All Forum Posts by: Laura Peterson

Do any of you leverage Hostaway or OwnerRez? I am searching for the best channel mgt app that supports airbnb, booking.com, direct book (on my site), and VRBO. Critical features for me: calendar mgt, manage client communication, communicating with team (i.e. cleaners), supply/operations checklist per property, and vacancy reporting.

If you use something else that you love, let me know. Also, if there is a referral program and you are willing to share, send me a DM. Thanks!

1 Vote

Quote from @Leslie Anne Morris:

It might make sense for you to test it out on a property you already own. Just ensure local regulations and licensing laws are followed. Then if it works well you can scale or enter other markets.

This is super important. The rules change county by county. Here, in NC, permits are required in several, but not all counties. Some counties offer a fixed number of permits that increase incrementally each year to which investors must apply to be in the lottery. One of my properties is in a county that requires 3% occupancy tax (yes, just like a hotel) for any STR under 90 day stay. One local county requires an annual health inspection. I have seen massive changes in local rules and state regs in Georgia, NC, SC (especially Charleston). The Southeast is starting to become incredibly difficult UNLESS you are in the mountain, beach, or rural spaces. Ohio - Cleveland, Cinci, Columbus, and other near uni towns are great locations. Little to no regs/or permits. Indiana used to be welcoming. They've limited permits within the city limits of Indy. Be sure to do this research in advance or you'll have fewer monetization options. THAT SAID... you can turn a space into a commercial event space (think: mico weddings, intimate parties, photoshoots), if you change zoning for the property. Sometimes that's easier to do than fighting STR permit process.

1 Vote

Quote from @Michael Baum:

Hey @Laura Peterson. Booking.com has historically been difficult for small operators to list on. They have been difficult to get payment out of them at times. Also, their cancellation policies have left owners in the lurch at times.

I have heard they are revamping everything when it comes to STRs.

Thanks, Michael! I appreciate the info.

0 Votes

Quote from @Brooklyn McCarty:

Quote from @Andy C.:

Hi BP,

Does anyone have any experience marketing their Airbnb off platform and or finding ways to get more business from other sources or channels, such as corporate bookings or other avenues?

My name is andy, and I currently own a short-term rental property/airbnb up in Truckee near Lake Tahoe. We acquired the property over 2 years ago, renovated it and have just over a year of short-term rental experience under our belts.

There was a steep learning curve up front, but everything has gone pretty well so far. We are very thankful, especially given more recent economic conditions. We have also learned the dynamics of a vacation rental where things come in waves where winter and summer are high demand, and everything in between is considered the shoulder season.

That all said, we're hoping we can fill in the shoulder season lows a bit with more Diversified bookings from other places or sources, but unsure of any good strategies that may work consistently or sustainably.

Any thoughts, ideas, advice is welcomed and appreciate your help in advance 🙏

Andy

Use VRBO, you could try your hand at Booking.com, but I don't know if it is worth the headache yet.

Find local vacation FB pages for your market, post it there. Create a direct site and try to get repeat guests here.

Question: Why is it a hassle to list on booking.com? I'm new at this and get mixed info.

0 Votes

All Forum Posts by: Laura Peterson

Laura Peterson has started 1 posts and replied 5 times.

Post: Channel Mgt for STR Hostaway vs OwnerRez

Post: Channel Mgt for STR Hostaway vs OwnerRez

Post: Seeking advice on starting an Airbnb

Post: Any good strategies to diversify Airbnb bookings?

Post: Any good strategies to diversify Airbnb bookings?