High Desert Co-Hosting is proud to introduce itself as Taos’s newest vacation home rental agency, built on years of hands-on experience, knowledge of the special places that make Taos magical, and a deep love for helping new and returning travelers make the best of their vacations in northern New Mexico.
Our journey began several years ago with two highly successful short-term rentals in the Lower Las Colonias area of El Prado. We fell in love with hearing that guests were getting away for the weekend, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, and honeymoons, or simply traveling to Taos to reconnect with family and friends. We found meaning in connecting with guests and doing the little extras that made their trips special. The work was a restorative, creative and self-determining counterweight to our otherwise busy lives.
Why We Started High Desert Co-Hosting
We were approached several years ago by neighbors who had returned to Taos for their annual trip only to find the house in disarray. Hot water heater was on the fritz, home was dusty and buggy, yard was unkept, etc. Cleaning up and ensuring necessary maintenance was completed hadn’t been on their schedule for their first week in Taos. We had previously discussed our hosting journey and were soon on the phone talking about how to collaborate. Their goals were simple – pay the rent, keep the property in good shape, and ensure availability for owner visits during ski season.
A year later, we were invited by Airbnb to join its Co-Host Network. Due to the strict requirements, we are still only one of two co-hosts serving the Taos area. Since then, we have continued to add property owners through cleaner referrals, word of mouth by neighbors and friends, and through the co-host network. We finally decided to formalize a business, High Desert Co-Hosting, in January 2026.
The Changing Taos Vacation Rental Landscape
The short-term rental market in Taos has evolved quickly, especially during and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. A surge of new hosts entered the market, bringing fresh strategies and higher expectations for performance. As of February 2026, according to PriceLabs Market Research, there are 977 active vacation homes on Airbnb in the greater Taos area. Success will require more than simply listing a home online.
Outstanding vacation rental performance depends on:
- Experiential stays with thoughtful design and high-quality amenities
- Above and beyond guest communication and spotless cleaning standards
- Professional photography to promote online search algorithm engagement
- Dynamic pricing for revenue and occupancy optimization
- Technology systems that support operations, including direct booking websites, guest information collection strategies for re-marketing efforts, and electronic guidebooks with upsells
At the same time, pressures have made ownership and operation in Taos more complex:
- City and county zoning restrictions on short-term rentals
- Concerns by Taoseño’s that vacation homes deplete low-income housing availability
- Reinvestment into local hotels by large out-of-state investment groups
- Rising residential housing prices combined with higher mortgage interest rates
- Seasonality coupled with years of poor snowfall and less than stellar ski seasons
Traditional property management companies often struggle to adapt to this rapidly shifting environment. Here are five questions to consider asking your current property manager, or one you are interviewing, to better gauge their knowledge, experience, and level of engagement.
- What percentage of your current rental portfolio has a short-term rental license?
Answer should be 100%. While we believe the permit process suffers from some unnecessary complexity and delays, it is important to support our local communities by engaging with and adhering to local regulations. Because this process is new, some property permits may be appropriately characterized as “in process”. As you interview different property managers and co-hosts, remember to double check their responses! Review a variety of listings to see if they include the required permit number. If it is missing, that reflects a lack of engagement with the permit process or a lack of attention to detail.
- How often do you do in-person home inspections?
Answer should be at least monthly. The number one complaint we hear from owners transitioning to High Desert Co-Hosting is that owners felt like their property wasn’t cared for. It was “just another house”. Our co-hosting style is quite hands on, including photo/video tours after every cleaning, in-person inspections by our cleaning supervisor every or every other cleaning, and property walkthroughs by one or more co-hosts at least monthly. We are happy to connect you with any of our owners should you wish to hear it from them directly. Brownie points to property managers and co-hosts who are engaging their owners in conversations about short term rental specific homeowners insurance, which ensures owners are protected in case of an untoward occurrence.
- Describe what happened with [insert guest comments from a recent 1, 2 or 3-star review]?
Answer should reflect a level of knowledge and engagement that shows they are staying abreast of guest communications and any concerns that are raised about properties under management. Travelers, on average, go on vacation once or twice per year. They spend their hard-earned money staying at our homes and we believe it is our responsibility to ensure they have an exceptional experience. Property managers and co-hosts who are responding to every comment, both positive and negative, get brownie points. This signals to the online travel agency algorithms a heightened level of engagement, therefore boosting property visibility, and builds trust with future travelers that issues (that inevitably come up) are addressed.
- How do you learn about new trends and strategies that drive performance?
Our two favorite approaches are podcasts such as “Thanks for Visiting”, “No Vacancy”, “Short Term Rental Management” and “Bigger Pockets”, and engaging in online learning and mentoring communities like HostCamp.
- Can I talk with several of your owners?
Select a few properties at random from their portfolio and ask to be connected with their owners. Raise a red flag if you are only allowed to speak with a predefined group of references.
How Co-Hosting Is Different
While we are akin to a property manager, our model is intentionally different. High Desert Co-Hosting differs in the following ways.
- Owners remain in full control of their listings, reservations, reviews, and platform accounts.
- All reservation income flows directly to owners.
- No monthly fees.
- We notify owners and facilitate resolution of maintenance issues. Owners get the final say.
We do not engage in traditional property management activities as defined by NM Administrative Code 16.61.1. High Desert Co-Hosting holds all appropriate business licenses and commercial insurance.
This model creates transparency, alignment, and partnership. You maintain control of your investment while benefiting from professional systems, strategy, and on-the-ground expertise.
Our Vision for New Vacation Home Rental Agency
We believe Taos deserves vacation homes that reflect its beauty, culture, and creative spirit.
As a vacation home rental agency, we aim to grow intentionally to between thirty and fifty properties, then hold steady so we can maintain exceptional quality and personal attention. Growth for growth’s sake is not our goal. Operational excellence is.
If you are a Taos homeowner seeking stronger performance or partner with a track record of success, we would love to connect. Let’s explore how we can work together to elevate your home and create remarkable guest experiences.
