All Forum Posts by: Andrew Street

Hey Nick! Congrats on your first STR in Sevierville—sounds like a strong start! Offering discounts and opening up your calendar are great steps. For more bookings, consider promoting on social media or offering last-minute deals.

Regarding ticket partnerships, local attractions or smaller groups might be more flexible than larger platforms like Xplorie. Viator could also be a good option to explore. Happy to connect and share ideas! 😊

Hello Lei! Investing in Hawaii sounds like an amazing plan! Ko Olina is a beautiful spot - and having a vacation home there for your family while focusing on capital appreciation is a smart move. 

To get started - I'd recommend connecting with local STR investors and researching Hawaii's regulations. Partnering with an experienced local agent will be key—they can guide you through the market and help identify the best opportunities.

Happy to connect and share more tips! 😊

Hi Jules - It depends on the target market and guest expectations. Many hosts still provide linens as it's considered standard, especially in high-end or family-friendly properties. However, in beach or driving-destination areas, some guests prefer bringing their own for hygiene or personal comfort reasons. If you decide not to provide linens, make sure to clearly communicate this in your listing to avoid surprises.

I'd be happy to connect if you need more ideas! 

Hi Thu - Congrats on your first STR purchase—so exciting!

If you buy the existing furniture, it’ll save you time and let you start hosting sooner, especially if the permit comes through quickly. But if the permit takes a while (like the full 3 months), you’d have time to decorate the place exactly how you want.

As for the bookings, if the permit gets approved fast, you could take over the current ones for instant income. If there’s a delay, it might make more sense to cancel or refund those bookings and use the time to get everything ready for a fresh start.

Since it’s Joshua Tree and the peak season is winding down, it’s worth deciding if you want to jump in now or take some time to set things up for a solid relaunch.

Good luck, and let me know if you need any more advice! 

Hello Jonathan! Providing essentials like laundry detergent, toiletries, and scent oils is a great touch for guests! It's common practice to stock enough for a few days, as you've been doing, and let guests purchase more if needed for longer stays. To keep things simple, you could store extra supplies in a locked closet. This approach balances guest convenience with managing costs and inventory.

Happy to connect and share more tips!

Hey Dan - That sounds incredibly frustrating, especially after hosting so many successful stays over the years. If you haven’t already, make sure you’ve documented everything thoroughly—photos, messages, invoices—and highlight the guest’s negligence, like leaving windows and doors open in extreme weather.

If you haven’t heard back after asking to escalate, follow up again and politely but firmly request that a senior claims specialist review the case. Emphasize that this was due to the guest’s actions, not an “act of God.”

If escalation doesn’t work, consider sharing your experience in Airbnb host forums or on social media to get their attention. You might also want to look into supplemental insurance for future stays, like Proper Insurance or Safely, to cover situations where Airbnb’s support falls short.

I'd be happy to help more. Let me know! 

Hey Marc - Congrats on launching your new STR! Here's how to start getting reviews:

Ask friends or family to book a stay and leave an honest review. For your first guests, go the extra mile—leave a welcome note, provide thoughtful amenities, and ensure the place is spotless.

After their stay, send a friendly message like, “Thanks for staying! If you enjoyed it, we’d love a quick review—it helps us a lot!”

Stay responsive and make sure guests feel valued. Share your listing on social media to bring in more bookings and keep the momentum going.

Need help crafting a review request or tweaking your listing? Let me know!

Hey Marc - Adding board games to your STR can definitely be worth it! They're affordable and a hit with families and groups, especially for evenings or bad weather. Games like Uno, Jenga, or Monopoly are easy crowd-pleasers. Other low-cost amenities that can boost ROI include a coffee and tea station with basic supplies, a welcome basket with snacks and water, or small outdoor games like cornhole. Offering a smart TV with streaming services, USB chargers by the beds, and premium bathroom toiletries are also great touches that guests love. Even simple extras like local guidebooks or maps can make a big difference. Little things like these can help you stand out and bring in better reviews!

I'd be happy to connect to share more ideas! 

Hey Marc - I understand not wanting to pay for plumbing work, but fixing the issue by getting a plumber might be the best option. Having a main water source available is pretty important and not having it could affect your reviews. A quick fix now can save you from potential negative feedback later on.

I'd be happy to discuss more ideas! Let me know. 

Hi Elizabeth - I know how tough it can be to manage laundry for a 6BR rental, especially with high-quality linens and tight turnarounds. Honestly, upgrading to a commercial-grade stackable setup like Speed Queen or Maytag might be your best bet. They’re built for heavy use and have faster drying times—usually 30–45 minutes—without needing major electrical changes.

If you’re up for a bigger investment, adding extra stackable units in the garage could be a great long-term fix, though it’ll mean some electrical work and setting up proper ventilation.

I’d probably go for the commercial upgrade in your current space first—it’s quicker and might solve the bottleneck right away. Let me know if you want to chat more about it or need specific model ideas!