Between a rock and a hard place

[Uriah D.]

Short Term Rental Pros…

Since November of 2018, we transitioned two of our properties to Airbnb furnished short term rentals. It’s been quite a learning curve, but we’ve been able to reach Superhost status and have great reviews on those two properties. 

There’s a third property we are preparing to bring on as Airbnb, but we have some concerns because of the street it is on. Although it is in a great location in proximity to downtown Raleigh, the houses on either side of the subject property (that will be the Airbnb) are fairly worn down, especially the one to the right including the back yard. 

We don’t believe the area to be unsafe, in fact most of the neighbors are really nice, but it could certainly appear that way. 

My question is - have any of you found success in running an Airbnb in an area of town that is “transitional” and has houses on either side of it that are in obvious disrepair?

How do you communicate your listing for what it is on Airbnb (both with words and images) … to avoid negative reviews about the location or feeling of safety? Is there a way to post a video on Airbnb?

**For reference, there is a house 2 down on the same side of the street that has been through a quality renovation, and the other houses on the street are fairly well maintained, but some are dated. 

[Paul Sandhu]

@Uriah D. My largest property has a ghost.  It's a 3 story house with 9 beds and 4 bathrooms where everyone can shower.  I used to not tell people that it was haunted when they moved in, but they didn't like the surprise of finding out on their own.  So then I started telling people about the ghost.  The majority of the people in each group renting the house had no problems, once I explained what sorts of behavior brings out the ghost.  There are always 1 or 2 people in each group that get that "deer in a headlight" look when I drop the ghost bomb.  They want to get the F outta there a.s.a.p. but they don't want to look like a puss in front of their coworkers.  Their coworkers can tell, and they razz them on the spot.

I list all the phenomenon people can expect to experience when they leave trash and debris all over the house.  The list is on the fridge.

So take your problems and turn them into something positive if you can.