All Forum Posts by: Jeffery Wilen

Consider looking at Cecil & Harford counties as well.  We've been able to get all our capital out and have great cash flow there as well. Particularly if you're closer to I95 as that makes the commute to work easy for most tenants. Rent to capital ratios have been great.

@John Underwood

Agreed, that’s what we put on ours.

August will work with Z wave as well. 

We use August smart locks as it only replaces the inside of the deadbolt. It will install on any existing lock. No need to rekey or change out hardware. Being able to rekey ourselves using Kwikset smart key locks is a bonus for us on our LTRs so we’ve standardized on Kwikset for all our units.  
August works via Bluetooth to an app. You can install a keypad that also Bluetooth connects to the lock. If you WiFi connection, a WiFi controller also connects via Bluetooth to the lock.
Another aspect we like is that August seamlessly integrates with Airbnb. The guest will automatically be sent both or either a link for the app and a keypad code when they book. These are temporarily active only for their stay. Activates at your checkin time and deactivates at your checkout time. 

@Mordechai Perlman

You should always send to the mailing address of the owner, not the property address. Only exception is if the property address is also the mailing address.

We charge $75 per stay up to 14 days. Over that, it’s $25 additional per week. We also request no pets on furniture. 
Most people are fine with all of it, but a few have complained that this doesn’t qualify as “pet friendly”.

We stay booked up, so have no plans to change anything. 

I'd use them, may have to refill more,  but I've seen shakers smaller than than a 3" 12ga before.

True that on any firearm supplies right now.  Just glad I stocked up on shells before waterfowl season.  Would not be happy to be searching for shells in the final weeks of the season.

Can you get your hands on some unused 10 ga, 3-1/2"? Those would be large enough.

What John said... Some will lend on an STR, but you need to be able show them history of it renting. Basically, it's probably quicker and easier to lease it for the first year. Get the refi and when the lease is up, start your Airbnb.

Very few if any would rent on projected STR income, especially in COVID times.

At our twin townhouses in North East, MD the bookings collapsed in April. We had virtually 100% of our bookings cancelled. At the time, most were for wedding guests and youth sporting events all of which were cancelled. Then things turned 180 degrees.

We took a short stay booking for one unit from June through September. Subsequently we ended getting fully booked on the other unit as well.  Our location is not your typical vacation location, but it is 1-1/2hr from DC, 1hr from Baltimore and 1hr from Philadelphia.  So we started getting guests that wanted to get away from home for a week or 2 and yet be able to stay away from people and reach the destination by car.  

I expect 2021 to be much the same.  We're walking distance from many restaurants (serving takeout) and the Chesapeake Bay.  Its only 5 min off the Interstate, so kind of a unique urbanish, but quaint small town get away for people.