Ever wondered how to keep guests coming back? It’s time to spotlight what you’re doing right using Vacation Rental SWOT analysis.

Running a vacation rental can feel like juggling chainsaws. You’ve got guests to please, a property to maintain, platforms to manage, and on top of that, you’re trying to grow. But here’s a question that rarely gets asked—what’s holding you back? Not “what’s going wrong,” but what’s really keeping you from going all in and building the business you’ve imagined?

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That’s where a solid Vacation Rental SWOT Analysis comes into play.

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This episode will help you assess the four big players—Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats—in your rental business. You’ll walk away knowing what’s working, what’s not, where the goldmines are, and what potholes to avoid.

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Spot Your Strengths: What’s Already Working

Let’s kick off with the fun bit—your strengths.

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What are the things that guests rave about in your reviews? Maybe it’s your killer welcome basket, your super-responsive messages, or that dreamy hot tub with the mountain view. Maybe you’ve got an eye for design, or you’ve built strong relationships with local businesses.

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Here’s a story for you. I once coached a host in PEI who couldn’t figure out why her place was always booked solid. Turns out, it wasn’t the décor—it was her handwritten notes and local jam jars. Tiny details, big impact.

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Your strengths are your foundation. You build up from there.

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Weigh Your Weaknesses: Don’t Flinch, Be Honest

Now let’s rip the Band-Aid off—your weaknesses.

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It’s easy to avoid this part. But this is where the real growth begins. Are you slow to respond to inquiries? Is your pricing out of sync with the market? Maybe you’ve got a great space but your photos were clearly taken in 2012.

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Write it all down. Yes, all of it. This isn’t self-criticism. It’s business clarity.

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One host told me, “I just don’t have time to fix these problems.” Here’s the thing—time is a tool, not a roadblock. The right systems, automation, or even outsourcing can turn your biggest pain points into easy wins.

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Uncover Your Opportunities: Low-Hanging Fruit

Opportunities are where you go from treading water to surfing the wave.

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This could be expanding to a new platform, partnering with a local brewery, or starting a simple loyalty program. What’s just sitting there, waiting for you to grab it?

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From the Mastering Vacation Rentals course, you’ll learn that guest data is your goldmine. Past preferences, booking habits, review patterns—they all point to untapped potential.

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Tackle the Threats: Stop Sabotaging Your Success

Threats come in two forms: external and internal.

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External threats are things like new regulations, local competition, or a bad run of weather. Internal threats? They’re sneakier. Burnout. Fear of change. Perfectionism. Imposter syndrome.

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You might be thinking, “I’m just a small operator. How much can I really change?” But your guests don’t care about your scale. They care about your experience. That’s what wins repeat bookings.

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Threats aren’t here to scare you. They’re here to tell you what needs backup plans.

Share one insight from your SWOT in the comments.

Here are the 5 key takeaways of this episode.

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In Conclusion

When you understand your strengths, you build confidence. When you confront weaknesses, you create a path forward. Spot the opportunities, and you give yourself momentum. Prep for threats, and you stay standing when others stumble.

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Doing a SWOT analysis isn’t just a strategic tool—it’s a mindset shift. It gives you permission to be honest and brave with your business.

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Want to go deeper? You’ll find step-by-step guidance on SWOT analysis in the “Mastering Vacation Rentals: Start, Manage, & Thrive in the Rental Business” course. It’s packed with practical tools to turn insight into income.