The past year proved something important about the vacation rental market: demand is still strong, but how that demand shows up is changing.
For owners, this meant more unpredictability. And for us, it meant doubling down on smarter strategies, faster innovation, and tools that give our owners more control.
In the 2025 Winter Release, Evolve CEO Brian Egan shared the key updates from the past year and how they support stronger, more resilient performance for 2026.
Understanding the 2025 Market (and Why It Matters for 2026)
Travelers Booked, but Differently
Demand held up well compared to last year, and travelers booked peak dates with confidence. But economic uncertainty had an impact on occupancy and booking patterns in slower seasons. That hesitancy influenced both how far in advance travelers committed and how often they waited until the last minute to book.
How We Responded
We adjusted pricing strategies and launched new features that put the power in our owners’ hands to get last-minute bookings and longer stays when they mattered most, including:
- More active mid-week night and shoulder-season rate management
- Weekly and monthly discounts for steady income and calendar stability
- Gap minimum rates and stays settings to fill hard-to-book nights
- Non-refundable discounts for last-minute bookings and guaranteed revenue
Stepping Into a Highly Dynamic 2026
We see these trends continuing, but we’re confident demand will stay healthy overall, with big opportunities around peak seasons and major events like the World Cup.
At the same time, we’re prepared to handle whatever comes our way. Our approach moving into the new year is straightforward:
Combine industry insights, revenue management strategies, and platform upgrades to deliver a feedback-driven owner experience that gives more clarity, control, and confidence — no matter what the market does.
Improvements Designed Around Owner Needs
Here’s a look at the latest updates to the owner experience, built on the commitments in our Owner Promise to provide a more convenient and comprehensive experience that makes vacation rental easy:
Calendar Syncing for Simpler Day-to-Day Visibility
Why it matters: Managing a rental is easier when your schedule lives where you already plan your daily life.
What’s new: Owners can now sync their Evolve calendar directly with Google, Apple, or Outlook — letting them view upcoming stays and availability in their preferred calendar without switching apps.
Respond to Market Trends with Faster Minimum Rate Updates
Why it matters: In a quick-moving industry, pricing decisions lose value when changes take too long to go into effect.
What’s new: Updates to default or custom minimum rates now publish within 3 hours instead of 24. Owners get faster feedback and more responsive control during changing market conditions.
Default Maximum Stays for Easy Compliance
Why it matters: Some HOAs or local regulations limit how long guests can stay, and violations can lead to compliance issues or unnecessary cancellations.
What’s new: Evolve owners can now set a default maximum stay length, giving peace of mind and reducing the risk of booking conflicts.
A Centralized Tax Center for a Stress-Free Season
Why it matters: Filing season is stressful enough without having to search for documents in multiple places. A hub for all your important info makes taxes less taxing.
What’s new: The new Tax Center consolidates 1099-K forms, property-specific tax rates, and other key documents so Evolve owners have easy, secure access at any time.
Upgrades for Local Partners Bolster On-Site Operations
Why it matters: A better guest experience depends on smooth operations on the ground and behind the scenes.
What’s new: Our improved Partner App now includes updated tools for cleaners and guest contacts, giving them more modern and reliable functionality to better support the rentals they work with.
New Plus Benefit: Discounted Tax & Permit Support
Why it matters: Navigating taxes and permitting on your own can feel like a full-time job, and finding a reliable partner isn’t much easier. But the right one can help you reduce your tax burden and increase your cash flow.
What’s new: Owners on our Plus management plan now receive access to trusted experts in short-term rental taxes, compliance, and cost segregation, including free consultations and exclusive rates.
What’s Coming Early in 2026
Our upcoming improvements are all about making our platform more flexible, easier to navigate, and adaptable to our owners’ needs.
Easier Listing Editing with Expanded In-App Controls
Why it matters: Listing accuracy is crucial for setting the right guest expectations. Being able to quickly edit details yourself makes it easier to get five-star reviews and build a strong reputation for your vacation rental.
What’s coming: Owners will soon be able to update even more of their property’s amenities directly in the Owner App — no request needed.
Simplify Login with User Management
Why it matters: Many rentals are co-managed by partners, family, and friends. Having limited ways to share access or manage multiple accounts complicates what should be the easiest part of the process.
What’s coming: Owners will be able to manually add or remove users to their account in their Owner App. Those handling multiple accounts will only need one email address to log into all of them.
Customized Promotions with Special Discounts
Why it matters: The ability to create targeted discounts lets you get more granular with your pricing strategy to attract new travelers, bring back repeat guests, and boost earnings.
What’s coming: Based on feedback from a recent Beta test, we’re finalizing a tool that lets owners create custom promotions at the property level.
A New Pro Management Plan for a Better Multi-Property Experience
Why it matters: Owners and operators of multiple rentals need specialized tools built to boost performance and simplify the day-to-day across a portfolio of properties.
What’s coming: Our new Pro management plan will improve the experience for owners, managers, and co-hosts who handle multiple properties, including features like:
- A multi-calendar view for easier management
- A dedicated booking site (powered by Evolve) for browsing and booking their properties exclusively
A Year of Progress — and More Ahead
2025 brought meaningful improvements across the owner experience, from revamped support structures to new tools for boosting bookings. None of it would be possible without owner feedback guiding where we focus and pushing us to move faster.
Our commitment remains the same:
Deliver the best owner experience in the industry and continue earning our owners’ trust every day.
Whether you’re a first-timer just getting started or a seasoned owner looking to expand your portfolio, our team of experts is here to help make vacation rental easy. Fill out the form below to determine if you qualify for our services and join us as we move ahead.
Here’s to a strong finish to the year, and an even better 2026.