All Forum Posts by: Eric A.

Lucas Carl I make sure that all guests have to read every detail because I instruct them to. We never take a phone call about our listing but we definitely use to. Those individuals looking back were almost always newbies or very new to STR. We have basically eliminated those individuals and it has been a blessing doing so. I attach every filter and require all communication through the site. Cuts down on the crazy newbie asking if we have bugs, or even better, do you clean water. Yes, clean water. Take care! Best Regards, Eric

Renee, I agree with the other posters that Air BnB short term rentals may be regulated but definitely not eliminated. I can guarantee you that Ocean City, MD will continue to allow them. They have to! The regulations are being pushed by the hotel lobby. I agree with Jared that cities have put regulations in place, but always stay very active. I do think there will be court cases coming soon especially in places that will be ******** down the STR industry. There will be a common ground found very soon. All that being said make sure to attend groups and think tanks set up to address these ordinances. The hotel lobby is huge and they are trying to go down the route of “saving long term rentals for the unfortunate” which is complete BS. Follow the money and you will see who’s funding these activities. Best Regards, Eric

I have seen some of Walter’s presentations and he is very knowledgeable. What is he charging for the materials? I know he has some contracting information that looks to be very informative. Best Regards, Eric

Juan Duque sorry, I totally disagree. You will need to have the same contacts for all the people you mentioned in a long term rental. AC goes out and you will need someone there ASAP no matter what kind of rental. There is more work in the beginning, but only a small amount more. If you subtract out the time spent interviewing long term tenants it's not much different. Everything can be accomplished with proven systems and setting customer expectations. The number one thing to do is automate everything you do so everyone on your team has a playbook for everything. Missing sheets? Go to the playbook and see what to do. There should be no need to call you for the smallest requests. Take care and I wish you the best! Best Regards, Eric

@James Canoy several things that can be automated and setting expectations early with tenants. Shoot me a PM and I can share with you several strategies. Also, take a look at other posts I have made. 

Best Regards,

Eric 

James Canoy I read through the post you attached and it really looks like the poster had no idea how to run a business let alone an Air BnB. Some people struggle with delegating and following a system to eliminate all those issues that are hands on.

@Paul Sandhu we dealt with this in one of our towns we do STR's in and we saw it coming. The hotels and motels banded together and went to the town and demanded STR's have a permit just like them. So, they implemented a $75 per unit license fee and an inspection each year. It wasn't a huge deal except they wanted this fee for every single one. Again, towns are all about revenue and if they think they can derive a source they will be all over it.

I gathered several past experiences from other nearby towns on this subject and was able to get a license per owner, but it took an attorney and several pleas from the "little guy" battling the big bad hotel industry. It worked but took time. 

Trust me, the hotel industry is watching and formulating ways to eradicate STR's and BnB's from their areas. They are paying lobbyists big money to make this happen. I don't think it will effect small towns as much but in a lot of cities the fight is on! Take care.

Best Regards 

Eric 

@Nancy Bachety sorry I didn't make it this summer. We spend summers in Maine so I most likely was not around. 

Bnbguy.com is something I have been thinking about for a long time. I have been in the STR business for 17 years and have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have definitely learned how to develop a system, and exactly what NOT to do. Screening indicators on potential guests etc. etc. So, all that being said I decided to start writing an ebook because of all the questions I receive all the time. I see some of these guys hawking $5000 courses which is fine, but I think you can help prospective hosts for dramatically less or nothing. This is a wonderful business that can allow people to earn extra money, travel, or give back to their communities.

Sorry for the long response but that's it in a nutshell. No, I will not be hawking a late night infomercial any time soon! Take care!

Best Regards,

Eric 

@Nancy Bachety very cool on Davis Shores. Our BnB's are in Vilano and I think you may have tried to do a meetup this summer. Anyway, congrats on getting set up in Davis Shores. St. Augustine is an awesome place!

Best Regards,

Eric 

Josh Coffy if you are getting 90% occupancy rates you are definitely charging enough. As for a wifi thermostat we always use a Nest. Looking into something that we can interface with Alexa so we can have cleaning people turn things down by voice. Let you know when I figure that out. Best Regards, Eric