All Forum Posts by: Sameul Ahsan

@Ben Fernandez combining a cleaning and maintenance fee may make the fee larger and lead to less booking 

I keep it hands-off and have my cleaners handle it. If a guest leaves something behind, they let me know, and I reach out to the guest. If they want it back, we ship it and charge them for the shipping cost.

For smaller items, it’s usually an easy fix. If it’s something big or expensive, I make sure they cover the full shipping cost before sending it out. Most guests appreciate the effort, and it keeps things running smoothly without me having to get involved.

No! Do not do it yourself! Your time is more valuable, don't waste it cleaning for a few dollars. 

Instead of scrubbing toilets and making beds, you could be:

• Finding your next deal
• Optimizing pricing to increase revenue
• Building partnerships to scale your business
• Actually enjoying the passive income you’re working so hard for

And here’s the thing—guests pay the cleaning fee, not you. You can even upcharge it to cover extra costs and make a small profit. Meanwhile, a solid cleaning team keeps turnovers smooth, maintains high ratings, and saves you from burnout.

Your time is your most valuable asset. Protect it.

Best Places to Advertise Your STR + MTR

I’ve been running short-term and mid-term rentals for a while, and getting consistent bookings comes down to visibility. Here’s what’s worked best for me:

✅ Airbnb & VRBO – The go-to platforms for STRs. Airbnb also works for MTRs if you target 30+ day stays.
✅ Furnished Finder – Best for traveling nurses and corporate stays.
✅ Zillow & Zumper – Great for MTRs, especially for extended stays.
✅ Facebook Marketplace & Local FB Groups – Surprisingly effective for MTRs.
✅ Direct Bookings & Google My Business – If you want to cut out OTA fees and get repeat guests.
✅ Corporate & Insurance Placements – Reaching out to relocation specialists can land solid long-term bookings.

@Account Closed DM me 

Step 1: Use Airdna to research the market’s revenue potential.

Step 2: Examine comparable Airbnb listings to understand current nightly rates and seasonal variations (summer, winter, etc.). Airdna can provide average figures for these rates.

Step 3: Identify and add the right amenities to differentiate your listing and boost occupancy.

Example:
I manage a 450-square-foot cottage in Sandwich, MA (Cape Cod) and offer an amenity that outshines the competition. While Airdna estimated annual revenue at around $45K, I earned $90K last year.

Follow these three steps to build a solid foundation before calculating your mortgage and expenses.

1. Always Reply:
No matter what changes you make, replying to the review is important. A courteous, appreciative response signals to future guests that you value feedback and are proactive about making improvements.

2. Upgrading the Couch:
The review clearly praises the overall stay but points out the couch’s lack of comfort during extended evening use. If extra sleeping capacity isn’t a daily need, replacing the current sofa-bed with a more comfortable sofa (or upgrading its internal cushions) can greatly enhance the guest experience. In your reply, you can thank the guest for the constructive criticism and mention that you’re in the process of upgrading the seating based on their feedback.

3. Balancing Capacity and Comfort:
If you regularly host groups that need extra sleeping space, you might consider a hybrid approach. For example, you could refurbish or reupholster the existing sofa-bed to improve comfort (perhaps by changing the inner cushioning) rather than a full replacement. This option keeps the extra capacity while addressing the comfort issue.

4. Sample Response:
“Thank you for your review and helpful feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed your vacation and appreciate your compliments about our well-equipped house. We’ve taken note of your comment about the couch and are already looking into options—whether upgrading the cushions or replacing the sofa-bed—to ensure a more comfortable experience for our guests in the future.”

My Recommendation:
If extra capacity isn’t a top requirement, I’d opt for replacing the sofa-bed with a proper sofa (or upgrading its inner cushions) and responding as above. This approach (option 3) demonstrates responsiveness and can improve the overall guest experience. If you do need the extra bed, then refurbishing the existing unit might be the best compromise.

If you want to go a different route to have the review removed. Look through the messages, look for airbnb violations and challenge them. 

No, the cleaning fee shouldn’t vary. Keep your pricing consistent, including pet fees and other charges, to prevent cleaners from adjusting rates unpredictably. The guest covers the cleaning fee, so your focus should be on maximizing occupancy with the right amenities. If your cleaner charges $120, set the guest’s cleaning fee at $120 plus any applicable pet fees. Avoid undercharging and cutting into your profits. As you accumulate 5-star reviews, guests will be willing to pay for quality.

I’d consider offering a discount on the weekly rate. If the discount is over 10%, Airbnb may strike through the original price and display the lower rate, which can help with marketing and visibility.

Also, upgrading the amenities could make a big difference. When I co-hosted in Allston, MA (Boston), the owner tried a similar approach, but we ultimately stopped because it wasn’t working well. However, if you can enhance privacy and add standout features—like a hot tub or a sauna barrel—it could justify higher rates and improve guest experience. Investing in the right upgrades can lead to a strong return.

My first question is: Do you need to register your short-term rental in that town or city? If so, do they conduct inspections? How often, and what does that process look like?

Even if inspections aren’t required now, that could change in the future. If the city decides to enforce inspections later and your property isn’t compliant, you may need to make costly updates to bring it up to code.

It ultimately comes down to your risk tolerance. If I believe I can generate enough profit this year and navigate any potential inspections next year, I’d be comfortable moving forward—using the income earned to cover any necessary upgrades.

An alternative exit strategy is to document the financial performance and sell the property as-is, highlighting its strong short-term rental income.

Think through your next five moves, from best to worst-case scenarios, and make a decision that aligns with your goals.