All Forum Posts by: Rosa Regier

Thank you both

Hi Michael! Yes, I'm referring to rating a guest on AirBnB and VRBO. 

My Welcome Book asks my guests for a 5-star review and includes the rating guide that has swirled around the internet (stating STRs are different from Hotels yada yada yada). 

It then occurred to me that if I'm giving them metrics on rating my STR, why not include one that shows how I/we (STR owners) rate guests? I realize this could be a little risky. We are so review dependent, why not pass that along to the guests. Something like (warning, it's cheeky and Austin, TX centric):

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A guest so smooth, they must have grooved in from a blues bar on Sixth Street.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A fine guest with a touch of Austin quirkiness.

⭐⭐⭐ - Decent guest, but we had a few "weird and wild" moments. 

⭐⭐ - A guest who made me wonder if they brought their own "weirdness meter." 

⭐ - Hosting this guest was like trying to find a quiet corner on Sixth Street during SXSW.

There are actually a couple more sentences after each 1 liner for each star, but I removed that for brevity here.

In setting up my Welcome Guide and suggesting that star rating chart that's around the internet, I thought why not create one to use for rating guests? My logic is that it sets the expectation for the guest's behavior. Thoughts?

I'm not helpful with regards to evictions for nonpayment in California. However as far as communication goes, are you able to go knock on the door?

Hey @Daniel Christopher - Are STR projections only used in DSCR loans? I suspect a conventional loan would require the 1007 rent schedule instead?

Great value add @Trent Reeve - Congrats!

Hey @Amy Lin I've had this exact situation a few times now. To clarify, I offer my properties as whole SFHs and not by individual rooms. 

I make it clear to the unrelated tenants/roommates that they are 100% responsible for fulfilling the terms of the lease as a whole and not 25% each. I have the same conversation with the parent/co-signer. I also advise the co-signer that if the lease is renewed, that I'd consider removing them from future obligations. I've had no issues with roommates. I add the co-signer as a party to the lease, but not listed as an occupant. A different option would be to have the parent sign as a guarantor, using a residential lease guaranty.

Start with an online search for your local state promulgated lease agreement to ensure that your own lease contract is in line with tenant/landlord laws. Next, check your city ordinances and search for additional regulations you may want to highlight in your contract.  

The best way to protect yourself is to hire a real estate attorney to address your specific concerns. Good luck! 

Some insurance companies will cover mold & income loss as an add on. Review your policy and call your insurance agent asap. 

In this climate, you want your property to stand out from your competition-for the right reasons.