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.<h2></h2><h2>Episode Highlights</h2>00:00 – 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 investors<h2>About the Guest</h2>Quirin 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.<h3></h3><h2>Connect with Quirin</h2><ul><li>Website (MadeComfy): <a href="https://www.madecomfy.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.madecomfy.com.au/</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/quirin-schwaighofer/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/quirin-schwaighofer/</a></li></ul> <h2>Resources</h2><ul><li>Visit our website: <a href="https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au</a></li><li>If you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at:</li><li>The Elephant in the Room Property Podcast - <a href="mailto:questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au</a></li><li>Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? <a href="http://www.gooddeeds.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.gooddeeds.com.au</a></li><li>Work with Veronica: <a href="http://www.veronicamorgan.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.veronicamorgan.com.au</a></li><li>Looking for a Mortgage Broker? <a href="http://alcove.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">alcove.com.au</a></li><li>Work with Chris: <a href="mailto:chrisbates@alcove.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">chrisbates@alcove.com.au</a>&nbsp;</li></ul> Enjoyed the podcast? Don't miss out on what's yet to come! Hit that subscription button, spread the word, and join us for more insightful discussions in real estate. Your journey starts now!<ul><li>Subscribe on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@theelephantintheroom-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@theelephantintheroom-podcast</a></li><li>Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast/id1384822719" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast/id1384822719</a></li><li>Subscribe on Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3Ge1626dgnmK0RyKPcXjP0?si=26cde394fa854765" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/show/3Ge1626dgnmK0RyKPcXjP0?si=26cde394fa854765</a></li></ul> If you enjoyed today’s podcast, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! There’s more to come, so we hope to have you along with us on this journey!See you on the inside,Veronica & Chris

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Short Stays: Does the Model Still Work in 2025?

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