In this episode of Superhost Down Under, hosts Ray Yee and Silvia interview Elena Stepanova, founder of My Perfect Host. Elena discusses her transition from a corporate career to managing a portfolio of over 20 properties[cite: 122, 123, 140].

• The "Brick" Solution: Silvia shares how a host sourced bricks from a building site on New Year's Eve to raise a bed for a guest with a disability[cite: 13, 14].
• Hosting in the Suburbs: Elena explains how her Forestville listing succeeded by catering to visiting family and corporate travelers[cite: 133, 134, 135].
• Business Evolution: Starting with a family guest room 13 years ago, Elena grew her business through word-of-mouth and professional co-hosting[cite: 89, 104, 146].
• Professional Standards: Why high-quality photography is a non-negotiable requirement for any successful listing[cite: 168, 169].
• Automation & Systems: A look at the "tech stack" Elena uses, including channel managers, dynamic pricing, and automated cleaning schedules[cite: 174, 175, 176].
• Direct Booking Strategies: Using software like Truvy (formerly Super Hog) to screen guests and manage security for off-platform bookings[cite: 227, 229].

• My Perfect Host: www.myperfecthost.com.au [cite: 125]
• Hospitable Hosts (Vol. 3): A book co-authored by Elena featuring global hosting stories[cite: 254, 267].
• Truvy: Guest screening and identity verification software[cite: 228, 229].

• Acts of Service: Successful hosts often view hospitality as a "love language" and find joy in helping others[cite: 41, 49].
• Owner Partnerships: Elena "interviews" owners to ensure they will be supportive partners when maintenance issues arise[cite: 157, 160].
• Concise Communication: While automation is key, it's vital to keep messages short to avoid guest annoyance[cite: 184, 185].

Where to stay — hosted by the Superhosts Down Under team
Ray’s South Yarra Airbnb: ⁠View Listing⁠
Ray’s North Melbourne Airbnb: ⁠View Listing⁠
Silvia’s Airbnb: ⁠View Listing⁠

Sponsorship
This episode is brought to you by Riverside. Use code Ray15 for 15% off your first subscription. ⁠Learn more⁠

Ray and Silvia are joined by Carmel O’Beirne, a lifestyle host from Clifton Hill, Melbourne, who uses her one-bedroom apartment to fund travel and supplement her income as she transitions toward retirement. The episode opens with Ray sharing a challenging guest situation involving a dropped wallet, refusal to check out, and police intervention — a reminder that hosting can sometimes take unexpected turns.

Inspired by her daughter’s success paying off a mortgage through Airbnb, Carmel began hosting her “cosy nest” — an earthy, plant-filled apartment with a green urban jungle balcony in a vibrant Melbourne neighbourhood. Her approach is what she calls “lifestyle hosting”: using Airbnb income to support extended travel, including a month in India, while keeping her home active and secure.

Carmel relies on trusted neighbour friends when she travels, meeting guests in person for key handover to reinforce respect and care for her home. She is selective with bookings to maintain strong relationships in her owner-occupied building. Rather than scaling, she plans to continue hosting sustainably, avoiding “empty house syndrome” while balancing income, community harmony, and flexibility.

• How to handle difficult guest situations, including when police become involved.
• Why guest preparedness and clear house rules are essential.
• Pricing strategies: Smart Pricing vs manual or third-party tools.
• The power of clear instructions to prevent misunderstandings and bad reviews.
• Preparing a personal home for guests while protecting privacy.
• Building a reliable local support network for remote management.
• Managing neighbour relationships in owner-occupied buildings.
• How lifestyle hosting can fund travel and supplement retirement income.

Name: Carmel O’Beirne
Airbnb: View Carmel’s Listing

Ray’s South Yarra Airbnb: View Listing
Ray’s North Melbourne Airbnb: View Listing
Silvia’s Airbnb: View Listing

This episode is brought to you by Riverside. Use code Ray15 for 15% off your first subscription.
Learn more

Ray and Silvia are joined by Emma Bartlett, a new Airbnb host in Trinity Beach, North Queensland, juggling a full-time job and two young children. They kick off with a discussion about the hosts' shared pet peeve: guests who don't provide feedback during their stay, only in post-checkout reviews. Ray shares his frustration with missed opportunities to improve guest experiences, while Emma, a new host with a five-star rating, reflects on initial guest support, and Silvia highlights the benefits of direct feedback in a shared home.

Emma shares her journey into Airbnb, driven by a desire to maintain a family base in Trinity Beach, North Queensland, while residing in Melbourne. Her two-bedroom townhouse stands out with its Daintree rainforest-inspired styling, offering warm colours and greens distinct from typical coastal decor. A key focus is making the property family-friendly, providing extensive amenities like a cot, booster chair, and toys to ease travel for families. Despite a highly competitive market and initial hesitation from management companies due to seasonal bookings, Emma has achieved unexpected booking success. She efficiently manages the property remotely through a trusted local cleaner, podcast-inspired smart lock systems (using guest mobile numbers for codes), automated messaging, and dynamic pricing tools like PriceLabs. Hosting in a tropical climate brought unique challenges, including managing various insects (ants, wasps) and mold, necessitating regular pest control and AC maintenance, with Ray suggesting Sensibo for humidity control. Emma attributes her high guest satisfaction to accurate property representation, unique styling, abundant supplies, durable selections, and a personal touch as a new family host, which she believes fosters guest understanding and open communication.

The episode wraps with Emma expressing her pleasant surprise at the Airbnb's success, which has exceeded initial expectations. She emphasizes that her meticulous setup, durable design choices, and personal approach have ensured smooth remote management and fostered positive guest interactions, allowing her family to enjoy the property for their own holidays once or twice a year.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Strategies for encouraging guest feedback during their stay versus post-stay reviews.
• How to successfully set up and manage an Airbnb property remotely, even with family commitments.
• The importance of thoughtful styling and equipping a property to stand out in a competitive market.
• Practical considerations for making an Airbnb family-friendly and reducing guest packing burdens.
• Addressing unique environmental challenges in tropical climates, such as pest control and humidity/mold management.
• Leveraging technology like smart locks, automated messaging, and dynamic pricing tools for efficient remote operations.
• The value of durable materials and a systematic cleaning process for long-term property maintenance and guest satisfaction.
• The benefit of transparent communication and personal touches in fostering guest empathy and improving overall experience.

Guest

Name: Emma Bartlett Instagram: @trinitybeach_townhouse Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/1086727624986172101

Where to stay — hosted by the Superhosts Down Under team

Ray’s South Yarra Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/slink/I2cCaaW5 Ray’s North Melbourne Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/l/KGfcunu3 Silvia’s Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X

Sponsorship

This episode is brought to you by Riverside. Use code Ray15 for 15% off your first subscription. https://riverside.sjv.io/xLR1Wx