All Forum Posts by: Sarah Kensinger

Here are some people you can look up, connect with, or learn from through their social media, podcasts, YouTube channels, or if you choose a course some offer that.

Michael and Elizabeth Chang

Jake Mercer Is on BP and posted some very informative posts on STR arbitrage.

Fakaradin Floyd Is also on BP and has successfully started STR arbitrage in the last year.

Preston Seo

If you're wanting to make extra income to purchase investments, STR arbitrage is a great way to do that! But I would highly suggest you learn all you can and have someone to tap into that has been successful themselves.

Quote from @Collin Hays:

Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:

We're messing around with Jurny...It's a new PMS but everything is rolled into one. And of course, Minut for smoke and noise. 

 I'm not sure I'm down for any more PMS

I know same here, but this one is everything and I mean everything rolled into one platform! No more multiple log ins and keeping track of numerous websites for PMS, pricing, cleaners, team operations etc. 

Quote from @Lauren Pitts:

Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:

Unfortunately, arbitrage is not a big thing on here. It's too bad because if done correctly, it can be a very successful strategy! I'm not sure what to suggest price wise, except to be fair to everyone involved, especially you! Sometimes we don't give ourselves enough value for our work. In some ways I wonder if you could do a bit of a co-hosting approach for the next month or so as you help transition. In that case it would be a percentage of each booking, from what I can tell from your question I think around 20% would be fair. And that would include the listing operations and cleaning team operations. 

Thanks for the heads up! Yes I can feel the heat towards arbitrage emanating off this community. Lol. And your advice was actually perfect because that is exactly what we are ended up moving towards. And who knows, maybe my business will hold onto the unit longer with this change in the arrangement! It is becoming essentially property management/co-hosting.

Im not the biggest fan of arbitrage myself and I couldn't make it work with the STR laws, but it was the avenue I started the business with. I prefer the equity of owning plus the STR cash flow going forward. But less barriers to entry with the arbitrage and I learned a ton. The experience is worth a ton!

Thank you for the encouragement and tips!!!

Your more than welcome! I feel the same as you about arbitrage, but for some it's their only way of getting into real estate and the STR space. I'm a huge proponent of taking what you earned and purchasing your own properties.

If you need any resources on co-hosting or having a STR company let me know! It's another great strategy that is becoming quite popular with STR owners, that are sick of dealing with the big PM companies or tired mom and pop companies.

Unfortunately, arbitrage is not a big thing on here. It's too bad because if done correctly, it can be a very successful strategy! I'm not sure what to suggest price wise, except to be fair to everyone involved, especially you! Sometimes we don't give ourselves enough value for our work. In some ways I wonder if you could do a bit of a co-hosting approach for the next month or so as you help transition. In that case it would be a percentage of each booking, from what I can tell from your question I think around 20% would be fair. And that would include the listing operations and cleaning team operations. 

I would try to find some tiny homes in your area or a small 1/1 home. That should give you an idea of what a small place for a couple people could do. Make sure you have plenty of amenities as well!

Two things to ALWAYS remember when purchasing a STR....Proximity and location are the key between a mediocre STR and one that out does other comparable properties.

If people come to your area to go to the beach, the two things I mentioned above are very important! 

We also would look at the pre-approval as the cap and then purchase depending on what the numbers showed. I have also helped others look for properties and we used the same method.

Second looking on Taskrabbit or Thumbtack!

If numbers work you should buy, if they don't move on to another property. We underwrite STR complementary for buyers, so feel free to reach out if I can help.

They are sold the same as any other SFH. But in certain places, like 30A in FL, they can charge more for the property if it has strong STR numbers.