S1 E4: Ask us ANYTHING!
In this Ask Us Anything episode of Pretty Smart, the hosts answer real questions from designers who are curious about—or already working in—vacation rental design.
From pricing structures and contracts to finding clients, entering new markets, and avoiding costly mistakes, this conversation is packed with candid advice and actionable insights.
The episode dives deep into how vacation rental design differs from residential work, why contracts matter more than you think, and how charging for blocks of time can create stronger client relationships and recurring revenue. The hosts also unpack one of the biggest challenges designers face: clearly communicating their authority and value in a saturated market.
You’ll hear practical strategies for attracting the right clients, leveraging existing networks, using data to break into new regions, and sourcing smarter—especially through High Point year-round. The conversation wraps with hard truths, humorous horror stories, and reminders that vacation rental design is not staging, not decorating, and definitely not about playing it safe.
Whether you’re new to vacation rental design or ready to scale your expertise, this episode offers clarity, confidence, and a realistic look at what it takes to succeed.
Timestamps
00:00 – 03:00
Why contracts and pricing matter more in vacation rental design
03:00 – 06:30
How charging blocks of time creates flexibility and recurring revenue
06:30 – 08:30
Why there’s no “one right way” to price—and how to find what works for you
08:30 – 10:30
How to find vacation rental design clients using your existing database
10:30 – 13:00
Property managers, housekeeping companies, and creative ways to get noticed
13:00 – 15:30
Breaking into new markets with data, not guesswork
15:30 – 17:30
Why being new to a market can actually be an advantage
17:30 – 20:30
Sourcing smarter at High Point—on and off market
20:30 – 22:30
The biggest mistakes designers make in vacation rental design
22:30 – 25:30
Why vacation rental design is not staging (and never should be sold that way)
25:30 – 27:30
Design don’ts: themes, sameness, and furniture mistakes
27:30 – 31:00
Vacation rental design horror stories and what designers and owners can learn from them
31:00 – End
Wrapping season one and what’s coming next
