All Forum Posts by: Trent Reeve

Thought I would check in again, it's been a few months since someone asked this question. Of my 2, one is pretty full, but it has a nearby attraction that supports it. The other is just dead. One booking next week, but nothing after that, Nothing.

It's not an urgent situation, my cost to hold this property is low, but I am thinking of looking a MTRs, and LTRs. The income would be about the same regardless.

How's everyone else doing....?

dont go on any STR facebook groups. This question comes up 10x a day easy

5 Votes

Quote from @Carolyn Fuller:

The only thing I would add to @Trent Reeve's awesome ChatGPT generated output is if there is anything about your rental property that a guest might not be 100% happy about, highlight it in that initial response. Allow the guest to cancel immediately if there is something they might ding you about in a review.

We've even gotten 5 star ratings AND 90% occupancy during seriously loud nearby construction because we highlighted that construction in our initial response to bookings.

would love to take credit, but that was Alex with the Chatgpt.

1 Vote

Quote from @Luke Carl:

Quote from @Trent Reeve:

Quote from @Leslie Anne Morris:

What Luke mentioned about Ownerrez is accurate, but guests can’t actually tell the messages are automated because I wrote them all myself. Put what you’re wanting to say in your own words and write them yourself. Ideas for messages: thank you for booking, request to sign rental agreement/ submit security deposit, welcome / property info (includes link to an e-mag on the area), after stay request for review. Those are the basics. Others could include offering gap days at a discount, triggers for missing security deposit or rental agreement.

i get it. was just looking for examples so that i make sure that i dont miss something that I would want to know if i was the guest. sometimes you just dont think about an item but you see it somewhere else and are look "oh yeah, completely forgot that". hence my asking if there was someplace out there that might have examples that i could review. I'm an IT guy, english not always my best subject (science, math, computers, etc). i can write out technical requirements as i know them, but you usually have something to reference. that was all i was looking for

You're messages will change over time based on guest reaction. Just start simple and tweak as you go!

easy to say. when you are brand new and just starting out, you dont always know what to say and what should be put into messages. some of us havent done this before and just looking for a little help.

0 Votes

Quote from @Leslie Anne Morris:

0 Votes

Quote from @Luke Carl:

If you use ownerrez they have some built in. But. Then you have to use ownerrez which requires a Phd.

I would just start simple. 4 messages one or two sentences each. Truth is the more auto messages you use the less awesome your reviews will be. to a certain extent anyway.

well, I do have Ownerrez and while it can be daunting, i dont have a phd and am doing ok. but i would like to see some examples to give me ideas on how i would want to write mine. not too thrilled with their examples

0 Votes

Newbie here, about to go live with our first STR. is there a site with some email templates/examples? Initial communications, day of arrival, post stay message, etc?

1 Vote

Quote from @Scott E.:

Quote from @Manny Vasquez:

I own a 8 STR's, they are all on Airbnb and I'm doing pretty good across all properties. I travel extensively for my consultation practice and I frequently stay at hotels and Airbnb's. If I'm solo, I'll stay at a hotel....I guess you can call it convenience. If I'm travelling with family, I stay at an Airbnb....I guess you can also call that convenience. Depending where you are staying, hotels can charge additional "guest taxes", "resort fees', and expensive nightly guest parking. The overall room rate may be very enticing but then when you start adding up the different charges, they get to be very expensive. I often look at the "whole rate" just to see what the price will be.

When travelling with family, I like the convenience of Airbnb's because

1. Generally speaking, parking is included with Airbnb stays and it is also a few steps away from the house (if its not in a garage). At hotels, parking isn't always "out front" and sometimes you have to walk several hundred feet away to get to your vehicle. No biggie, but when you're travelling with toddlers, this can be a pain in the neck.

2. I can congregate in an Airbnb a lot easier than in a hotel room. Some hotel rooms are so small you barely have enough room to walk inside the individual rooms. My kids can be noisy from time to time and I would hate to be the reason that I'm the guest with the noisy hotel room.

3. I can cook meals for my kids, rather than eat at some of these expensive hotel restaurants. I don't like staying at hotels with "Continental Breakfast" that is included with the room rate because honestly, are those breakfast options any good? Is anyone ever excited about getting a Continental breakfast? My daughters toy-play-food looks more appetizing.

Regarding chore lists....yeah, I totally agree with you on that. I don't require any of my guests to do any chores and I stay away from any Airbnb's with chore lists.

Good perspective Manny. And as a guy without kids (yet), I guess I was close minded to the reality of traveling with a family. Having that kitchen, living room space, yard, and bedrooms I'm sure all are a huge bonus when you've got kids in the mix!

we closed on our first STR in October, across the street from the beach. but i saw we could turn the 2/2.5 townhome into a 3/3.5. makes it easier for family with older kids. teenage brother and sister might not want to share the same room, possibly the same bed if you are just getting 1 room. or 2 couples and kids share the bunk room. not as easy with only hotels. and the full kitchen for cooking, etc. as mentioned

0 Votes

i use OwnerRez for direct bookings

0 Votes

Ann Arbor, Michigan

if you do a search on here for AirDNA, you will get a lot of view and opinions and alternatives

1 Vote

Quote from @James Mercer:

All I hear about is how great STRs are and how in the correct market they can basically be a money making machine. What are some of the cons or risks of owning a STR that a new investor should look out for? Asking anyone who own a STR

i would say temper expectations. You arent going to be rolling in money, and especially not in the first year. so make sure the decisions are sound, dont just jump on a property even in a good market. make sure the numbers work

0 Votes

All Forum Posts by: Trent Reeve

Trent Reeve has started 26 posts and replied 509 times.

Post: How are everyone's STRs doing right now?

Post: Email templates or examples

Post: Email templates or examples

Post: Email templates or examples

Post: Email templates or examples

Post: Email templates or examples

Post: Are Hotels Better than Airbnbs?

Post: Houfy or Avail for STRs?

Post: STR - Air DNA

Post: Things to look out for in a STR?