STR Automation Resources

[Michael Stokes]

Hello all,

I am currently analyzing properties for my first STR in TN. I am very interested to try and optimize as much as possible especially since I will be remote with this property. I plan to have a local property manager but will handle marketing and everything up to check in myself.

I am curious if there are good books or blogs dedicated to this practice that can be recommended. I am curious to learn as much as I can about the process such as automating emails after booking (maybe MailChimp), generating a keycode on an automated lock (something like ResortLock), communicating with cleaning staff, etc.

Thanks for the recommendations!

[Tim Schroeder]

Originally posted by @Michael Stokes:

@John Underwood I want a PM there to handle anything related to maintenance or other problems that come up, especially anything off hours.

I understand your desire to have someone to "Take care of things". But are you willing to give away 30-40% of gross income for that peace of mind?  I manage two properties from 1500 miles away. Many people around here manage 5 or more.

On Monday a guest texted me and said the gas fireplace wouldn't work. (It's been getting worse for months and so this came as no surprise). I texted the maintenance guy, he swung by and looked at it and sent me pics (it's trashed -- controls and valves are melted beyond repair). Guest was pleased and impressed at the fast response. I went on the local Facebook cabin owners group and searched for "fireplace repair". Called the guy everyone raved about. Gave him a unique electronic door code, which I deleted the following day. Two days later I have a new gas fireplace that I haven't seen. With luck, I will never see it. Well, actually I watched him bring it in on my security cam but you get the idea. He emailed me the bill, which I paid through Paypal, then copied the receipt to Dropbox which I'll give it to my accountant next year.

All on my Smartphone: Three texts, a Facebook search, a door code app, security cam app, Paypal app, Dropbox app. I did it all from my desk at my day job. 

This property grossed about $110,000 the first year. Am I going to pay a PM $44,000 to do that for me?  No. Freaking. Way.

To be fair, it's sometimes a PITA. People call with stupid questions. They complain about stupid things, like leaves on the porch or how I should provide instructions for the remote controls. Sometimes you want to scream IT'S A CABIN IN THE MOUNTAINS YOU IDIOT -- LEAVES ARE PART OF THE DEAL!!  One guest complained that I didn't have an egg slicer. An egg slicer!?!?!  I had to google it to see what it was. I get about one "issue" a month. 

But for an extra $44,000 I can put up with a lot of dumb questions.