All Forum Posts by: Ken Boone

Yea that is crazy.  I mean it is possible that Xfinity had a fiber cut or something blew out in a storm or something that services that location and it could be out of their control.  But even so, if I am them, I would be all over the provider so I have some answers for my guests.

So to automate that, you can use Zapier to either tie it in to your PMS, or tie it in to any email address where you get a notice that you got a booking.  You can use Zapier to monitor the PMS or email account for that notice and then extract the email address and kick off the rental agreement in DocuSign.

I do this right now but using SignNow.  The biggest issue that came with this method is that it still works great for VRBO, but now after an AirBnb booking I have to ask the guest for their email to get this process started.

Zapier is also monitoring for the returned signed RA and that point then sends out all the info the guests needs for their stay.

The rest of the email automation is handled by the PMS.

My biggest pain, is when I get a difficult guest, or when things break mid stay.

 I agree that the set up fees seem very low for what you are doing.  I mean just the photographer alone is going to cost more than that.

So it really depends on your goals.  You need to ask yourself why would you be managing this other person's property?  We have been asked this question a lot ourselves.  We always say no.  Here are some things to consider:

Are you doing this as more of a side hustle or do you want to start a rental mgmt business?

As someone mentioned, 30% might be high in the area, or it might not be.  But you will most likely not be able to get premium rates until you have a proven record in managing other peoples property.   So the facts are that you will only get paid roughly equal to the market rate for this service in your area.  You might also have to look into licensing in order to manage someone else's property and see if that comes in to play and how much that might cost.

The next question, once you realize what your potential cash flow from this will be, is if the time you spend on it, worth the extra cash you will get.  Would that time be more valuable growing your own business or managing others?

So the time it takes to manage someone else property is going to take more time than just managing your own.  You have to now include the extra time spent communicating issues, invoices, etc..with the property owner.

Whether you do it or not is not a right or wrong matter, but you need to understand why you are doing it and if the extra cash will be worth your time.

We have always turned down the requests to manage other people's properties, because I feel like the amount of money I would receive from managing someone else property would not be worth the time to me.  I would rather put that time in growing my businesses. 

Having said that, I don't have a desire to build a property management business, but you might and that would change things.

Hope this helps.

I got burned by someone bringing in more guests than my max occupancy once.  It was only for 2 nights, and the max occupancy was for 6.  They showed up with 10.  I thought.. 2 days how bad can it be.  After 6 years that is still the worst trashing of a place I have ever experienced.

The next time this happened, 22 people showed up to a cabin with a max occupancy of 8.  I called VRBO or AirBnb, can't remember which it was and explained the situation to them.  I explained that my max occupancy is for 8 and they have grossly broken my house rules.  I told them I want them evicted with no refund for breaking my house rules and the OTA agreed.  Once I had their agreement I called the guest who refused to answer, so I called the cabin phone and let it ring for like 2 minutes until someone finally answered.

I explained they knew the house rules, they signed my digital rental agreement that clearly spells out max occupancy and they signed up in the OTA with 7 guests, but only listed 6 people on the digital RA.  I then said you clearly are way over the max occupancy and have broken the house rules and at this point you need to pack up and leave the premises immediately.  I also let them know if there is any damage they will be charged for damages.  I then let them know the authorities have been notified.  This last statement will get them moving.  

This has been my procedure ever since.  I don't fool around anymore.  When they grossly break your rules, they will have no respect for your property.

Are you working with Stan Inman at Southpoint Risk?  He has done a great job for us over the years and from time to time will swap out insurance providers as needed for better rates, better coverage, etc.  

Man as much tourists dollars as that county takes in, more fees are absolutely ridiculous!  

 It was freaking packed on Saturday for sure!

10% return is probably more than what you are going to get on building a new cabin or buying an existing one these days.  

if it is something you want to do I don’t think that would be a bad decision.