All Forum Posts by: Erik Stenbakken

When it comes to service animals, that’s federal and applies everywhere. When it comes to emotional support animals, that can vary state by state. We have short term rentals in various states. One state does not require us to accommodate emotional support animals. By state law, or other state does. 

Do all the things mentioned above. Really. 

And next step is to block off your calendar to prevent future bookings that your PM may make. It's messy for you to add more, and not fair to them if they add bookings, then lose that income. Do that today. 

 Glad to help! Much success to you. 

We have a pool cabin in the Smokeys and several without. I think the SECONDARY question is whether we owners want a pool cabin or not. The PRIMARY question is "does the MARKET want that?" 

Could it be a fad? Might be. Could it be a hassle? Yes. And will cost more than without too. But it is worth it is the question. 

Will it be the future of flying cars as seen in the 50's? Or that silly thing called the Internet from the 90's? 

For us? It's pool cabins (10x 20' pools). Our next two to come on line will have legit pools. And though they cost more to build and maintain, I think it's here to stay as a trend. Not a fad. I'm puttying my money where that belief is too. I could be wrong in 15 years, but willing to bet on it today. 

We have cameras in our garages (for all reasons above) and they CAN be accessed by guests. We had issues with guests covering it. Until I put a little label "Tampering with or obscuring this camera will result in a $250 fine" 

Boom. Five years running and nobody has covered any camera with that little note. It's not like they could say "Uh, some stranger came into the house garage and covered it while we were smoking dope." I hate doing the "fine" warnings. But you know what? People respond to financial pain. 

@Tamera Muniz I'm in Greeley too. Own multiple STRs (but not here). I've been in the area many years. Momentary cashflow may not be the only issue here. If I can help, DM me. 

@Kevin J. Notte Personally, I think you're aiming at a bullseye. I think there will be people who bought thinking it would be a flood of easy money, only to find that it's work! And not as much cash as some have promoted. So yeah, I think there WILL be deals coming on the market. I got one just last week in fact. Buyer backed out of a contract and I got it. 

This is a time vs. money vs. materials problem. Three variables. 

Answers vary depending on how you answer what's most important. Answer could be 

A) Your time vs. Vendor handles it (laundry and/or providing linens)

B) Material: Buy more backup sets of towels/linens. 

C) Equipment: Buy more/bigger/faster washing & drying units

Mix and match till you hit the sweet spot that works for you. Keep in mind, what may work for this situation may change if you scale/expand. 

@Kevin J. Notte Depends where you are. Maui County? $20,000 first time fine, then $10,000 per day after. Your area might be a little softer. Eventually, it always ends in revocation of license pretty much no matter where. 

Though don't live there, I have family with property there and have watched that market CLOSELY for over a decade (daily listings for a few years). Take all that @Mike Neubauer says above VERY seriously. 

Maui is very not-STR friendly. There are some spaces where it's still legal. But I've spoken to folks at the County many times and looked at the agenda on county board docket. When 9/10 items on the agenda are ANTI-short term rental items, that should tell you something. There are some protected areas (for now), and you'd better know where they are and don't stray from them.

And here's another fun fact: not everyone tells you WHY they buy there. I have it on good authority (first-hand) that some buy there to LOSE MONEY. Yep. If you are REPS status and lose money in one place (say, Maui) then that shelters income from somewhere else. Seems crazy right? But if you can lose money on paper AND have a place in Maui, it's a win-win. So know that some very savvy folks are in that market for reasons other than making positive cashflow. [none of this is commentary about Brandon Turner's place; it's not his investment I speak of]. 

Interview your agent carefully. This is not a market where you go to Zillow and call the listing agent (Metaphorically speaking. It IS possible a Zillow agent knows what's up). Point is, do your homework VERY CAREFULLY on Maui. There are other markets where the cashflow is way better. But then again, they are not Maui! ;-)