All Forum Posts by: Jon Martin
Jon Martin has started 36 posts and replied 1081 times.
Post: So now VRBO tells us when and how to communicate?
- Posts 1,092
- Votes 960
Quote from @John Underwood:
I'm sure I would like it if it worked. I had to go into the app to delete it (based on your rec, thank you btw!) because the desktop version put me into an endless loop.
Post: So now VRBO tells us when and how to communicate?
- Posts 1,092
- Votes 960
Quote from @Denis Ponder:
I can see VRBO trying to protect their brand and set a bar of excellence with this.
However, it also makes you wonder if they are being rated accurately. If multiple guests have a terrible experience and rate those accordingly, this should resolve itself. If someone comes by after that and books a 2star property expecting 5star service, that's their fault.
Problem is that they are putting all of the onus on the host instead of working on their own backend issues. A few examples:
-OneKey points that can be redeemed for some listings but not others
-Certain photos being denied from upload with no explanation for why
-Completely failed dynamic pricing tool that puts you in a catch 22 with your calendar
At least AirBnb has their IT game in order and a modern and relatively intuitive interface with updated fonts, graphics etc. VRBO needs a facelift, badly.
Post: So now VRBO tells us when and how to communicate?
- Posts 1,092
- Votes 960
Quote from @Ken Boone:
Quote from @Denis Ponder:
I can see VRBO trying to protect their brand and set a bar of excellence with this.
However, it also makes you wonder if they are being rated accurately. If multiple guests have a terrible experience and rate those accordingly, this should resolve itself. If someone comes by after that and books a 2star property expecting 5star service, that's their fault.
If they want to do that, at least improve on the interface/user experience. VRBO's is a decade behind AirBnb in that regard.
Post: Airbnb guest alteration request to checkout earlier during stay
- Posts 1,092
- Votes 960
Quote from @Christine Cho:
Yes, it was the penalty I paid for not being firm and not knowing what do to...it seems like alteration request being used as way to get more refund is not new issue, and until Airbnb fixes this hosts have to be aware and plan for the course of action and stick with it.
Agreed with the above- unless there is an extenuating circumstance where the blame falls on you then you don't owe them anything. They've already blocked dates off your calendar that you most likely will not fill on short notice. These types of people are never satisfied and probably make everyone around them miserable with their constant back and forth with everything.
The only times that I've allowed this was a situation where there was a cleaning or a maintenance issue, which ultimately falls on me. In that case I don't go back and forth, I simply tell them they can have a refund for unused nights if they leave immediately.
Post: Seeking Smart Option for Developing Air BNB Rental Agreement
- Posts 1,092
- Votes 960
@Angela Marquez ok that's where the confusion is. From what I can tell there is no need to upload a formal rental agreement on your end. You put your house rules in the listing and the platform walks them through it.
Post: Seeking Smart Option for Developing Air BNB Rental Agreement
- Posts 1,092
- Votes 960
Are you looking to find a long term tenant on airbnb? I think there are better sites for that, you will lose a lot to platform fees.
Post: I sure hope everyone is doing OK
- Posts 1,092
- Votes 960
2 properties in Greenville SC. Thankfully both are undamaged but power is still out. Of course I had guests checking out and back in on Friday . . . Sigh. One in on standby in Clemson and ready to move in, was supposed to stay through the weekend but I will probably have to refund them everything or close to it. Getting lots of inquiries from neighbors and people from Asheville leading with "do you have power".
Reminder that some geographic diversification in my portfolio would be a good thing.
Post: Bottle of Wine for a Welcome Gift
- Posts 1,092
- Votes 960
Quote from @Garrett Brown:
I would never do alcohol and only do popcorn bags/rice krispies as a small welcome basket. Too many liabilities, as everyone mentioned, and it far outweighs any positive it could have.
Microwave popcorn from Costco is the only food item I do. I applaud the efforts of others but I don't feel the need to supply a bunch of snacks, especially with a larger home where I would have to leave a lot for everyone. I don't like the idea of staging photos with flaming hot cheetos against my new penny tile backsplash, but then again I see other listings getting mentions in the reviews so who am I to question it?
Post: Negative Cashflow - STR
- Posts 1,092
- Votes 960
Quote from @Joseph Shuster:
Thanks all this is good insight I’m feeling the same about holding.
And for marketing to weddings we are trying but having trouble, any insight on that would be very helpful.
There has to be a dominant website out there for wedding venues, just a matter of finding it.
Post: Emergency issues while remotely self-managing?
- Posts 1,092
- Votes 960
Quote from @Garrett Brown:
Hey @Devin Bost, I would highly recommend a few things to help with this.
1) Have systems and processes lined out for any emergency you can think of.
This . . . Setup your property so that emergencies are avoided in the first place. Be sure to have redundancies for lockouts. Place "how to" signs next to any complicated amenities and front load your messages to make guests aware of any quirks.
Most issues will pop up in the first few months as guests use the place regularly, so have a good relationship with a handyman and maybe throw him some small jobs so that he will be on standby when needed. Beyond that, there is very little to worry about in terms of "off hours" emergencies so long as you are proactive with maintenance.