The Short Term Collective

Nobody talks about this when you’re buying a Colorado STR.

In 2020 we came within 1/4 mile of losing three cabins to a forest fire. A year and a half of work. Countless hours spent on top of working 40 hour a week W-2’s.

We got lucky. The properties survived. But it changed how we think about every investment since.

Colorado carriers are quietly dropping STR homeowners policies. After one of the driest winters on record, it’s worth paying attention to.

This isn’t a reason to not invest. The Colorado STR market is still one of the best opportunities out there.

It’s a reason to go in with eyes wide open. Know your insurance situation. Know your defensibility. Have a contingency plan.

The investors who win long term aren’t just the ones who find great properties. They’re the ones who think through every angle before they close.

Investor first. Designer second. Always.

Virtual STR design for first-time investors. Link in bio.

4.98 stars. Guest Favorite. Top 5% globally. 43 reviews.

They haven’t even been hosting a full year.

This Denver basement sits below where the owners live — a house hack in one of the city’s most walkable neighborhoods. Restaurants, nightlife, everything guests want within walking distance.

The goal was simple: cover the mortgage. The design made it possible.

This is what an entry-level STR investment looks like when the strategy is right.

Virtual STR design for first-time investors. Link in bio.

Designing for photos will get you the booking.

But if the space doesn’t deliver in person, the reviews will suffer. And when your reviews drop, so does your revenue.

The properties that perform long-term are designed for the guest who’s actually standing in the room.

Every corner curated. Every detail considered. Because that’s what turns a one-time booking into a five-star review and a repeat guest.

Design isn’t decoration. It’s a revenue strategy.

Virtual STR design for first-time investors. Link in bio.

Property #2 of 5. Launch-ready. $1,000/night potential.

College town STR. Walking distance to the sports complex. Game room with shuffleboard, pool table, and hang space. This property isn’t designed for average weekends—it’s designed for premium dates.

Football weekends. Graduation. Homecoming. Parents weekend.

The dates that command $1,000+ per night with 2-night minimums.

Here’s the strategy:

Location. Walking distance to the stadium means alumni and visiting families will pay a premium to avoid parking chaos and game day traffic.

Game room. This isn’t decoration—it’s functional pre-game and post-game space. Guests aren’t just sleeping here, they’re hosting here.

Group-friendly layout. Built for 8-12 people. Parents + kids. Alumni groups. Extended families. The bigger the group capacity, the higher the nightly rate.

College town STRs are a different game. If you’re not designing for game day, you’re leaving money on the table.

3 down, 2 to go this week.

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Virtual design for high-performing STRs. Link in bio.