All Forum Posts by: Kenya L.

@Khalil Hakim Reading your post years later; however find myself in the same scenario. Decent amount of equity and 600-660 credit scores. My credit score was over 800 when I closed on the properties, same of the pandemic shutdown. At the time, I inherited tenants, so I survived the moratorium and it all! 

I have 2 duplexes. One property both units are STRs. The other property is tenant occupied. Last year was tough and my credit score has suffered... Paying bills to bring my score up, but has not happened quick enough to refi out of this bridge loan. If I sell, I lose my excellent BNB standing and business along with the properties. Did you ever find your way out this situation? If so, your success story would be great to hear in this moment.

Thank you so much @Rachel Gainsbrugh! I'll take a look a Streamline, since I have some ERP experience. I'm exhausted and was wrecking my brain, so I am running to the Guesty website, right now!

@Rachel Gainsbrugh, Hi, What PMS would you recommend for 4 STR properties?

@Mark Simpson I too am interested in whether or not @Ben Szafran found something. I'm considering Lodgify. You can build a direct booking site via their platform, or use your own site and they provide a widget. There channel manager appears to be top notch and integrates with most popular channels. I have done side by side comparisons with some of the other leading PMS. It seems to have the most bang for your buck. I have 3 STRs and working on a 4th... Super and Premier Host consistently. Need to commit to a automation, channel management and pricing solution TODAY!

@Michael Baum I'm currently hosting the only VRBO that has ever booked with me... for 13 days. A family member is having a major surgery.

I don't experience any of the other issues that you mention. My locations are ideal for hospital workers/visitors, International college students/families, vacationers/national park goers and are walkable to anything you might want.

My cancellations only happen within seconds of booking confirmation (literally), or in the rare event a surgery/appointment is cancelled for a patient from outside the country(a time or two).

@Mary M. I am a host, a SuperHost as a matter of fact. I can say that I've experienced this from potential guests as the profile reveal works the same for hosts. 

I got the impression that AirBNB was familiar with these particular types of bias "trends", when a support rep advised me on how to change my hosting profile pic and legal, visible name as host. Despite my location and great reviews, I was receiving repeated cancellations, within seconds of booking confirmation.

To be honest, up until the last few years, my name had gotten me nothing other than admiration, pleasantries and kindness from every kind of stranger. But there has been a disheartening change, especially in written communication at my 9-5, with those I've never met in person. I know WE have an issue... I've had this name for over 50 years.

Don't pass it up, if it's a good deal and the furnaces are working. Some will tell you that they are inefficient; however, they use little to no electricity, have few moving parts and the parts are still readily available (and affordable). 

Found all above out by reading what landlords from the Midwest had to say via various blogs. 

Finding a good HVAC person, who knows the octopus and will tell you these things make the difference in having a repair estimated at $900 and $150... Found this out just this month. There was a man who told me that these things are easy enough to repair myself :-)

 I wasn't hearing any of the high estimate mess. Plus, I'd already researched and priced the parts. 

My repair cost on the gravity $150. Another recent repair, on a late model, cost me $375 (thermocouple & thermostat only).

I'm having a problem finding a service person that really knows these things. I happen to know that conversion and ignitor parts are available, affordable and that there are few moving parts. I'd like to clean-up two of these (for now) in a multi-family. 

Can anyone recommend a repairman/company that has experience with the "Octopus" in the Cleveland area?