All Forum Posts by: Brent H.

Thanks to all!

Happy new year fellow short term rental investors! Hope all is well with you...

I have an opportunity to travel internationally for a week in early summer (we have just 1 rental in the US, and we will travel to Europe)

Has anyone traveled overseas while hosting, and if so, did you have any trouble with VRBO, Airbnb, wifi door locks or other apps/property management software?

I will have access to the internet on my iPhone (and I may bring a laptop for back up)

Please let me know if you had success hosting from afar, or if you had trouble. I would of course consider the time zone difference.

Thanks!

Brent

Wi-Fi door lock question: We have a Schlage Encode and our handyman will install a new one. Can a new wi-Fi door lock be set up with a handyman but without me having to travel to the rental to connect my phone/app to the new lock? Guessing I need to be there to be able to sync up my phone so I can control the door codes. Thanks!!!

Thanks and thanks Michael Baum - Yes, I think we would need to move and make it our primary, then consider making it a lake rental in the future...We'll do some research to determine if Auburn allows short term rentals - might be better for student housing/long term

Curious if anyone has had success with short-term rentals at Lake Martin or Auburn University in Alabama?

And/or ----if anyone has used their rental or rental LLC to qualify for in-state tuition?

Thanks

Hi Nathan - Yes the rental agreement and ID are house rules and it is sent to guests right away/or the same day as when they book. They have blocked my calendar and have not provided these document over a two month span and even VRBO could not get them to send these documents. Plus they did not pay the second payment and refused to pay the second payment. VRBO said the guest thinks they paid but VRBO said they did not and talked with them directly a few times.  There has not been an issue otherwise from any other guests so far this year. This probably would have been a disaster guest.

Thanks for great advice everyone - and the Premier Partner status number worked. I had to give a refund so it would not affect my metrics/status but the reservation was only for 3 nights and my September is booking up with last minute reservations. I'd rather not deal with this anymore...hopefully this guest won't try to book again. Thanks!

Hi Short Term Experts: what would you do in this situation?

Guest has been on my VRBO calendar for a couple of months

We require picture ID (our HOA is strict about being over 25 years old) (House Rule)

We also require a signature on a short rental agreement (House Rule)

The Guest paid one payment but his second payment is overdue

Guest says he already paid the second payment (VRBO told him he did not)

The reservation came through Expedia since they are partners with VRBO

Guest has so far delayed sending me his ID and rental agreement for several weeks 

VRBO said that the guest says he paid and he will not pay again

I can't cancel his reservation without it affecting my superhost metrics

I'm not sure if he will cancel - because if he does he loses 100% of his payment (unless I give it back to him)

He's probably mad and my 5 star average rating will likely go down (have twelve, 5-stars so far -just getting started)

Thanks for your help! I haven't had any problems with guests, until now.

Brent

Great comments- Thank you everyone!

Hello! Received this inquiry from a potential guest and was wondering how you would handle the first two? 

I could provide a discount but, with a late checkout, I would not be able book the next night since check in is at 4pm.

Thanks!

1. Would you offer a military discount

2. Would you honor late check out on August 29th? Our flight does not leave until that evening

2. How far is the unit from the airport/ what is your recommendation for transportation?

3. Is there plenty of shops and restaurants within walking distance?