All Forum Posts by: Jake Cohen

Webinar Only! 11/25/19 at 6pm MST

Please RSVP using this link to get all additional info and materials:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/3815644915176/WN_u1VxnxKOT-GQI3GgJATxOg

Ever wish you could automatically send a response to a guest when they book a reservation? Want to send the WiFi Code automatically? Wish there was a way to get more reviews of your property? There is a way! The process is called automation. Our preferred way to Automate our messages is through a program called SmartBNB. We will show you when to send messages and how to format them for the best results to give you back valuable time.

I am looking at using Operto for my vacation rentals to manage entry, thermostats, and noise remotely. Anyone have any experience with the company?

Thanks in advance!

@Lesley Resnick I own 6 units and self manage mainly on Airbnb. I also manage an additional 3 for other folks. I average about 65-70% occupancy in steamboat springs, CO. I use technology to help with auto responders and the like. You don’t need to meet guests with keys anymore. I use keypad locks. I am a full time fire fighter and have a 10 month old daughter on top of all this.

It can all be done with the right systems in place. If you are thinking about self managing or want some tips on finding a management company, happy to help. Feel free to message me and we can connect on the phone. I have been producing some webinars to help people get up and running and would love to chat with you about your plans.

Thankss and good luck.

@Account Closed it sounds like we are on the same path. I have been just using Airbnb for a while to simplify everything. However I did feel like I was getting valuable reservations from VRBO so would like to get back to it eventually. 

I will definitely check out Ownerrez as an option to connect to VRBO and have a booking engine on my website. Sounds like a good solution for the interim

For occupancy, I have not found a good way to automate this through any metrics tools, so I manually add my bookings for the whole property to the individual sides of the property.

For example: If my occupancy in Unit A is 25/30 days and the whole property was rented for 3 days I add 25+3/30 for my occupancy for that unit. I would do the same for Unit B. I split the revenue between the units as well to add to my ADR.

Thanks for the good advice on software. I think I'll stick with Smartbnb & Pricelabs for now but maybe add Ownerrez to the mix.

@Tyler Work so far I would say my additional expenses are about $350/ month for utilities and yard work. When these folks check out I will see how long it is before the next rental. That is my biggest question mark currently. If I can keep vacancy to around 10% I think this is a great business model!

@Jason Breton my place is located in Sunnyside. Federal & I-70 area. I tried to target travel nurses but ended up renting it through airbnb for 4 months to someone building a house. Crossing my fingers it rents just as well when these folks checkout in December.

Good luck!

@Account Closed

I actually love smartbnb and think they are doing a great job. Their messaging and metrics are as good or better than anything on the market regardless of price. The problem I have is with the sync between Airbnb and VRBO. I have a number of listings that have a parent child relationship (duplex where you can rent each half separately or both together). When we get these reservations they need to block the other units correctly and they haven't been able to get that right yet.

The one I have been looking at also is called YourPorter. They claim they have the solution for parent child and seems like they have similar features to smartbnb but you have to work a little harder to create them. I haven't spent enough time in trial to figure out if it has everything I need or not.

I think pricelabs is also a great solution. It gives me a bunch of customizations that I can change by property. I just saw Outswitch as a potential better solution if I could get the channel management as well. I also realize Outswitch doesn't have a connection with VRBO. Airbnb and VRBO are the most important booking channels for me.

Really appreciate the feedback on Outswitch. I 100% agree on Guesty. I used it initially and for 1 listing the 3% didn't seem so bad. Once I had 10 listings I realized I was paying close to $10,000 a year for it. 

Just hope Smartbnb can figure out a few big things that will make my life way easier. Good luck on the switch. If you have any specific questions happy to help.

@Account Closed

Are you still using Outswitch? I am looking for a channel manager and pricing system and that fits both. Would love to hear your current thoughts on the program. I have been using Smartbnb and Pricelabs up until this point but this seems like a great solution.

Thanks!

I wanted to reach back out about this thread. I am teaching a webinar on creating a guidebook for your property if you are still looking for something. Here is the link to the event:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/...

We like a product called Hostfully for our Guidebooks!

Please join us for a webinar on pricing and creating a guidebook for your property. This will be on 9/24/19 at 6pm MST.

To register please use this link https://zoom.us/webinar/regist...

We look forward to seeing you for this great webinar!