All Forum Posts by: Mike Shemp

Here is some advice:

Do everything manually first so that you totally understand end-to-end everything that is needed....then automate.  You'll appreciate the automation more, as well as know the exact pain points that need automation and why.

Mike

You could run Facebook ads and spend some time figuring out who your target audience might be for people visiting mid-week, and target the ad to them.

Mike

We have Keurigs in our properties and guests really seem to appreciate it.  We also keep small traditional coffee makers and filters in the cabinets as well.

Mike

We used TD Bank and got a HELOC on our STR if that is any help.

Mike

We allow Instant Booking on Airbnb if they have verified ID/photo.

We do not allow Instant Booking on VRBO since that platform doesn't seem to have any way of adding conditions like Airbnb doe to an Instant Booking.

On both platforms, we have a secret phrase in our House Rules that says "to provide this phrase when booking to confirm you read our house rules".  In a few cases, when we ask guests to provide the phrase, they write back that they don't want to book...which works out for everyone.

Mike

@Jon Martin - One thing to note about the changing sea/beach/tides is that 5 years ago they did a beach nourishment program where they literally dredged sand from the ocean floor onto the beach to widen it.  They are doing it again this year.  

I don't know if this is there long-term plan, but they've done it twice already.

Mike

We have a cottage on the beach road in Kitty Hawk.  We rent it all year long.  It seems like the shoulder-season and off-season are also becoming more popular each year.

Mike

Sorry I missed this post.  We have one short-term rental in Kitty Hawk.

Happy to connect or discuss.

Mike

I agree with @Bruce Woodruff. If I were in your position, I'd get a heloc, but an STR, and refinance later.

I was a little hesitant to move foreward with our first property.  What helped me get over it was saving up a large amount of cash prior to purchasing to handle anything unexpected and made me sleep at night.

Hope that helps.

Mike

We promote our properities year round on Instagram, Facebook, and Tik Tok...summer season or off-season we are always posting social media content.

Mike