All Forum Posts by: Andrea Cole

Just a quick question:

Do you recommend a separate AirBnB account for hosting vs. being a guest? We're FINALLY ready to list our STR and I'm trying to figure out if I should list it on my personal account or create a new account attached to our business email. My husband and I will be managing 2 full-time STR. I've been leaning towards a separate account but I wanted to make sure.

Thanks!

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I will STR both sides so no LTR planned at the moment.

@Paul Sandhu Yes to smart TV/Roku and yes to high speed. 

@Sid Payne Thanks for the feedback! I've looked into mesh systems as an option. Good to know it's working for folks.

@Scott Ellis I will look into setting up two networks. Thanks!

Sounds to me like I get one high-speed service and use a combo of mesh and networking to get the coverage I need.

We're getting close to listing our first duplex on Air BnB. Since it's a duplex with a shared center wall, I'm trying to decide if I buy independent WiFi for each side or just have one side share it with the other. Overall sq. ft. is 2,300. Essentially it's setup like a 5 bed/2 bath house that's cut down the middle with bathrooms upstairs. 

Thoughts?

High Point, NC. We get a lot of business travel since it's the furniture capital of the world. There are also a good bit of hospitals and colleges in the area.

@Glen R. @Mike V.

Thanks for all the input. This has put my mind at ease a bit. Would you mind sharing how you sourced your house cleaner? Referrals? Websites? Professional cleaning services?

Hello! 

My husband and I are getting ready to list our first property on AirBnB. We're a 30 minute drive from it and in the beginning we'll be the ones turning it over but I'd love to know how distance hosts manage preparing for the next guest. How to you schedule cleaners? Check on thoroughness? Do they also refill/replenish things (TP, paper towels, etc.) What do you do about sheets and bath towels?

I know it'll be a game of trial and error in the beginning but I'm just looking for some tips from others that have gone through it to lessen the learning curve. 

Thanks!

Per usual, check with your local zoning laws. They'll be laws on land use based on zoning--land use meaning what's the max residential structures allowed on the total plot of land. There's also considerations on how they will view the container. Will it be a permanent structure with all the usual connections (water, electric, sewer, etc.) or will it be viewed as a secondary dwelling like a shed or garage? How you chose to outfit the container controls this. 

Also, if it's on land that you also live one, I think you'll have an easier time with this--especially AirBnb. Renting gets back into the zoning issue I think. If it's land you purchased and placed a container on, it might be more complicated.

As a side note, I find this whole alternative housing "movement" intriguing so I did some research recently on buying land and allowing tiny housers to rent plots as they're traveling. Unfortunately laws haven't caught up yet and my plan is riddled with issues related to zoning, land use, and minimum housing sizes. As a way to make a quick buck on land I already own my plan makes sense but to buy land and go into business of essentially a tiny house park, it doesn't make sense at all--at least not in a way I've found YET!

Anywho, just my 2 cents.

How does a 6-month vs. a year long lease agreement factor in when refinancing? We're considering adding a tenant at our own home and refi'ing our duplex very soon. Just wondering how doing a 6-month with affect how lend-able we are. Does the lease term matter?

@Adam Odom

Here's the exact breakdown and you're right-- the treads are a large part.

Sand and finish floors: 1,466 sq ft @ $2.75 per sq ft= $4,031.50

Supply and install moulding: 520 sq ft @ $1= $520

Sand and finish treads: 32 @ $40= $1,280

And I feel like $2.75 is high from what everyone else experiences...

My husband and I are 85% done on rehabbing our first investment property. It's a 1942 duplex in High Point, NC that we plan to AirBnB. 

When I originally did my budget, I didn't include refinishing the floors but after months of construction they're looking pretty rough. There are gouges in a few spots and the poly is chipping in a few areas. I'm thinking refinishing them is worth doing now rather than later since the place will never be as empty as it is now but my husband is unsure if it's worth the investment. 

Has anyone had to make this choice before? And what did you decide? Just looking for some sound advice or maybe some alternatives (?). The first quote came in at close to $6k for 1400 sq ft, mouldings, and 40 stair treads.