All Forum Posts by: Marie M.

Quote from @Patrick Doyle:

AccountingSuite.com has the best software and they even have a rental manager Property Management features built into the software. Its easy to use and you can defiantly do it yourself.  

 Does Accounting Suite allow you to track multiple properties independently? In QBO it's done as classes I believe and it's a bit tricky to set up.

I am interested in locating data on what is owed on a mortgage particularly for houses in distress or about to go into foreclosure.  Are there websites that have accurate information?  Thank you.

Quote from @Kristel Daugherty:

I would love to give you a better answer, but what I've found is - its the one you'll use (and your team will use).

I had a great SOP that I drafted during COVID in Adobe InDesign. I was familiar with it because of my design background, and it is super powerful for being able to put in links and have a nice format consistently. My first admin struggled with the program and as a result never used it.

Moving forward, I'm having everything moved into Google Docs. It's accessible from computer and mobile. It's user-friendly. Its basic formatting ultimately does everything that's needed, and I'll be able to manage things like an index with links.

There are a host of other topics about SOPs - I found this one to be insightful. Have you done a search for similar topics?

https://www.biggerpockets.com/...

Yes, I searched and am not finding answers other than discussion of why SOPs are or aren't useful, etc.  I've created SOPs for 20 years but looking for something different than the word processor/spreadsheet solutions. 

That linked thread did have the index card box idea which I may put in our STR cleaning closets by posting it on the inside door for things that are less often than each guest visit-- like changing air filters, painting back porch, pressure washing vinyl and driveways- irregular things.  Reminds me of the restroom cleaning log.  I like the manual solution for STR tasks!  

Just looking for innovative software solutions for business processes since half our team is online.  Tired of the same old, same old.  We are using ASANA for goals and projects/tasks but I haven't found that it has repeatable SOP area.  This is also for continuity should something happen to a key person.  As we have grown, not everyone has SOPed out all they do.

Wow @Account Closed Has got some hot answers tonight.  I'm following along, taking notes.  😄

Quote from @Account Closed:

Quote from @Marie M.:

Hello!  

What are my fellow BP member thoughts on this language? Does it specifically prohibit short term rentals? I'm not seeing that it does and I am living in an ideal situation to move out and STR. This is not an HOA, it is just a very old set of bylaws on a subdivision.

I don't put a lot of stock in attorneys, and I have worked in lawful counsel capacities for myself as well as for attorneys, so please don't recommend one 😄 

The way I'm reading it-- as long as it's the entire property being rented, which it is, and it's not for more than one family, which it isn't, then it's pretty vague if it wanted to prohibit STRs.  Any thoughts?  Thanks in advance!

Best Comment All Day: 

"I also think it's important to explore the freedom of private property rights, which are near and dear to my heart."

I respectfully disagree with the previous commenters. I see the intent as to not have a group home, day care or boarding house, all of which assume an ongoing business of unrelated individuals coming and going ad nauseum. That is not what an STR to a related group is.

I agree with your first take. A "part" is not the whole. So, it seems they don't want people renting less than the whole house (not "part" like a garage, a bedroom, an attic, out building, ADU, etc) Also, they would have included "for not less that 30 days" if they wanted to prohibit short term rentals. I don't think renting by the room would be tolerated, but renting the entire house seems to be what they intended to allow, with no specific limit on the amount of time.

 Thank you Mike!  Appreciate the comments very much.  Following you

Yeah, to me I understood it to mean no partial parts of a home could be used for transient accommodations, meaning the whole house could be used.  But STRs didn't exist when they made this, other than boarding houses.  So maybe it will be fine. I want to do it because I don't think it's the best LTR.  Thanks for all the back up! Great resources, which I am logging now Thanks @John Underwood 

STRs are the best kept properties anywhere, much better kept than LTRs

And to the property manager who said I'm looking for problems, I'm just looking for opportunities! I also think it's important to explore the freedom of private property rights, which are near and dear to my heart. 

As far as business use, does STR qualify as more of a business use than an LTR? Because it remits local taxes etc, I guess it is more hotelier than landlord.

Quote from @Collin Hays:

"No part...shall be used for the purpose of renting rooms as a boarding house or other transient accommodation."  

Can't get much more clear than that.

 Interesting.  That's the part where I thought it was tricky because it seems to be underlining that the WHOLE HOUSE be rented (which it previously stated) as home rentals are allowed.  The transient accommodation I thought was connected to the renting rooms prohibition...as boarding house or other transient accommodation.  And since we will not be renting rooms, I feel there may be a leg to stand on!  

Hello!  

What are my fellow BP member thoughts on this language? Does it specifically prohibit short term rentals? I'm not seeing that it does and I am living in an ideal situation to move out and STR. This is not an HOA, it is just a very old set of bylaws on a subdivision.

I don't put a lot of stock in attorneys, and I have worked in lawful counsel capacities for myself as well as for attorneys, so please don't recommend one 😄 

The way I'm reading it-- as long as it's the entire property being rented, which it is, and it's not for more than one family, which it isn't, then it's pretty vague if it wanted to prohibit STRs.  Any thoughts?  Thanks in advance!

We use Quickbooks but going to start a new business with Sage, just to try it out and see how it is.