All Forum Posts by: Gi'angelo Bautista

@Jarrod Ochsenbein is it true that you can’t list on Airbnb at the same time as listing on pad split?

Looking for some advice as this is my first time owning a small office. My small office building is (1,700) sq ft with 3 units. Do I need to fill it with tenants before selling or am I able sell it vacant? Is the buyer able to get a loan if it's vacant?

I didn't like the Zinus mattress or similar priced memory foam mattresses on Amazon.

For our guests, we did get a complaint or two about our memory foam mattresses, but I'm thinking it's because they are picky like me.  

I went to a Marriott hotel during one of my business trips and somehow had really good night's sleep. Unfortunately I forgot to check the mattress brand! I don't think all Marriotts are the same. I don't think they use memory foam.

For the 5 star experience, you will really want to hit on all points that Airbnb has for the 5 star rating. If you do, your listing may become a guest favorite, which will increase it's SEO. You may have different OTA's in your location.

Some major items to manage really well are:

- Cleaning

- Maintenance

- Check-in 

- Communication

- Amenities

To make your listing stand out, here are a few things to pay attention to:

- ProfessionalPhotos - Manage this process and figure out your Hero photo and the next 4 photos before hand

- "Unique" Interior designed home (furniture and finishes). Do not furnish the home like a staged home to sell. Be creative.

- Nice coat of paint and/or murals

- Extra Amenities such as jacuzzi, pool, basketball court, bocce ball, arcade games, and etc

Everything has to be priced out on a list from a contractor. Each trade has a different way of valuing it. I.e. Gutters are by linear foot. Package units are priced per unit. Also, you have to have your finish materials priced out on a excel/google sheet. You also need a solid Scope of work.

We have 2 arbitrage in the Bay Area. We decided to stop arbitrage and continue getting PM leads instead due to regulations and risk. Also, in the areas we like, rents went up too much compared to STR income.

I know one person doing arbitrage. He has 40 on the peninsula. 

Zeus living ceased operations last month so you can expect many of their units to become vacant as their guests leave.

@Alan F. which construction forums do you usually go to?

Generally, we buy the Finish Materials and the contractor let's us know how much to buy. I don't think it would be good to have the contractor buy the Finish Materials plus they don't want to do it anyways. They just want to pick it up (or have it delivered to their house/office/job site) and install it. 

For rough materials, they generally buy them.

Just another update:

We are now switching from Hostfully to OwnerRez. 
- OwnerRez recently got their Wheelhouse integration

- OwnerRez accounting and financial reporting is wayyyyyyy better

- OwnerRez has more features and more integrations that we need (especially the payment processor)

Other PMS we considered: Streamline, Track, and Hostaway


@Tom Freestone I probably wouldn't get a PMS right away since you only have 1 listing.  If you had to get a PMS, Hospitable is an easy one to work and it's user friendly. Hostaway is more advanced and you definitely don't need it.

Yes. wireless Reolink cameras with the solar. Simplisafe secuirty. We don't give it to the buyer.