From One House to Hosted Havens: How a Missed Move Abroad Sparked a Dream Business

Hi, I’m Megan, the owner of Hosted Havens, a co-hosting business based in San Antonio, Texas. Before I ever dreamed of managing short-term rentals for other people, I was simply trying to figure out how to cover the mortgage on my own house while moving abroad.

The accidental host

In 2021, my husband and I bought our first home together — a two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath gem just northwest of downtown San Antonio, with white tile, original hardwood floors, granite countertops and a wood-plank ceiling in the bathroom.

The plan was simple: list it as a short-term rental while we relocated to Panama, so the home would pay for itself. Things didn’t go as planned. I realized I didn’t love the city we’d chosen, and the move fell through. That first summer was wild. The AC went out during a heatwave over 105 degrees, and I took on an arbitrage property across town. For weeks I bounced between two properties, Airbnbs and hotels with my cat in tow, managing two listings on my own.

From passion to profession

Despite the chaos, something clicked: I loved hosting. I had years of customer service and operations experience, and a long-running passion for real estate — interior design, floor plans, even real estate photography. Suddenly all of it had a home in hospitality.

I invested in the right tools, studied operations and learned everything I could through mentorships, communities and courses. I also learned that without strong standards, properties can be abused. So I refined everything: tighter guest rules, better communication, preventative tools like exterior security cameras and stronger cleaning protocols.

The birth of Hosted Havens

By late 2023, other hosts were reaching out for advice. When Airbnb expanded its Co-Host Network to San Antonio, I saw the opportunity: I didn’t need to own more properties to grow — I could partner with owners who needed someone like me.

My first co-hosting client taught me a lasting lesson. The property was prepared on a shoestring budget, and the results didn’t reflect my standards. I gave notice within the first month. From then on, I knew that building something sustainable meant sticking to my values.

That lesson shaped the portfolio I’m proud of today — including a spacious five-bedroom home and an eight-unit apartment building where we turned bland studios into bright, homey retreats for 30+ day stays. That’s the work I love: properties designed for real people, real comfort and real living.

A trusted voice in hospitality

For me, this isn’t a transaction. It’s a craft. When I manage someone’s property, I do it like it’s my own. I want owners to feel heard, valued and confident, and I want guests to feel welcomed, safe and at home — whether they stay two nights or two months.

These days I’m deeply involved in the hosting community, from webinars and co-hosting forums to STR trainings. When you work with Hosted Havens, you’re partnering with a person who lives and breathes this work — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.