All Forum Posts by: Anja Schaer

Hey Marc, I’d skip the string lights—they can come off as a bit cheap and more suited for a dorm room than a romantic getaway. If you’re aiming for ambiance, consider dimmable wall sconces, warm LED strip lighting behind a headboard, or flameless candles on a timer. Soft, indirect lighting will elevate the space without looking gimmicky.

Small design choices make a big impact on guest experience and ADR, so think about what aligns with the upscale, intimate vibe you want. Hope that helps!

Hey John, If STRs get banned, pivoting to mid-term rentals (MTRs) could be a solid move—especially targeting executives, relocating families, or insurance placements. High-end properties can also work for corporate retreats or event rentals, depending on zoning. If none of those options make financial sense, selling and doing a 1031 exchange into a more STR-friendly market could be the best long-term play.

The key is having multiple exit strategies before buying. If regulations feel shaky, you might want to rethink tying up capital in a high-end STR unless it can work as an MTR or LTR too.

Hey Brandon,

You'll want to charge at least what your cleaner is asking—$100-$120 is actually pretty standard for STR cleanings, especially if it's a larger home. If you undercharge, you'll be paying out of pocket, and that's not sustainable. Guests are used to cleaning fees, but if you're worried about sticker shock, you can always roll some of the cost into the nightly rate.

Also, check similar listings in your area to make sure you're in line with the market. A good cleaner is key to getting 5-star reviews, so it's worth making sure they're paid fairly and do a great job. Good luck with your STR!

Hey Suhaib, Since STRs aren’t an option in Folsom, mid-term rentals (MTRs) could be a great way to close your cash flow gap. Renting to travel nurses, corporate professionals, or relocating families can bring in 2-3x long-term rental rates with less turnover. Platforms like Furnished Finder or working with insurance housing providers can help.

Co-living (renting by the room) is another option—it takes more management but can significantly boost income. If you’re open to it, screening tenants well is key.

I hear you—Booking.com can be a mixed bag. A lot of hosts run into the same issues with unverified guests, delayed payments, and no way to review bad guests. It’s built more for hotels, so it doesn’t always work as smoothly for STRs.

Some hosts make it work by raising prices to filter out problem guests, using a channel manager to stay organized, and leaning more on Airbnb/Vrbo for better guest screening. Personally, I had a rental where guests kept sneaking in extras and leaving a mess. Tweaking my pricing and screening process helped attract better bookings.

If it’s causing more stress than it’s worth, it might not be the right fit. Hope that helps!

Hey! I'm Anja, an STR/MTR host and co-host here in the area. It's great to see you getting into the investment world! I'd love to connect with more local investors and professionals. If you're interested in networking or have any questions about short-term or mid-term rentals, feel free to reach out! Looking forward to connecting!

That sounds like a solid plan! Scaling up quickly in the next few years gives you the flexibility to reassess and dive deeper into real estate if things are working out. Starting strong and seeing where it takes you is smart—plus, cutting back to part-time once you're established would give you the freedom to focus more on what you enjoy.

You're right, STRs can offer higher profits than LTRs, and a good property manager can definitely ease the workload. They’ll handle most of the day-to-day stuff—guest communication, cleaning, and maintenance. However, you’ll likely still be involved with things like setting prices, approving major repairs, and keeping an eye on finances. It’s important to have a clear contract to make sure roles and expectations are well-defined. That way, you’ll know exactly what to expect from the property manager and what’s still on your plate.

Hi Michael, your Cooperative Assignment Strategy is a clever low-capital entry, but for faster cash flow to fund long-term goals, short-term rentals (STRs) can outpace it. AirDNA’s 2024 data shows STRs in vacation markets like Fort Lauderdale averaging $200-$300/night—potentially $4,000-$6,000/month after expenses—beating wholesaling or lease option grind. Start with a single furnished property near a hotspot, reinvest profits into your portfolio.

I'm Anja, an STR and mid-term rental expert in North Atlanta (North Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, Cherokee, Paulding). I guided a newbie to flip a $15K Cherokee STR setup into $60K annual profit, funding his first long-term buy in 18 months. List on Airbnb, optimize pricing with PriceLabs, and you'll see quick returns. How soon do you want that capital? Let's brainstorm your first STR!

Hi John, switching your LTR to an STR after bonus depreciation won't trigger immediate recapture—depreciation continues under MACRS unless sold, as Ashish and Michael noted. Per 2024 IRS trends, STRs averaging 7 days or less can shift income to non-passive if you meet participation rules (100+ hours), offsetting other income, but watch for self-employment tax if you add services.

I'm Anja, an STR/MTR host and co-host in North Atlanta (North Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, Cherokee, Paulding). I flipped a Cobb LTR to STR last year—post-conversion, a cost segregation study cut my tax bill by $8K with accelerated deductions. Consult a CPA to optimize this; it's key for hosts. Curious about STR revenue boosts? Let's connect!