STR software options

[Kristine Garberg]

Hello!  

Just getting started with my first STR. I'm looking for advice on what software is worth the investment for just one unit. Channel managers, property management, pricing tools, messaging, etc. Any advice is appreciated. I'm willing to spend the money upfront to do it right but don't want to waste money on something that isn't that helpful for just one listing.

[Craig Glendenning]

Hi Kristine!

I would encourage you to start with a clarifying question: "What are my unsolved STR management problems?" When I did this, I came up with things like:

- I have to be involved with scheduling cleans with my cleaner

- The way I want the property cleaned is not how it is being cleaned

- When something goes missing, I have no idea which guest took it.

- I am not on the first page of search results in AirBnB

...

Then, each unsolved problem was clear which then allowed me to rank them and batch them, then find the software that solves each unsolved problem. My personal software choices:

- AirBnB: My only marketing & guest communication platform

- Hospitable.com: Manage cleaner communication, reminders (did the guest lock the doors?)

- Breezeway: manages cleaner checklists, before/after photos, distributing work between cleaners, primary/backups, etc.

- Ring: All my cameras, and my Z-wave smart door locks for visibility

- AirDnA: market research

- Instacart: for emergency delivery of a blender when a previous guest steals one.

- pricelabs: dynamic pricing

Rejected software: (If you work for these companies, or are associated with them don't be offended...they just did not work for me personally)

- Rankbreeze: I was able to construct most of the SEO related experiments myself with a google incognito window.

- tidy.com: I found it a bit cumbersome to navigate and use.

Hope this helps!

Craig