All Forum Posts by: Bruce Woodruff

 This is what I do....I'm guessing the OP is talking about month-to-month rentals, not vacation rentals...? On the rare occasion that a return guest wants to bypass Air or VRBO, I just take a check or cash on-site. I have taken a payment through Venmo as well.

IMHO, the minuses outweigh the pluses. There are plenty of other ways to add appeal to your house. One more thing to be responsible for.....the fewer moving parts the better...

Yes, both of our rentals have matching chairs. Very different clientle I guess.....

Why that area in particular?

I'm an older guy so maybe more conservative in my approach, but I like being free-and-clear. I knwo you can technically get a better return in other ways but it's a great feel to have no mortgage payment on the 1st!

Maybe split your profits into 3: 

1) 20% in account for future maintenance and taxes  

2) 30% goes towards down payment on next STR

3) 30% extra pay-down on mortgage

Enjoy the rest 

It's usually a 10 person per PP at most jobsites. But there are no real 'rules' available....You can only have a real count on your own employees (being the General Contr) but you cant tell which subs might show up on certain days, you can only guess. I would say that a large company will order an ample number because they'll want to avoid issues that could make them look bad (like a smelly area that the public walks by)

They'll typically have a weekly cleaning schedule and the cost is only about $100 per month ea.

Keith - Thanks! I figured there must be people like me out there.....Our place has solar, well, propane, that I've brought in so it is very comfortable. Yet remote at the same time if ya know what I mean...

Question - where do you find these type of properties? Is there a website? Or just word of mouth!

Thanks Lauren - no one close by except a lady I wouldn't trust......I think it may be a bad idea too, just wanted to explore the concept a bit.

Hi All - I've been kicking around this possible concept in my head for a while now and can't come up with an answer...maybe some outside-the-box thinker can figure something out. Or maybe there is no answer...?

We moved from CA to AZ last year and have got 2 STRs in AZ going very well. We kept a piece of property in SoCal, way out in the desert, middle of nowhere. It's completely off-the-grid home, very funky in a nice way... everyone that's been there loves it and I think it would appeal to outdoorsy/environmentalist/nature lover kinda folks. If you know what Wonder Valley is, this is similar but even more remote and funkier....

I don't think it's an AirBnB or VRNBO kinda thing, but maybe there's another way. Main problem is that I wouldn't be able to get out there after every visit to clean and check up. There are no property mangers or other people available locally, nearest town of any size is 1 hr away. My son lives 2 hrs away and could check it once in a while but I don't want to put it on him.

Are there any sites/groups that have people that would bring their own sheets and towels, clean up afterwards etc...? I'm thinking Sierra Club, or similar. It would be worth it for the experience to the right persons. It truly is a one of a kind experience due to the location.

Or maybe it's just not doable? Too much risk? Don't need the $$, thinking more of getting visitors who would appreciate the uniqueness.

Thanks in advance for ideas....

My company for my personal house covers my STR very reasonably. State Farm, about $1400 yr. Not sure of all of the coverage parameters but it is listed as commercial and vacation rental.