All Forum Posts by: Blair Russell

@Terence Michael Technically short term rentals aren't allowed in unincorporated Clark County (places like Winchester and Paradise), The city of Las Vegas does allow rentals with some licensing, fees, and regulations. North Las Vegas doesn't care but that's North Vegas for you. I have not run into any problems but just be aware things can change overnight. I didn't really and still don't have a strategy. When I started it was before the Airbnb craze and I was just looking for a house for myself at the time, guess I got lucky. There are lots of travelers in Vegas and as long as you offer something different you can do well but with so much competition now just throwing up an IKEA house isn't going to cut it anymore if you really want be successful. 

I'm not convinced by the Arts District in Vegas (and this is from someone who owns in an area locally known as "Crack Alley") If you mean more Downtown yes, but the arts district itself has very few residences if I'm not mistaken 

@Michael Kugler I started with cell phone pics, moved to a DSLR and then just recently got a wide angle lens, and not only have the photos improved and inquiries increased but I've been able to take accurate pictures of spaces I couldn't have gotten before. I think it helps people understand layout and puts your property's best foot forward. As a traveler bad photos do have a tendency to put me off a place while good photos make me think the owner puts in a little more effort. 

@Kim Tucker Very true.

@Kim Tucker The fight's the fun part! 

I've had to diversify recently after an ongoing battle with VRBO andthese are great ideas. I set up a few facebook pages for now (until they start taking a fee) and have bought a few domains (ok 12) for the future that for now just forward to my facebook pages. The only thing I I don't want is call tracking I really don't need anymore calls a day, haha. 

This is a favored topic on the forum:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/81/topics/356583-airbnb

I have Proper Insurance on a few of my properties...not sure I would use it for small stolen items though. 

I don't know...I'd rather have bookings than worry about whether I have more or less than my competition. (Bird in hand, etc.) You can focus on having the best listing so everyone who is looking wants to stay there (30 days out or more) and look at the next few weeks ahead as they come, no reason to make it over complicated. 

I would say it's probably best to do that and start with a clean slate, unless you think it is going to be a hassle. I use Ultrasafe Pest Management for all my pest needs in Boston. They are not the cheapest but they stand by their work and are honest. The first time I called them out because a tenant reported roaches they told me the tenant probably brought them (this was a STR) and they didn't think they needed to treat, saving me a ton of money which they didn't have to do because I'm an out of town owner!Just because of that I use them all the time.

http://www.ultrasafepest.com/