All Forum Posts by: Kathy Hansen

Thanks, @Michael Baum. Would also need to find someone willing to install it since local tradespeople disdain tankless systems so much.

I wish I could do a tankless system; it's not recommended here in Northeast WA because water in the ground is so cold that tankless systems can't heat it efficiently. Instead, I got an 80-gallon tank, which is occasionally still not sufficient for large groups (and I don't have a dishwasher). Tough choice between shower or kitchen, but I would want to be 100 percent sure you really will have enough hot water if you do the shower.

Most of the year, Airbnb dominates my bookings, though in the summer, it's VRBO/Homeaway.

@Eric P. : One thing that has helped with dog hair is supplemental vacuumings with a robotic vac. I don't find the robotics adequate for a full, normal vacuuming, but they do pick up a lot of hair the regular vac misses. Especially when I have a day or 2 between guests, I can just send the robo-vac out on several daily rounds.

I am pet-friendly in both of my listings, and it's a selling point for me because most STRs in my area don't take pets. 

In 2.5 years, I have had no destruction of anything by a pet (I realize it will probably happen someday). Occasionally, a dog will be so hairy/shedding that cleaning takes extra time (I do my own), but not often. Minimal poop on the property, too. I'm in the country, so barking is not an issue.

Most people who take pets take a deposit or fee. I don't, but it has even been suggested that pet fees are a good revenue stream. Someday, I may have one.

I got that notice but found it worrisome because I don't require a security deposit. So why did I get it when it says, "Because one or more of your listings require a security deposit?"

This is a known scam. Do not engage.

I have a Google business page for my STR; not really sure how much traction I'm getting. I got a phone inquiry yesterday and was so taken aback by getting a phone call that I neglected to ask how the prospective guest learned of my business -- but it may have been via the Google biz page.

My sister is now leaning toward long-term rentals to soldiers stationed at Ft. Gordon. She feels that, other than the golf course, there's not much to attract folks to the suburbs of Augusta. Thanks for the info about new construction.

I asked about Augusta, not Atlanta. but thanks.