All Forum Posts by: Zachary Cain Humphrey

Check pricelabs out daily to see that pricing is going okay, maybe every other day. Once you open an account you will find out what I mean by Learning /training the software to learn your pricing as its AI driven. Turno is automatic. Once you add your cleaner to your calendar they can see all bookings and turno will notify the cleaner automatically of when a cleaning is needed. Stayfi is also automatic once you have it set up with your wifi, no effort needed there. Schlage Encode is an installed wife driven lock for your front door so that guests can easily get a new code each time. Again seconds to generate a code to then send to the guest. Hospitable (or any other) property management software links to your air bnb account, you then fill out messages you want automatically sent to each guest. You then only need to reply personally when guests ask questions outside of what your automatic messages can answer. by automating your messaging you save 90% of the time you would spend running an STR. Airdna, mashvisor, str insights are all used to research various markets so I use them when needed. Overall once the initial learning curve is over, maybe the first 1-2 months, you will have a very strong and clear understanding and what seems foggy now will be clear. Happy to help!

 Agreed with this perspective. 

Greenville has good market indicators as a place to invest. Housing demand on the rise. 

I would also take a look at other 5 bedroom houses in your market to see what their cleaning fee's are. In more "local" and nonvacation style markets its not uncommon that some of these hosts are keeping cleaning fees down by cleaning themselves. This is something I cannot do as I invest in Airbnb and have a full time job. Its been a balancing act of probably paying a little more for the 5 bed cleaning, no more than one more chance for the cleaner (potentially withe her taking on an assistant -something she probably wont want to do because she will just want more money), OR getting more quotes from local cleaners to see what they say. On top of having at least two sets of linens per bed to change beds fast, etc. If you find that your instructions are not being followed, create  check list that the cleaner is required to check boxes for finished tasks and sign it  at bottom so if you get further complaints from guests you can compare to the paper the cleaner said she signed off on and can hold cleaner more accountable in that way. 

I would avoid smart pricing feature from air bnb as it seems its only goal is to drop your prices in order to obtain bookings (air bnb primary concern - not your profit). Price labs is great. But I think the best option is organic adjustment you personally make as you know and learn your own market. But Price Labs is great once you learn how to use it as a tool.

I use Hospitable

Far as technology that assists in running STR....

- Hospitable for PMS

- Turno for cleaner automation - though i still message my cleaners everytime to verify they did clean and for them to submit photos of the property once their cleaning is completed.

- Stayfi for email capture to build out email list

- Schlage Encode for door knob - easy check in code creation. keep lock box somewhere on property with a physical key in it in case battery every dies or lock doesnt work

- Pricelabs - pricing automation. however I do organic pricing. I personally adjust all my pricing as I feel this helps me have more control and ultimately more bookings.

- Airdna, mashvisor, str insights, rabbu - market data research tools for STR investing

Far as challenges in STR...

- cleaning team: finding reliable cleaners who follow the way YOU want it cleaned. You may have to hire and fire several cleaners before you find a good one. try finding a cleaner who are willing to do simple errands as well that will keep you out of the weeds.

- handyman: you need at least two handymen that may be willing to go out and fix various simple things should the need arise.

- if your listing your property on different booking platforms be sure you use a property management software that allows you to integrate those calendars into one space so that you don't have double bookings.

- keep extra linens on hand because linens will get stained, its part of the job and it will happen. either your cleaning team can keep these OR you could leave a set to change beds in case a guest stains a set and wants to replace it for their stay. either way you need at least two sets of full bed linens per bed

Tyler Coon - Savvy Realty Group

Consider Logan ohio for near colombus STR market thats strong.

Dont write off Kentucky for many STR areas! Would be happy to discuss.

Far as technology that assists in running STR....

- Hospitable for PMS

- Turno for cleaner automation - though i still message my cleaners everytime to verify they did clean and for them to submit photos of the property once their cleaning is completed.

- Stayfi for email capture to build out email list

- Schlage Encode for door knob - easy check in code creation. keep lock box somewhere on property with a physical key in it in case battery every dies or lock doesnt work

- Pricelabs - pricing automation. however I do organic pricing. I personally adjust all my pricing as I feel this helps me have more control and ultimately more bookings.

- Airdna, mashvisor, str insights, rabbu - market data research tools for STR investing

Far as challenges in STR...

- cleaning team: finding reliable cleaners who follow the way YOU want it cleaned. You may have to hire and fire several cleaners before you find a good one. try finding a cleaner who are willing to do simple errands as well that will keep you out of the weeds.

- handyman: you need at least two handymen that may be willing to go out and fix various simple things should the need arise.

- if your listing your property on different booking platforms be sure you use a property management software that allows you to integrate those calendars into one space so that you don't have double bookings.

- keep extra linens on hand because linens will get stained, its part of the job and it will happen. either your cleaning team can keep these OR you could leave a set to change beds in case a guest stains a set and wants to replace it for their stay. either way you need at least two sets of full bed linens per bed