In this episode of Superhost Down Under, Ray and Silvia talk with

Meredith Cowley, founder of Custom BNB Hosting, about what it really takes to

build and run a short term rental management business across Australia’s east coast.

Meredith shares her journey from working in frontline child protection as a social worker to becoming a

property investor and host. A stage four breast cancer diagnosis forced her to rethink what she wanted from

life and created the space to start a business that aligned more closely with her values and lifestyle.

Today she manages a portfolio of around 35 properties across Melbourne, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and

Hervey Bay.

The conversation dives into co hosting models, the leasing or arbitrage model, guest expectations,

owner psychology and the reality of operating a 24/7 hospitality business. Meredith also explains how

Custom BNB Hosting uses multiple platforms and local hosting professionals to deliver a consistent guest

experience and solid returns for owners.

In this episode, we discuss:

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• Listing on multiple platforms and how Custom BNB Hosting balances Airbnb, Booking.com, VRBO, Expedia, Marriott and direct bookings.

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• Meredith’s personal story, including her cancer diagnosis and the decision to move from social work into property and hosting.

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• The leasing model: how renting properties and then listing them on Airbnb works in practice and when it makes sense.

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• How co hosts and local hosting professionals support operations across different cities while Meredith is based in Queensland.

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• Cleaners, checklists, photos and the ongoing challenge of maintaining standards that keep reviews and ratings high.

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• How Custom BNB Hosting onboards new owners, sets expectations and structures its commission and pricing model.

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• Guest expectations, value for money and why styling, amenities and experience now matter more than ever.

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• Emerging trends in the short term rental space, including automation, AI tools and changing regulations.

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If you are a new host, a property investor or someone considering working with a professional management

company, this episode offers a practical and honest look at what works, what is hard and how to think about

building a sustainable short term rental business in Australia.