All Forum Posts by: Carolyn Fuller

I think you responded exactly as I would have responded. 

Of course it isn’t your fault but it also isn’t your guest’s fault. You should do everything possible to fix the issue even it ends up costing more than the rental fees.

Bottom line is we are in the hospitality industry and we need to adjust to that fact. 

I love the smart locks because I love living my life without keys and I don't enjoy trying to get a key out of a lockbox but there are so many advantages of a lockbox over a smart lock...

Which smart lock [& hub] to choose is a complex decision. 

My STR is in an urban area so I love it that I can create hundreds of 8 digit codes remotely and delete them after a guest leaves. And I live above my STR so I wanted a Z-Wave compatible lock so the hub could be in my kitchen and a guest wouldn't accidentally disconnect it. Also, Z-Wave & Zigby locks use a lot less battery power than wi-fi locks.

I think what I'm trying to communicate is that it all depends upon what your specific requirements are. In a lot of ways the world's "internet of things" aren't quite ready for prime time. IOTs are NOT a plug and play kind of experience.

I am using Yale locks on my house and my STR unit, with both of them connected to a SmartThings hub, which by the way has been discontinued. Sigh... Like I said this IOT industry is rapidly changing and is not yet at the plug and play stage but, so far, my hub and locks are still working and I they do exactly what I want them to do.

Here is what I say after the guest checks out. It not only gets me 5 stars, it also elicits GREAT suggestions:

"[guest name],

Thanks! Safe travels and hope to host your next trip to Cambridge.

Don't forget to leave us a review on Airbnb!

Also, we strive for a five star experience. Is there any feedback/ suggestions or items to improve the home for the next guest stay?

For those trying to secure a distant place to live in the future, in person visits are not always possible. I recommend Zoom meetings with prospective landlords, preferably with the landlord at the rental unit and remember if the price is too good to be true, it probably is a scam. 

Quote from @John Carbone:

Quote from @Carolyn Fuller:

How many of the places are unregulated and over saturated? My revenue is not off but my units are in a regulated market.

What happens when your “regulated” rentals decide to change laws and “regulate” you out of your rentals? Or is the model, get in an area, get established, then fight to keep it status quo and to keep competition out so you continue to flourish all thanks wonderful government regulation.

sounds like mafia back in the old days. Not very progressive. 

I’ll take my unregulated markets and let the market flush out the weak competition.  All of the Airbnb listings I’ve seen in the regulated markets are generally lower quality. 

 In Massachusetts, the cities and towns are responsible for the regulations. The towns in Cape Cod and the Islands chose to avoid strict regulations so many investors swept in and bought up properties. Cape Cod and the Islands are experiencing an over saturation of STRs with many rentals being empty while the local businesses are unable to hire staff because the staff are not able to find housing. Sure the free-market will work itself out but how long will it take? I kinda liked the Cape better when there was a better balance. Regulations can help create balance.

How many of the places are unregulated and over saturated? My revenue is not off but my units are in a regulated market.

@Brittany Harrison An example of a fixed term lease for Massachusetts is the Greater Boston Real Estate Board's Fixed Term sample lease. I suspect you will want to find something similar for the state where you have rental(s).

https://www.lrgboston.com/pdfs...

There are also online lawyer services that offer leases tailored to each state, for example Rocket Lawyer (https://www.rocketlawyer.com)

You can try joining the Massachusetts Airbnb Host FB group. You might need to be a host before you can join...

https://www.facebook.com/group...

Quote from @Michael Baum:

I am not surprised. It is too bad really. CA has such a varied pool of places to do and things to do, you could go there 10 times and never do the same thing.

I hope @Carolyn Fuller is correct that it might not be a big deal. People want to go to CA and they just might pay to stay and play.

 It certainly won't impact my trips to California nor my preference to stay in STRs.

I believe it is 3% more than hotels & occupancy taxes but it might be 5.5% more. And yes, STRs are restricted in Cambridge and Boston. Boston actually has enforcements with teeth. Cambridge, unfortunately, does not. We still have illegal listings in Cambridge which is where my STR is.