All Forum Posts by: Mel Hignell

After tens of thousands of stays I have never been asked by a guest for a W9. I don’t see the harm, per se, but it’s kind of bizarre. I agree with @Julie McCoy that talking to your CPA is likely best. 

I’m not often surprised anymore. Consider me surprised AF. 

@Chris Armstrong 😂😂

@Jason Allen

Thank you for the clarification! In that case then I agree to a point but not entirely. I urge people to do things correctly the first time. That doesn’t mean buy luxury everything by any means. But it DOES mean doing a lot more than the list @Paul Sandhu previously provided, though it seems he’s catering to a far different demographic of traveler. Totally fine. Just not my wheelhouse.

Then again I'm not a huge fan of the arbitrage model. Too many variables that can't be—or are hard to—control. In that case you're totally right - go cheap, because you never know when the owner needs to move back in or the HOA changes or the legislation deems multi-tenant units illegal.

@Jason Allen disagree one thousand percent. There are five main items that can make or break a stay, another twenty that can hugely impact a stay, a handful that are great crowd pleasers, and the rest can be purchased inexpensively.

However, those of us who pay attention and cater to the guest make the most. For instance, when I design one of my own homes I do so in a way that every single thing a guest could need is at their fingertips. I am currently at my New Orleans home doing my yearly refresh/design. Just a few of the “extras” I provide are:

- local coffee (we have partnerships in each city)

- tea

- creamer

- sugar

- sugar alternatives

- Advil

- tampons

- condoms

- bug spray

- sunscreen

- ear plugs

- charging cables

- TVs in each room

- Pay It Forward cocktail bar

I’ve mentioned it before, but between all of my homes, both past and present, I have never received a negative review on any platform.

That’s not to say **** hasn’t gone wrong. I’m not a magician.

But the amount of love and (tax deductible) extras I’ve put into my homes shows my guests I truly care about their experience, and small grievances tend to take a backseat.

As the market continues to saturate, especially as the hotel chains get into this, the hosts who cater to the guest will be the ones still cashing in those big money checks.

@Cody L. OMG. 😂😂😂

Well, I guess best to let guests know who they’re renting from beforehand? Or something like that?

@Paul Sandhu what is the advantage to pre-calling potential guests “pathetic”, and do you find this tactic to be a positive for all sides?

@Abigail Cooper 😂😂

@Ragnar Lothbrok this was answered above.

@Michael J. Yes, they have our contact info, and I also own a guest management and design firm with 24 hour support. Yes, we have a “no commercial shoots” policy listed on our ads.

@Zachary Padron oh he’s in there.

@Avery Carl not the only thing that went up from that video.