All Forum Posts by: Anja Schaer

I’d recommend either adding it as a "Community Fee" per stay or just folding it into your nightly rate if you want to keep the listing looking cleaner. Either way, guests mostly focus on total price, not the breakdown — just keep an eye on how it impacts your competitiveness in your market!

We usually just put a smart lock on the main entry door and leave a standard lock on the second door. Keeps it simple for guests and less to maintain. We also have a lockbox backup with a key on-site just in case tech ever fails — better to be safe than scrambling!

You've got a lot going for you already with that $100k saved up! Definitely look into a DSCR loan—those are built exactly for situations like yours, where the rental income qualifies you, not your personal W-2 income. Some lenders will even use AirDNA projections if you don't have existing rental history yet. Owner financing could be another creative route if the seller is flexible. Look into creative financing like using your 401k, home equity or Private Money Lender. You're closer than you think—just need the right financing strategy!

Congrats on making the move, Dave! We started co-hosting in North Atlanta and can definitely say — the beginning is all about building trust and relationships. Biggest lessons? Vet your owners carefully (you want true partners, not headaches), get super clear on your systems early (pricing, communication, turnovers), and don’t underestimate how much marketing you'll need to do to grow. You’re not just managing properties — you’re managing expectations, experiences, and relationships. Wishing you the best on the journey!

Great breakdown — totally agree it depends on your goals. If you’re trying to scale, having a strong cohost or manager can be a huge win. They handle the headaches, keep your listing competitive, and free you up to focus on growth. If you have the time and systems, self-managing can absolutely work too. We started with self-managing right from the start, now offer co-hosting services in North Atlanta if anyone ever needs support!

We use duvet covers and wash those after every stay — way easier and cleaner than dealing with bulky comforters each time. Extra sets on hand make turnovers faster too. Efficiency is king in this business!

Absolutely—you can take bonus depreciation on multiple STRs in the same year as long as each qualifies (put into service, materially participated, etc.). It’s not about the number of properties but how they meet the IRS criteria. But definitely check with an experienced CPA to make sure this is the right move for you & your tax situation. If 100% bonus depreciation does come back (which would be awesome), even better!

Totally get the frustration, Kwanza! I've been there—running numbers over and over and wondering if I'm missing something. But sometimes the market just doesn't support strong returns at current prices, especially with higher interest rates and rising expenses. The STR calculator is great, but it doesn't replace local knowledge or creative underwriting.

Yes, having a Plan B is key in this industry. Thankfully our market (North ATL area) is allowing STR's (ordinances are in place, you need a STR permit, business license and owner/Co-Host/Property Manager info on file with the city/county which is reasonable). However, we still started our transition into the MTR space to be ahead of the curve if regulations should change. And I actually prefer MTR's over the STR's due to lower workload and higher returns. So we are currently doing a Hybrid strategy - offering both short-term and mid-term stays depending on the season, local demand, and the specific property.

At some point, we might switch over to mid-term entirely to fully leverage its benefits: fewer turnovers, longer stays, and steady income—especially near hospitals and business centers. All the best, Mikhail!

We’ve been there—pivoting quickly to MTR (and now running a hybrid model with STRs too). Fast furnishing is key. For us, Wayfair and local stores like Ashley Furniture or Target work great for furniture, and Amazon or Walmart for bedding and kitchen basics. For a really quick setup, check stores like CORT furniture who sell slightly used furniture sets and delivery & setup everything within 1-3 days. We did this with our first 3 Short Term Rentals and it saved me a ton of time & money.

We stick with neutral tones, order bed-in-a-box mattresses, and always keep double sets of linens to make turnover smooth across both MTR and STR bookings. Using the same side tables and decor across units helps simplify everything. All the best!