reports for owners, and even a simple website builder for direct bookings.

It is great for big teams because you can see everything in one place — messages, tasks, and finances.

Guesty’s automation tools save hours of manual work every week, and their support team is available 24/7 if you need help.

For professional STR managers running multiple properties, Guesty is one of the most complete and reliable options out there.

2. Hostaway

Hostaway is an all-in-one STR management tool that brings operations and marketing together.

Property managers can handle bookings and grow their listings via smart marketing features.

The platform connects with all major channels like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Expedia.

Have you heard of a unified inbox? Hostaway has it.

With this feature, all the messages (from all the platforms) are shown in one place, along with the feature of automatic replies to guests.

Hostaway also provides strong analytics tools to track occupancy, revenue, and expenses.

You can even create your own direct booking site to reduce OTA fees.

What makes Hostaway stand out is how flexible it is. Whether you manage a few listings or a large number of properties, the system adapts easily.

It is a great option if you want everything—reservations, marketing, reports, and payments — under one roof.

3. Hostfully

Hostfully is a complete property management platform that helps hosts and managers run everything smoothly from one dashboard.

It connects to all the big booking channels and keeps calendars updated in real time.

Like Hostaway, this platform also centralizes guest messages. You don’t have to jump between Airbnb, Vrbo, and emails.

Want to make communication faster? You can set up automated replies and use templates for common questions on this platform.

Hostfully also includes tools for direct bookings. You can take reservations without extra fees.

Its digital guidebooks are a nice touch—they help guests learn about your property and local area, reducing repetitive questions.

You also get helpful automation for maintenance, cleaning, and team coordination, plus an owner portal for financial transparency.

Hostfully is a solid choice for managers who want everything connected—communication, operations, and guest experience—in one place.

4. Hospitable

Hospitable—you might know it as Smartbnb—is a favorite among hosts who want help managing guest communication.

It is known for being really good at messaging and keeping conversations organized.

What makes it special is how it uses automation.

The system can recognize common guest questions (in multiple languages!) and reply instantly, even while you’re asleep. So guests always get fast answers, which brings better reviews.

Hospitable also takes care of scheduling.

When a new booking comes in, it automatically updates your calendar and sends cleaning or maintenance tasks to your team.

No need to chase people or check spreadsheets.

It even lets you make a simple, direct booking site for repeat guests — no extra fees or third-party hassles.

Overall, Hospitable feels like having a smart assistant that never forgets to reply. It is perfect for hosts who want to save time but still keep their guest experience friendly and personal.

5. Lodgify

Lodgify is a favorite among hosts who want to build their own brand and lower reliance on OTAs.

Its biggest strength is the website builder—you can easily create a professional booking site without needing any tech skills.

The site connects directly to Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and other platforms through Lodgify’s two-way sync, so your calendar and prices always stay updated.

Besides the website, Lodgify also offers full property management tools—like booking management, guest communication, payment processing, and cleaning schedules.

Everything is organized in one dashboard that is simple and easy to understand.

For hosts looking to take more control of their business, Lodgify offers the perfect balance—independence through direct bookings and convenience through automation.

It is ideal if you want your rentals to feel more like your own brand, not just another listing on a booking site.

How Much Does STR Management Cost?

The cost of STR management isn’t the same for everyone.

Some companies charge a fixed monthly fee, while others take a percentage of your revenue, usually between 10% and 30%.

Also, there can be extra charges for cleaning, restocking supplies, or marketing your listing.

It really depends on how much help you want—full-service management usually costs more than half-service management, but it also saves you a lot of time.

Your location, property size, and booking volume also affect the total price.

What to Watch For in STR Management Contract?

When you sign an STR management contract, read it slowly—the small details matter.

First, check the duration of the contract and how you can end it if things don’t work out. Some agreements lock you in longer than you expect.

Next, look at what you are responsible for as the owner—like repairs, supplies, or taxes. Know exactly what is on your plate.

Then, review what services are included and what are not. Some companies charge extra for marketing, maintenance, or guest communication.

If anything feels unclear, ask questions or request changes before signing.

It is better to spend time understanding the agreement now than to deal with surprises later.

Conclusion

The short-term rental world is changing faster than ever.

What worked a few years ago might not work today—and that is okay.

Growth always brings change.

Whether you decide to manage your rental yourself, use smart tools, or hire a full-service company, remember: good management is not about doing more, it is about doing things better.

The goal is simple—keep your guests happy, your property running smoothly, and your time well spent.

As you step into 2025 and beyond, think of property management as a long-term partnership between you, your property, and your guests.

Keep improving, keep learning, and let your rental grow into something you are proud of.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Airbnb do property management?
No, Airbnb itself doesn’t manage properties. It’s just a platform where hosts list their homes. You, or your chosen manager, handle guests, cleaning, and day-to-day operations.

Do I need to hire a property manager for Airbnb?
Not always. If you have time and live nearby, you can manage it yourself. But if you’re busy or own multiple rentals, a property manager makes life easier.

How much short-term rental property management costs?
Most property management companies charge between 10% and 30% of your monthly rental income. Some also add small fees for cleaning or maintenance services.

Are Airbnb management fees worth it?
Yes, if you value your time. Managers handle bookings, cleaning, and guest messages, which can boost reviews and occupancy. The fee often pays off in peace of mind.

What is the difference between a co-host and a property manager?
A co-host helps manage your listing—like messaging guests or scheduling cleanings. A property manager runs everything professionally, often for multiple properties, with contracts and systems.

How much do Airbnb property managers make?
They usually earn 10–30% of the rental income per booking. Those managing several listings or luxury rentals can earn much more each month.

Do you need a real estate license to manage Airbnb?
In most areas, no license is needed for short-term rentals. But local rules can vary, so it’s best to check your city’s specific regulations before you start.

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