Shampoo & Booze 31: The Driveway Journey Beginsat our Airbnb

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We've been filling in our summer nights with more bookings, which we're thrilled about. Our quest to find cleaning help has begun with minimal results so far, but we're still searching. Our excavator neighbor showed up to the river house to drop off equipment and assess the job, hopefully starting this week. All good things!

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10 comments:

  1. OMG, do not hire that cleaner! She sounds like a total PITA!

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    1. trust me, the first thing we said when she left was 'no way'. not a bad person, just not a good, professional fit for us.

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  2. Hey you guys, the "saved" feature is on the mobile app. If you use iPhone it's in the same menu as copy/paste (hold your finger down on the screen).

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    1. we will check that out. thanks!

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    2. Huh, we have an iPhone. Just updated my Airbnb app. I'm in the message area and I didn't see that feature. So I googled it.

      Looks like our Messages that we've saved on the Airbnb website don't apply to the IOS app.
      http://theabundanthost.com/quick-time-saving-airbnb-tip-the-saved-messages-feature/

      Instead when you write a message on the app, then you can save it before you send it. Only then will you be able to used the "Saved Messages" feature.

      I understand technically why they haven't connected the app to the website, but it sure would be nice to just have all my Saved Messages work across the platforms.

      Thanks Unknown for the tip!

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  3. That cleaner you interviewed just saved you tons of money. Unbelievable. I would suggest that you go to craigslist and look under hotel management or hospitality. Also contact local event planners and Im sure they have a ton of recs.
    On another note about the Carthage NC renter. I too am from Houston and I find it interesting that she decided to keep the property and rent it. There is a lot of land in Texas (hill country gets great prices for AirBB, but man to buy the property is super high). Why did you keep it?
    Ryanne and Jay, you own 2 rentals properties now (one under construction), but you live in the area, so it's easier for you to tend to them if need be, plus you know the contractors well. I have to think that helps, plus living in a beautiful area.
    So this question is for those out there that own rental properties far away from your home. Do you find it profitable? Is it easy to manage and how often do you have to physically check on it (bc that is added cost too).. Thank you!

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    1. Good suggestion about finding a cleaner by approaching the event planners in our area. We'd also be interested to hear if owning an Airbnb rental in another state is profitable or just pays for itself.

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    2. I live in California and I have a ski condo in Colorado. I manage it myself. Because there is a mortgage and a monthly HOA fee of $570, I do not make a profit. Once the mortgage is paid off, I will turn a profit.

      We travel to our condo 3 times a year for vacation. We have family in the area so it's highly probable we would come anyway even if we did not own our condo.

      You can do all of your maintenance by phone, but it costs more than if you were close by to do the work yourself. For instance I had to have a locksmith come out to help a guest that couldn't figure out how to open the door. This was user error and cost me $70 for a service call. I needed a toilet seat replaced which I could have done myself for $25, but had to pay a handyman $75. Same goes for the fireplace gas pilot light going out. So managing from afar costs more.

      There are other problems that it wouldn't matter if you lived close by. For example, the power going out, a water main breaking, the water heater to clubhouse pool breaking. These are all things that aren't under your control to fix, but you have to make amends to your guests and this typically means refunding money.
      It's not difficult to manage the property, but it does take up some time and mental energy. I'd say I spend about 20 hours a month: maintaining my websites, posting on craigslist, interviewing guests, making phone calls, and sending out emails. My husband does all the bookkeeping, but I process all of the payments.
      My husband says he would pay someone to manage the property if I wasn't doing it.

      I'd say that it's much easier to manage a rental property whether it is short or long term that is within an hour of where you live.

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    3. Sounds like you guys have an awesome place for your own recreation that's being paid for by renting the place out. Plus, after the place is paid off, you'll have a valuable asset.

      And you know we love that you;re running the place yourself so you keep more of the money!

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  4. Love the show! Nice to hear people calling in with their stories. Inspiring!

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