Setting up AirBnB in Long Beach, CA from scratch!

[Jennifer Gardner]

Hi BP.

I'm in the process of purchasing a duplex in Long Beach, CA and want to airbnb the bottom unit and LTR the top. Ideally I find tenants who are cool with the airbnb thing downstairs or can even help manage it, but beyond that, I'm looking for tips and advice for starting an airbnb business from scratch. It's a 2-1 and I've already had experience renting my own home during summers so I'm not a total rookie just intimidated by furnishing from scratch and getting a team together to help manage it, as I live up in the Bay Area so it's long-distance management. Do you use a property manager or virtual assistance? Where to find the best cleaners? I'm open to all of it - fire away! Long Beach does allow for STRs, I will be applying for a permit as soon as I have keys in a couple weeks.

Thanks!

[Jonathan Greene]

You are going to pay 25% for management in that market most likely and the idea that the tenant upstairs would manage it is almost never going to work as most tenants don't want the transient nature of Airbnb on the bottom and will find ways to make more money off of it being right there. You definitely need a one-off cleaner, not a service, because in quick changeovers with new protocols they have to know exactly what to do every time and do it right or your next review could kill your start. I do like the idea of doing one long-term and one short-term, it can work, but do you know anyone in the area who might be a good manager for less?