All Forum Posts by: Lauren Johnson

@Jimmy Woodard I own three in the Smokies. I think some sort of game area is expected there. Two of mine have bunks in the game room and I rent them as a 5th bedroom. I just disclose they share space with the game room.

@Dan Sheeks Just ordered it for my 14 year old!

@Kyle Mccaw I use Remotelock with OwnerRez and love it. It is seamless and I don’t even have to think about it. Codes are generated automatically for each new booking and sent in a triggered email a few days before check in.

@John Majoris

I have direct TV and smart TVs in one STR and just smart TVs with streaming in my other two. Have not had any comments or issues on either, so considering dropping the Direct TV.

@Robert Jordan I have a 4 BR/5.5 BA STR in the Smoky Mountains w/Sleeping Loft and Gameroom/bunkroom that can sleep up to 16. When I purchased it last year, I thought the number of people it could sleep was the most important thing in deciding my nightly rate. I have recently reduced that number to sleeping 12 with no loss in revenue. I think most people would rather be comfortable in the space and not crammed in. Also, even though I could sleep 16, I didn't have room to seat that many people all at once in the dining area or living area. I found that 75% of my guests do not bring 16 people anyway.

@Brandon Beaudoin Our STR is near Pigeon Forge, TN.

@Ray Thorsen We bought our 4 BR cabin last year with the help of @Avery Carl. @Luke Carl was also invaluable in helping us get set up to self manage.

We have been very happy with our investment. We just have a small wooded Mountain View and still rent very well. Hot Tubs are a must and we also have a game room w/pool table.

Good Luck!

@Alan Ford

I own a 4 BR/6 BA cabin in Sevierville that I bought in April 2019 with the help of @Avery Carl. I self manage from California while running my own business full time and raising two children.

I have not had my cabin a full year yet, but it will gross more than the $75k yours did all from Airbnb and VRBO. I would recommend talking to @Lucas Carl about self managing. He helped me immensely.

If you have good cleaners, a good handyman and some WiFi devices, it can easily be done. I would not pay a PM 30% when it it is something you can do yourself and it doesn’t involve much time at all.

@Abigail Nittle. We found out our cabin near Pigeon Forge only had satellite WiFi while we were in escrow. We ended up finding a local company that offers high speed WiFi in some areas there that otherwise would not have it. We paid to have a commercial grade system put in. I’m not sure if it helps or not, but personally I want and need WIFI even on vacation. I’m happy to share their information with you to see if they service your area.

I think you are fine either way as long as your guests know there is no WiFi going in.

Good luck with your new cabin!

@Eva Mackowski Congratulations! We bought our cabin there in April with @averycarl.