All Forum Posts by: Gretchen Quinlan

@Michael Baum thanks for the feedback.  I'm open to 30 day says.  I'll check out Wordpress.

Are you able to explain more how it will cost me? Why do you think booking direct in the beginning is risky?

Hello! I'll be launching my first 2 STRs in in the next couple of months and would like to set myself up from the beginning to not be completely reliant on Airbnb. I understand listing on Airbnb is necessary, but think of it like Amazon, needed but you never feel great about it. I'm considering listing 4-5 ways 1) Airbnb 2) VRBO 3) Booking.com 4) Direct 5) Furnished Finder. Many will think this is overkill but launching an STR in the current market comes with challenges. What are the best tools I can use to accomplish this that I should look into? My full time career is in digital marketing and have some web design skills but API setup and advanced web design I want to avoid. Some brands I keep hearing about are OwnerRez, Hospitable, GoDaddy, Stripe, Square, Guesty, Wordpress, Wix, Hostaway, Smoobu... I'm also aware tracking local taxes can be difficult. Tell me about your tech set up!

I am also starting my first Airbnb and I have mostly IKEA furniture, Target, Wayfair etc.  I did do more expensive bedding(Pottery Barn is having a good sale on duvets) since I think comfort is important.

Hello! @Cody Dastrup I'm in Utah too and have one property that I'm currently living in but am thinking of buying another and turning this into a STR. The market in SLC seems a bit saturated though for STR.

I'm curious, are you looking out of state because the numbers aren't working in Utah? 

Following as I am interested in the same. Are you in Salt Lake? It sounds like you need a license to do this in Salt Lake but it's a bit confusing since I see a lot of airbnb listings that are not in the zoned areas and it says "The City does not currently have regulations or allowances for land use known as “short-term rental.” Currently, the City generally categorizes short-term rentals, such as Airbnb or Vrbo, as hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast uses because the lease period is less than 30 days.".  https://www.slc.gov/planning/f...

Any info on this would be appreciated!