Which Automation Program Best for Short-Term/AirBnB? System

Question

So There's AirGMS and VRhost and some other vacation/short term management software programs

Of these dozens of options for vacation rental management software has anyone here used any and recommend them?

I'm looking for something similar to Appfolio or Buildium (which I use) to manage multifamily units.

I'm just testing a few units now I own and manage about 50 units across the country but am just pilot testing a few short term rentals locally. 2-3 in Long Beach/ Los Angeles, CA

Avery Carl · Answer

A lot of the STR management tools have different specialties.  My advice is to manage manually for a little while (if you haven't been already) and see which management tasks you LEAST prefer to do, and then choose the tool that does those tasks the best.

Eric P. · Answer

I’ve seen AirGMS mentioned & praised on BP more than any other STR mgmt software.

If you search BP, you’ll find some threads on this. Here’s one of them:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/530/topics/677062-str-automation-resources?page=2#p4039892

Ken Latchers · Answer

I will be using OwnerReservations for a variety of reasons, but there are a lot of things that go into "automating" this. Don't listen to the hype. There is a lot of work in customizing stuff to YOUR needs.

Kerry Baird · Answer

@Will F., have you decided on one of the rental management software companies?

Will F. · Answer

UPDATES

So I put up my airbnb ad and I've already got May and part of June booked on 2 units.

So I'd say this test been doing pretty well.  I also flip houses, used my stager and my own furniture I've collected for flip staging, and have been investing for 20 years in multifamily/ flips.

It's been a grind the last couple weeks but now we're systematizing it and already have cleaners and helpers to show it...just local people I've used for repairs and apartment cleanings

So I'm probably just good at this -- not to toot my own horn lol but I am...

I'll let ya'll know how STR goes.  I have about 40 more units i control in LA/ long beach and might expand this to 1/5 of them. I would not recommend this model if you don't have other units to fall back on or are completely new. It's more of a hospitality model than residential

Will F. · Answer

So far I'm able to balance 3 STR units on AirBnb without a third party management software.  The AirBNB software is pretty user friendly and it's been relatively easy for me and a partner to manage it passively.

We also have 3 local cleaners who do turnover on the units which has helped a lot since we have relationships with them

Good luck

Shelby Pracht · Answer

@Will F. I also ended up with OwnerRez. I don't like that they don't use the native Airbnb messaging system, but send emails instead. I was using a service called AvivaIQ and I loved the the structure and ease of use, but they just got too expense as I started growing.

Sounds like AirGMS could be great if you only have a couple of properties, but paying per an extra $20 per month PER PROPERTY put it out of my price range quickly as well. I only have 10 properties but 2k/ mo would really eat into profit.

Tyann Marcink · Answer

I use OwnerRez as well, after extensive research. It covered my needs at a reasonable price, and it does a lot more for me to grow into. I'm happy to share my referral link if you message me.

Mike V. · Answer

Recently made the switch to OwnerRez for e-mail automation.  Love it.  Took a little longer than expected to setup but now that it's done... makes my life 10x easier.

It sends confirmation e-mails, check in instructions a week prior to arrival, post check out follow ups, etc...  its really awesome.

Chris McHaney · Answer

We started using AirGMS for our 5 listings about 10 months ago, and I can honestly say that I can't imagine doing things without it. It provides a ton of automation for messaging. The best thing to me though is the customization of the messaging using tags such as <>, <>, and so many others. You can save all of these templates and have them automatically go out based off of triggers, such as Instant Bookings or inquires or based off of time (e.g. 7 days prior to check in for check in instructions as an example).

Which Automation Program Best for Short-Term/AirBnB? System

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