All Forum Posts by: Zambricki Li

Finding this thread by Google search years after it was posted and appreciate the info. Of course, BP has the info. BP rocks.

Congrats on building!

 You can start with an architect(a draftsman is a more affordable option), do your initial planning, THEN shop plans for contractors to bid on. Many affordable contractors don't want to deal with the city or have the time, knowledge etc to go back and forth. They know how to build not draw, and will sub out to a draftsman anyway. There are VERY cheap draftsman options out there you can hire yourself.

Audit the financial feasibility of the bids before paying fees, for or pulling any permits. I would do it before spending any real money. Pulling the permit is commonplace, but what is the REAL construction cost? What are the existing conditions and is this a feasible build? That requires you to know enough about the building to not get ripped off. Money flows quickly in heavier construction and this is cash out of pocket. If you want to build affordably you have to know about structural engineering concerning foundation and framing. Building is very expensive if the contractor does everything and you are on the sidelines with a checkbook. You will get lower teaser bids you need to know how to see those and not take the bait. Good luck. 

No you don't need it, won't actually add anything to the rental income. Try and focus on amenities you can check off on the amenity section of the listing which will help you rank. Look at the amenity list like a shopping list and see what you can do for sub 500 that will improve your ranking.

You need pro quality photos, and fix the beds first! 

I have been migrating some of my portfolio to MTR and have found it just works better with certain areas.  If it doesn't work in your area switch it to LTR though still take pro photos 1st as its clean and staged.

Yes, you can share calendar. Or screenshot it and text it, if you want to keep housekeepers focused and not getting random messages when it books. I have friends who's housekeepers starting tracking host profit $ off of guesty..

 I don't review every guest. This is a bit of psychology though...sometimes guests make mistakes(show up early, fail to communicate back) and when you auto-review them right after they leave, they preemptively think you are giving them a bad review so THEY give YOU a weird review. Message great guests who had an excellent experience and make sure they realize it will be mutual five stars ***** before you write the review and they will glow you up. This pre-review verbiage can be pre written and casual in nature- it's just not auto sent by a 3rd party-it's kept on platform.

@John Underwood

Yeah man! Exactly.  I have 3-4 automated message(bots)s with <guest name> inserted. Send direct from main platform.

1) Time of booking

2) 5 days before: Preliminary check-in/out info and check-in time reminder  

3) Day before departure at 3 pm, with checkout instructions/time reiterated

If a host is getting more questions than that-- the listing or instructions are not clear. If something like a wrong code... or someone is lost.. you actually do want to respond and help them. Last thing someone wants when they have an issue- is a freakin' bot. 

A lot of people who bought in desert cities during pandemic will be selling. This could be a good opp for someone who truly loved the area and wants to live there, to come in and get a nice renovated place at a discount. Joshua Tree is a 1-2 day trip for most people so there is bound to be huge vacancy mid week at a macro level. Yes, it's by LA ...though it really is like a shortie trip for most people. For a successful STR you need places that people will spend 4+ days and has positive seasonality. Locations where there is things to do every season, or an employment hub. For example Colorado has ski/snowboarding in winter, in summer switches to river runs and mountain biking. When its hot no one wants to be in the desert, as there is nothing to do but sit in the AC.

Not a fan of Guesty. They should be upfront how they take over your account. They change pricing for all future dates with no warning--at sign up. They should at least provide a pop up window warning of the implications for active accounts, if nothing else.  Guesty auto-wipes your settings, pricing, and calendar like a sledgehammer.

 I prefer to use in- house platform messaging for basic messages, and actually write personal messages for anything else. It's quick, its better customer service than having all these bot-like features.

You don't need pricelabs either just check your area, be a little better than the other options. Raise your prices on weekends and holidays, just check the comps in your area now and then for a baseline.