All Forum Posts by: Kapono Kobylanski

Mahalo!

Hi! 

I am trying to set up my tech stack and Im confused on what to use for what. For instance, messaging can go through OwnerRez or Airbnb or Breezeway. Probably dont want it to be Airbnb because there are other platforms that generate leads. Airbnb seems to be the only one that translates other languages for us though. 

Please let me know how you set your up. Thank you!

Update: I'm struggling with getting everything set up. I have 3 kids and a full-time job and I hate this stuff so it's a battle. In retrospect, the $500 onboarding fee /w Hostaway is worth it and I would have gone that way. Owner rez makes you do it on your own and I struggled with that. You can pay for onboarding support /w OwnerRez but its more than $500 for the same amount of support. I know in the long run i'll be happy I tackled this but right now, it hurts. I'm still not clear on how to do the auto messaging. Airbnb has a great translator thing with messaging that breezeway and owner rez does not seem to have.

Did you set it up? How did it go? Am I able to give someone a referral incentive? I'd like to sign up for it very soon. 

Thanks!

Oh, we are currently using Airbnb for most of our bookings /w automated messages, FF for leads too, Lodgify for website and direct pay option but probably switching to Hostaway. We have smart locks where we can but one HOA won't allow them. And that's been going ok for about 1-2 years but I'm sure we could be better at efficiency, guest experience, and accounting. We are superhosts. We definitely will work on capturing emails soon and all that other stuff but I need to get the PMS done first is what I am thinking.

Thank you! 

Aloha!

I am taking way too long trying to decide on a tech stack and I just wanna get going on this. Right now I am leaning towards Breezeway /w Hostaway but in Oahu, we can only do MTR for the most part. We (my spouse and I)  will probably be managing some LTRs.

Is there a software stack for someone that does both? Or do they use something like the above for MTR/STR and something like Cozi (sp?) for the LTR? The cost per property for the Hostaway and Breezeway is a bit much for the LTR. I'm also thinking that maybe the $8 a month for the smart locks is a bit much if you are midterm renting a property. I wish they had an MTR price vs a STR price on that upgrade. We currently manage 3 MTR properties (2 of our own and 1 cohost property where we do all the work but our partner owns the property) and plan on setting up 2 more very soon. All in Oahu for now. We have an out-of-state property but we have a fantastic strickly STR PM for that one.

Any advice would be appreciated! 

Did you give it a go? How did it go? 

It is remarkable! I'm crazy shocked! Beginner's luck maybe? My strategy is: to get clear on your why and tell everyone who will listen to you what you are doing and why, treat REI like getting another college degree so invest money and time into the education, and take informed cautious action.

the money I've spent in educating myself has just been this membership and many books and I paid my new CPA $500 to fire questions at him like crazy for an hour. I don't know how I feel about those expensive programs out there. Bigger Pockets on YouTube is EVERYTHING!!!!! And free! 

I have a great-paying job and excellent credit. I had equity in my home. I have a supportive husband that is down to let me run wild with my goals and our money. I also have obtained 2 bachelor's degrees (biology/nursing) so I am no stranger to studying my *** off. so I had a lot going for me when I started. But I do work full time and have a teenage daughter and two toddler boys. I earn most of the income for our household too. Hawaii is so expensive to live in and nurses here get paid the worse of all 50 states when you factor in the cost of living. So it hasn't been a walk in the park, but it would be worse. It's better than the alternative which is working full-time as a nurse until I'm 65.