All Forum Posts by: Matthew Hegewald

I ended up adding it as a community fee, which I didn’t know was an option before getting recommendations on here. I think it’s easier to account for that extra cost as opposed to folding into the nightly rate. We’ve had a few bookings since so hasn’t seemed to deter guests. So far so good, thanks! 

Quote from @Patricia Andriolo-Bull:

Updating my last post...I did add this as a community fee but went into incognito mode to check on the new pricing.  Guests see nothing but total price so it really doesn't matter how you add it.  Even when it shows detailed pricing, the breakdown is only the total for the stay, less any discounts, airbnb fees and taxes, then the grand total.  That's all.  

 Ok good to know, thanks for the insight!

Quote from @Lauren Kormylo:

I would list it separately as a "Community Guest Fee", not just as a management fee.  

Yes that sounds much better, thanks!

Hey Everyone,

We operate an STR in downtown Seattle and our HOA charges a fee that's billed to us per stay. Cost of doing business in the building unfortunately. I'm wondering how other operators that have this extra cost incorporate it into their pricing? As of know, we only charge a cleaning fee and use dynamic pricing software to set daily rates. I know Airbnb has recently altered their fee structures. I'm wondering if we can and should list a separate management fee under the platform? Currently we try and incorporate the fee into our daily rate. It would nice to have it standardized for each stay, with the downside of an additional fee which could deter some guests. Thanks all.

Quote from @Carson McGee:

Hi Matthew,

My team owns and manages condos in Maui. Every one of our units has a sleeper sofa, it is a great way to add space for an additional two guests (preferably kids). It also helps include your listing when guests filter by sleep count.

 Thanks for the insight. Any good brands/styles you would recommend that have worked well for your properties? 

Quote from @Karl Kieslich:

All of my vacation properties have SS.  A few thing to think of

Can the property handle that many guest's? remember if you sleep 6 in the condo you need to have enough of everything to service 6 guests  Bathrooms, linens, dishes, chairs, parking  etc.

Also keep in mind the extra wear n tear  and noise levels

Good luck

It’s around 1000 square foot, so May be tight with 6 adults, but doable. Has 2 bathrooms. Other similar units in the building hosted by vacasa appear to have sofa beds, so feel it’s best I give that option as well. Thanks for the insight 

Quote from @January Johnson:

Quote from @Matthew Hegewald:

Hello all, we are in the process of converting our downtown Seattle condo to an STR as we move out of the city. It's a two bedroom and we are wondering if changing our current sectional sofa to a pullout sleeper sectional sofa for more sleeping arrangements would be beneficial? We could change the listing from sleeping 4 to sleeping 6? Any insight is appreciated!

You didn't say how many bathrooms your place has.  I have a 2/1 and I don't have a sleeper sofa because I don't want 6 people taxing my plumbing on an older property.  

 That definitely makes sense. It’s a 2 bed/2 bath, so should be able to tolerate 6 people. May be a little tight quarters with 6 adults though. 

Quote from @Daniel Nobile:

Hey Matthew, 

I would look at comps and see if there is a a big difference in nightly rate & occupancy % between 2 bed condos that sleep 4 vs 2 bed condos that sleep 6. In my experience guests don't use pull out sofas as much as you would think and it might not be worth spending the money on a new couch if its not going to make a big difference in the numbers. 

 Good point, ran a search of 4 versus 6 people and definitely higher nightly rate and occupancy with 6. The other similar units in the building are run by Vacasa and have sofa beds, so to compete would be best to have a sofa bed to offer. Thanks 

Quote from @Michael Baum:

Hey @Matthew Hegewald, on another topic, have you checked with your condo association about STRs? So many places in Seattle have restricted STRs in their buildings that it would be good to check.

Here are the cities requirements in case you need it - https://www.seattle.gov/busine...

On the sofa. Yes, drop one in. We have one, but don't advertise it as a sleeping area, but in case someone needs to sleep extra it is there.

 Hey Michael,

Yes I bought the condo knowing I wanted to STR it one day, and am fortunate it's one of the few condo buildings downtown that allows it. There's certain regulations from the HOA but quite a few AirBnBs in the building.

Thanks for city requirement link! I need to get licensed before I get up and running. 

Hello all, we are in the process of converting our downtown Seattle condo to an STR as we move out of the city. It's a two bedroom and we are wondering if changing our current sectional sofa to a pullout sleeper sectional sofa for more sleeping arrangements would be beneficial? We could change the listing from sleeping 4 to sleeping 6? Any insight is appreciated!