Duplex College Station

[Joshua Holy]

Good Morning Everyone,

I just bought my first investment property in College Station, Texas. I will be house hacking my side of the unit and will be renting out the other side. I'm thinking about Airbnb two rooms out on my side but need help on how to set up the place to do this since I have never done this before. The other side almost covers the complete mortgage but not quite. I need to renovate and upgrade the quality of the place over the next couple of years to get the rent I need when I leave the area because of my career. The house still has everything from the 2000s for the house nothing has really been changed. 

• I'm looking for suggestions on how to set up a room for Airbnb (furniture, towels, etc.)?
• What upgrades and renovations will get me most for my money?

Thank you for your time and suggestions!

-Joshua

[Chris Quinn]

Kitchens and bathrooms generally get you the best return on your money (short of adding square footage). You have things like cosmetic updates (counters, fixtures, drawer pulls), Adding value and generating good airbnb income are not the same. For the short term model, you want to make the place feel as at home as possible. All of the little things that you take for granted when going out of town. I couldn't list them all if I tried, but do some research on best accommodations to offer, then figure out a budget. As with remodel, you could spend money until you run out, that's why a budget is key. My wife and I are actually switching from long term rentals to short, so we've definitely been doing our research. We found someone selling essentially a "bnb in a box" We literally bought just about everything you would need to furnish an airbnb, roughly 6 months old (barely used), high end Austin stuff. Seller recently sold her airbnb, posted some items and we offered to just buy it all!

• Furniture (King bed, queen bed, futon, end table, kitchen table w/ chairs, patio furniture)
• Decor (vases, wall decor, rugs, lamps, art)
• Amenities (coffeemaker with mugs and fixin's, silverware, plate/cups/bowls, cleaning products/tools, new towels, etc)

I could list so many more. But yes...the concept works. Game days ask more. And if someone will pay enough for the whole place, enjoy a weekend out of town on them! Hope it works out for you. Let me know if I can be any help.