All Forum Posts by: Jon Martin

The model was fraught from the start. No matter how you manage, there has to be boots on the ground to turn your place over, restock supplies, fix stuff etc. Why would I pay a company with a corporate headquarters far from my market 10-20% (not sure what they charge) of my revenue to manage that for me when all they are doing is dispatching contract cleaners? 

At that point it doesn't matter if it's me or them doing the work because neither of us are on site and both parties are relying on local help. At that point I may as well do the work and pocket that revenue myself, because if I am having to stay on top of someone at the call center resolving my issues then I'm still working. They are basically the guy on Office Space who takes the order and walks it down the hall to the engineer. "I'M A PEOPLE PERSON!!!!"

Why do so Columbus realtors come out of the woodwork on so many threads? Am I the only one who notices this? 

I would agree that it is a market with merit potential for different strategies, but geez, it's like clockwork with you guys . . . .

Certainly a good start and better than what most will do. Next step is to study the competition. Look at those in the same walkable or short drive radius as you. How full are their calendars? What do the charge? How nice is their listing? 

If they have well populated calendars for the next 1-2 months and high enough prices with average listing quality, then it's probably as safe of a bet as you can make. If it's the other way around, I'd be careful. Joshua Tree is an example of the opposite. Lots of great looking listings with sparse calendars. 

Agreed. Lack of drapes is a valid criticism for a bedroom. You should thank them for that feedback and say you will remedy that for future guests, which will make you look like a better host. I would also point out the cubbies for clothes since that is a factual point that you can correct them on, but otherwise I would leave the mattress and kitchen comments alone because those are opinions and value judgements. 

 I heard this too but their platform is still just as clunky as it was 10 years ago when I first used it, and the design looks just how I remembered it . . . 

This is clutch, at the very least for Fridays and Saturdays. If someone books just one of those days with no minimum it basically kills the other. 

Do a search for a 1-2 mile radius right now (Wed/Thurs night are perfect for this) and see how similar options are pricing out for a Friday thru Sunday stay. You should be well over all the places that are of lower quality but competitive with those that are in better locations and/or higher bed count. 

Anybody know how AirDna estimates how often a place is on the open market vs blocked? I've been watching some calendars of neighboring properties that seem open a few months and then get booked up as the time comes, but Airdna says they are only accepting bookings for 15-25% of the time? 

Agreed with everything above. Could be a lot of reasons- worried about carbon monoxide, were never a boy scout, etc. Space heaters for a temporary bandaid 

I've been impressed with Proper's customer service and coverage. Thankfully I haven't had to use it yet, but I was impressed to see that they will cover plumbing disasters caused by guests. They also cover theft, even while unoccupied. I started with American Modern via USAA but dumped them for Proper when I found out that theft was not covered. 

 "These" as in new builds or vacation homes? IIRC as long as you follow what's written in the lender rider in regards to "some" personal use you are good. 

@Jordan Duran is this some kind of prefab?