All Forum Posts by: William Leahy

I just received an invite to list my properties as "Airbnb PLUS" listings. They are apparently expanding the program (wasn't in Cape Cod previously) Anyone have any experience, pro or con?

@Luke Carl I don't think it's the end all ,be all on the subject. I have'nt found a killer book on the subject  either as I have for general real estate topics. However, when I was starting out without any knowledge, I found it helpful just to be immersed . It's not bigger pockets but It's a start. If you want some ideas on photography, staging, furnishing etc etc. 

Vacation rental success podcast by Heather Bayer

I had brand new central AC go out last 4th of July. The washing machine went down that same week. The previous guests froze the compressor by setting temp to low, I suspect they broke the washer as well (but it was old and in the firsts weeks of a newly purchased home)

I picked up and delivered laundry for the second guests until new machine arrived. I then purchased and installed window units. Then I brought them a bottle of wine and fresh raked cape cod clams. 

By seeing the lengths we went through ,their annoyance turned to gratitude. They left us a glowing review and are booked to return this season.

Most people I have dealt with understand unforseen circumstances will pop up and respond positively if you show them effort. 

 I now keep a couple of old back up window AC units , just in case. You went above and beyond with a full refund, you probably would have been fine with a smaller gesture. But it's all about what your confortable with. I would say to learn from it and have some "party favors" in mind for guests when something doesn't go according to plan.(wine, gift certificate to local cafe, local choclates....etc etc)

In my parting message on checkout day , I include the line ,"we strive to provide 5 star service and hope that we have done enough to earn your 5 star review".

@Luke Carl the urban progressives are never content unless inflicting their "progress" upon everyone, everywhere. Case in point, there is also a short term rental taxation proposal being hammered out in the Massachusetts State house. The assembly version , has a yearly "fee" , a mandatory registry, inspection mandates, a water tax(for cape cod) and, most ominously, a graduated tax rate applied to owners of multiple properties.

Like your area, Cape Cod ,has been a thriving short term rental market long before the internet was a thing. Yet some no nothing, never had a real job , right into politics after college, Boston assemblyman will still find a way to craft a piece of legislation that will enforce his idea of control upon the free market in not just his backyard, but everywhere he can enact it. One size fits all. I agree , it is inevitable that regulation will envelop the rental arbitrage segment. Nobody wants to live next to mardi gras every night. Just beware reasonable regulation that in the flick of a pen becomes onerous and burdonsome control.

  It can be done, nevermind the naysayers. BUT, if you wish to be efficient you might have to go against the seasons, (IE , live at the ski place in the summer and the beach place in the winter) My homes are in a highly seasonal area and a maxed out season is about 46% occupancy occurring mostly between May and October. I could certainly live in Cape Cod November to April and at a mountain place May to October and still cashflow. I don't know if thats livin the dream, but it is possible with today's technology. OR just max your cashflow in what ever you invest in and use the proceeds to rent where and when you want to live.

@John Underwood I have found in my own experience that the lines between the big 2 (HA and Airbnb) continue to blur. I am in as traditional a seasonal vacation market as they get in Cape Cod, yet my gross receipts have now swung to 80/20 in favor of Airbnb. That could be a result of being so close to a major metropolitan region (Boston) , where one would expect to find more Airbnb users. But I also have noticed a profound lag in Homeaway's performance since the Expedia takeover. Either way, sound advice given to @Rachel Kokosenski in listing with both platforms. The game continues to evolve.

I think they mean that inquiries coming through HA/VRBO are to be booked through same as opposed to sidebar agreements with guests. Prohibiting booking through other platforms seem too obnoxious even by Expedia's lowered standard.

Great job! What paint did you use on the cabinets? Did you roll them out or spray them?