Marketing and Billing a STR

[Julia Ferris]

I am house hacking by living in a converted carport apartment in my house and STR the main house. It has been going very well. However, I am increasingly worrying that since most of my bookings come through AirBNB, my business is at that platforms mercy. I believe that they are increasingly enacting policies that are not in hosts best interest. Since I only have one property, and want to manage myself, I have been reluctant to take direct bookings. Booking through platforms offers liability protection, as well as, credit card processing, not to mention marketing. Does anyone out there run a short term rental business with low overhead, but not relaying on AirBNB, VRBO, etc.? Have any credit card processing, technology, or marketing tips?