All Forum Posts by: Kathy Kifer

My latest struggle is......How to handle anything past my current booking. What I prefer to do is book one guest at a time, so I don't leave hard to fill gaps and can extend contracts without running into a booking issue. Currently though, my unit has been empty since Feb 1. I have someone wanting to book for a month starting April 6. If I do that, it only leaves me a month in btw as of now. Most nurses (since I'm using FF) book 3 months with the possibility of them renewing. Since I am new to this.....I'm really struggling on what to do. I'm afraid if I book an April stay, that I might be shooting myself in the foot. But then again, I need bookings. This unit is close to 2 new hospitals and its been booked since we finished the remodel middle of 2023. Any words of wisdom, would be appreciated.

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For my MTR

Comforter Yes! And it hasn't fallen apart yet...LOL

Shower Mat - Everyone keeps putting mine back in the closet and not using, so it stays really clean. :)

Shower Curtain - Yes definitely the inside liner, to get rid of water spots and any of that ugly orange growth. Outside/decorative curtain, no if it still looks clean, since it is not in contact with water.

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Quote from @Colleen F.:

@Kathy Kifer I would just wait and do it 3-6 months prior. Who knows what will happen. She could get in an accident, change her rotations to another location or flunk out. If you had a foreign visiting professor coming for a long duration stay I would stay in touch but this I would just say call back 3 months in advance of your stay as her plans could change. I have had people I turned down for early booking and I called them back to book them but I had filled the gap perfectly and I knew I was pretty much the only choice for them as they didn't drive so it worked out.

Thanks!
it’s her boyfriend speaking for the both of them now and irritated that I won’t book them. Red flags for sure now 😫😆

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@Allen Duan Thx! 6 months is what I was thinking too

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Quote from

@Kathy Kifer this depends on your market. When we did furnished student rentals it was not unusual to book for the semester a year prior but typically no, not that far out. It can make holes in your calendar if you agree so far in advance and sometimes they don't commit. So if you are booking for traveling scholars or similar expect longer lead times. Health care shorter lead times. I won't book a room more than a few weeks out. For a full unit, you ask yourself is it full? is the gap likely to fill? When we were doing semesters on a property we had to have it vacant by memorial day and again by Labor day for student move in/move out. What is the reason for the advance booking?

@Colleen F.- Thanks for the info. Sounds like they are trying to book all thru the gals Clinical Rotations for PT school. Austin being the last one. I’m very close to some major hospitals in Austin Tx. They need an 11 week stay. As a nurse, I understand how the rotations work, etc, They mentioned they loved the look of the place. I think I’m just gonna let them know that I don’t feel comfortable going longer than 6 months out. I’m concerned too with the gaps it may cause also with other bookings.

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How far out in the future do you allow bookings and why? I have someone now wanting to rent my place about 13 months from now. I’’m not totally comfortable with that, but it brought up a good question that I need to determine my policy on future bookings.

Thanks!

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For my long term rentals, my tenants pay me by venmo, and I have had no big issues. Its fast and easy.

I have just listed a mid term rental on Furnished Finder. I see they suggest offering the tenants the option of paying by Credit Card. I am also getting leads where the person is saying they prefer to pay by card.

I signed up for a Square Acct. I see that invoices or links can be sent. There is less of a service charge for the link, than the invoice.

What are your thoughts on taking the payment by Card?

If you collect by credit card, how have you set it up and at what point are you adding in the service charge that needs to be passed on to the tenant?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

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Quote from @Gretchen P.:

Quote from @Nicole Heasley Beitenman:

You're probably seeing less about applications because the most frequently discussed MTR tenant is a travel nurse who provides a contract, and the hospital already does a background check.

First, I wouldn't hand an applicant a paper application even if they were local. That's a hassle for both me and the tenant. For my LTRs, I embeded a Google form into a Weebly website and created my own electronic application. No trees killed. They initiate their own credit and background check.

That being said, I don't see any reason why you couldn't continue to use your application with MTR tenants as long as it's revised to accommodate them. But if I'm a tenant in a more saturated market, I'm much less likely to pursue a unit that has me scanning stuff.

I was only requiring a contract thinking it would double as a background check. After 13 great experiences in 3 units, I had 2 CNA tenants trash a unit in 3 months, left evidence of drug use, smoked in the unit, had an unapproved pet poop and pee on carpets and in the bed, damaged or stole several items and shorted me on the last month's rent. When I did a quick Google search, oh boy. One of them had an assault charge and eviction, and the mystery of why the other one broke the bed was solved; she has an OnlyFans. I will require background checks just like my LTR tenants.

Sad these women are allowed near patients, they lived like pigs.

@Gretchen P. - A good lesson for us to never let our guard down on any tenants. Thank you for sharing.

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Austin, Texas

All Forum Posts by: Kathy Kifer

Kathy Kifer has started 5 posts and replied 26 times.

Post: "Not So" Future Booking Requests

Post: "Not So" Future Booking Requests

Post: "Not So" Future Booking Requests

Post: Help settle a debate for me

Post: Future Booking Requests

Post: Future Booking Requests

Post: Future Booking Requests

Post: Future Booking Requests

Post: Tenants using Credit Cards to Pay for Rent

Post: Applications for Mid Term Rentals