patrick.net

just_passing_through says

You could do that in my building but not for my unit. I'm independent but most units are rentals and most on VRBO through a leasing agency with a custom website for our building. I've remodeled mine much nicer than the others. Many still have popcorn ceiling. Then again, so do the nice hotels at Whalers Village.

I get what you're saying. Don't disagree as the marketing is way more hands off and scheduling likely with VRBO. Kind of set and forget. Management is only a shit show if you have a renter trash the place but that can happen regardless. All I'm saying is one rental covers a website that you can manage from your phone and every other management aspects would be the same as VRBO minus the fees they charge. People do search property names, it's more common than you'd think.

There's a house on St. John, USVI I've been eyeing for a group trip. It would save $1,090 on the VRBO service fee going through their private site. Assume the cleaning fee is still $500. Win/win situation. Owner likely gets more, I get it cheaper and it's all the same photos and description you'd put on VRBO (which they did). $150-200/yr a max to host a basic site.

Don't know your nightly rate, but I ALWAYS search if they have a private site. It's ALWAYS cheaper for me and sometimes the owner will just cut the service fee in half and make more on their end. I am a unicorn, but we do exist and for $150/yr you could pull in more money depending on your rate which I presume is decent in HI. Just a suggestion. You do you. I won't lose sleep over it. It's not my realm either on the owner end (yet) so maybe there's more to it.

https://www.vrbo.com/1815492?adultsCount=12&arrival=2022-11-13&departure=2022-11-20&unitId=2377001

https://villalunablu.com/booking-page/

Just an example. Maybe not worth it at lower rates, but I'd take that savings if priced out. Taxes would be lower too "if" the owner paid them. I can tell you in the Caribbean they ain't tracking occupancy of houses. HI might be different.

WookieMan says

Management is only a shit show if you have a renter trash the place but that can happen regardless.

Insurance would cover that but I've had hundreds of bookings and probably over 1000 guests so far and nobody has messed stuff up. Except for that person who somehow bent a cheap frying pan into the shape of a taco. I'm the one who gets drunk and walks through the screen door lol.

WookieMan says

All I'm saying is one rental covers a website that you can manage from your phone and every other management aspects would be the same as VRBO minus the fees they charge. People do search property names, it's more common than you'd think.

Well maybe they do but it's a hellava lot more work. I review the prices of the competition and I charge top dollar and always have the place booked out solid 4 months with many going out a year. I didn't start out that way. I had to build up a reputation with reviews and remodeling/improvements. Now it's smooth sailing. I mainly just accept reservations, send welcome messages and do taxes at the end of each month. Once in a while answer a question or two.

In other words, I don't need to do anything to get more guest interest or money. Ain't broke don't fix it.

I don't like AirBnB since one of them cancelled on us at the last minute, leaving us without a place to stay. And AirBnB did not help at all with finding us another place.

At least hotels never cancel on you.

Also, AirBnB is an extreme leftist organization, promoting the usual society-destroying vices and lies.

Patrick says

At least hotels never cancel on you.

OR if there is a booking conflict they will go above and beyond. Often putting you up in nicer accommodations.

Right, the listed prices are FRAUD.

There should be a per-night charge like hotels.

One nice thing about Britain was that tax was included in everything, so you didn't get surprised.

https://www.reddit.com/r/airbnb_hosts/comments/wix3i6/airbnb_bookings_dropped_off_exponentially/

I have an AirBnB in Southern Pines, NC that I have rented out for the past year. I was receiving $3k-$5k in bookings per month and all of a sudden it dropped off with zero bookings for the next two months (August-September).

zzyzzx says

https://www.reddit.com/r/airbnb_hosts/comments/wix3i6/airbnb_bookings_dropped_off_exponentially/

I have an AirBnB in Southern Pines, NC that I have rented out for the past year. I was receiving $3k-$5k in bookings per month and all of a sudden it dropped off with zero bookings for the next two months (August-September).

The economy?

https://www.denverpost.com/2018/05/10/aspen-subsidized-housing-airbnb/

Woman booted from subsidized Aspen apartment after listing her place on Airbnb

https://www.denverpost.com/2022/08/23/steamboat-springs-short-term-rentals-housing-crisis/

Amid housing crisis, vacation towns like Steamboat Springs limit short-term rentals

zzyzzx says

Hotels have an unfair advantage with their massive economy of scale. Oh, wait..that's life.

If you are going to do an airBnB, make it unique and special. Don't make it crappy and charge me a hotel like price. Get the comparative advantage!

Airbnb relies on illegals cleaning for cheap. like most CA businesses.

Booger says

That's not all.

The AirBnB can cancel on you right before you show up. Then you're fucked.

AirBnB says they will find you another place in that case, but they do not. I've been there. They were useless.

You never have this problem with hotels. If you book a room, when you show up, you get a room.

FortwayeAsFuckJoeBiden says

Airbnb relies on illegals cleaning for cheap. like most CA businesses.

Hotels too.

RWSGFY says

FortwayeAsFuckJoeBiden says

Airbnb relies on illegals cleaning for cheap. like most CA businesses.

Hotels too.

good point there. fucking hated seeing that in CA, every fucking business was like that. everyone was outsourced, iffshored, and marginalized. fucking hated it.

https://www.businessinsider.com/travelers-slam-airbnb-chore-lists-mow-lawn-laundry-cleaning-fees-2022-9

zzyzzx says

I have an AirBnB in Southern Pines, NC that I have rented out for the past year. I was receiving $3k-$5k in bookings per month and all of a sudden it dropped off with zero bookings for the next two months (August-September).

I noticed its currently a lot slower than normal for tourism in the Florida panhandle like Panama City Beach.

.

Booger says

https://www.businessinsider.com/travelers-slam-airbnb-chore-lists-mow-lawn-laundry-cleaning-fees-2022-9

Landlords never quit looking for ways to make the renters do the non-fee collecting part of the owning for them.

I remember back before the financial crisis some were bitching about property taxes, and how they should be paid by the renter, not by ... uh... the property owner?

ad says

I noticed its currently a lot slower than normal for tourism in the Florida panhandle like Panama City Beach.

Haven't been down there in two years. Pensacola or Navarre were my spring break spots growing up and as an adult until covid. My folks had a condo on Navarre Beach when I was in high school and college (Beach View if familiar with Navarre Beach - little 2 story horseshoe structure with beachfront townhomes). Occasionally go to PCB if a hurricane did less damage there.

We've been starting to explore other parts of Florida. I've been unimpressed. Places like Sanibel and Anna Maria Island. I don't really like the Atlantic side and Miami is not my jam, nor Daytona Beach. Honestly Navarre Beach is one of the best vacation spots I've been to in my life. Some of my best memories. Spent maybe 70 weeks of my life there.

I'm more into the Caribbean now though. I'd only do a Airbnb or VRBO with a group and a unique property though. I prefer resorts with amenities. Margaritaville is my favorite on St. Thomas. Walk down to Coki Beach, get some amazing local food, get some weed if you're into that. Food on site is average at best, but get a car and drive into Red Hook 4 minutes away. Stay away from Charlotte Amalie cruise town/main city. Some good restaurants, but built toward cruise tourist. Basically all the "duty free" shit that's really the same price stateside.

St. John is the best though. Stayed at the Westin. Solid food, but you just drive down the road and it's an amazing beach after amazing beach.

Had fun in Jamaica but didn't like the vibe. Puerto Rico I want to explore more. Stopped there 4-5 times for a night or two. Belize is in the top 3 of next places to go. Want to go back to Costa now that we have free lodging. Kind of interested in Panama. Eventually will check out all the Antilles. St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Kitts, Antigua, etc.

I just love the island life and people. Especially off the beaten path.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AirBnB/comments/xne5mp/host_claims_a_scorpion_entered_the_property_while/

Host claims a scorpion entered the property while I had his door open.

A host whose property I recently stayed at is requesting $350 paid via Zelle for the fumigation of his property, which is in a desert region. He is claiming that while I had the door of his property open, a scorpion found its way into the house and he fears an infestation or eggs.

During the stay, I made the mistake of leaving the back door that leads to the garage open for 8 hours overnight. The privacy of the property was not compromised because it leads to a private stucco'd 7+ foot tall walled-off short walkway directly to the garage, with no way for anyone to know the door was open or be able to see into the home. This is entirely my mistake, and the next morning, he notified me that I would be on the hook for fumigation of a scorpion was found on the propery.

He sent me a picture of a scorpion in one of the bathroom sinks about 3 days after I left his property. He says an exterminator he spoke to will require the property to be fumigated and treated for pests 3 times (one time a month for the next 3 months), and that I can directly pay him $350. I was not shown a written quote.

I asked him to provide proof that the scorpion was a result of my actions and for a professional opinion and quote that fumigation would be necessary and that the pricing is accurate.

Is this something I am on the hook for? I am certain that if I don't pay him, he will leave me a poor review. However, I don't feel very confident that a scorpion requires this expensive treatment nor do I feel confident the scorpion can so easily be attributed to my stay.

I don't see how a scorpion couldn't simply enter the house via any number of ways at any time, especially in the region it's located in. The host is also hosting his property in a place where it is prohibited by the city to do so, so the AirBnB is illegal. I figured this out because his guest book says to tell anyone who asks that we are family members staying in his condo.

I can't seem to find similar occurrences when I look online and would appreciate your time figuring out how to proceed.

www.sabbaticalhomes.com Mostly academic people, can be used for long and short term. Reasonable listing fee of $ 45 , no extra fees or costs

https://www.reddit.com/r/AirBnBHosts/comments/xxd3ny/air_mattresss/

Air mattress’s?

Hi just new and getting started in a major city. I haven’t gotten a sleeper sofa yet I’m considering buying an Airbnb mattress for additional guest, I have a 2 bedroom apartment.

Are people usually fine with this?

zzyzzx says

Air mattress’s?

Hi just new and getting started in a major city. I haven’t gotten a sleeper sofa yet I’m considering buying an Airbnb mattress for additional guest, I have a 2 bedroom apartment.

It has to be deeply discounted for me to want to sleep on air mattress and it better be at least two feet high and not some 8 inch mattress. And it better be in a decent part of town where I can walk to all the points of interest and attractions.

zzyzzx says

https://www.reddit.com/r/AirBnBHosts/comments/xxd3ny/air_mattresss/

Air mattress’s?

Hi just new and getting started in a major city. I haven’t gotten a sleeper sofa yet I’m considering buying an Airbnb mattress for additional guest, I have a 2 bedroom apartment.

Are people usually fine with this?

They are like $40. If somebody wants to rent an airbnb - they can bring their OWN air mattress. Pays for itself in a night.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AirBnBHosts/comments/xpl6z3/anyone_else_seeing_big_drops_in_booking_requests/

Anyone else seeing big drops in booking requests?

As per title, is anyone else seeing big drops in booking requests or enquiries?

We had more than 95% occupancy in July and August, which dropped to 43% in September and only 5 days booked for October.

For context, its a detached house and we are close to Vancouver, BC

I understand back to school and economy slowing down stuff, just wondering if others are experiencing the same or does it have something to do with Airbnb’s new search algorithms that were implemented in summer?

https://www.reddit.com/r/AirBnB/comments/xxcvlp/is_an_airbnb_even_worth_doing_anymore_considering/

Is an AirBnB even worth doing anymore considering that it's extremely oversaturated?

Recently been thinking about doing AirBnB but I'm wondering if it's worth it anymore considering that it's extremely oversaturated and we're also entering a recession, which means people will travel less. I have a friend who has a stunning unit with the best interior design you could possibly ask for with an attractive listing, yet he only got 1 booking in the past month out of 30 days. That’s just disheartening considering how much time and money he invested into setting up his unit for Airbnb. This is in a market where demand is high too, but slightly oversaturated. Maybe the overall demand for short term/vacation rentals has gone down, I don’t know. What do you guys think? Just feels like flipping homes is a much option to make an actual decent income even if it were to be a side hustle. Who's really traveling during these times anyways? And maybe this is just my own generalization/assumption but I feel like Airbnb is only popular and known amongst young people which kind of limits your demographic. Am I being too pessimistic?

https://www.reddit.com/r/AirBnB/comments/xtcjxq/significant_decline_in_bookings/

Significant decline in bookings

https://www.reddit.com/r/airbnb_hosts/comments/y1t8xn/bookings_down/

Bookings Down

So I’m a host of a nice stand alone home in a centrally located Denver suburb that started listing our home upon having to relocate due to work in another state.

It’s a beautiful house, modern furnishings, big backyard, and a detached garage converted into a gym.

We listed back in November of ‘21, starting with longterm bookings only, but as time has gone on we’ve gotten more lax, and have accepted shorter bookings. This has resulted in 17 consecutive 5-star reviews, and almost booked straight through for the full 12 months + superhost status.

Now that we’re coming up on a full year, November and beyond is completely bare… no bookings at all.

Is anybody else seeing a massive decrease in reservations?

I’m at a loss, and as a result, considering closing up shop and either selling or listing for a traditional longterm rental.

https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/y7q44i/my_airbnb_estimate_no_wonder_bookings_are_down/

My Airbnb estimate - no wonder bookings are down

zzyzzx says

I’m at a loss, and as a result, considering closing up shop and either selling or listing for a traditional longterm rental.

I am seeing a drop of prices in beach condos in Panama City Beach. But some vacation rental owners think they can still price like it is summer 2021.

But I'd like to see more vacation rentals converted to traditional rentals to bring down 12 month lease costs.

.

Neighbors hate AirBnB

Awkward as hell to have different faces vacationing next door to your home every couple nights. I owned a rental in the Oakland hills where the HOA banned it entirely.

I’ve stayed at AirBnB and have mostly had good experiences but it comes with a lot of awkwardness.

Long list of dont’s
Are you being watched by the owner?
Are you being watched by the neighbors?
What’s in that room with the locked door?
Don’t mind the weird guy that rents out the studio shed in the yard that comes and goes.

Then you hear the stories of people being videotaped or recorded…

I stayed at an Airbnb once in Paso Robles. I come to find out that the owner lived next door, 5ft away. It was just awkward.

I also had a neighbor that would AirBnB his primary residence when he was out of town (not my cup of tea to have strangers having sex on my mattress when I’m away). Anyway, he’d ask me to keep an eye on his place and see who was staying and what were they up to. I told him to leave me out of his sick business lol

BayArea says

I’ve stayed at AirBnB

This is something that I will never do. If you stay in an Airbnb YOU are part of the problem.

ad says

But some vacation rental owners think they can still price like it is summer 2021.

I've still got my beach front Maui VRBO priced higher than ever and fully booked 4 months out. That's been standard the past 5 years. I'd never convert to an Airbnb though and this place is zoned for it.

We go to Hawaii twice a year to VRBOs. All of Hawaii has increased quite a bit and bookings are months out. Our favorite vrbo on kauai shutdown permanently during covid. The Maui ones are $$$. This Xmas were going to go to the big island since it is the cheapest and direct flight from SFO.

I'm guessing the inventory has dried up with the airbnb and post covid closures