After turning a passion for real estate into a thriving business, Rupa Sunder co-founded Serene Stays, a boutique vacation rental company offering luxurious, thoughtfully designed homes. She and her husband KC transitioned from long-term rentals to custom-built vacation homes in destinations like 30A and the Smoky Mountains.

Can you tell us a little bit about your history?

Real estate investing has been a passion! My husband KC and I began purchasing homes in Philadelphia. When we moved to Austin, we continued buying homes, gradually building a portfolio of homes for long-term rentals. In 2017, a family trip to Gulf Shores inspired us to purchase our first short-term rental, sparking a new venture. From there, we expanded—adding another STR (short-term rental) property and then acquiring land to build custom homes. Over the next five years, we built five vacation homes, growing our portfolio to include both long-term and short-term stays. Today, we run Serene Stays, our boutique vacation rental company dedicated to providing luxurious vacation homes.

What is your background?

I initially studied cell biology and biochemistry, as my parents hoped I'd pursue a career in medicine. My husband studied marketing and holds an MBA. We both ended up working in staffing—I was in sales, and he was in recruiting. It was a natural step for us to partner together and co-found our tech staffing firm, Calibro Corp. While we both have backgrounds in tech, our shared passion for real estate, design, and hospitality ultimately led to the creation of Serene Stays.

Were you always in VR or property management, or is this a 2nd/3rd career?

Real estate has always been part of our lives, but vacation rentals are our second career. We both had corporate jobs, launched our tech firm, and initially focused on long-term rentals. Over time, we expanded into vacation rentals, merging our entrepreneurial spirit with our love for design and hospitality.

Are you from that geographical area, or did you move there later?

I live in Austin, TX, and don’t reside full-time in the areas where I host. However, I absolutely love visiting our homes, especially in 30A and the Smoky Mountains. Each location offers its unique charm, and we enjoy soaking in the local atmosphere when possible.

If later, is there something that drew you to that area?

30A is renowned for being a charming family beach getaway, and when we built our first property there, we immediately saw its potential as an investment. Its appeal as a year-round vacation destination made it the perfect place for a vacation rental. With their natural beauty and tranquil charm, the Smoky Mountains also felt like an ideal location for creating welcoming retreats. Both areas have a unique draw, making them perfect spots to share with guests looking for relaxation and adventure.

What do you love the most about the VR business?

What I love most about the vacation rental business is the ability to combine my passion for decor and design with the opportunity to generate passive income. Designing beautiful, thoughtfully curated spaces allows me to tap into my creative side, while the strategic aspect of managing the properties remotely is rewarding. Our vision from the start was to build a business that provides passive income, and our Airbnbs have been incredibly successful in helping us achieve that. With the right systems in place, we can manage multiple properties from afar while still ensuring a seamless experience for our guests. The glowing reviews and the knowledge that we’re providing a memorable stay make all the hard work worth it. Plus, the financial success has allowed us the flexibility to focus on other ventures and spend more time together as a family.

What do you dislike the most about it?

Unpredictability—unexpected maintenance issues, last-minute guest requests, and managing properties remotely—comes with challenges. But having the right systems in place makes a huge difference.

How do you use OwnerRez to manage your business?

OwnerRez is the backbone of Serene Stays. There is no way we'd be able to manage 6 short-term rentals (10 long-term rentals, a tech firm, and family life) without OwnerRez. The platform’s intuitive design streamlines everything, and we rely heavily on its integrations for seamless operation. We use it to manage lock systems, coordinate housekeeping, adjust pricing, and more. The automation and messaging templates save us so much time and keep everything organized, from guest communication to booking confirmations. Whether booking management or handling day-to-day tasks, OwnerRez keeps everything running smoothly and efficiently.

What is the most useful feature OwnerRez offers?

The automation and messaging templates are truly game-changers for us. They allow us to focus on the bigger picture while handling routine tasks automatically. The seamless booking and channel management integrations also make it easy to oversee multiple properties, ensuring that everything is in sync across different platforms. We also really value OwnerRez’s exceptional customer service. They always provide timely support and consistently innovate to meet our business's evolving needs. It’s an essential tool for keeping Serene Stays running efficiently.

Rupa and KC’s journey from long-term rentals to custom vacation homes is a true testament to their entrepreneurial spirit and passion for design and hospitality. We wish Serene Stays continued success as they create luxurious and memorable stays for guests!