All Forum Posts by: Jon Martin

Ugh. . . . I have tried well over a dozen times to upload a bathroom photo. It fits all the requirements- size limit, minimum pixels, file format, no text etc. I don't think I am pushing it over the total photo data limit because I have uploaded other photos since getting this one rejected. I have tried resizing, cropping, deleting other photos that are vaguely similar, etc. 

VRBO host "service" is closed. Anyone have any clue as to why it's not taking this photo? 

This is further confirmation for me as to why VRBO will always be 2nd fiddle to AirBnb. Thank you in advance to anyone who can offer assistance. 

I'm a big fan of college towns and mid-size cities. They tend to attract big companies, hospitable systems, cool downtowns with good restaurants, lots of events, and are usually a 1-2 hour drive from a major metro and airport. Many are also underserved by hotels. While I wouldn't center a STR around 5 home games in the fall and a graduation, there is usually a lot more going on in these types of towns to keep it busy. I grew up in a major football town, and a close family friend rents his personal home out for $3K a weekend.

While many were clawing over the Smokies, Joshua Tree etc and saying that you should only invest in vacation destinations I was quietly investing in a midsize city and enjoy great occupancy 10.5-11 months of the year. The high season highs aren't nearly as high, but the income is steady and reliable, and you also have more exit/pivot options. 

I'm sure it does . . . but it's not because of the kitchen reno. I can see either a pool or a shuffleboard table in the background, and I imagine it is in a good-to-great location. 

I am simply not seeing why any of those would be considered smart design decisions. They already had what look like good quality cabinets with a nice subtle finish. If anything the newer wood finishes are more outdated. The old backsplash looks good and all the colors worked together. Only thing I'm not sure of is the old countertop material, but it does look look in the photo. 

What exactly am I missing? Not trying to be mean here but kitchen rehab #2 is not making sense to me at all. Rehab 1 is marginally better, and 3 looks pretty good. 

Also, garbage can in the middle of the island and visible in your photos? Ew. Just no . . . . 

My thought is that the 2 before and afters above don't look much different . . . Looks like a waste of money for a marginal improvement. Especially on the right, where I wouldn't call those outdated finishes and the colors look nice, maybe just needs better lighting. I would also rather have upper cabinets than floating shelves, except for maybe in a compact unit with very outdated cabinets. 

That said what you are saying seems to be echoed elsewhere and fits how I would look for properties to rent. I would much rather have a place with a great outdoor space or game room and an OK kitchen than the opposite, especially since a lot of meals are eaten out anyway. OTOH bathroom renovations aren't too expensive, and I am always a fan of a larger walk in shower stall. 

 Agreed. Also, $50k revenue on a half million purchase is nothing to get excited about

I ran the guest count numbers for 2023 and 2024 for each booking at my 2/1. The averages, medians, and % distribution of 1/2/3/4 guest stays were almost dead on between the 2 years. It was uncanny to see, with 2 guest stays being about half and then roughly similar splits between 1, 2, and 4 guest stays. Which makes sense because I can still be in the same ballpark price wise as a hotel to pick up those 2 guest stays (presumably mostly couples, but not always), with the added value of everything a SFR provides.

Part of me wonders if had 2 full baths I would book more 3 or 4 guest stays, and could then maybe add an extra guest fee for 3/4 guest bookings? Would be an interesting experiment but my instinct tells me that it wouldn't change much. Curious if anyone else here has a similar experience. 

Not an issue. I have a 1 bath property and it does great, although it is a 2 bedroom. With 3 bedrooms it's more of an issue, but people on vacation are somewhat accustomed to it. 

Although if you need to exit in a down market 1 bath properties can be tougher to sell. 

SLO County resident of many years here. Pismo is very pricey but guests expect that and you should be able to charge accordingly. You really can't go wrong anywhere in the Pismo city limits. More economical purchase prices in Grover Beach and Oceano, but also less revenue, and also not sure about the regs. 

There are very few true oceanfront properties in Pismo, and only a small area with flood risk  if during a heavy storm, so I don't think insurance will be a concern. If it's in a condo complex then there should be some kind of flood insurance for the building wrapped in, you would only need a "wall-to-wall" policy. 

Feel free to send me listings you have in mind (don't worry, not planning to buy) and I can give you an idea of the neighborhood and what's nearby.