My advice is to make sure there is a local- close by contact/management/friend that can show up in a moments notice for an emergency. I have a client that purchased a $1.5 M place on the ocean in S. California and has been using it as a STR with no issues the past year until..this morning I get this message:
"Last renter ruined my place and stole some stuff. Heading to sheriff this morning. I had suspicions and my friend went with a guy friend to make sure they checked out early as I emailed them but interrupted them and said they were still packing so they waited out front apparently fled out the back."
They broke into locked closets and took expensive camera and dive equipment (note: don't put anything in your STR of high value that could easily be taken) trashed the place as well. Following up, turns out they used a stolen credit card and fake ID. My friend/past client has security cameras installed so he hopes to get a lead on them. If it wasn't for his friends waiting out the front door at 6am, these thieves would most likely have left with much much more.
Bad story I know and it just happened...BUT, I've had my own STR for 4 years now and have never had this issue. Moral of the story: Don't rely on strictly online management, have a local emergency contact and definitely Pop in on y
our property to see for yourself how things are being managed and kept. Maids start to cut corners if they know you aren't coming around.. Some photos my friend sent me below
