All Forum Posts by: Brian Barch

All the comments on BP, Facebook or instagram that I've read are from actual STR owners and they all say the same thing "I haven't experienced this at all"

This was posted by Nick Gerli using some source called AllTheRooms which is not a reliable authority on STRs.

He also predicted the Nashville market will crash 34% in 2023. We only have about 40% to go in the second half of the year!

He has the same credibility as Peter Schiff. They have predicted 25 of the last 2 crashes.

Agreed on all fronts. He admits he’s a Peter Schiff understudy. And obviously he makes money on predicting bad news whether or not it comes.

0 Votes

While still useful to see an understand, as a forecaster for a profession….I would never advise someone compare to an anomaly year, whatever the reason much less a once in a lifetime event like COVID.
id love to see the data relative to 2019 though…

5 Votes

Quote from @Caleb Miller:

I bought a cabin earlier this year in the smokies at a "terrible time" to invest with a terrible interest rate but am still cash flowing a little. I crunched numbers for months and finally found something that still made sense during a tough time in the short term rental market. You can make money at any time during any market, strategies just have to change. I am not focused on instant cash flow in year 1 but focused more on the 5-10 year outlook.

Agreed. I knowingly bought at a terrible time in the NE GA mountains. The time was right for me, I have the interest and the money and it serves as a family getaway.

the sellers got nervous the city was adding (reasonable) regulations so they panicked and sold.

it rents great and makes us money. I bought for the long term 20+ years. It would have been silly to ask someone “is now a good time to buy in this market…”

0 Votes

Quote from @Michael Baum:

Well, personally I don't mind ponying up a couple of days to someone doing Gods work.

Especially seeing as someone I kinda know and trust like @Nathan Gesner is mentioning it.

I have given out free days to people who had to cancel due to major health issues. We had an older couple book with their family. The husband had a major stroke and could no longer navigate stairs. They had to cancel last minute (after the 14 day cutoff). I refunded them completely.

I then hosted them for 3 days free a year later after he was doing much better. It was more off season as we are solidly booked for 5 months a year but it was early fall. They spent so much of their retirement on medical bills they could no longer afford any kind of getaway.

I was happy to do it. They were great guests. This is not a toot my own horn type of post, but one that realizes that sometimes it's good to provides something to others.

My 2 cents, as per usual.

Wait a minute….

are trying to suggest a host should be…..hospitable???

0 Votes

Salem, Oregon

Quote from @Monique P.:

This is interesting, has anyone seen this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

This guy has been a real estate doom and gloomier for going on 3 years now….

3 Votes

Quote from @Jason Jennings:

Quote from @Melissa Nash:

Quote from @Bonny Drago:

@Melissa Nash omg just saw your reply ! I am still looking but this has given me pause ! I am not set on owning a house there was doing it more as a business! To start getting some cash flow ! I even thought of Oxnard by the water and Maui 😂

The market is very oversaturated there.... one of my cabins that usually at 90% occupancy for the last 3 years is less than 12% occupancy right now. So, there is not cashflow to be had right now. Not to be a debbie downer, but its the county's fault for allowing 3000+ new STR's during covid with no cap, and the locals are not having it, but more than that-its over saturated and pricing is a race to the bottom. I highly recommend looking in areas NOT oversaturated for best success.

Hello! I ran across this via Google. We currently own a 3 bedroom nice cabin up in Lake Arrowhead. We have been against turning it into a STR. I am up here right now and realized I have been here 4 times in the past year. As much as I would like to keep it private, I feel like its leaving a lot of money on the table. I am exploring the idea if turning this into a part time STR is a good idea even if it is only supplemental income to defer some costs of the mortgage. I am not necessary looking to make enough to cover everything, but it seems such a waste to sit here unused as much as it is. Thoughts?

I very much recommend doing this. It takes the pressure off of needing to use the place X times per year.
also, it forced us to operate it as a business. We did deferred maintenance, and made the place not just nice enough for us, but nice enough for others as well

0 Votes

Investing is personal.

What I'm missing are your goals. Is this also a place for you or loved ones to stay when they are in town. Is this solely for profit purposes?

I don't like condos for STRs. why?

HOA dues are variable and go up with time. Assessments can be large and unpredictable. You are competing with other units solely on interior and price. Your appreciation is dependent on the entire building and its upkeep. HOA's are just one more governing board that can shut you down.

Without knowing all of the above, I'm generally a fan of your first deal being small and manageable (sounds like this is) so you can learn the game while minimizing downside risk. Then, once you've built equity, you can leverage for the next deal, which beats being on the sidelines waiting for "perfect" to come.

1 Vote

Knoxville, Tennessee

Homes in highlands cost 2-3x the surrounding towns. It’s the aspen of the east. But perhaps unjustifiably so. The clientele tends to skew old and stuffy.

I’d stick to Franklin, Clayton, Westminster, hayesville, Bryson city

2 Votes

Western NC, North Carolina

I’m originally from Apple valley.

It strikes me as a community that would be against STR. I would not buy just to STR there either

0 Votes

Saint Paul, Minnesota

I have only gotten last minute bookings in the last 8 months. By last minute, most are 1-2 weeks out, max of 3. I am in an inexpensive, driveable market.

for the most part, last minute bookings is really another way to say ADR drop/demand drop. Guests are waiting to get lower rates and aren’t feeling the need to fight for dates

2 Votes

All Forum Posts by: Brian Barch

Brian Barch has started 3 posts and replied 272 times.

Post: AirBnB Revenue Collapse? Near 50% in some areas......?

Post: AirBnB Revenue Collapse? Near 50% in some areas......?

Post: Is now a good time to invest in the Smokies?

Post: Pacific NW - Anyone willing to donate a couple nights to a missions couple?

Post: Arizona STR market article

Post: STR in Lake Arrowhead ?

Post: Help analyzing deal

Post: Highlands Cashiers Market

Post: Apple Valley has essentially banned STR - Should we fight it?

Post: ADR (Average Daily Rate) Drop and Last Minute Bookings