Author: Chuck @ Your Automated Host
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Best Thermostat for Airbnb? Why a “Dumb” Wi-Fi Thermostat May Be Smarter
There are certain things you don’t think much about when you first start managing a short-term rental. The thermostat is one of them. Then a guest checks out with the air conditioning set extremely low. Or the heat is still running in an empty property. Or you’re hours away wondering whether the HVAC system is…
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How to Manage Wi-Fi for Airbnb Guests (Without Constant Password Questions)
“What’s the Wi-Fi password?” If you manage a short-term rental long enough, you’re going to get that message. But Wi-Fi is also one of the easiest guest questions to eliminate. At our rentals, I keep the setup pretty simple. We use our internet provider’s equipment, customize the Wi-Fi network name and password, and put that…
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Is Your Airbnb Actually Profitable?
Revenue isn’t profit. Learn how to calculate NOI, cash flow and what your short-term rental is actually putting in your pocket.
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How to Set Up Smart Lock Codes for Airbnb Guests
Managing guest access is one of the most important parts of running a short-term rental. Before switching to smart locks, coordinating keys and lockboxes was one of the most frustrating parts of managing my properties. I now use smart locks across all 3 of my rentals to automate guest access and simplify check-in. Here’s the…
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Lockly vs. Schlage Encode vs. Alfred ML2 for Airbnb Hosts
If you’re self-managing an Airbnb, your smart lock becomes part of your operating system — not just a door lock. The biggest things that matter for Airbnb hosts are remote access management, guest code reliability, automation, ease of use, and long-term durability. I currently use Lockly across all 3 of my rentals, but I’ve also…
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Best Smart Locks for Airbnb (2026 Guide for Hosts)
Smart locks are one of the first upgrades I recommend for self-managing Airbnb hosts. Before switching to smart locks, coordinating keys and lockboxes was one of the most frustrating parts of managing a rental. I now use smart locks across all 3 of my properties to automate guest access and simplify operations. Here are the…
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How to Automate your Airbnb (Step-by-Step Guide for Hosts)
If you’re managing your own Airbnb, you’ve probably realized how quickly it can become time-consuming. In this guide, I’ll show you how to automate your Airbnb using simple tools that handle pricing, guest messaging, and access. Between pricing, guest messaging, and coordinating check-ins, it can feel like a full-time job. The good news is that…
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Beyond Pricing Review (From a 3-Property Owner)
I manage 3 short-term rentals and pricing used to be one of the most time-consuming and inconsistent parts of running them. I was either underpricing during peak demand or overpricing and losing bookings. I started using Beyond to automate pricing, and it completely changed how I manage my rentals. Here’s how it works, what I…
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Lockly Smart Lock Review for Airbnb (From a 3-Property Owner)
I use Lockly smart locks across all my short-term rentals to handle guest access without needing keys or lockboxes. Before switching to smart locks, coordinating key handoffs and dealing with lockboxes was one of the most frustrating parts of managing a rental. Here’s how Lockly works, what I like, and whether it’s a good fit…
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Host Tools Review (Time Saver Angle)
Guest communication is one of the most time-consuming parts of managing a short-term rental. Between booking confirmations, check-in instructions, reminders, and follow-ups, it adds up quickly. I use Host Tools to automate most of this communication across my properties. Here’s how it works and whether it’s worth it. What Host Tools Does Host Tools is…