All Forum Posts by: Luke Carl

Start by googling “AirBnB Atlanta” and hit the News button. See what they’re saying. My opinion is, as always, don’t do this in a big city. You are not a hotel. Short term renters are on vacation and like to party. It’s not fair to your neighbors.

@Matt J. yeah it’s pretty much that simple. But you’ve got to have guts. And be able to be there 4 times per year. Happy to teach you everything I know! 

Heck no leave that to a car rental place. Just buy nicer sheets, bigger tvs, soundbars, a couple of puke mops, and hope your neighbors don't call the cops too often. 

And Herman Hall just proved me wrong. Bam! Lol

@Avery Carl  is the cabin queen on the Tennessee side of the mountains I'm sure she can refer you to an agent that can help you out. 

@Chris HartNova As far as your specific questions... you're hoping that someone on here is in your market and doing what you're doing and that is not likely. There are very few of us that frequent this forum and as far as I know none of them are in NC. Even if someone is close by and replies it's not likely that they own and operate a VR. 

I should mention the unspoken disclaimer of this forum which is something like this.... Contact the local government and find out the rules and regulations for short term/ vacation rentals. If they have permits or you can find info about the topic on google news..... beware. Stay away. If there are thousands of houses on the beach on airbnb... You'll be fine. 

After that, your best bet is to study airbnb and vrbo. Find folks that have listings similar to what you're looking to get in to and send them all the same message. 

"Hello! I'm in love with this area and I'm looking to purchase my first property I'm wondering if you could give me some advice as far as what to expect and any suggestions you may have before I get started as I'm a bit scared but eager. Any reply would be much appreciated!"  Your homework for today is to send that message or something similar to 50 hosts.

If you happen to run across a host such as myself, I would reply back instantly with my phone number and have you call me and talk your ear off for 2 hours about exactly how it works and what to do to get started and what towels to buy and how to hire your cleaning crew. Why do I do this? Because I will learn something from you by letting me tell my story.  Unfortunately, the reality is you'll be very lucky if anyone writes you back. But this is the best place to start! It's no different than anything in life. Find people that are doing what you want to do and ask questions. I'm a runner, training for my 21st full marathon. I'm constantly seeking out other runners and running with big groups to learn more and get faster. 

If you want to fly with the eagles don't swim with the ducks!!! 

And as always you're welcome to PM me I'll give you my phone number and teach you everything I know in a one hour conversation. Half of the info will translate the other half will be market specific. I currently own and manage 5 vacation rentals in Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg remotely from Nashville with a day job. Under contract on a 6th. 

Keep us posted! Good luck! 

@Nick Shuber So did you buy the house?? 

I don't see this ending well. I wish airbnb would stop allowing such practices. You're trying to compete with hotels with billions. They will win. 

Wow this thread has gotten out of hand. It’s important to remember everyone is in a different market. Someone mentioned they wouldn’t pay a cleaning fee for a 2 night stay only for one week. Well my friend, you’re not getting yourself a cabin in the smoky mountains. In my market cleaning fees are for a top notch thorough cleaning person are as follows.... Efficiency - $50-$55 One bed one bath - $55-60 1 Bed with Loft 2 Bath - $65 2 Bed 2 Bath - $75 We don’t have anything bigger than that so I could guess at numbers but I’ll stick to what I know. I add $10 to $20 to that number for my fee to manage the housekeepers and pay the taxes. Every cabin on the Gatlinburg Pigeon forge market is going to be within $5 of that. I have a neighbor that cleans his himself. He still charges the same amount I do. I manage 5 of these things (with a 3rd offer in right now on what we’re hoping to be our 6th). I manage them remotely with a day job and I’m an idiot.

I manage and own 5 vacation rentals that are 5 hours away from where I live. I have 1 cleaner that cleans one of them and another cleaner that cleans 4 of them. It’s pretty much as simple as that. If you have an awesome realtor like Avery Carl like I do it makes things easier. And I get to sleep with her. (Paul Sandhu )

Nick Shuber This isn’t really a question for the ST/VR forum I think you’d get better answers on a bigger more general forum. Sounds a little sketch to me. I’d get down there to personally inspect but that’s just me I’m not crazy about home inspectors. So I went to home inspector school. Which proved my point that it’s a gimmick lol. You know where to find us when you have your first 4 star review panic attack! Keep us posted on the matter love to hear if you pursue and what happens!