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

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There is no such thing as the perfect property management system (PMS). So, if you’ve been waiting for a unicorn that will solve all of your problems, you’re out of luck. But what you CAN do is find a PMS that meets MOST of your needs and integrate it with other software, building a tech stack that works for YOUR short-term rental (STR) business. 

John An is the STR Legend, real estate investor and technology expert behind Ohana Stay, a vacation rental company based in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is an active member of our STR Profit Academy Inner Circle and sought-after property manager, bringing in returns 20% to 50% above market. John also works with existing property managers, providing them with the technology stack he has developed.

Today, John joins me to share his process for building a tech stack for your STR business and walk us through the set of software packages he uses to run Ohana Stay. He explains why there is no perfect PMS and how to pick one that meets most of your needs—based on the features that are important to you. Listen in for John’s insight on creating the right cocktail of technologies and learn how you can make several existing software programs work together to get the functionality you need!

John’s background as a STR host in Honolulu

• Bought property, decided to self-manage remotely
• Built out technology and systems for efficiency

How COVID-19 is impacting hosts in Hawaii

• State very careful about letting people travel
• John hosting medical professionals + locals

John’s strategic approach to building a portfolio

• Start with buying own properties to hold long term
• Onboard additional STRs through word-of-mouth

John’s process for building a tech stack for your STR business

1. What channels do you want to be on?
2. What core features are most important to you?

The tech stack John uses to run his own STR business

• Your Porter meets most needs as PMS
• Smartbnb for some messaging
• TurnoverBnB to communicate with cleaners
• PriceLabs pricing engine

John’s advice for building the tech stack that works for you

• Look for pieces with functionalities you need
• Develop workarounds in absence of integration

How Smartbnb’s AI works to answer guest questions

• Identifies keywords and determines context
• Answers common questions (e.g.: parking, early check-in)

John’s mindset around creating a cocktail of technologies

• Constantly test new things and be willing to make changes
• No perfect PMS, so put together pieces that work for you

Ohana Stay

Email [email protected]

STR Legends

STR Profit Academy

Vreasy

Tokeet

OneRooftop

Uplisting

Hostaway

Hostfully

Your Porter [Discount Code PAD]

Guesty

Smartbnb

TurnoverBnB

Wheelhouse

Beyond Pricing

PriceLabs

Rentals United

Streamline

iGMS

Lodgify

Email [email protected]

Hostfully

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Many short-term rental hosts are using the Coronavirus shutdown to show our listings some love, taking advantage of the unexpected break to upgrade our Airbnbs. And those of us who’ve made improvements would like to update the photo gallery on our listings as well. But how do we take attractive pictures on our own—without the help of a professional photographer?

Vick Fichtner is the travel blogger and professional photographer behind the Smartphone Airbnb Photography Guide. Vick has degrees in architecture and interior design as well as a master’s in photography, and she has been an Airbnb Plus photographer and quality inspector since 2011, photographing more than 3,000 homes. She also has six years of experience as an Airbnb host, sharing her home in Barcelona with guests from all over the world.

Today, Vick joins me to explain how to take great Airbnb photos with a cellphone and share her top tips for prepping your space for pictures. She introduces us to the concept of staging your listing, describing how props can help a guest visualize their experience in your Airbnb. Listen in for Vick’s insight on how many shots to include of each room and learn how YOU can update your listing’s photo gallery (and attract more bookings!) with the camera on your smartphone.

How to stage your Airbnb listing for photos

• Use props to help guests visualize experience
• Don’t use items that are too personal (e.g.: shoes)
• Avoid clutter, try groups of three objects

Vick’s general advice for taking photos of your listing

• Take more than necessary and publish best
• Take photos from different angles for 3D view

Vick’s Airbnb photo gallery checklist

• One shot each of exterior and entrance
• Two to four shots of living room, bedroom
• One to two shots of dining area, bathroom
• Two to five shots of outdoor space

What makes a good cover photo (hero shot)

• Eye-catching, stands out from listings in area
• Shows most unique or interesting space
• Not too busy (frontal shots work best)

What inspired Vick to write the smartphone guide

• Not allowed to work during lockdown, no guests
• Decided to redecorate during forced break
• Help other hosts update photos with cell phone

Vick’s tips for taking smartphone photos of your listing

1. Shoot from doorknob level
2. Don’t tilt phone (hold parallel to walls)
3. Clean smartphone lens

Smartphone Photo Guides [Discount Code PAD]

Vick’s Airbnb Listing in Barcelona

STR Profit Academy

GPFYP on YouTube

Email [email protected]

Hostfully

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.