Episode 115: Truth About Short-Term Rentals

In this episode of The Real State, we uncover the truth about short-term rentals with Christina Robinson, real estate entrepreneur, educator, and self-made superhost. From house-hacking her first property while working a 9-to-5, to managing a portfolio of vacation rentals in South Florida, Christina walks us through the highs, lows, and total myths of the short-term rental game.

We dig into:

  • Why short-term rentals are not as passive as they seem

  • The difference between long-term and vacation rental income

  • Self-managing vs. using property managers (and why it’s not just about the money)

  • How technology, systems, and building the right team helped her escape the 9-to-5

  • Why mindset, location, and hustle matter more than hype

Whether you're dreaming of Airbnb riches or just curious about getting into real estate, this conversation breaks down what it really takes to win in the short-term rental world.

Timestamps
00:00 – Intro + Why this episode matters
03:05 – Christina’s origin story: From finance to first-time buyer
11:20 – House-hacking before it had a name
15:45 – Short sales, student tenants, and the path to passive income
21:15 – The Airbnb algorithm: what every host should know
25:35 – Vacation rentals vs. long-term rentals: what's the real payoff?
33:00 – The truth about self-managing (and burnout)
40:20 – Tech, tools, and what makes a 5-star stay
48:10 – The 3 C’s: Checklist, CRM, and Capacity
52:40 – Final thoughts + Key takeaways

📱 Follow us on Instagram: @therealstatepodcast
🌐 More episodes + show info: www.therealstate.co
💬 Guest Info: Christina Robinson @christinarinvests

Leave us a review, share the episode, and let us know what “Real State” topic we should uncover next!

Alex Norman

Alex Norman is the founder and CEO of Access Built, a leading agency helping organizations reimagine environments to be more inclusive. As the author of Boundless: Real Stories and Practical Strategies for Inclusive Living, Alex blends powerful life stories with actionable design strategies. A former global advertising and innovation leader, Alex now helps organizations uncover and remove the “friction points” in the built world. His work, rooted in personal experience and collaboration with design leaders, challenges audiences to see accessibility not as compliance but as a catalyst for innovation, inclusion, and human potential.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexnorman1/
Previous
Previous

Episode 116: Trading Suits for Stories

Next
Next

Episode 114: Does Anyone Read Anymore?