All Forum Posts by: Tandi H.

I actually prefer month to month on lower cost rentals.  That way if you have a problem tenant you can end the lease easily.  

@John Underwood  Thanks John!  OK, then it sounds like I'm in line with what you do.  I just wasn't sure what is expected with comforters...if we have a pet I always change it afterwards, but otherwise just about every couple weeks like you said.  

I'm still really curious about what hotels do with washing comforters...it probably depends on the chain and quality, but I wonder...not sure that I want to find out though!

We have an Airbnb, it's a small, basic 1-bed studio on our property, and has been doing great since we started last year.  Guests are mostly singles and a few couples.  We do allow pets with approval.

I often have random specific cleaning questions that pop into my head, and thought it would be great to start a thread for any of those.  I'm sure other people have them too.

Here's a couple:

1.  How often do you wash comforters?  I don't want to wash them between every guest, it would double the laundry and it's wear and tear on the comforter.  What is standard for hotels when it comes to comforters?  

2.  What about pillows?  Do you wash those periodically?  We have anti-allergy covers on ours, which keeps them pretty clean.  

3.  How much toilet paper do you leave in the unit, and is it based on the number of guests or length of upcoming stay?

4.  How deep do you clean between guests?  How often do you clean baseboards, inside fridge, blinds, etc?

Just to follow up - 

We put in an offer close to asking.  Started moving forward with the Vendee lender who did respond to the email I sent through the website (see previous comment).  Then never heard back from the selling bank.  Even the lender, who supposedly has the inside scoop, didn't know what was going on.  Our real estate agent was also not able to turn up any info.  Weeks went by.

The Vendee lender's agent seemed pretty much like dealing with any mortgage lender - asking for all our financial paperwork, taxes, etc.  As I hadn't heard back from the seller, we didn't make an effort to move forward that quickly.  I had the feeling it wasn't going anywhere.  Finally after about a month, the Vendee lender let me know he got a message that another offer was accepted.  

So I think it's pretty much like getting any mortgage, but there is a definite lack of communication or clarity from the selling bank (VA).

@Account Closed  - we also have a 650 sq ft 1/1 that we gutted and are rehabbing, that one only has one closet in the bedroom.  So we were considering putting a small storage shed in the yard for the tenants use.  A carport is not possible in our area because of zoning, but I think it could be a good idea.  Just depends on the cost.

@Lina Kwon we just spent more than that, on a newly purchased unit.  It is one side of a duplex, 700 sq ft, 2/1.  However the previous tenant had been there for 7 years and it was trashed, and hadn't been maintained well by the previous owner.  So we saw this more as a long term upgrade that will last through many tenants.  Replacing carpet with LVT, formica with granite, new bath vanity, new fixtures, recoating tub/tile, etc.  I would hope that the next turnover is mainly touch up paint, cleaning.  This is in a B neighborhood.

I used the BP link the first time, and then my account was lost too.  I had to set up a new one.  Pain.

@Paul Sandhu  I did see that : )  I bet you get some great folks with an ad like that - humorous, but also straight to the point.  

@Account Closed

For example, we bought a $150k duplex in January, emptied one unit, and rehabbed it.  B/B- neighborhood that is improving.  700 sq ft, 2/1.  Improvements and costs: repainted everything ($1k); removed carpet in bedrooms and hall and replaced with 25-year LVT ($2k), which required floor leveling; replaced kitchen formica with granite ($1k); professionally recoated very stained cast iron bathtub and tile surround ($1k); repaired kitchen cabs, painted and new handles ($800); new stove hood ($50); replaced old light fixtures ($100); replaced bath vanity and mirror ($250); new toilet seat ($20), new blinds in living room ($100).  Basically all surfaces were improved.  Raised rent $50/month, from $750 to $800.  Might have been able to go higher, but I know this new tenant is here for 1-2 years only, so we can see about raising it more for the next tenant.

For me it's important to feel good about our properties, to feel that they are nice places to live and to improve the neighborhood. It's about job satisfaction as well.  This might not make the most immediate financial sense - but maybe it does in the long run?...