In this Monday Market Data Report, Mark Lumpkin breaks down Gatlinburg, Tennessee, one of the most talked-about short-term rental markets in the country. Using real performance data, Mark walks through how revenue, occupancy, and nightly rates change as you move from three-bedroom cabins to six-plus bedroom luxury properties.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How three-bedroom STRs in Gatlinburg earn between $55K and $95K annually
• Why four-bedroom properties can generate $20K–$45K more per year than three-bedrooms
• How five-bedroom cabins separate average performers from true top-tier experiences
• Why six-plus bedroom properties show the largest revenue jump Mark has seen in any market
• How ADR and occupancy work together to drive outsized returns in Gatlinburg
• What the data reveals about guest expectations for larger, experience-driven homes

If you’re considering investing in Gatlinburg or already own in the Smokies, this episode breaks down exactly what size property performs best and why.

Tune in every Monday for market data reports and every Friday for expert guest interviews on the STR Investing Podcast.

Cody Cramer went from hotel revenue management to building a multi-market short-term rental co-hosting business, all while operating remotely. In this episode, Mark sits down with Cody to break down how he scaled across the Smokies and Florida markets, why systems matter more than location, and what actually drives guest satisfaction.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Cody transitioned from hotels into STR co-hosting
• What it really takes to manage properties remotely without sacrificing quality
• Why your cleaning and maintenance team is the most important hire you’ll make
• The exact tech stack they use: Hostaway, PriceLabs, Breezeway, and Happy Guest
• How non-traditional partnerships created early deal flow
• The four metrics that matter in any STR market: bedroom count, RevPAR, booking lead time, and amenity saturation
• How better communication reduces guest questions and improves reviews

Connect with Cody / Ascent Co-Hosting:
Website: www.ascentcohosting.com
IG: Ascent Cohosting
FB: Ascent Cohosting

In this Monday Market Data Report, co-host Mark Lumpkin breaks down the short-term rental numbers for Gulf Shores, a popular Gulf Coast vacation market with far more upside than many investors realize.

This episode walks through how revenue, nightly rates, and occupancy change as you move from 3-bedroom homes to 6+ bedroom properties, and why larger, well-executed homes dominate this market.

Inside the data, you’ll learn:

• What 3-bedroom homes earn at average vs. top-tier performance levels
• Why adding a 4th bedroom increases revenue even with slightly lower occupancy
• How 5-bedroom properties unlock a major jump in annual income
• Why 6+ bedroom homes in Gulf Shores can push $200K–$250K+ in annual revenue
• How higher nightly rates — not just occupancy — drive strong net returns

The numbers reveal a massive gap between average listings and top performers, proving that design, amenities, and bedroom count matter just as much as location in beach markets.

Whether you already own on the Gulf Coast or are underwriting your next STR deal, this episode gives you clear, data-backed insight into what’s possible in Gulf Shores when you do it right.

Have a market you want us to break down next? DM Mark and we’ll bring the data.