All Forum Posts by: Michael Baum

Hey @Jade Frank, so everyone and every app has it's own list of "HOT" markets for STRs. 

Frankly any area can be a great STR area if you buy the property great and there is a big draw.

You can't go wrong with a lake front, beach front (or near), major skiing or high mountain getaways. 

I personally think it is a tougher go in a metro. Can't speak to NJ but CA can do well in the very limited areas that allow it. If you can find a property at a reasonable price.

Like my compatriots @John Underwood and @Mike Grudzien said, just to a search and see what comes up. What is their reasoning, prices, STR availability, nightly rates and occupancy?

Use AirBNB and VRBO and go through the listing in the area and that will give you an idea of what people are doing there.

@Lauren Robins., your posts read like an AI bot wrote these. Operational Intensity?

Just curious.

I am with those that manage through the built in tools. Easy to do really.

No AI communications for me @Kwanza P.. Personal communication with guests only. 

Plus with everyone else. 

So I haven't had to buy one in a long time. Ours are under the Serta Black covers so they are still perfect.

Like you pointed out, Kohl's no longer lists them on their website so I am guessing they are gone.

There are other choices online like Amazon. Linenspa makes a good one - https://www.amazon.com/Linenspa-Infused-Memory-Mattress-Topp...

Plus the ever reliable Zinus Green Tea. Not just mattresses (which we have) but this 2" mattress topper for a queen at $35 - https://www.amazon.com/ZINUS-Convenient-WonderBox-Packaging-...

Either are Certipur US certified so either are a solid choice.

Hey @Keith Kotsch, so there are a lot of good ideas on here and the cleaning crew is one of, if not the most important part of the team.

Our hiring is more difficult as we are way out of town so I need to find someone who would do the hour drive out to clean the lake house.

When I check out a cleaner, I pay them to clean the house. We stay in the house for a few days and leave it. I take the time to do a few sneaky things like drip bacon grease on the front of the oven or move things around.

If the cleaner takes care of the things I did, then they get the job.

Lucky you @Andrew Steffens! :)

This year is pretty much like most years. We are nearly fully booked for the season. A few open dates but I think it will fill in.

We have had a Pack-N-Play in our lake house from the get. Along with 2 baby gates, a Diaper Genie and 2 high chairs (the small mount on the chair kind).

All of them get used with the exception of the Diaper Genie.

I keep the PnP in the master bedroom closet, the baby gates are right in the dining room and the high chairs are stored in the dining room buffet.

We are still getting the majority of the bookings 6-12 months in advance.

The rest of the calendar fills in the closer to the season it gets.