📍 Serving Ames & Central Iowa · 515-216-0652
Hosting Tips & Iowa STR Insights

The Stay-A-While Blog

Practical strategies for hosts, owners, and investors who want to grow smarter, not harder in the Central Iowa short-term rental market.

Well-designed short-term rental living room — VRBO vs Airbnb
Featured · Iowa STR Insights

VRBO vs Airbnb: which is better for hosts and guests in 2026?

Fees, audience, cancellation policies, and host tools compared — plus a clear recommendation for guests, hosts, and Iowa short-term rental owners.

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Ames Iowa skyline
Iowa Market

Is Ames a good market for short-term rentals in 2026?

Game-day demand, a steady university crowd, and limited supply make Ames one of Iowa's most resilient STR markets. Here's the data.

Guest bedroom setup
Hosting Tips

The 5-star turnover checklist our cleaners never skip

Consistency is what earns repeat reviews. Steal the exact checklist we use on every Stay-A-While turnover.

Investor reviewing numbers
Investing

How to underwrite your first short-term rental deal

From revenue projections to expense ratios — the simple framework we use to know whether a property will actually cash-flow.

Host welcoming guests
Hosting Tips

Dynamic pricing 101: stop leaving money on the table

Flat nightly rates cost hosts thousands a year. Here's how demand-based pricing works and why it matters in Iowa.

Cozy living space
Guest Guides

Where to stay & what to do on a weekend in Ames

Visiting Central Iowa? Our local guide to the best neighborhoods, eats, and game-day spots near our rentals.

Iowa neighborhood at dusk
Iowa Market

STR regulations in Central Iowa: what owners need to know

Permits, lodging taxes, and zoning vary by city. A plain-English rundown so you can host with confidence.