Shampoo & Booze 14: Total Airbnb Gut Renovation

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In the spirit of being total gluttons for punishment, we ripped out all of our water pipes in preparation for the electricity to be shut off so the roofer can do his thing. So this really is a total gut! We even discussed ripping all the tile floors up and replacing them since they're in really bad shape. But we know from past experience that if you want something done right, you have to do it, even if it takes longer and costs more. Not everyone does business this way, as we find out talking to other rental owners. As we have acknowledged, this is not a quick flip and we are not normal business people.

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Shampoo & Booze 13: This Is Not A Quick Airbnb Flip, Snowstorm Edition

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As we've said before, we're not normal business people. We're trying to build rental businesses in a sustainable and creative way. If it's not fun and challenging, we're not doing it. Sure, it generally costs more and takes way longer than we think, but in the long run, we've built something we're proud to show off to every single person who visits. Expanding on that theme, Jay took a 10 hour round trip drive to North Carolina to pick up some heartwood pine flooring for the new house. Now that's dedication! P.S. Remodelista is the book we mention about using quality materials.

If you haven't already, check out Airbnb for the next time you travel. Or even consider renting a spare room or any property you have.

Shampoo & Booze 12: We Are Not Normal Airbnb Business People

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We've come to this realization: We aren't normal business people. We kind of knew that, but the last year has really showed us that we are very much into "Slow Business". We're not saying we want business and sales and rentals to be slow and not make money. We're saying that it pays off in the long run to build your business slowly, sustainably and creatively. Of course not having a bundle of cash up front to do a quick renovation really helps this philosophy as well!

Here are some of the ductless HVAC systems you can buy on Amazon for a lot less than $10,000. You'll have to pay for installation, but hopefully it will equal about half the quote we got.

Check out some photoshopping Ryanne did to test some color schemes for the new rental--

The color the house is now, brown, brown brown.

My first instinct was to go lighter. but this beige is just too Blah!

Next I thought I'd add some color. But the green kind of clashes with the forest around it, and makes it feel to woodsy to me.

I think the blue is a great Mid Century color choice. I don't want it too be too bright, but more like a slate blue with some grey in it. Also the current orange-red beams will be a richer burgundy.

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Shampoo & Booze 11: Being Your Own General Contractor for your Airbnb

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Since we started buying houses, we have, by necessity, been our own general contractors. This means you deal with every detail on a renovation including who does what, budgets, colors, materials, hauling trash, even some demolition and physical labor, etc etc. If you're not willing to pay someone else to do it, you've got to just do it yourself. We do have limits as to what our construction skills afford, but that's when we make sure we have a professional ready and willing. So far this system has worked well for us and hopefully will continue to work for this next big project.

Thinking of becoming an Airbnb host or guest? Use our referral code and get $20 off your next stay or $80 credit if you become a host!

Shampoo & Booze 10: We Bought Another Airbnb Rental!

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Yes, that's correct. We have been looking for a few months and we finally bought a second rental. We are very excited. Check out some photos below to see what we saw (lots of cool potential, nice view, solid bones). Also see how insane it is that people rent houses in our area in this condition. The horror, oh the horror!

Thinking of becoming an Airbnb host or guest? Use our referral code and get $20 off your next stay or $80 credit if you become a host!

Shampoo & Booze 9: Interview with Anna, Independent Airbnb Host in Colorado

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We met Anna through our Scavenger Life blog because she also sells on eBay for extra cash (and fun of course). We were thrilled to find out that she also runs a successful vacation rental long distance from California. Before we got our rental started this year, we got a lot of good advice from Anna on how to get started and run things properly. Her story is inspiring because she's able to run her place from about 1100 miles away with very little friction. Check out her lovely abode in Silverthorne, CO and her guidebook to the area. If you want to stay there, she's giving fellow listeners a coupon for $50 off. Thanks Anna! Coupon code: Shampoo4u

You know you want to stay here:

Thinking of becoming an Airbnb host or guest? Use our referral code and get $20 off your next stay or $80 credit if you become a host!

Shampoo & Booze 8: How to Wish Your Airbnb Competition Well and Learn From Their Mistakes

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Competition is inevitable in the rental business. You wouldn't be able to run a rental without it, because your area would not be a place that people wanted to come stay. So overall, it's a good thing. We can also learn a lot from our competitors, like how much to charge and when the slow seasons might be. We try to spin it as a positive even though we definitely want all their bookings! P.S. These are the AC air deflectors that we mentioned, we love them and they're working great.

Thinking of becoming an Airbnb host or guest? Use our referral code and get $20 off your next stay or $80 credit if you become a host!