In this unfiltered conversation, Sarah Bradford joins Alex Husner and Annie Holcombe to break down the most common and costly mistakes she sees vacation rental operators still making today.
Drawing from more than two decades in the industry and her experience building, scaling, and ultimately selling two successful vacation rental companies, Sarah revisits pivotal moments that shaped her leadership, operations, and decision-making.
This episode is practical, direct, and rooted in real situations. From financial missteps and weak owner communication to outdated technology, unhealthy competition mindsets, and tolerating the wrong homeowners, Sarah shares what she would fix immediately if she were starting again today.
As the industry heads into 2026, this conversation offers a timely reality check on what needs to change and what operators can no longer afford to ignore.
We cover:
1️⃣ The financial habits that quietly put operators at risk
2️⃣ Why trust accounting, budgeting, and clean books are non-negotiable
3️⃣ Common owner relationship mistakes that lead to unnecessary churn
4️⃣ How silence from homeowners can signal problems long before complaints
5️⃣ Why competing on commission is rarely the right move
6️⃣ The danger of delaying technology and PMS upgrades
7️⃣ How weak company culture shows up in performance and retention
8️⃣ When to say no to homeowners
9️⃣ Why outdated homes hurt your brand more than you think
🔟 What operators should fix now to stay competitive heading into 2026
Connect with Sarah:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-bradford-032129b1/
Get 20% off any yearly or bi-yearly Lodgify plan, plus free personalized onboarding (a $3,000 value).
👉 Use code AAA20 at checkout. Offer valid until December 31, 2025.
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