it's a smart play. how new is the studio?

anyway airbnb is taking OFF right now. everyone is on it. my gf's sister has used it and recommends it as a 1st option i believe. i personally have never used it but im going to look into it when i travel or want to go places nearby.

I've used Airbnb in a trip to Paris, France and Madrid, Spain. Both stays were amazing! I suggest you carefully read the reviews of the home you're planning to stay in as the reviews really help a lot. And if you have questions, do ask.

Airbnb is cheap and you have freedom to do about anything you want in the residence as long as you don't break any stuff or annoy the neighbors you should be fine

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It's a great alternative to hostels. A bit pricier on a per night basis, but it's worth it for the privacy and other amenities you receive.

While we're on the topic, has anyone tried couch surfing?

Couchsurfing is awesome. Met some of the coolest people I have ever met travelling while using that service to stay overnight in a city. I have at least 5 different epic stories related to each person I've stayed with so yes, I highly recommend it if you don't mind sleeping on a couch/blow-up mattress, bring your own towel (sleeping bag might be required you gotta make sure), etc. I have yet to encounter a crazy person while surfing. It's all about the research you do before hand. Just make sure to read what other surfers have said and stuff.

Some tips as a surfer:

-Be courteous and offer help around the place you're staying at. The host is taking time out of their schedule to show you around/hang out with you in the city so it's just common courtesy to give help back.
-Bring a gift with you to thank the host for letting you surf at their place. I usually just get a pack of beer or bottle of wine, if they drink alcohol.
-Be social! That's the main reason people host/surf, is to learn about other cultures/people and share experiences.
-I always bring my own towel, pillow (if I have room), and sleeping bag (if the host says he/she doesn't have spare blankets).

Awesome! Thanks for the tips.

I'll definitely try it out soon.

I'm actually a AirBnB rental owner and have used the service myself for stays both in the US and Europe.

It's actually amazing. I get far higher rent (like 30% more) than if I were to rent the place via craigslist or a property listing service.

I've been really lucky though; Most of the people that have rented, have wanted it for more than just a couple of nights. I actually only had one couple that wanted it for one night as they were passing through on a road trip. I will say every single person or couple that stayed at my place was an absolute pleasure and I've met some really nice people.

I got lucky several times in the respect that I had one woman take the place for 6 weeks (interior designer who had landed a gig in LA) and paid the full daily rate for the entire stay, another couple who wanted to a two week vacation in LA but wanted to kind of see what apartment life in LA would be like, then the very first couple that stayed for one night, ended up contacting me and asked to take it indefinitely. They've been there 18 months now

There are a few things though:

- If you're new to it, make sure your place is in perfect functional order. You can't have broken taps or dodgy looseeats etc.
- Think of stuff they'll need like decent kitchen equipment, cutlery, a coffeee machine etc. The whole point of AirBnB is that it's a home you rent and self catering is a big part of people wanting to do it (not to mention a financial consideration over a hotel).
- Take good photos but make sure they are realistic. I have a lot of friends that have had family stay at other airBnB places and when they arrive, they found that the pics completely overstated the size, downsides or even was decorated completely differently. People want to get what they saw in the photos.
- Same goes for description. Don't tell people it's a huge pad when it's not. Don't list things that you no longer have in the place.
- Include a cleaning fee and get a local cleaner to clean the place. one tip is state in the listing that they need to bring cash for the cleaning fee (airbnb take a cut of it's done through them). Make sure that you remind them to bring cash for the cleaning fee when you start communicating about the stay with the prospective tenant.
- Be clear about what the house rules are. I wrote a thing stating "if you're looking for a party pad, frat house or somewhere you can stumble in at 4am, then this is not the place for you". It keeps away the people who are looking for a place to trash for night as they don't want to trash their own (I had one girl ask me if my one bedroom would accommodate up to 30 people for a "small party" for night).
- Always get back to people as fast as you can, even if it's to turn them down. It affects you listing rankings.
- Have a welcome basket. Nothing fancy, just some fruit, chocolates, pastries, maybe a bottle of wine.
- Stock the fridge and cupboard with basics such as milk, bread, eggs, veggies, etc. Enough so that someone can knock up a basic meal like an omelette etc. Nothing worse than arriving at a place then having to go straight out food shopping.
- Have decent security deposit requirement to keep the house-trashers away.
- make a little welcome book with local shit that they can go to, see or eat at. They may know fuck all about your area and end up not having a good time if they miss the local gems.
- Finally, really look at the pictures and reviews of people who make inquiries for your place. It can tell you volumes about whether they are a good fit for your place.

Let me know if you neef any more tips.

I'm curious how did you afford or take out a mortgage on a desirable property you don't reside in?

I do reside in it. We bought a duplex - we were originally looking for a 2 or 3 bed house but pickings in decent areas in LA were slim in 2012 (they're impossible now), but we came across a duplex consisting of two large 1 beds. We rent one side out and it covers the mortgage + change.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ RANN I do reside in it. We bought a duplex - we were originally looking for a 2 or 3 bed house but pickings in decent areas in LA were slim in 2012 (they're impossible now), but we came across a duplex consisting of two large 1 beds. We rent one side out and it covers the mortgage + change.

That makes sense, good for you. In my location duplexes tend to be frowned upon and located in rental low income areas that don't hold their value. Initial I thought about getting a larger house and rent out a room but decided against it because I didn't want to return the roommate thing and all the problems that come with it. I ended up settling on a small house in a good neighborhood that I picked up at the bottom of the market. I wouldn't mind airbnb my place for short periods of time but since I don't reside near a tourist destination I'm not sure it would do.

Wow, it took me less than a week! Well now that is quite something, my studio just got its first set of tenants for a four day stay, and I'm thankfully receiving a generous contribution which is seriously needed in this town and in this economy.

I'm an airbnb belieber naww mean?

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I've heard only good things (from hosts and renters).

My area has a ton of condos and one thing that is becoming a problem is people listing their units on Airbnb - not only owners, but also tenants (who don't let the landlord know). Most of the condo boards have rules saying you can't rent out for short-term stays (for security/common area damage issues/etc.)

So, these hosts are super careful of the photos they put up of their place (and amenities (pool/gym/etc) so they don't get ratted out.

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