All Forum Posts by: Jon Martin

They made an announcement this spring that all guests’ identities would now be verified. (Most people thought they already were doing that!). So this is another black eye for their management skills.

Kinda makes you wonder how long this has been going on and how many similar stories are out there. They are likely putting that policy in for this reason after who knows how many incidents like this, probably at the behest of whoever underwrites AirCover.

Sorry this happened OP. Absolutely maddening.

0 Votes

Quote from @Michael Baum:

I am not sure why these particular guests didn't heed my warnings.

I can understand not knowing that this is a risk and proceeding accordingly, however if I were warned I would absolutely take is seriously, especially from a host who has seen this happen before. Sad story, but hopefully your warnings will be taken more seriously now.

0 Votes

Curious to hear how you all approach this. I already send a pre check out email thanking tie for the stay. Should I go ahead and ask them to leave a 5 star review and is there a way to do tie without sounding presumptuous? Thanks in advance.

3 Votes

You probably won't be able to charge as much as an ocean view, although there will always be people willing to pay less if they can be in close proximity to what the area has to offer. Ask around to get a feel for what you can charge and if the numbers make sense then yes, it's worth investing.

1 Vote

Maui, Hawaii

Between all of the set up work, creating your listing, responding to guests, setting door codes, scheduling cleaners, paying bills, reviews etc it is not hard to log 2+ hours per week. I try to batch as much of the related tasks as possible and start my timer immediately before I do anything.

Making sure you are doing more hours than any other party can be tricky, which is why you should regularly monitor your hours and the activity of your vendors.

1 Vote

I don't think it's worth it or necessary for a full year, but to spend $40 for a single month for a data point that has 100s of thousands worth of your money tied to it I think it's worth it for that.

0 Votes

Saint Petersburg, Florida

Quote from @Henry T.:

I have no problem giving an hour if asked. I've been doing this STR about 9 months now. I've had the same 24 oz container of sugar for guest to use/coffee if they need it. Still hasn't been opened, no one ever used it. A couple that was booked for last week, wanted to come in 8 hours early. I didn't want to dicker, or explain cleaning, or rush, and I thought it was such an arm grab, I simply said I'm sorry, check in is at 4. All went well so I thought. Their final night they called and said I'd better tell future guests that there's an ant problem. I said what? Never had ants before. I'll come right over and take care of it, you can show me where they are. They declined. When I got there the next day ants were coming in out of the counters and drains. I noticed 90 percent of that sugar container was empty. 1 and a 1/2 pounds! It is ant season, but none invading at other properties. I cleaned up. They're gone. But are you thinking what I'm thinking? Are people that messed up and petty? They had 3 stays, no reviews. They now have 4 stays and no reviews. Now it's 4 little sugar packets in a small tuperware container. LOL

Yikes! Yeah I chose to buy a big bag of sugar packets from Amazon for ~$20, not for the reason you cited above, but because I figured eventually someone would use a large container of sugar to make cookies or something and wipe it all out. Then the next guest is pissed because there is no sugar for their coffee. I don't limit how much they can access (for now at least) because I don't see someone ripping open 60 sugar packets to make a batch of brownies and if they do, they've earned it lol

2 Votes

Quote from @Michael Baum:

If a guest would like early check in and there is no one there (not a back to back) then I let them arrive whenever they want. No charge, no issues.

I do the same with late checkout up to an hour or 2 max if my cleaner is OK with it and it isn't a back to back flip.

I don't believe in nickel and dimeing folks for this sort of thing. It creates good will like @Leslie Anne Morris said.

Same same. I have no control over my cleaners so it's not possible with a same day turn but if it's clean and unocupied I'm happy to oblige. It's a nice gesture and I think it sets the booking off to a good start and more likely to result wit a good review.

1 Vote

Which counties do you operate in? Lots of county wide legislation already in California and it seems like there is more to come.

0 Votes

Sacramento, California

Quote from @Monique P.:

Great job! If you want to take it up another little notch you can ask guest to text you when they check out. This way you’ll have more time to clean and can even offer the next guests an early check in. It’s always best not to assume a guest has left early until they tell you they’re out. Win-win for all.

Agreed .. . . This is also where a smart lock (with guest log time stamps) and doorbell cam come in handy

0 Votes

All Forum Posts by: Jon Martin

Jon Martin has started 30 posts and replied 931 times.

Post: Last minute Airbnb rental STOLE and DAMAGED everything

Post: Interesting and sad guest story.

Post: Do you ask for a 5 star review?

Post: Condo without ocean view- good for STR?

Post: Tracking Hours For STR

Post: AirDnA worth the money

Post: Early Check-In Options on AirBnB Platform

Post: Early Check-In Options on AirBnB Platform

Post: 120 AirBnB Listings - Ask Me Anything

Post: Preparation Time for my STR