All Forum Posts by: Joshua Strickland

Schlage Encode works well and connects to WiFi to change your codes. (If needed) August works well also. There are many options. Just pick one, there no wrong answer. 

Get a good PMS that allows you to automate messages. There’s no right answer just whichever you like best. Smartbnb, your porter, hostfully, owner Rez just to name a few popular ones. I’d also recommend adding a pricing tool like pricelabs, wheelhouse, or beyond pricing. Those 2 items alone will make the transition a lot easier.

You can easily self manage from any distance once you have a team in place. There’s no secret sauce to finding your team and I would argue trial and error is the best method. Cleaners and handymen can be found through local Facebook groups, Google searches, or sites like Houzz and Angieslist. Once you have one they will know others. Good cleaners tend to know good handyman, which tend to know good plumbers, electricians, etc.

Also you can learn from books like Optimize Your Airbnb by Daniel Rusteen, but you’ll learn more by diving into your first property. Think about what you learned in school versus what you learn at your job. For most people you learn 10x on the job through experience. Same concept.

I get 2 sets of $50 non stick pots/pans on Amazon. Keep one in the cabinets, then one in an owners box that is locked in case someone complains about one of them being burned, etc. (Which they will regardless.) I say no problem, here’s a code to a box that has a brand new one. I also keep other replaceable items in the same box. Could someone clean me out? Yes, but most people are civilized and I haven’t had an issue yet, but have avoided a few problems this way.

For promoting it you could use a device like StayFi to send people directly to your landing page when they log into the internet. It also allows you to capture email addresses and export them into a CRM so you can run targeted marketing campaigns to guests that have stayed in your units. The idea being when they book again in the future they book direct versus using an OTA. I just ordered one so I don't have any real world feedback yet, but that is how I plan to promote my personal website.

I use Smartbnb as my PMS and they have suggested built in templates already. I just took those and tailored to my property. 

Smartbnb sends me an email alert when a booking can’t be synced so I know to follow up and call VRBO or Airbnb when this situation happens. Have only had it happen right after a booking so far though so not sure about later down the road.

@Dave Stokley curious as to how in depth the Guesty create your own booking site feature is. Do you think it is worth it? Also does guesty have automated messaging? 

Smartbnb, pricelabs, hostfully guidebook, ring floodlight cam, stessa, Schlage encode lock, Honeywell t5 thermostat, cleaners use resort clean. Join a local Facebook group for vendors. 

Schlage Encode and Ring floodlight cams work just fine for me.