Anyone know of a good Airbnb consultant?

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Anyone know of a good Airbnb consultant?

Maria Ferre
Member since 2021 · 14 posts · 7 votes

Hi, I'm not sure if I'm allowed to ask here, but any idea of any good airbnb consultants? I'm deciding between two properties and need advice from a really knowledgable consultant. thanks!

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Luke CarlPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Tennessee Florida · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 5k+ votes
5y
Why not post them and let us tear them apart like sharks? 


Podcast Guest on Show From Surviving on $30/Day to 30+ Properties Thanks to Blue-Collar Skills
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  • Luke CarlPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Tennessee Florida · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    5y
    Why not post them and let us tear them apart like sharks? 


    Podcast Guest on Show From Surviving on $30/Day to 30+ Properties Thanks to Blue-Collar Skills
    6Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    5y

    Yeah, you've got a bunch of really good consultants right here at your fingertips....;-)

    1Reply
  • Maria Ferre
    OP
    Member since 2021 · 14 posts · 7 votes
    5y

    I've been eyeing two properties in totally different locations. 

    One of the properties is near the Poconos in Pennsylvania, 3 bedroom, house. They allow airbnb of the house. The property is all updated, clean, ready to move in. Would just need furniture. The cost is close to 200K. Id use it as a vacation home since I live 2.5 hours away, and airbnb when not in it. Rental would be around 200-250 / night . occupancy 55%. 


    The other property is an A-frame in Ohio, near hillsboro. 2 bedroom, A-frame cottage for 125K, furnished. Its the nicest house in a neighborhood where some houses are ok, but others are not so nice. The property is a flip. The owners did an amazing job with flipping it. The house next to it though is an empty mobile home--  though the owner mows the lawn so the lawn is maintained.  I really love the A-frame. It's such a cute house and its already an airbnb though only about 1 month into the airbnb. Rent is 99/night. Only 1 review on it and the review was good. The cottage is booked for the next 2 months at about 85%. The area is good for hunting and fishing. I'd need to fly to get there. Such a cute cottage. 

    Any thoughts? 

    2Reply
  • Maria Ferre
    OP
    Member since 2021 · 14 posts · 7 votes
    5y

    I should add what's holding me back is not enough info on the cottage, b/c of the area. It's likely the nicest house in the neighborhood. 

    0Reply
  • Ken Boone
    Investor · Greenville, SC · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    5y

    Given those two options.. I am leaning towards the Poconos.  Its been a vacation spot for years that people have heard of.  Have not heard of Hillsboro, Ohio and I have been hunting all over different parts of Ohio for the past 15 years or so.   Also, $99/nt doesn't excite me.  If its the nicest house on the block, when people get there and see the mobile home next to it and if the other areas look not so good, probably not gonna get repeat guests.

    If this is your first, it will be easier for you to learn the ropes with a property you will be visiting from time to time and you get to use it when its not rented.

    That's my cursory thoughts based on what you have shared so far between those two choices.

    6Reply
  • Maria Ferre
    OP
    Member since 2021 · 14 posts · 7 votes
    5y

    ^^ Thanks for the input. Very helpful!

    0Reply
  • Mike Shemp
    Rental Property Investor · Stewartsville, NJ · Member since 2016 · 419 posts · 280 votes
    5y

    For the Poconos, it would depend on what part of the Poconos as that area is quite large.  There are some parts of the Poconos that have gone downhill a bit, while there are other areas, especially near lakes or in gated areas that are doing great.  Assuming it's in a nice area of the Poconos, I'd be leaning toward the Pocono.  If the A-frame is the nicest house in the neighborhood, and there are some not-so-nice houses around, guests will remember that and you could have a problem with repeat guests even if the A-Frame is adorable.  

    With the Pocono house you get to use it as a vacation home (14 days per year), and its sounds like its closer to you which is good if you need to run up there for emergencies or maintenance.  As long as it's in one of the good neighborhoods, my vote would be Poconos.

    Mike

    2Reply
  • Jason Stoltzfus
    Rental Property Investor · Lancaster, PA · Member since 2018 · 56 posts · 57 votes
    5y

    What part of the Poconos?

    0Reply
  • Mike Shulman
    Real Estate Agent · orlando, FL · Member since 2009 · 159 posts · 121 votes
    5y

    If I were you I'd be leaning towards the poconos. It's an established vacation location that allows airbnb. This Ohio property could be in an area where the laws may change on you. That won't happen in the Poconos.

    I always recommend buying close to home if you don't plan to have a property manager. Two and a half hours is an easy drive to shoot out there to address an issue. If you have an issue on the other property and you have to book a flight you really need somebody on the ground to assist you. Makes it a lot more cumbersome. If the numbers on the Poconos work Its a no brainer for me

    3Reply
  • Maria Ferre
    OP
    Member since 2021 · 14 posts · 7 votes
    5y

    @Jason Stoltzfus Tobyhanna 

    0Reply
  • Patrick DruryBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH & Cleveland OH · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    5y

    @Maria Ferre 

    If you are looking to do a STR in OH I would recommend you look in Columbus. Columbus has lots of job opportunities and population growth. There are plenty of people I know that currently have STR in A and B locations in Columbus and are doing really good.

    [email protected]614-412-4565
    Reafco-556 Reviews
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    2Reply
  • John Majoris
    Investor · Clinton, NJ · Member since 2012 · 118 posts · 70 votes
    5y

    Hi Maria,

    If I were you I'd go with the Poconos. In fact, that's our next investment, so we might wind up being neighbors!

    Here's what we've found out so far in our research:

    Airdna and Pricelabs are very helpful.

    The one gated community that we visited last weekend wouldn't let us tour without using one of their realtors. I later found out that they are in a "moderate" crime area. Not sure if that's why they were gated or not, but the homes were noticeably cheaper...

    I'm more comfortable investing in a community that has a lot of STR's. Hopefully they are dependent on the income from the STR's and will continue to allow them.

    Lake Harmony is the cream of the crop, but it was a little too crowded for our tastes.

    Split Rock is great, but according to a local contact the new owners of the resort will soon be enforcing the 30 day minimum stay that's in the bylaws. It's 100% hearsay, but I'm not willing to take a chance with that.

    My accountant has a 4 bedroom in Lake Naomi, and he does very well with it. 

    There are a LOT of homes on the market, and we're taking our time learning the area. 

    Good luck, and let us know how you do!

    1Reply
  • Marc RiceBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    5y

    In Columbus, OH I am very knowledgeable.

    [email protected]614-363-2787
    Marc Rice | Investor Friendly Agent at Reafco Tailwind Team574 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    2Reply
  • Gerald Pitts
    Lender · Asheville NC · Member since 2016 · 470 posts · 317 votes
    5y

    Another vote for the Poconos if these are the options.  I recommend vacation rental markets where laws have already been established for vacay rentals / you don't have to worry about laws changing like you do in random small towns or metro markets.  Sounds like you can maybe do a 2nd home loan which I recommend doing for 10% down.

    0Reply
  • Glenna Wood
    So MD · Member since 2019 · 294 posts · 191 votes
    5y

    Don't buy the "nicest house in the neighborhood" for any reason.

    0Reply
  • Mike Kelly
    Rental Property Investor · Prospect Park, PA · Member since 2014 · 28 posts · 12 votes
    5y

    @Maria Ferre If the decision is between the two, I would lean toward the STR in the Pocono's. It is a popular vacation spot for a long time and could produce good revenue for you. You will want to do research on local laws for the specific area you want to buy in as all townships/counties have different rules.

    0Reply
  • Alesandro Breguez
    Investor · NEPA /NJ · Member since 2019 · 44 posts · 15 votes
    5y

    @Maria Ferre, we have a portfolio of STR properties in the Poconos. My recommendation is to consider multiple criteria in your decision:

    1. Financials: Mostly COC return (NOI/initial investment)

    2. Local presence: location that you can access directly and self manage - unless you want to leave 20-25% of the bookings for property managers that might (or not) be reliable

    3. Regulatory landscape: especially HOAs and Townships - these can be a deal breaker and shut your business

    4. Potential STR growth: AirDNA might help with some stats and figures

    This is NOT a passive investment, it requires sometimes intensive management work

    0Reply
  • Julienne Gutierrez
    Member since 2020 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    5y

    @Alesandro Breguez Are you familiar with the The Hide Out Community in Lake Ariel? I am interested in STR in this area?

    0Reply
  • Julienne Gutierrez
    Member since 2020 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    5y

    @John Majoris have you done any research in Lake Ariel or Lake Wallenpauck?

    0Reply
  • John Majoris
    Investor · Clinton, NJ · Member since 2012 · 118 posts · 70 votes
    5y

    Hi Julienne,

    No, I have not, but you can check out those areas with Airdna, pricelabs, or rabbu to get a feel for rentals. 

    Good luck!

    0Reply
  • John Majoris
    Investor · Clinton, NJ · Member since 2012 · 118 posts · 70 votes
    5y

    @Julienne Gutierrez Could be a glitch, but I don't see any rentals on pricelab for Lake Ariel...

    Both HOA and township must be STR friendly. Either one can veto.

    1Reply
  • Melissa Wesling
    Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2020 · 148 posts · 97 votes
    5y

    Hi @Maria Ferre I agree with the others that I would choose the home in the Poconos if the numbers work. I would choose this property mainly because it is already a tourist destination and there are areas already established for short-term rentals and have regulations in place.  Additionally, it is drivable for you which is helpful, especially if you want to self-manage. 
    I'm not certain the Ohio town is a tourist destination and it sounds like the rental history being looked at only includes a few months. The A-frame sounds really cute, but don't buy the nicest home in the neighborhood. If you really like this style, maybe look for an A-frame in different location that will fit your investment goals.  

    3Reply
  • Mike Kelly
    Rental Property Investor · Prospect Park, PA · Member since 2014 · 28 posts · 12 votes
    5y

    @Maria Ferre If the decision is between the two, I would lean toward the STR in the Pocono's. It is a popular vacation spot for a long time and could produce good revenue for you. You will want to do research on local laws for the specific area you want to buy in as all townships/counties have different rules.

    1Reply
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