All Forum Posts by: Ariel Smith

@Jake Knight I have an Apple TV set up already that works as a bridge so that I can use it remotely. You can buy a wifi hub through August for around $75 but I went the Apple TV route so that my guests can also stream through the TV (also it is less expensive - win-win.) 

I looked at a plethora of lock systems but ultimately chose the August because of the remote capabilities (most important to me), the Airbnb integration, and the ease of set up because you don't have to replace any of your existing deadbolt hardware. Also, I found it on sale so I finally jumped the gun on it! 

@Heather Wendel that's great and sounds like a good spot! I too manage my property remotely and can say that having a reliable handyman and cleaning company on call are key. 

I take all of the reservations myself through Airbnb and VRBO and then simply schedule the cleaners as needed. They are very reliable and I have walked the property with them to show them exactly how I want it to look for guests. 

A tip I learned from a colleague is to actually ask what the cleaning company would like to be paid for the job and then offer them a small percentage more per clean and tell them this is contingent on them doing an excellent job and reporting any issues to you. I also let them know I am looking to build out a long term relationship that will help their business grow and that the more great reviews I get, the faster I will acquire new properties and thus bring them even more business. This motivates them to clean your house to your standards and act as a watch dog for anything missing or damaged. 

The best part is that I pass the cleaning fee directly to the guest through Airbnb so it's a win-win!

I personally have an August lock installed at my Airbnb residence and I love it. I can control it from my phone from San Francisco (my property is about 500 miles away from me) and it integrates with Airbnb to send guests automatic personalized codes for their reservation that expire after the end of their stay. I got it on sale for $199 but I think they typically run around $229. Take a look at it and see if it will work for your situation because it might be an inexpensive solution.

In regards to what the judge would do in this situation, I cannot say since I am not a lawyer and cannot provide any legal advice. In my opinion, it sounds like you bought the cameras as a precaution due to the previous break in so I don't see how a judge would favor you in requiring restitution for the cost of the cameras. Did she steal a camera when she broke in? Did she damage them? That is the only way I could see that working out in your favor.

My advice is to chalk it up as a cost of keeping your house secure and doing business. You should be lucky you have them installed now for any future incidences. I'd be more concerned with the way the property is being accessed and actually possibly install additional security measures since it looks like the camera wasn't enough this time. Best of luck!

Welcome @Charles Rosenbusch from a fellow Bay Area local! I'd recommend adding keyword alerts for topics you are interested in and staying active on the forums. Best of luck!

I think this is a great idea! I would start by researching through your HOA to find out if there are any rules or regulations to renting. This will probably be your biggest hindrance if you want to go the short-term route. I would also make sure you have strict screening requirements, especially since you will be roommates with your tenant. A bad tenant is hard to remove and can cause a lot of headaches.

I am doing some initial research on corporate or short-term furnished rentals in the Santa Clarita Valley and am interested in figuring out if anyone is having success renting in this market. I have the opportunity to acquire and manage a new property, but am just wanting to get some insight on what kind of demand is there currently. It is a 2 bed/2 bath in a quiet residential area.

Is anyone having success on Airbnb or managing a furnished rental in that area? If so, what size property do you have and what kind of vacancy are you seeing? I am trying to see if the proposed deal is going to be worth the return. Thanks in advance!

Hi @Heather Wendel and welcome to BP! I currently have a property that we rent out on Airbnb and I can tell you that it can be very lucrative but there are many things to consider with a STR vs. a traditional long-term.

I am not familiar with your area, but I know that demand for vacation rentals greatly depends on the location and proximity to amenities. Are there events that happen regularly? Are you near hospitals and universities that would drive business? Are you in a desirable vacation destination? These are all things that would drive business for a vacation rental. I'd recommend checking out Airdna.co for some data on Airbnb and STRs in the locations you are considering.

Will you have someone managing your property or will you be managing it remotely? Short-term rentals require much more management (turnover, cleaning, maintenance, etc.)  However, a lot of these processes can be automated and the business can be scaled quickly if it is managed correctly.

Best of luck!

@Christian Ritter welcome to BP from a fellow San Franciscan! I'd love to hear more about your management from a different state as I currently manage a property in Southern California. Managing remotely can be challenging, but once processes are automated, it is easy to scale. Best of luck!

Hi @Srikanth Reddy - welcome! BiggerPockets is a great community and I think you'll find tons of helpful information here. I'd love to hear about your rehab process in SF if you do share!