Short-term rentals have faced caps, levies, and rising costs. Investors are asking the big question: Does the short-stay model still work?In this episode, Quirin Schwaighofer, co-founder and co-CEO of MadeComfy, joins us to unpack the state of the short-stay market in 2025. We talk about how regulations like NSW’s 180-day cap and Byron Bay’s 60-day limits are reshaping operations, where demand is shifting post-COVID, and why distribution has moved far beyond Airbnb.We also dive into when mid-term furnished rentals can outperform, what investors should track weekly to stay ahead, and the pitfalls that even seasoned owners fall into.If you’re weighing short-term vs mid-term or wondering how to keep income resilient under new rules, this episode is for you.Episode Highlights00:00 – Introduction01:15 – Meet Quirin Schwaighofer: MadeComfy's Journey01:51 – Acquisition by Prism: A New Chapter04:06 – Post-COVID: a tougher, smarter short-stay market07:11 – NSW rules, caps, and what they really mean11:15 – How other markets handle short-stay caps14:14 – Demand shifts and investor behaviour in 202519:21 – Strategies for short-term rental success25:04 – Where short-stays still shine (and struggle)26:03 – What MadeComfy actually does for owners27:02 – Beyond Airbnb: competing channels and share28:26 – Common short-stay pitfalls (and fixes)31:36 – Supply, yield, and the housing market picture32:58 – Byron Bay: balancing tourism and housing39:16 – What government should fix—and how44:17 – Closing advice for owners and investorsAbout the GuestQuirin Schwaighofer is the Co-CEO & Co-Founder of MadeComfy, the Australian accommodation innovator helping real estate professionals and investors enter and scale in short-term and mid-term rentals with tech-driven operations and a trusted consumer brand. Since 2015, he’s raised $20M+ in growth capital, won multiple Shortyz awards, and led MadeComfy to recognition in AFR BOSS’s Best Places to Work and the AFR Fast 100.In 2025, MadeComfy reached a major milestone with its acquisition by global hospitality platform OYO, marking Australia’s second-largest short-term rental industry exit after Stayz. Prior to MadeComfy, Quirin co-founded a mobile workforce platform (HiKey Resources), led large-scale projects at BHP Billiton Iron Ore, and even launched a hospitality venue while completing a Master in Industrial Engineering and an Executive MBA (AGSM @ UNSW). A German-born entrepreneur and dad of three, he blends strategic vision with hands-on ops across sales, marketing, and market expansion.Connect with QuirinWebsite (MadeComfy): https://www.madecomfy.com.au/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quirin-schwaighofer/ResourcesVisit our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.auIf you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at:The Elephant in the Room Property Podcast - [email protected] for a Sydney Buyers Agent? https://www.gooddeeds.com.auWork with Veronica:

Ver todos los episodios