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All Forum Posts by: Travis Bohling

Travis Bohling has started 2 posts and replied 59 times.

Post: Best Practices for MTR; Utilities, and Furnishings

Travis Bohling
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gilbert, AZ
  • Posts 60
  • Votes 73
Quote from @Allen Duan:

Hi Travis,

Most typical is to have the utilities under the owner's name. MTR tenants are used to utilities being included in the rent. Yes, this includes internet. Think of it this way, for a one month stay, it's quite the hassle to set up utilities services and then have to cancel it in a month. The value and reason why tenant's pay a premium for MTRs is for the convenience.

We do count small items like dishes, but we're not too worried about being 100% precise about it since they are small value items. If we know something small was broken or lost, we'll take it out of the deposit. If it's an Airbnb booking, we don't bother with an Aircover claim if it's small because of all the busywork required. 

For tech issues, it depends on what it is. Wifi issues should always first be troubleshooted with a reset of the modem and router. TV shouldn't have any common recurring issues. If they need batteries or a new remote, we just ship it to them to arrive next day or in 2 days with Amazon.


 Hi Allen,

Thanks for your insights around convenience, I totally agree.

For inventory, are you using paper checklists or 1 of the new apps?

Your comments on tech resonate so much. I get annoyed having to ask "did you turn it off and on" and "did you check the batteries" but it sounds like this remains a friction point.

What are you seeing on the demand side of this asset class?

Post: Best Practices for MTR; Utilities, and Furnishings

Travis Bohling
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gilbert, AZ
  • Posts 60
  • Votes 73
Quote from @Heather Loyal:
Travis, with the utilities, also remember most providers will require a deposit from new users, which will most certainly upset a MTR tenant.

A thought on inventory, I would be mindful of the counts on small kitchenware items and towels from the presentation aspect.  You don't want someone to come and stay and there only be one spoon and two large plates because the others went missing over time.

 Thanks Heather! Staying somewhere with limited silverware is definitely annoying. 

Post: Best Practices for MTR; Utilities, and Furnishings

Travis Bohling
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gilbert, AZ
  • Posts 60
  • Votes 73
Quote from @Mason Weiss:

Hey @Travis Bohling, we cover utilities including internet in our monthly rate. It is easier for the owner and the tenant. 

For furnishings, we try and limit all concerns to over $25 items. No need to negatively impact the guest experience over one dish or mug. 


 Hi Mason,

Thanks for your process - it is helping me understand the local MTR market. What are you seeing on the demand side right now?

Post: Best Practices for MTR; Utilities, and Furnishings

Travis Bohling
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gilbert, AZ
  • Posts 60
  • Votes 73

Hi MTR investors and property managers,

What are best practices and innovative solutions for the 2 subjects below:

Utilities

1. During periods of tenancy who should have the utilities in their name, landlord or tenant? Pros and cons of each strategy?

2. For those who believe landlord is the answer above, do you include internet access?

Furnishings

1. Efficient inventory methods. Are you counting dishes or do you limit your concerns to the big-ticket items?

2. Any slick new solutions to troubleshoot tech issues with residents (usually tv or internet questions)?

Post: HOA issues - sell or hold?

Travis Bohling
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gilbert, AZ
  • Posts 60
  • Votes 73

Hi @Avery Lee,

HOAs, such a fun topic unearthing their benefits and downsides. The best HOAs have responsible and reasonable boards that hire great hoa management companies. 

Another option to consider: Be the squeaky wheel - get vocal with the current board, review the full financials to understand the issues, run for the board on the next election cycle, once on the board, press the management company on service issues or find a new manager.

On the plus side, it sounds like your getting new siding which should help the overall appearance of the community and long-term values. 

Post: Which renter's insurance companies are OK?

Travis Bohling
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gilbert, AZ
  • Posts 60
  • Votes 73

Hi Chris, check out Second Nature. We use them to offer our tenants a resident benefits package which includes enrollment in a master insurance policy that covers their contents, liability, and dog-bite coverage. A lot of other benefits are available as well that protect you as the landlord.

Post: Self-manage vs property manger?

Travis Bohling
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gilbert, AZ
  • Posts 60
  • Votes 73

Congratulations Jessica!

Great question but it is hard to give a recommendation to such a personal decision. Maybe think through it like this:

Is the value of your free time worth more or less than the cost of management?

Is the satisfaction from mastering this skill greater or less than the heartache and stress you may endure?

Happy to chat further if you want to dive deeper on the questions above.

Post: Tenant Background Check

Travis Bohling
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gilbert, AZ
  • Posts 60
  • Votes 73

Rent Perfect is great for self-managing landlords.

Post: Tenant damage and ordinary wear and tear

Travis Bohling
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gilbert, AZ
  • Posts 60
  • Votes 73

You seem unsettled by this. Imagine the angst you will have if this goes to court. Peace of mind is worth a lot in the end. Maybe for you, being a landlord isn't worth the toll. 

Post: How to invest in 2023? I'm at a dead end.

Travis Bohling
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gilbert, AZ
  • Posts 60
  • Votes 73

As a LTR property manager, I have been hearing from airbnb hosts who are experiencing your same dilemma. One strategy that is working for some is to convert their airbnb into a rental-by-the-room property. I have heard from investors with good experiences with Padsplit. Best of luck out there!