STR Recommended Tools and Software

[Jonathan Williams]

What tools, software, or other programs does everyone use to manage/operate their short-term rentals?

I have purchased and (mostly) set up my first STR property and getting to the point where I am looking at various programs and subscriptions that would help make managing my property easier (and help make the most money). Looking for programs that would integrate with AirBnB (and potentially VRBO).

Currently utilizing Stessa for bookkeeping and looking at Pricelabs (for pricing), Hospitable (for management/communication), and RemoteLock (for smart lock management). 

Any suggestions/recommendations for what works well would be highly appreciated!

[Ken Boone]

Quote from @Jonathan Williams:

What tools, software, or other programs does everyone use to manage/operate their short-term rentals?

I have purchased and (mostly) set up my first STR property and getting to the point where I am looking at various programs and subscriptions that would help make managing my property easier (and help make the most money). Looking for programs that would integrate with AirBnB (and potentially VRBO).

Currently utilizing Stessa for bookkeeping and looking at Pricelabs (for pricing), Hospitable (for management/communication), and RemoteLock (for smart lock management). 

Any suggestions/recommendations for what works well would be highly appreciated!

With just 1 property you don't really need anything other than the platforms. Both AirBnb and VRBO. Like @Bruce Woodruff said I don't see any reason why you wouldn't list on both.  I really prefer VRBO as well but I do both because airbnb seems to fill in those last minute bookings and fill in the gaps.  Although most problems also come from Airbnb guest in my market.  Having said that, once you are listed on both, you can get some channel management software that would provide you with a single inbox, a single place to adjust pricing (if not using pricelabs), and a way to setup automatic guest communications no matter what platform.

There are tons of these.  I am using Guesty for Hosts.  Their support is awful, but when it works (most of the time) it works really well and to me provides the best calendar interface.   But like I said there are lots of them and a lot of folks like different ones for different reasons.  Just survey them and see what you like, they pretty much do the same things.

I use a smartthings hub, with RBOYs rental lock automator software with kwikset locks, which is a pay for one time thing, and then that lets you automate your door lock codes.  And since I bind it to the calendar in my management software it works with airbnb and vrbo.  Sure they take batteries, but it should be months not weeks like someone else mentioned before you need to swap out the batteries

Like @Michael Baum I too use the Emerson Sensi thermostat which lets you have wifi control over your thermostat.  It is simple to use and I found it much easier to work with than fancier ones such as ecobee and nest.  I have ecobee at my house, and I have tested NEST.  I just think the Emerson is the easiest and the one that causes the least issues.  I'm sure others may have different opinions.

I use SignNow so guests can digitally sign my rental agreements.  I use Zapier to to automate this task as well as to send my guests the initial welcome package info once I have received the signed contract.

All other guest communication, follow up week before arrival, day after check in email, day before check out email etc.. is handled through the management software as well as scheduling my cleaners.

I use hostfully digital guidebooks as well. This can be done manually, printed out and put in a binder, or you could even create a shared google doc with your STR manual if you want to do it digitally. For me, hostfully, just made the process a lot easier. I put a ton of info in it as well as recommendations of things to do in my guidebooks so this has definitely cut down on my question and it also gives me a place to point to for those guests who start asking what there is to do in the area. Once my guest sign the contract, they have access to my guidebook. It also lets me collect email addresses of my guests if I want to ever create a mailing list.

With just 1 property, it wouldn't be worth it to do everything I have done. Once you have a few, I wouldn't dream of doing it without my automation and control systems in place. Having said all that, I would recommend you run your STR without all these things for awhile, so you understand all the ins and outs and types of communications and issues and problems you will have as well as how to handle them manually. Automation is wonderful - when it works. When it doesn't, you need to be prepared to step in. Fortunately, it works 95% of the time.