All Forum Posts by: Lisa Graesser

I have done that in the past and won't do it again, I think they are just shopping around. Tell them that you currently have renters and are unable to show it and that your pictures are a good indication of what to expect. 

I just had this same request recently. I told them that I have a no refund policy that is stated in the agreement and that I would normally give a refund of what ever I could get if I could rent out the same time period, but because it was so close, that it would be unlikely. I did offer to refund the cleaning fee because I would not need to do an additional cleaning. They ended up not canceling.

@chris connolly first year I did the taxes with a rental, turbo tax sent me in the wrong direction (because I answered a question incorrectly) and I ended up filing a schedule E and schedule C,  giving me double the deductions, (I thought wow I am really getting a tax break with this rental) ended up owing what I should never have gotten in the first place, but I hope to never have to face a tax auditor again. Gruelling and many hours of preparation

You have all encouraged me to get a CPA, just purchased our 3rd, vacation rental. Have been doing my own taxes via turbo tax thus far. Went through an excruciating audit in 2016 due to an error on turbo tax. Got through it and still carried on. Now is the time to hand it over and release the control. Thank you for the post.

@hubert h byron III The cost of adding a keyless entry lock on your door that runs on a battery is only between $80-$100. The convenience it provides for me and my guests is invaluable. 

I would hope that someone that wants to vacation in a woodsy area would not be put off by seeing mouse traps, whether there are dead mice in them or not. I would be more put off if I saw a live one scurrying around and no traps in sight. This summer we rented a cabin in the woods. Several traps around the house and one with a dead mouse. We discarded the mouse and reset the trap. We let the owner know, but not because it bothered us.  Those that would complain about that shouldn't be in the woods.

I agree with @davedash, rate them appropriately with explanation. You don't want them to rent from you again anyways.

I would also be interested. I have 2 short term rentals in Florida that are doing well and I have been learning as I go. Always looking for more information and ways to innovate.

@Eric A. @lucas carl  we do the same, hasn't failed us yet. But we  did learn a good tip on a previous forum that we have  implented. We now have a lock box with a key inside attached to the gas meter, just in case the batteries fail. The renter can then contact us and we would send them the code for the box.

I don't think you will ever lose in the Elmwood village, especially since you purchased be for this bubble. It is a very desirable area and will always be popular with the younger familes and the older generation that want to be close and walkable to many amenties. I did hear that all of buffalo will be reassessed over the next year. So if you are thinking of selling this is probably a great time with prices most likely at their peak and the taxes low.