All Forum Posts by: John Arendsen

That sounds very interesting. I'm looking forward to learning more about it. I know what you mean about BP's censorship policy. I'm beginning to wonder about the significance and value of maintaining my PRO membership. Seems like they always delete my posts and I thought the whole idea in paying for a membership was for just that. LOL!

@Michael Greenberg I did in fact check out the VRBM blog/site and for a newbie and little guy like me new to the VR arena it looks like a plausible resource as does VRMA. At this stage of our learning curve I'm all ears needless to say. 

My daughter actually manages our rental portfolio and she's actually the one who convinced us to pursue the VR biz. She's done a wonderful job as CFO of all our businesses and I am going to leave the management decisions on her plate. However, she's very open minded and eager to learn and explore anything that will further our gain in the VR industry. 

Can't believe all the great folks I've been meeting on the BP site thus far. It has been a very useful resource for all of our real estate and construction concerns. I'm looking forward to aggressively growing our VR biz. 

I'm also interested in the possibility of creating some possible joint venture, limited and/or general partnerships and/or LLC relationships in the San Diego area. If anyone cares to explore that more please let me know via PM. My personal email address is surferjohnarendsen@gmailcom.

@Monika Haebich and @Bill Higgins, thanks for your prompt reply and keen insights. Bill when you say, 

"I invested a total of ~$5k in 2016 in VRMA memberships and attendance of the conference in Phoenix. I'm investigating other areas to invest that money in 2017. It's good information, just not sure if attendance on a yearly basis is necessary."

What exactly do you mean? How did you spend 5k? Was it mostly for the travel and/or attendance to the Phoenix Conference? Or was it the hard cost of membership? Is that what you would expect to spend every year? If so that seems a little steep for a small fry.

@Nes Canada, we too have had similar experiences with both. We're beginning to lean more toward Air B&B ourselves.

@Francisco Arango, As I see it the longer you're in the VR biz the more depth you build on the bench with repeat and referral clientele. Eventually, you will have a solid base and could eventually ween yourself away from the brand names that you're paying handsomely for.@Francisco Arango

On another note I can't remember who brought the subject up but I totally buy into the concept of rewarding good repeat customers. One model I love is the, Marriot "Lifetime Platinum Elite", status of which we've been proud members of for years. They reward their loyal patrons with automatic upgrades, free concierge service, free breakfast, almost meal like evening hors devours, deserts, unlimited coffee, tea, water, soft drinks, free internet, business service access, etc. We always get upgraded to suites, even executive and presidential suites if and when available. 

We plan to mirror that model with our VR's over the long haul. It always makes loyal guests feel proud and happy to be considered and treated as though they are special. Receiving extra privileges i.e. bed roll down and chocolate treat services is indeed a treat and keep loyal guests coming back time after time. Additionally, the referral's are almost guaranteed.

I've been informed on another thread about the importance of having a good liability insurance policy in effect if you're in the VR biz. Can anyone recommend a good PL Ins. Co. with a proven track record for honoring claims?

Is  a viable organization for small VR players? Or is it intended for the big cats in the game? I was looking at their website and it appears that they offer a lot of good info for the industry as well as some conventions/conferences with exhibits, etc.

@Joe Semifero, without a doubt Craigslist is the very last place I'd ever advertise anything; especially any type of RE rentals and doubly especially VR's. CL has allowed there algorithm to be inundated by hackers, spammers and scammers and is like a rattlesnake lying in wait to strike its prey.

I just put one of my surfboards up for sale recently and within minutes I had a handful of responses telling me that it's just what they've been looking for and they wanted to buy it site unseen immediately. All they needed was my pay pal info so they could send full payment in advance..................DUH!!

As a RE broker I know the value of CC&R's and HOA's. They can and most often are a PIA and a deal breaker. I won't even attempt to invest in properties that have this going on. There's too many other more user friendly places to invest in.

Now if you're already in a neighborhood that imposes VR restrictions then that's another story and short of looking into longer term rentals, providing they're even allowed within the CC&R's and HOA guidelines, you're pretty much out of luck unless you want to sell that property and invest in a more VR friendly environment.

As a RE broker I know the value of CC&R's and HOA's. They can and most often are a PIA and a deal breaker. I won't even attempt to invest in properties that have this going on. There's too many other more user friendly places to invest in.

Now if you're already in a neighborhood that imposes VR restrictions then that's another story and short of looking into longer term rentals, providing they're even allowed within the CC&R's and HOA guidelines, you're pretty much out of luck unless you want to sell that property and invest in a more user friendly neighborhood. But then that's not always an easy way to do it either.