What Is Your Biggest Pain Point As A Host?

Question

What is one of your big pain points as a STR Host? I hope this thread can help solve some issues hosts have with the experiences of others.

Here is one of mine. How can I better automate my lease agreement being sent out, information filled in, and then easily signed by the guest? I use docusign now but I know there are better solutions. My PMS has agreements but it is just a click box that they read it. My attorney said that a real signature holds more weight always.

Kumar R. · Answer

@KiKi Wood that's it, that's the different between being able to scale with repeatable, consistent processes and systems vs getting overwhelmed and overloaded due to non-repeatable business processes. You are now ready for rocket fuel ;-)

Garrett Brown · Answer

@Sarah Kensinger I hear you! I think I'm sitting around 10% bad guests overall (no scientific formula here, lol), and 5-10% are just a lot to deal with. It's always tough to know if someone is just complaining or truly has something to point out that you can improve on. I started making YouTube videos and using QR codes for the toughest things guests struggle with. That has helped a lot and also shows that I am a human running this business.

Sarah Kensinger · Answer

These days...guests that grumble and complain about everything to try and get money back. Thankfully it's not all of them but to many for my liking. Unfortunately, all hosts are dealing with it, and we have decided it's because people are still traveling, don't really have the money to, yet still travel figuring they'll get their money back one way or another.

Kate Stoermer · Answer

Switching to Ownerrez was a gamer changer for agreements. My biggest pain point is being on call always.

Ken Boone · Answer

So to automate that, you can use Zapier to either tie it in to your PMS, or tie it in to any email address where you get a notice that you got a booking.  You can use Zapier to monitor the PMS or email account for that notice and then extract the email address and kick off the rental agreement in DocuSign.

I do this right now but using SignNow.  The biggest issue that came with this method is that it still works great for VRBO, but now after an AirBnb booking I have to ask the guest for their email to get this process started.Zapier is also monitoring for the returned signed RA and that point then sends out all the info the guests needs for their stay.The rest of the email automation is handled by the PMS.My biggest pain, is when I get a difficult guest, or when things break mid stay.

John Underwood · Answer

My rules are legally accepted and their IP address recorded so I don't do any lease signing. Leases are for LTR properties.

I don't use much of any paid 3rd party software and my house is pretty much on auto pilot. Very little time on my part.

I do drive an hour to mow the grass myself, but only because I might ride a jet ski while I'm there.

Life is good.

Brooklyn McCarty · Answer

We use Sign Now for automated RA's

KiKi Chase · Answer

Our pain point used to be how to manage each aspect of STR. We didn't have the right systems in place, so it was a struggle. Now, we have found systems that automate our jobs a little more, making more time for us to grow our business!

Kumar R. · Answer

Yeah, we do the same, we have a few portable units on hand. Carrying them upstairs is a pain though.

Garrett Brown · Answer

@Kumar R. Dang, I'm in Houston, so I know your pain! I keep a portable AC (or 2) in storage at my places and whip them out during emergencies for guests.

What Is Your Biggest Pain Point As A Host?

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