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Most STR operators don't think about regulation until it's already too late.
Julie pulls back the curtain on what’s really happening in short-term rental regulation and why hosts can’t afford to stay invisible. From local politics to nationwide advocacy, this episode is a wake-up call for operators who think regulation is someone else’s problem.
Here's what we covered:
• How Julie went from accidental host to industry advocate
• Why anti-STR arguments often hide deeper community concerns
• The biggest mistake hosts make when regulations start changing
• Why advocacy is not charity, but a real business investment
• How small hosts can contribute without becoming full-time activists
• What the Right to Rent Collaborative is building for the future of the industry
Guest Bio:
Julie Marks is Executive Director of the Right to Rent Collaborative (R2RC), a national initiative supporting state and local short-term rental associations in building advocacy capacity, legal readiness, and sustainable funding infrastructure. An association founder and industry advocate, Julie works at the intersection of national strategy and local execution, helping communities organize and engage effectively with policymakers.
Julie founded the Vermont Short-Term Rental Alliance (VTSTRA) in 2021 and served on the Vacation Rental Management Association’s Government Affairs Council from 2022 to 2024. She operates Homestead Hospitality in Vermont and manages rental properties in Vermont and Washington.
Connect with Guest:
julie@r2rcollaborative.org
https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliemarksvt/
https://www.instagram.com/vtstra/
https://www.instagram.com/r2rcollaborative/
Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
8:01 - Introducing Julie Marks
8:28 - How Julie Accidentally Became an STR Advocate
10:00 - From Op-Ed to Statewide Alliance: The Vermont Story
11:26 - Why the Same Fight Is Happening in Every Market
12:23 - What Communities Are Really Upset About (It's Not What You Think)
16:19 - The Hard Truth: What STRs Have Genuinely Changed
18:34 - Why "It Won't Happen in My Market" Is a Dangerous Assumption
21:16 - How to Get Involved Without Going to Every City Hall Meeting
23:35 - What the Right to Rent Collaborative Does and How It Works
26:17 - "I'm Too Small to Matter" — Julie's Response
28:21 - The $2 Per Booking Model: Your Business Insurance Policy
29:08 - Why This Is a Branding Opportunity, Not Just an Obligation
35:52 - How to Start a Local Association From Scratch
38:23 - Where to Find Julie and Get Connected
39:36 - Julie's #1 Secret to STR Success
