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 Highlights 00:00 – Introduction 01:15 – Meet Quirin Schwaighofer: MadeComfy's Journey 01:51 – Acquisition by Prism: A New Chapter 04:06 – Post-COVID: a tougher, smarter short-stay market 07:11 – NSW rules, caps, and what they really mean 11:15 – How other markets handle short-stay caps 14:14 – Demand shifts and investor behaviour in 2025 19:21 – Strategies for short-term rental success 25:04 – Where short-stays still shine (and struggle) 26:03 – What MadeComfy actually does for owners 27:02 – Beyond Airbnb: competing channels and share 28:26 – Common short-stay pitfalls (and fixes) 31:36 – Supply, yield, and the housing market picture 32:58 – Byron Bay: balancing tourism and housing 39:16 – What government should fix—and how 44:17 – Closing advice for owners and investors About the Guest 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. Connect with Quirin Website (MadeComfy): https://www.madecomfy.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quirin-schwaighofer/ Resources Visit our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au If you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at: The Elephant in the Room Property Podcast -
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