Get Paid For Your Pad | Airbnb Hosting | Vacation Rentals | STR Revenue Management

How to scale your STR Business in 2021 without getting burned out Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cleaners are an integral part of any short-term rental (STR) business, and their role has become even more vital in the season of COVID-19. So, how do you find and train good cleaners? And how do you manage a growing team of cleaners as your vacation rental business scales?Gosia Cooke is the founder of Coastal Properties Vacation Rentals, the #1 STR management company in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Gosia started hosting her own properties on Airbnb in 2015. Soon, property owners were asking her to manage their vacation rentals, and today, she has grown the business to a portfolio of 70-plus properties. Gosia has a particular expertise in managing cleaners, having developed a system for training a growing staff and eventually selling that part of the business to her cleaning manager.On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Gosia joins me to share her advice for finding good vacation rental cleaners and training them to meet extremely high standards. She weighs in on how to manage a growing cleaning staff, describing what she did to standardize the units and schedule both cleaners and inspectors for each property. Listen in for insight on how the Myrtle Beach market has fared through the pandemic and learn how Gosia empowered her cleaning manager to found her own company—and take responsibility for that aspect of the business as Coastal Properties scales.Topics CoveredGosia’s advice on finding good vacation rental cleaners·       Check with network first·       Know standards, don’t settle for anything lessHow Gosia thinks about training a cleaning staff·       Be patient and give time to improve·       Clearly explain expectations (must look brand new)·       Inspection checklist for inspectors + cleaners·       Include staging for next group of guestsGosia’s insight on how to manage your cleaning staff·       Standardize units (e.g.: bedspreads, throw pillows)·       Don’t assign one cleaner to certain units·       Send unit numbers and order night before·       Hire inspectors to check their workWhat inspired Gosia to sell the cleaning business·       Couldn’t run and scale management company·       Trusted cleaning manager to take responsibility·       Free up time to focus on growing businessHow Myrtle Beach has performed through COVID·       Lockdown through end of April·       Busy through summer (drive-to destination)·       Quiet now but picking up with snowbirds Connect with GosiaCoastal Properties Vacation RentalsGosia on AirbnbResourcesSTR Profit AcademyEastbound & DownIndeedCraigslistYour Porter [Discount Code PAD]Erinç Arık on GPFYP EP356Email jasper@getpaidforyourpad.com SponsorHostfully Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The pandemic has limited our ability to engage in social interaction. Sporting events and concerts have been cancelled, nightclubs are closed and even restaurants are restricted to a limited capacity. And young people have turned to short-term rentals (STRs) as a party venue where they can meet up with friends and make bad decisions. So, what can you do as a host to avoid these pandemic partiers?Michael Goldin is the Director of Business Development at NoiseAware, a noise protection service for vacation rentals. Functioning like a smoke detector for noise, the NoiseAware device notifies hosts when the noise level at a property exceeds their quiet hours setting—without violating the guest’s privacy. Prior to joining the team at NoiseAware, Michael led the business development team at Rented.com.On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Michael joins me to explain why parties have become such an issue for STR hosts in the last few months and why Airbnb’s measures to prevent parties haven’t been effective. He shares his top strategies for preventing partiers from booking your STR and discusses how to keep a party from taking place in your property during a guest’s stay. Listen in for Michael’s insight on how to approach the guest when you receive a notification from NoiseAware and learn your options for handling the situation (and keeping yourself safe) when there’s a party in progress at your Airbnb.Topics CoveredWhy parties have become an issue for STR hosts in the last few monthsUsual outlets for social interaction restricted due to COVIDYoung people home from college, less worried about virusMultiplier effect of news coverage of Airbnb house partiesWhy Airbnb’s measures to prevent parties haven’t been effectivePartiers pay friends to book through their listing accountRent multiple houses in case party shut down at oneHow to prevent partiers from booking your STRMention NoiseAware device, provide photo in listingUse Autohost or Guardhog to catch bad actorsAsk screening questions re: purpose of stay, etc.Say you’ll meet guest at property or live nearbyBan one-night stays (reduce party risk by 1/3)How to prevent parties in your STR during a guest’s stayUse NoiseAware to monitor noise insideView number of people in and out with Ring doorbellNoiseAware’s stats on the frequency of excessive noise in STRs1/20 stays = noise event that will disturb neighbors1/200 stays = full-blown partyWhat to do when you get a NoiseAware notificationFriendly text to remind guest of rulesStern follow-up text if noise persistsWhat you can do if a party is taking place in your Airbnb listingGo to property yourself (can be dangerous)Call policeTake photos from safe distanceShare security company with other hostsConnect with MichaelNoiseAwareResourcesAutohostGuardhogRingSTR LegendsRent ResponsiblyAirbnb Resolution CenterGet Paid for Your Pad on YouTubeEmail jasper@getpaidforyourpad.com or support@strlegends.comSponsorHostfully Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We know it’s beneficial to have a direct booking website for our short-term rental (STR) business. But having a webpage doesn’t do us much good if no one visits. So, how do you drive traffic to your site and make it easy for guests to book?Erinç Arık is the Cofounder and CEO of Your Porter, the premiere mobile-first property management software for professional STR hosts. The platform’s top features include message automation, team management and an Airbnb ranking booster, and the app even allows hosts to create their own SEO-optimized direct booking website in a matter of minutes.On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Erinç joins me to discuss why it’s important to have a direct booking website, explaining why it gives you a better chance at capturing longer bookings and how Your Porter can help you build one today. He introduces us to the platform’s online payment processor, describing how it benefits both you and your guests. Listen in to understand what Your Porter is doing to keep your STR business safe and get Erinç’s best strategies for driving traffic to your direct booking site!Topics CoveredWhy it’s important to have a direct booking websiteMake own rules for business vs. rely on OTAsBetter chance at capturing longer bookingsThe benefits of the Your Porter online payment processorAllows guests to pay in installmentsHost gets paid right away vs. day after check-inHow long it takes to build a direct booking site with Your PorterTakes 2 to 3 minutes, can be done on phoneSite goes live in 5 to 10 minutesHow to drive traffic to your direct booking websiteMarket to past guests (discount code for direct booking)Make sure site is SEO-friendly, appears in Google searchInvest in Google Ads for exact listing keywordsHow Your Porter keeps your business safeChargeback protection featureAutomated security depositSome of the other top features you get with Your PorterAutomated messagingChannel managerAirbnb ranking boosterIncome reports (share with homeowners)Cleaning task managerSmart pricing integrationConnect with ErinçYour Porter App [Discount Code PAD]ResourcesErinç on GPFYP EP221Google AdsStripeYour Porter’s Airbnb Rank TrackerGet Paid for Your Pad on YouTubeEmail jasper@getpaidforyourpad.com or support@strlegends.comSponsorHostfully Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Airlines and hotel chains employ entire teams to determine what their pricing and booking settings should be to maximize revenue. But most short-term rental (STR) hosts don’t have access to the same kind of data, nor do we have the resources to hire world-class data scientists. So, what can we do make more from the properties we manage?Cofounders Andrew McConnel and Cliff Johnson are the CEO and CCO of Rented, the premier provider of full-service revenue management for professional vacation rental managers, best serving Airbnb hosts with a portfolio of 10 to 1,000 listings. The Rented team is also in the process of launching the first-of-its-kind revenue management software, sharing the technology they use as a standalone product for STR businesses that want to keep their revenue management discipline in-house.On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Cliff and Andrew join me to discuss what differentiates revenue management strategy from pricing strategy, explaining why vacation rentals are more difficult to price than other commodities. They weigh in on how to set fees for your STR, offering insight on why they don’t recommend charging for extra guests and what you might do as an alternative. Listen in for Andrew and Cliff’s view on pricing with a dynamic algorithm versus a host who knows the market and learn how to maximize your STR revenue—with a little help from the team at Rented!Topics CoveredWhat differentiates revenue management strategy from pricingTakes ancillary factors into account (e.g.: # of reviews)Price = number, revenue management = disciplineHow Andrew and Cliff think about setting cleaning feesConsider demand for property and ownership structureInclude incremental costs but don’t try to recover fixed costsWhat hosts should think about as they set STR feesAre you making money?Is the homeowner earning enough to stay?Will the guest feel nickel and dimed?Why Cliff and Andrew don’t recommend charging for extra guestsCreates incentive for guests to liePotential benefit in terms of revenue sharing, email listWhat Andrew and Cliff suggest as an alternative to extra guest feesList smaller version of property (i.e.: 2BR option within 6BR)Make available in off-season or for midweek staysPricing with a dynamic algorithm vs. a host who knows the marketDepends on quality of data, competence of personCombine good data with revenue analyst for best resultsWhat listings are most difficult to automate pricingUnique properties in small markets (i.e.: Spanish castle)Algorithm shows seasonality but needs manual interventionConnect with Andrew & CliffRentedResourcesVacasaXplorieStayFiChess Champion Gary Kasparov vs. Deep BlueEscapiaSTR LegendsGet Paid for Your Pad: How to Maximize Profit from Your Airbnb Listing by Jasper Ribbers and Huzefa KapadiaGet Paid for Your Pad on YouTubeEmail jasper@getpaidforyourpad.com or support@strlegends.comSponsorHostfully Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the same way that ‘smooth seas don’t make great sailors,’ a strong economy doesn’t produce great entrepreneurs. And for short-term rental (STR) business owners using the master lease model, the last six months have been a worst-case scenario of rough waters. So, how did Travers Xanthos manage to make it through the storm—and even add boats to his fleet?Travers is the Founder at COMÓ, a STR company out of Nashville, Tennessee, that caters to the modern business traveler. He spent several years working in corporate sales before starting his STR business in February of 2018, and today, he has a portfolio of 30 properties. Travers is an expert in the rental arbitrage model, and he was able to pivot and not just keep his business alive but add units in the pandemic.On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Travers joins me to explain how he created a successful STR business in Nashville and what he did to keep it going through COVID-19. He discusses how he learned the master lease model and shares the strategies he used to expand his portfolio in the midst of a global pandemic. Listen in for Travers’ insight on building a team to run your business (while you travel the world) and get his advice on making your STR hosting dreams a reality.Topics CoveredWhat the last six months have been like for TraversRevenue dropped 95% in one weekLearned much that will serve for rest of lifeHow Travers was able to add units during the pandemicStarted initiative to house medical professionalsFocused on extended stays (up to 6 months)Distributed flyers at construction job sitesHow Travers got into the STR master lease businessWanted to travel, live life on own termsTalked to friend with successful STR businessStarted calling list of rental property ownersCreated plan to leave 9-to-5 job in 6 monthsTravers’ advice for aspiring STR business ownersTake actionGet educated (course, mentorship)Outsource as quickly as possibleThe structure of Travers’ teamOnly one W-2 employee (property manager)Team of independent contractor cleanersTravers’ lifestyle of frequent travelLived in Bali but couldn’t grow businessHome base in Nashville, trips all over worldConnect with TraversCOMÓTravers on InstagramResourcesSTR LegendsGet Paid for Your Pad: How to Maximize Profit from Your Airbnb Listing by Jasper Ribbers and Huzefa KapadiaFacebook MarketplaceThe FounderBarbara Corcoran on BiggerPocketsSTR Profit AcademySTR MethodSmartbnbGet Paid for Your Pad on YouTubeEmail jasper@getpaidforyourpad.com or support@strlegends.comSponsorHostfully Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For short-term rental hosts in urban markets, the last few months have not been easy. So, how do you stay sane in such a stressful time? Mack Owen credits the network he has built through the STR Legends community (and a willingness to pivot) for his ongoing success in the vacation rental business.Mack is the Founder and CEO of Day One Stays, an Airbnb management and luxury corporate housing company out of Seattle, Washington, that offers furnished apartments for 30-day stays. Mack got his start in 2013, and since then, he has developed an expertise in the master leasing model and scaled up to a portfolio of 100 units. In response to the pandemic, Mack is developing a real estate investing and property management company in a nearby secondary market.On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Mack joins me to explain how he built a STR empire in Seattle, describing what he did to pivot when the city introduced regulations and how he might do things differently if he could start over again. He reflects on how the STR Legends community helped him get through the Coronavirus crisis, sharing how the friendships he established at live events have proven invaluable in the last few months. Listen in to understand why now might be a good time for the master lease model and learn about the new business Mack is building in response to current circumstances!Topics CoveredHow Mack built a STR empire in SeattleGot start in 2013 using master leasing modelScaled to 100 units before regulations introducedPivot to 30-day stays, downsize to 30 units in COVIDWhat Mack would do differently if he could start overHire VA sooner to focus on maximizing revenueStructure deals differentlyManage cashflow better in seasonal marketRach out to network to learn about land useDon’t cut corners on safety or professionalismWhy now might be a good time for the master lease modelRents lower, many units availableNegotiating power shifted to renterHow Mack got through the stressful Coronavirus crisisDaily bike ride with daughterPhone calls with Legends communityStart new company in secondary marketMack’s experience at the STR Legends live eventsIncredible networking opportunityLearn about different models and get adviceSee deals in action (acquiring assets)Mack’s vision for his new STR management companyAcquire real estate in drive-to destinationManage units for other owners in marketConnect with MackDay One StaysMack on LinkedInMack on FacebookResourcesSTR LegendsRebecca Slivka on GPFYP EP352Noise AwareAutohostVRMAHicksville Trailer Palace on InstagramGet Paid for Your Pad on InstagramGet Paid for Your Pad on YouTubeEmail jasper@getpaidforyourpad.com or support@strlegends.comSponsorHostfully Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you starting to feel overwhelmed as your short-term rental (STR) business grows? Or maybe you’re just tired of doing EVERYTHING and wish you had a little more time to yourself? Either way, you may want to consider taking on a virtual assistant, or VA, to help. So, where do you go to find a qualified one? And what can you do to make sure your VA has all the information they need to do a good job?Rebecca Slivka is the STR Legend behind Pillow and Coffee, a fully-furnished vacation rental company out of Los Angeles, and Hicksville Trailer Palace, a unique vintage trailer motel in Joshua Tree, California. Rebeeca has five years of experience as a STR host, and in that time, she has created a team of VAs that she describes as ‘a lean, mean fighting machine.’On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Rebecca joins me to share her detailed process for finding and training a virtual assistant to support your STR business. She introduces us to the benefits of outsourcing work to a VA, explaining how her remote team of 6 performs 95% of the tasks in her business! Listen in for Rebecca’s insight on creating training videos for your VAs and get her advice on building a strong team that will perform well and stay with your business for the long term.Topics CoveredHow much of the work VAs do in Rebecca’s businessLean team, 6 VAs do 95% of workAnything online or over phoneWhy a STR host would want to outsource work to a VAWant to grow business or more time for selfTransition from employee to business ownerRebecca’s process for finding and training a VAList out everything you do for companyCreate very clear job descriptionDetermine if good fit in interviewTrain in ‘bite-sized pieces’Retrain and check in regularlyRebecca’s advice for creating training videos for VAsMake video for anything you do more than onceDon’t worry about making it perfectConsider having VA create or recreate videosRebecca’s secrets for building a strong team of VAsTake responsibility if they don’t perform wellCreate step-by-step training and check workGet feedback re: how they would do thingsThe benefits of hiring VAs for your STR businessTime to work ON vs. IN businessBetter experience for you and guestsConnect with RebeccaPillow and CoffeeHicksville Trailer PalaceHicksville on InstagramResourcesSTR LegendsSTR Profit AcademyThe E Myth: Why Most Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. GerberLoomVirtual Staff FinderUpworkTaskRabbitOnline Jobs|phEmail jasper@getpaidforyourpad.com or support@strlegends.comSponsorHostfully Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Top three learning lessons from 350 podcast episodes.We’re not selling a space, we’re selling an experience The size, #rooms and location don’t drive the price as much as with LTRs and real estate prices Two completely similar units can make very different amounts of money Google “most popular Airbnbs,” they are all unique experiences. Before you start an Airbnb, figure out what the experience is that you’re going to provide and the avatar that you’re going to targetA traveler who stays 3 nights just wants to have a stressfree, comfortable experience. Communication, amenities, and providing the right information. 2. It’s a lot of work, but you can take yourself out of the business for 95% There is so much you can automate (Messaging, pricing, task management, self-checkins etc.) Go to https://getpaidforyourpad.com/airbnb-tools/ to find the best ones. The power of a VA (one of our Legends Rebecca runs 100+ units and only spends a few hours a week working in her business 3. You can drive a lot of bookings through your own marketing channelsCollecting emailsSocial media Direct booking website It’s a long-term investment, but you’re building an asset No dependence on Airbnb and other platforms  Must Listen episodesCombination of Most Downloads & my personal favoritesEp263: How to use Social Media to Market your AirbnbEp260: How to Rank Higher and Drive More BookingsEp024: With Chip Conley Ep034: How an Airbnb experience can create a bond between peopleEp047: How Airbnb empowered this host to keep his home from being foreclosed Go to Get Paid For Your Pad, click on podcast, you’ll find the show notes with links to all these episodes.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.