Having a cookout for your STR tenants?

[Paul Sandhu]

Several years ago, when I had less properties, every place I had was rented with people doing some specialty maintenance work at a refinery.  I had the same 63 people renting from me for over a month.  Now I have about 5 more properties, and have 83 beds (including sofa beds). 

There is another big maintenance project starting soon.  My goal is to have 100+ tenants.  People hot swap beds.  I provide 2 sets of sheets/blankets with some of my beds.

The people work 12 hours a day, 13 days in a row.  The 14th day is their fatigue day, a day off.  I'm thinking about telling all my tenants that if there are 100 people renting from me, I'll have a cookout at their house on their fatigue day.  I have a 16' dual axle flatbed trailer that can hold 4 big grills and a keg of beer.  I'll drive this to the back yard of the fatigue day house and have a cookout for my tenants. 

I'm doing this for the word of mouth advertising it will get me.  My tenants will tell other non-tenants that are staying in a motel what a great deal they have with staying in my houses.  When these people leave, there might be a list of people waiting for the empty house.  Ideas?

[Michael Baum]

@Paul Sandhu I think that is a great idea! Nothing like a cool extra to drive business.

I would do a real mix of burgers, sausage, etc but include some ribs (both pork and beef) and maybe some steaks.

I would go to Costco and look at bulk meat or a good local butcher. It is amazing how much you can save. For example, I bought a 30lb New York roast. Just under 4 bucks a pound. I cut about 18 steaks (16oz each) and used the rest for Christmas. That was at Costco. They have great meats.

Personally I think that will boost your business a bunch. Those guys will talk and talk about it. I would start looking for a few more of those $9500 homes you find.