All Forum Posts by: Kevin Lefeuvre

Doesn't it require a permit for the land owner to be able to use the container home? 

Oh @Leigh Ann Smith, VERY IMPORTANT point I was about to forget: when you become a regular host on vrbo (not pay per booking), then unlike airbnb, vrbo discloses the contact information of the guests, even before they book. So, for a 2 months guest, you may actually sign them out of the vrbo system, if I want to avoid the fees.

Even though both platforms are now acting like marketplaces connecting hosts with guests, historically vrbo was basically a listing website: you would pay for an "ad" and take care of everything yourself (contract, payment, etc...). They gradually evolved, adding the payment system and other services as we know today, but the original genes are still there :)

The fact that you are on the pay per booking mode makes your fee a percentage which becomes huge for a 2 months rental. That is supposed to be just for trial. Once you feel confortable with them pay the flat fee annual  $400 and that's it. Of course they charge the guest as well just like airbnb but hey they bring you business, right? 

I am not a big fan of vrbo, prefer airbnb but wanted to clarify this point to be fair. Also vrbo has done a huge progress in the past few months with a much better calendar, better user interface in general,  $1M liability coverage and a better phone customer service (than airbnb). My business for a beach property is 80% vrbo 20% airbnb,  while for downtown LA it's the other way around. We need both platforms and their competition is great for us.

How's your website built ? Is it on wordpress ?

:(

Not sure if @Jen Faulkner and @Kendall Luelf saw this. The mention feature doesn't work on mobile, thought I mention them here from desktop :)

@Jason Goretzki I experienced it more than once as the owner of an ecommerce website, more than once. There is even a $50 charge for arbitration by Paypal to be paid by the seller regardless of the outcome. So when the item was below $60 or $70, I would just accept ANY CLAIM, and refund the client, because I knew that even if I won the case, I wouldn't recoup the money, not to mention the time wasted. All that because Paypal systematically protects the buyer, unless the merchant is very big. 

Worst part is that Paypal aggressively advertises the buyer protection at the time of payment, so even if the buyer does not think of asking for refund, Paypal is there to remind them :(

Jen, Kendall, did you know any payment through PayPal is reversible and in case of dispute Paypal is always on the side of the "buyer" unless you are an emerchant with over  $1M annual turnover?  Search for some bad experiences out there.

Also now both airbnb and vrbo offer  $1M liability coverage. And in case of dispute they are on your side  (as long as you are reasonable ).

I don't think the little saving is worth the risks.

Exactly. Over 30 days, the "agreement" is considered as regular rental following the rules of rent control and eviction of your state AND your city.

On top of what Jon said, the STR path gives you more flexibility : you can always change your mind and go for a long tetm rental or even decide to sell.

But the key, as an investor, is the economy of your rental. If there's at least a 30% more income through STR then it's worth the burden and the costs. Each property and each location is different.

@Jeff Graves thanks. I have experienced what you described in a beach property, but I am not seeing it in a new property in the city of LA so far. All in the same state (California).  It's a bit of a different story between "vacation/relaxation/nature/sports" spots and "holiday/tourism" places. That's why I want to learn from those in large cities.