Skip to content
×
Try PRO Free Today!
BiggerPockets Pro offers you a comprehensive suite of tools and resources
Market and Deal Finder Tools
Deal Analysis Calculators
Property Management Software
Exclusive discounts to Home Depot, RentRedi, and more
$0
7 days free
$828/yr or $69/mo when billed monthly.
$390/yr or $32.5/mo when billed annually.
7 days free. Cancel anytime.
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here
Pick markets, find deals, analyze and manage properties. Try BiggerPockets PRO.
x
All Forum Categories
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

All Forum Posts by: Collin Hays

Collin Hays has started 106 posts and replied 2239 times.

Post: Fargo, ND Moorhead, MN - STR Owners Unite!

Collin Hays
Property Manager
Pro Member
#2 Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions Contributor
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gatlinburg, TN
  • Posts 2,269
  • Votes 3,186

following this!

Post: Need Help Increasing Weekday Rentals

Collin Hays
Property Manager
Pro Member
#2 Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions Contributor
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gatlinburg, TN
  • Posts 2,269
  • Votes 3,186
Quote from @Andrew Steffens:

Smaller units have longer average bookings in my experience.  How are your weekly discounts looking?


 We find this to be true.  The behemoth cabins in the Smokies are super cool, but other than high season, it's mostly weekends. You're trying hard to get that 3rd night even.

Post: how to market STR to parents of university students?

Collin Hays
Property Manager
Pro Member
#2 Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions Contributor
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gatlinburg, TN
  • Posts 2,269
  • Votes 3,186

As has been mentioned, guests will find you on VRBO.  It’s the new yellow pages for rentals. 

Post: Airbnb Mentorship Program

Collin Hays
Property Manager
Pro Member
#2 Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions Contributor
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gatlinburg, TN
  • Posts 2,269
  • Votes 3,186

Glad you are willing to mentor. Jump right in on this forum.

Post: Need Help Increasing Weekday Rentals

Collin Hays
Property Manager
Pro Member
#2 Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions Contributor
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gatlinburg, TN
  • Posts 2,269
  • Votes 3,186
Quote from @Cody Lewis:

My wife and I recently purchased our first STR. It's a house sectioned into 3 apartments each a 3-bed 3-bath. It stays full on weekends but we're missing weekday rentals, especially in non-peak season. My business partner has two STRs adjacent to ours that has several 1-bed units that rent very well during the week.

A month ago I added converted 1-bed and 2-bed listings to our platforms to help with weekdays. Currently I have the 1 and 2 bed listings blocked from being booked on weekends. We've seen some uptick in weekday bookings, but not as much as I would have hoped. It's worth mentioning that I have the 1 or 2 bed options blocked from being booked on the weekends.

All that said, I'm interested to see if anyone has any suggestions or ideas to help us with weekday bookings. We are using Priceless to optimize our pricing and it's well within the line of others in our area. Any strategies or suggestions are welcomed!


 Unfortunately, weekday bookings, particularly off season, are mostly rate driven.  

Post: Input needed from my BP friends!

Collin Hays
Property Manager
Pro Member
#2 Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions Contributor
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gatlinburg, TN
  • Posts 2,269
  • Votes 3,186

Thank you for all of the good counsel, guys.  I decided not to pursue it.  The property taxes and insurance alone were going to be $23K a year.  I just couldn’t get comfortable with the numbers on this one.  Stunning property, and with a whole lot of elbow grease, it *could* post a bottom line.  The insurance and property taxes make STRs a challenging proposition in the state of Texas.  

Post: Input needed from my BP friends!

Collin Hays
Property Manager
Pro Member
#2 Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions Contributor
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gatlinburg, TN
  • Posts 2,269
  • Votes 3,186

This would be the only historic mansion (it's 4700 feet with the basement, so close enough) in Amarillo that you could rent nightly.  If a nearby hotel is charging $650 per night for a 1000 square foot suite and keeping it occupied, would I not be able to charge the same for a 1921 mansion that sleeps 10 people comfortably?

Post: Input needed from my BP friends!

Collin Hays
Property Manager
Pro Member
#2 Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions Contributor
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gatlinburg, TN
  • Posts 2,269
  • Votes 3,186
Quote from @James Hamling:

@Collin Hays I'd file this under "Shiny-Things". 

If one only looks at listing and digs no further, venue stands out. 

But when dig into it..... 

It's on a very small lot, with very limited parking for any kind of venue. Very limited doesn't really convey it in venue sense, nearly non-existent is more accurate. 

There is next to no privacy.

Weddings that book venues of quality, which is how this home views right, of quality, these weddings are predominantly of a certain size threshold. 

Just 40 guests, it would be a total circus. Imagine 50+...... 

It's nice, but it's also over built for it's investment use potentials. 

The most standout is the proximity to the school. I don't see students paying Ivy league for this school, but I could be wrong, I don't know this school at all. 

If you could pick it up and plunk it down on 2+acres in another location, holly-cow it would be a rock-star. 

But it is what it is. 

Super nice looking home, very cool, in a location and lot not conducive for revenue generation that would make it make sense. 


 Thank you so much for the feedback!

Post: What Does It Mean To "Tweak" Pricing In Pricelabs?

Collin Hays
Property Manager
Pro Member
#2 Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions Contributor
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gatlinburg, TN
  • Posts 2,269
  • Votes 3,186
Quote from @Rob Anteau:

In my mind, revenue management is the most difficult concept to master. There is so much that goes into it. What does your comps do? What is your peak season? What is your average booking lead time? What is your average stay? I use Beyond and am constantly tweaking prices. These pricing tools use data and algorithms, but it is never going to be perfect. So, you need to be looking at your occupancy and pricing frequently to ensure your RevPAR is where you want it to be. 


 Being thoroughly familiar with the local market is key.

Post: Input needed from my BP friends!

Collin Hays
Property Manager
Pro Member
#2 Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions Contributor
Posted
  • Property Manager
  • Gatlinburg, TN
  • Posts 2,269
  • Votes 3,186
Quote from @Jay Hinrichs:
Quote from @Jay Hurst:
Quote from @Collin Hays:

I reside in Amarillo, Texas. This home is for sale, circa 1920s. The price seems right. If you could buy it, what would you do with it as an investment? STR? Event space? Wedding venue? Other? Thanks in advance for the ideas!



2116 S Van Buren St, Amarillo, TX 79109 | realtor.com®

 I live in a historic neighborhood in Dallas in which there was a wedding venue operating. That is until the neighborhood got tired of the parking and parties from the venue, and got it shut down. (I did not hear the noise or  care but those much closer to the house did) so be careful with these kinds of plans  in the middle of a residential neighborhood.  

Also, it is bananas that a house like that is one is only 849k. Location, location, location! 


the front pillars make it look gigantic but its only 3500 sq ft.. very cool curb appeal though !

 It also has a 1700 square foot finished basement, and a brand new 3 car garage, with 1100 square foot luxury apartment above.  So over 6000 feet under roof.