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Updated over 2 years ago,
Any Advice for STR Management?
I had an awesome opportunity to work (as this companies first 1099 employee) for a new Hospitality company in NOLA. I've been a business owner in the hospitality industry since college, over a decade ago so it was exciting to start a new adventure. I was suppose to shadow them(investor and property manager) for 6 months-1 year before being able to step into my guest services role. I interviewed, landed the position and by the end of my second day I was single-handedly managing 15 STRs, coordinating cleanings, repairs, responding to emergencies etc. Amazing-Great-loved it, I thrive in these types of situations. After my third month of management, increasingly producing top rating reviews, while increasing their reviews, booking from my own clientele into properties when they were empty, hours and hours of market research to maximize our listings, spread sheets if resources… I found myself questioning the validity of there intentions. One example: Moving bookings from one house(investor A) to another (his own personal property) and saying that they "canceled" and requesting I switch over new inquiries to their personally invested property. Second example: Customers that they didn't have a response for such as something being left Uncleaned, their car was vandalized, pool was murky: I was advise to leave them unread. The best way to describe it was greedy, patronizing and unsettling for him to even request that I do such a thing. It turned into more of a morality decision to part ways. They hired me to be head of guest services but when I focused too much on guest experience, there was always some form of criticism. Advice: I have received three different property owners who have reached out asking why I've left and if I can manage their properties personally. If, being a STR property manager, you were posed with this situation what is your best next step? My contract didn't specify any competitive clause and I have started my own listings and management business. Any advice would help and thank you in advance for responding.