All Forum Posts by: Luke Carl

@Kevin Lefeuvre if you have suggestions for us to even things out from 95% Airbnb 5% VRBO/homeaway I'm all ears. I've gone so far as to call VRBO and ask for suggestions. They offered none. That's when I stopped caring where the money was coming from and only that it was coming in. 

Mark S. Avery Carl Michael Greenberg All great points. I believe after much wasted time thinking about it, that it has little to do with the area or the guests and more to do with the host. As hosts we much prefer Airbnb. It works for our iPhone blue text app lifestyle. Therefore our Airbnb listings are probably better than our VRBO listings. Our area leans towards VRBO and older crowds and it is 100% a tourist area. Yet we get 97% from Airbnb. I used to try so hard to keep them 50/50 bit Airbnb quickly took over. I guess it's a matter of stick with what works!!

It's as if we're being punished for allowing 1 night bookings.

So..... now that they're including the cleaning fees in the search area as part of the per/night price.... mine look crazy expensive because we allow 1 night bookings. This makes no sense. If I switch to 4 night or 7 night minimum my price in the search bar goes down significantly. Am I correct on this? I just did a search while not logged in and saw one of my places said $174 per night when I'm only charging $89 plus cleaning fee. This is dumb.

For us it's not even a question. We must have a grill. Most of our competitors use charcoal grills. I use propane. It's more expensive but they're less likely to burn my house down. Charcoal Grill Gas Grill or No Grill Love to hear your thoughts!!

@Daren H.I love all of these suggestions! 

Joseph ODonovan not that its any of your business, troll, but I'm grossing 3% of my purchase price every month. Daren H. Your reply was my favorite. Thank you!

How about the next time it's spotless and it takes her 10 minutes (which is most times) she owes me $25?? LOL! 

@Jon Crosby that wont work for me my nightly rate is $125-$145ish. Cleaning lady charges $65. I charge the guests $79 to manage my high mantenence cleaning lady. $90 to clean a one bedroom is rediculous. Especially when I have 4 places she cleans and she makes a very good living. 

This is the second turn in a row my cleaning lady has asked for an extra $25. She sends blurry cell phone pictures of the "extra mess" or "oh my god they had a party" and I say "ok" just to avoid confrontation and to keep her happy because I'm 4 hours away and need her. But it's costing me money. If i go to the guets and ask for extra it'll just make them angry and offended. The one time I tried it, and it was for two holes in a comforter, I heard "Maybe you need a new cleaning service" so I bought a new comforter and moved on. 

Does this happen to you? How do you handle it?