STR Adjacent Fields to Expand To

[Stephanie Reinagel]

Hey everyone!

I've been doing STRs for almost two years. I currently have 10 rental arbitrage units, and manage one additional unit. I also have two small children, and a third due in just a few weeks. The oldest will be about 26 months when the third is born. Needless to say, I have my hands full! 

Over the last 2 years, I've learned a TON about STR and Rental Arbitrage. I've also learned which parts of the business that I love and the parts that are not as enjoyable for me or take away from other, more important, things in my life - namely my family. I LOVE designing listings, and creating systems that make the guest experience better and/or make things easier for my team. I don't like having family fun days interrupted by unexpected guest issues, or being woken up at 2am by a guest who doesn't know how to use a smart lock. :P

As I look forward to what the next chapter looks like after baby #3 is born, I am looking for ways to take all that I've learned, but eliminate the "always on-call" aspect of managing STRs, so that when I'm not in a dedicated work session, I can focus on my family.

I have some ideas, but would love to hear any other suggestions from you all as hosts or potential future hosts. What services would be helpful to you? Here are some areas that I feel I have a lot to offer. Do any of these stand out as more helpful/valuable? 
- Staging and Design 
- Stocking a new listing
- Staging for photo shoots
- Budgeting for setting up a listing
- How to find rental arbitrage properties
- House manual compilation
- Saved replies for guest scenarios
- Scheduled messages for guest stays
- Turnover, Deep Clean, and Maintenance checklists
- Incident reports automation for guest damages

I'd also love tips on how to market these services if I do decide to go down that path. I have no shortage of ideas, but my marketing skills are not what I wish they were!

[Colleen F.]

@Stephanie Reinagel  If your goal is to " take all that I've learned, but eliminate the "always on-call" aspect of managing STRs,"  I honestly don't think opening your own business will accomplish that goal. Businesses take time and your customers will set the timelines. Might have less on call time but don't think you will be able to schedule everything. You might consider an assistant to cover specific times, sort of like or job share with a partner getting into the space.