All Forum Posts by: Pierre E.

This is both to share what I have found so far, and ask for additional ideas/feedback.  Basically trying to figure out the best way to have two completely separate internet networks on a property including the wired ethernet networks.

SCENARIO: Why look into this? 
Good internet service is important for STR and especially MTR guests, including not just wireless but wired ethernet LAN access for some remote workers. Wired is faster, more reliable, more secure and sometimes required and may be an added bonus, but harder to create two SSIDs for.

At the OTHER end, when renting to STR /MTR guests, there may be devices that either provide security, safety, functionality to your furnished rental that you don't want guests accidentally or intentionally disabling or damaging or using,  ie IoT devices, cameras, etc.   Also, there have been reports of guests using internet for not so good activity (1) ie piracy, copyrighted material etc, and there may be other reasons as well ie if you have a duplex,  etc to have separate total LAN. 

One other thing, is if you actually still live on the property, this becomes even MORE important for you. 

       How to Create Two Completely Separate Walled of Networks?    .
(and not just two wireless network ID's)


So far this is all I have come across

A) - Use a second router (Double NAT issue), set up a second router with its own network ID, and connect wireless and ethernet devices through this.  -  Upside:  fastest, less expensive way to do this.  Downside: Double NAT (2) will likely occur, which can be a problem for some guests esp gamers or remote workers that will have specific internet issues with port forwarding.  - One way to avoid this is to put your maintenance/general devices on the second router since they are less likely to care about double NAT than a guest.  Bridge mode is an option but kinda defeats the purpose of creating a separate network 

B) Create subnets (Advanced Method) -  There's a way to actually create subnets (3) , I dont fully understand it, but its not impossible even for a non IT pro... but this probably takes some time, and not sure if that is something that would need to be redone over time or if network resets are needed. Goal to maximize customer experience, minimize calls for internet issues, and optimize security and device separation so not sure if this would make fixing internet issues less streamlined and more of a headache

C)  Purchase another internet account -  (Simple Costly Method)-  ask your ISP to run another service line into the house and provide another ISP public address and line that you connect a second router to. All of these above methods will involve additional routers but depends on how those routers are used.  This method prevents double NAT and network interference, but allows separate ethernet wired networks to exist to isolate the property devices from the guests. It just happens to cost more. May or may not be worth it depending on your guest type, cashflow, and personal needs (ie if you also live on the property). 

Any other ideas, suggestions or comments?  I hope this helped someone, I have seen a few searches on this, but not a lot of clear answers on options and issues.  I also hope someone can help me if there are other options, or someone has experience with this???

1) - This is how I have Wifi set up for guests  Answered!   ‎26-12-2018 07:51 AM  - https://community.withairbnb.c...
2) - What is Double NAT?  Toasty Answers  - Youtube   (Good explanation)
3) -  let’s subnet your home network // You SUCK at subnetting // EP 6  - NetworkChuck - Youtube

@Chad Rakestraw I did a search myself. In case you or someone else doing a search still could use the information, this is what I got from searching the BP forums. The most commonly mentioned were Homestyler and Magic Plan, also Sketchup. I am sure whichever one works best for you will depend on what you need, hope this helps.

• - *Homestyler - https://www.homestyler.com/floorplan
  
• - *Magic Plan
• - *Sketchup free version
  
• - Floorplanner
• - Home Design 3D" as an app on... Galaxy Note 8
  
• - twinmotion
• - Revit
  
• - floorplan creator
• - BoxBrownie
• - A designer said they use SoftPlan, which is a professional cad program that draws in 2d, allowing me to make 3d renderings, but it runs $95/month.
• - chief architect and archicad, AutoCAD?

connection issue caused a duplicate post, apologies 

I did a search myself. In case you or someone else doing a search still could use the information, this is what I got from searching the BP forums.  The most commonly mentioned were Homestyler and Magic Plan, also Sketchup. I am sure whichever one works best for you will depend on what you need, hope this helps. 

•  - *Homestyler - https://www.homestyler.com/floorplan
  
•  - *Magic Plan 
•  - *Sketchup free version
  
•  - Floorplanner
•  - Home Design 3D" as an app on... Galaxy Note 8
  
•  - twinmotion
•  - Revit
  
•  - floorplan creator
•  - BoxBrownie
•  - A designer said they use SoftPlan, which is a professional cad program that draws in 2d, allowing me to make 3d renderings, but it runs $95/month.
•  - chief architect and archicad, AutoCAD?

Anyone have any information on when the material participation clock starts and hours you or others spend start counting? ( specifically for a property newly purchased mid tax year new to the investor — in this case using 100 hours more than anyone else for STR tax loophole)

Is it

a- it hours only once the property has been placed in service or

b- all hours of all people in the year it was placed in service?

c - all hours of all people are evaluated after date of ownership/closing in year property placed in service?

Thank your for your thoughts or pointing me in the right direction

If it helps i wrote two opposing scenarios:

——

Scenario 1: a property purchased in fall of the year, owner did DIY renovation's total 120 hours placed it in service as an STR, cleaner did 100 hours from service start date until end of year and owner did only 80 hours from service start date until end of year - (1st time ever placed in service was AFTER renovation only for stays averaging less than 7 days, no other prior uses under that owner). would owner meet criteria or no?

Scenario 2: a property was purchased in the beginning of a year and originally NOT intended for short term rental use but was never rented or marketed, and was renovated in a couple months by a contractor 350 hrs, and then the decision was made to turn it into a short term rental owner spent 400 hours in material participation after service start date others spent max 50 hours after service start date

Owner spent over 100 more than anyone once property was an STR, but if the contractor hours also count then they would not qualify?

The scenarios are hypothetical but made to help clarify the initial question with the a / b / c options.

If the desire is to also then use the

@Bob Stevens good points. I guess I just haven't yet come across a property manager that isnt trying to do the bare minimum... but definitely there is value in a PM that does what is needed. 

I like what @Brad  said and  @Amir Khan  great points and definitely better setup than I have seen!d

@Brad Larsen

 I have really seen mostly one PM style. They are very removed, and they coordinate people coming to your property, but they dont actually care for the property.  I would be willing to pay for someone to visit the property, make sure things are in order tenant wise and physical property wise, and maybe based on the amount of work needed charge me a quarterly fee but some charge a percent of whatever job they hire someone for... and some other formats... that I find bring less value but more cost.  Of course they should be paid just... I havent seen a situation or PM that would bring me the value in the areas I need it the most. I dont need them to charge me for for setting up the tenant portal... 

Hey Creative Finance Peeps out there!

Renovation costs! How do you handle this in a scalable way while using Seller/Owner financing or Sub-To?  It seems you have to use your own cash? You cant use a  private money or hard money lender???  (You would have to refinance out of your seller finance deal... which is ok... but also get money out of it to pay back lender, which is the hard part!)

What are ways around this?

What are some other pitfalls and downsides to seller finance and subject to?

Any work arounds?

Would love to dialogue on this!

@Theresa Harris -  how much are they charging for repairs?  My biggest issue is PM taking a cut for big and small maintenance requests... but I guess it also depends on the size of your portfolio.