All Forum Posts by: Blair Russell

@Sundeep Amin I have found my housekeepers on Craigslist, no joke. I advertise very carefully what I am looking for and then meet with potential candidates. I'm basically looking for people who have flexible schedules or other part time work and who seemed reliable. One of mine works nights and so has all day to do changeovers, one actually owns her own rentals in town and does mine as side work. I am almost never where my rentals are (normally out of state or country) and have been going strong for 4 years with only one incident. 

I kind of think Tripadvisor/Flipkey is junk...Listed with them for two years when I first started but the leads were so few and far between and the site was not user friendly at all, I dropped it. I actually was involved in some user testing with them and just saw where it was going. I may check it out again one day but for now I am busy enough. 

HA/VRBO used to be my bread and butter for one listing but Airbnb is catching up. I (and many others) are pissed at HA/VRBO because of the new service fees for guests/ subscriptions fee rates/ other crap. There is a whole Facebook page dedicated to the hate.  @Jeff Piscioniere I had the platinum or whatever subscription up until now, but since they are moving to a more Airbnb like platform all the hosts who bought them are being screwed over because they are moving/have moved to a best match system. I actually checked and was always listed highly before but recently inquiries have dropped off and the ones I get are low quality (scammers, or potentially generated by VRBO to keep hosts on, but that is just conspiracy). Basically they changed the terms mid contract (which of course they are allowed to do based on the contract but still...) and they are trying to be Airbnb thanks to Expedia's takeover, but they suck, their technology sucks, customer service sucks. I have gripes with Airbnb but I will take it anyday over the alternatives. 

Airbnb is my favorite all around because it is the easiest, most trustworthy, the best technology, and generates good leads. @John Underwood All my houses when I first started were the only full houses in the area now they are packed, that's why I get so many rentals  because I had presence and ratings already. If you wait then it will be harder to establish yourself, and I bet a ton of people are looking and not finding because you aren't listed. I would say over 60% of my guests are first time users. 

Vegas guy here. Welcome @Lisa Brown

@Brian Hayes  It may not have any effect at all...

@Rong Liu  - more $$$ from Airbnb although I seem to remember trouble in SD

I don't have a PM. I do all of the administrative and rental management and I don't hire a cleaning crew, I find one person to be the on the ground manager, contact,  and cleaner, @Sundeep Amin they can easily turn over sheets and stuff in time if you set the checkin/checkout window correctly.  Although even when I had to hire a crew once to do a changeover they still did this after I asked. I find this much cheaper if you are only doing one property and have the energy and mindset to handle it. 

I agree with @Scott Trench and also disagree. Basically I'm saying you have to decide what you are personally willing to do and can't just look at the money side of things. It sounds great until you realize the everything it entails. I've been doing Airbnb for 5 years and I like it but it is not for everyone. Not to mention regulations and rules change all the time so you have to be aware. 

Your responses to this will be varied but generally Airbnb is more work, more cost, and more upkeep, for more income. Just make sure you advertise well, price it properly, get good reviews, and are in an active location and you should do well. It's by no means easy money...

Yeah this sucks, but it is all about that contract. If it was financing contingent I don't know how much you can do. Sort of depends on how much you have in writing (millionaire investor, etc.) ...and if you have the time and energy to take him to court over this. I'm not sure whether the proof of funds is irrelevant or not seems like it was made up to keep you on the hook but if it wasn't a cash offer it may not be something you can use. 

@Troy Jones Be careful about investing so far from home especially on a first Airbnb. Vegas is an interesting market and for VRs not for the faint of heart.