The Ledger Notebook
STR math, written down.
Every post pairs a calculator with a 1,500-word breakdown of the math behind it. No hot takes, no AI fluff, no popup that asks for your email before you've read a sentence.
Subscribe via RSS-
Math 8 min readSTR Break-Even Occupancy: How Many Nights Do You Actually Need?
Break-even occupancy is the only metric that tells you whether your listing is a business or a hobby. The formula, two worked examples, and the trap of using market average instead of property-specific math.
Read
-
Math 7 min readRevPAR for Airbnb Hosts: Why It Matters More Than ADR
RevPAR is the hotel industry's go-to performance metric — and the single best one-number summary of an STR listing's revenue health. The formula, why it beats ADR, and how to use it to spot pricing problems before they show up in your bank account.
Read
-
Math 9 min readHow to Calculate Airbnb Profitability: A 2026 Guide for STR Hosts
The honest math behind Airbnb profit. Revenue minus host fees, cleaning, utilities, mortgage, taxes, and a real reserve for capex. With the formulas, the gotchas, and a calculator.
Read
-
Operations 8 min readCo-Host Splits for Airbnb: How to Set a Fee That's Fair to Both Sides
Co-hosting deals fail when the split is set without modeling. Here's the math, the four common structures, the work allocation that drives them, and the contract terms that keep both parties paid.
Read
-
Tax 9 min readAirbnb Lodging Tax Compliance: A State-by-State Primer for STR Hosts
Lodging tax is the most-ignored line item in short-term rental P&Ls. The platform doesn't always collect it. The penalties for missing it compound. Here's how the system actually works in 2026.
Read
-
Math 8 min readAirbnb Cleaning Fees: How Much to Charge in 2026 (With Real Numbers)
Set a cleaning fee that covers actual turnover cost without killing conversion. The labor math, the supply line, the regional benchmarks, and the price-anchoring trap.
Read