All Forum Posts by: Paul Stewart

 Hey @Michael Baum yes, we were fully accepted but had to leave hospitable. In that journey we tried 2 other PMS for a short time now we are with the 3rd and 2 weeks into the 3rd PMS since leaving Hospitable we just wish we could go back to Hospitable fully. We kept our subscription to Hospitable and still have some direct bookings on that PMS.  At this time we are on another PMS and most of our properties are live on Marriott right now, though we are still working out tons of kinks mainly due to the new PMS. 

I guess it is ultimately a good problem to have. If you need a PMS I'd recommend Hospitable! lol 

Just curious—have any STR management companies or large-scale operators using Hospitable been accepted to list on Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy (HVMB)?

We were accepted some time ago and had reached out to Hospitable about a potential integration with HVMB. At the time, it didn’t seem to be a high priority on their roadmap. After waiting nearly a year, we decided to explore other PMS options.

Fast forward—countless hours and three different PMS platforms later—I find myself really wanting to return to Hospitable.

I’m reaching out to see if others in the community are also hoping for a Hospitable + HVMB integration. I’ve already upvoted the idea on their roadmap, but if more of us are looking for the same thing, maybe we can collectively help push this integration forward.

How do you like Hostify? 

 After several calls with some of the larger PMS providers, where I really took the time to dive into their products and compare features, pricing, and more, we've decided to go with Hostfully. As I mentioned before, one of my main reasons for switching was to get connected with Marriott Homes and Villas, so that really narrowed my options down to PMSs that support that integration. After looking closely at what Hospitable offers versus some of the bigger names like Guesty, it's honestly surprising to see that Hospitable has more features, especially when it comes to automations. Hostfully seems like it will cover the basics we need, plus it has some unique features that others didn’t offer. It’s been a long journey to get to this point, and we even had a failed attempt with another PMS (but I’ll keep those details to myself). Everyone’s needs are different, but I definitely wouldn’t write off Hospitable. They provide everything the larger platforms do—and honestly, they have some extra options that others lack.

Hospitable, hands down, is an excellent PMS. I’m honestly surprised it’s not ranked higher in the industry. I’ve been using Hospitable for nearly five years, and I’m only switching to another PMS because I need integration with Marriott Homes & Villas. It’s a tough decision, but after comparing Hospitable side by side with other PMSs, I can confidently say it offers more options for most users. Whether you’re managing other people’s properties as a cohost or you own all your properties, it’s a great choice.

Hospitable has a lot of built-in automatic messages that other PMSs don’t offer, and the mobile app has all the same functionality as the desktop version. People often say it’s best for those with just a few listings, but I can vouch for its reliability even with over 85 listings. The integration with Airbnb works seamlessly, and although it’s not directly connected to VRBO’s API, we rarely encounter issues. A benefit of this setup is that VRBO still processes payments and handles the transaction. The direct booking features are also fantastic.

Customer service is solid, and Hospitable is constantly improving. It’s bittersweet to leave, but it doesn’t look like they’ll be connecting with Marriott anytime soon. That said, I’d still highly recommend Hospitable to others.

For me and my business it is not getting frustrated with guests. We have over 10,000 nightly stays per year so its hundreds of guests at any given time and yes we have PMS and automation systems in place as well as a VA but even with all that being a host is tough. It is hard to stay calm and always be hospitable when dealing with guests in so many different situations. At least 20 times a week I am shaking my head and at a loss for some of the stuff we deal with regarding guests.

Honestly new listings do get good exposure on Airbnb especially if you are doing the new listing 20% discount for guests. We tend to see a lot of traction on our new listings. It is important to get some good reviews off of your first stays. Try to make sure main photo very inviting so you stand apart from other listings. If you hit the right exposure, price point etc you should be good to go. One thing I would suggest is if you start getting some consistent bookings do not jack your prices up over 15% as a new listing. The algorithm does not react well to listings that do that. Airbnb is very algorithm based and despite the popular opinion its not hard to stay in good standings on the algorithm. 

I've noticed a growing trend among new real estate investors in my area. They tend to avoid properties that need renovations. Ironically, these are often the best opportunities to build equity and find great deals. It seems there’s a common misconception largely influenced by social media, online courses, and influencers who oversimplify the process that real estate is an easy, passive way to generate income with minimal effort.
As someone who occasionally works with these investors, I always try to emphasize the challenges that come with real estate like managing renovations, dealing with tenants, and navigating market fluctuations. With all the resources available today to research and learn about the industry, I’m surprised this “easy money” mindset persists.
To me, real estate is far from passive or simple. It requires hard work, strategy, and a willingness to take on projects others might overlook. I’m curious have others here noticed this trend with new investors? How do you approach educating people on the realities of the business?

Thanks Andrew 

Yes we are in ACNJ most of our properties are in AC but do have a handful in Ventnor and other shore towns. I'd have to ask my wife who handles the accounting etc about the fee question. 

30 to 45min a month for 62 properties Not bad. I guess they are the same Taxes so it makes it easier. With different municipalities I am expecting this to be a bit more lengthy for us.