All Forum Posts by: Curtis H.

@Julie McCoy

How much does the software cost with Remotelock? I only have one property I need it for so I feel like if I'm paying monthly for software, it only makes sense if I'm monitoring a few properties, not just one. 

@Ericka G.

I surely will be reaching out about getting that help. Thanks so much for the offer. 

@Daniel Long

The security camera won't consist of much more than a Ring doorbell and maybe one camera in the back. All exterior. Do people really have a problem with that? What do others here do about security? Or is it not a big deal? I would think a house sitting empty often is an easy target. 

@Julie McCoy

You speak my language I see! Must be a Hollywood thing :-)

Yes I too am in the industry and those suggestions are dead on. Especially the blackout curtains. I always forget about the wrapping at 3am so yes sleep is CRUCIAL. Even some nice earplugs or white noise machine could be a nice touch (I think the neighbor has dogs from what I was told). 

@Brad Sicoli

Yeah I really don't want to go the IKEA route. While I don't have a ton of money, I have even less time. So I want things that won't need repairing anytime soon and can take a beating. 

@Michael Doerr

That is not a terrible idea AT ALL. I'm not trying to make a killing on this place, I really just want to pay the PITI and maybe a couple hundred profit after ALL expenses are paid. PITI is about $1100, or about 10-15 nights rented short term after all expenses and the furniture rental. I've heard short term film industry leases for a place like mine can fetch about $2200 per month furnished. $250-$300 a month is chump change and keeps my initial out of pocket low. Hmm. Food for thought.

You guys are so damn awesome. These are all very helpful ideas. I have more money than time in this scenario, but I still have to be smart about it. If anybody has links to good articles showing what items to buy for STR on Amazon, that would be helpful. Also if anyoen knows good staging companies in Atlanta please let me know!

@Kelsey Mandus

I bought in Jefferson Park, which is a hot area for people who work in film/tv since there are several studios (Tyler Perry, Screengems, etc) in the area. I imagine that will be a larger portion of my guests, but who knows. I'm all ears to referrals, but only those with a proven track record doing exactly what I am asking for with STR. They don't have to be top 5 in their field type of stuff, just know what they are doing because they have done it before successfully.

@Mitch Coluzzi

Great great advice sir. Much appreciated. 

@Julie McCoy

Los Angeles stand up! Ha ha. You are so right and I think I won't try to be Superman in this instance. I almost feel trying to get it all done in one weekend is a recipe for disaster. I think my plan is to get the essentials done like major furniture, security, internet, etc, then get the rest done in another round. My first mortgage payment won't be until December 1st anyway, so no need to kill myself.

Hey all, 

So I am closing on a home today in Atlanta that I plan to stay in for a few weeks out of the year on and off, and rent it out to business travelers via short term leases, Airbnb, etc when I'm home in CA. 

Next weekend I will be out there and have all of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to furnish an empty house. Obviously I'm goign to need help. I'm not an interior designer, nor am I a good assembly guy. It could take me all day to put a bed together. I'm terrible. 

My priority is securing the home, putting up security cameras, Ring Doorbell, Smartlock, getting utilities switched to my name, internet, and the major furniture items (Bed, couch, dressers, etc.)

How would you guys tackle this? Have Ikea furnish the whole damn place and deliver and install? Are there better stores than Ikea that will do this for a SLIGHTLY higher price? I won't skimp on certain comfort items like the beds, coffee maker, etc. Anyone use TaskRabbit before? I like the concept of an Uber for laborers based on a review system. Just don't know anybody who has used them. 

Or should I focus on hooking up with a Superhost and just letting them run with it (costing me a fortune but no headaches). I absolutely don't know what I am doing on STR, and the price was right for me on this property to try it out for a year.

Thanks, 

Curtis

@Rick Baggenstoss

I think you are correct but for that area I'm thinking more of the short term leases like you mentioned to professionals in the film industry, companies near the airport, etc. 1, 3, and 6 month fully furnished leases. I just don't know how long I can keep those busy at the higher prices.

@Rick Baggenstoss

Are you only renting out homes as STR or are you managing to do condo as well? I heard Atlanta area is cracking down big time on that these days, not to mention even RENTING a condo out is forbidden. I was a week away from closing on a great place in Decatur city limits near downtown, but I couldn't get the HOA lady to communicate with us before we purchased, which was a bad sign and I walked. Wasn't worth the headache and these people can make your life a living hell to the point you just sell the thing as fast as you can.

@Paul Sandhu

I hear ya. Again, I just have to start somewhere and I can't do it here in Socal as the cost of entry is simply too ridiculous. I'm not going to pay $700K to learn how to to do STR. Nor do I want to learn on a $700K place in Hawaii. I'd rather learn on a $150K place in Atlanta.

If I don't like it, I switch to long term. I just know if I START long term, I will never get around to doing the STR thing on that property. I'll get spoiled.

@Mike V.

Let's talk about Kaui!

How is the weather compared to Maui, and what kind of net income can you expect per year on a small 500ish sq ft one bedroom that's oceanview/front?

In regards to Atlanta, yeah my thought is not so much the return I get (as long as I am over net $300 per month cashflow) but the experience in STR. I have to start somewhere. Even if the units were local, I wouldn't want to deal with them AT ALL. I need it to be as passive as possible.

@Luke Carl 

@Paul Sandhu

Ha ha. Fair enough. I just want to try out STR at some point because that will be my primary weapon of choice to get a place in Maui paid off by vacationers, and would rather have some experience doing it first. Just sounds like it's a lot of headache. Do you guys have STR or have you chosen not to deal with it?