Wall Street Journal Article - "Welcome to Your Airbnb, Don't Forget to Wash the Linens"

[ScoopKona]

Those are all jokes. For example, do you really think he has rules targeted toward homosexuals? He is funny. I love late night TV comedy shows so I am accustomed to his style of delivery. It is a particular style of delivery. Some people find it funny, some do not. Make a rule that guests should help you on the farm! LOL

I have a feeling most of my guests, during harvest time, are going to be people who want to be coffee farmers, and want to try the lifestyle out before dropping their life savings on a farm, not knowing anything at all about farming. (Guilty of that one.)

 

[davidvel]

I've had good to poor Airbnb rentals, and while I will occasionally consider them in future I will book almost anything else if I find a reasonable alternative. Too much inconsistency, too much uncertainty, too many misleading pictures, and way too many fake reviews.

Totally agree. Early in the pandemic when every hotel was closed, we booked an airbnb that appeared from the description to be in a resort near Zion. Turns out it was just a condo in a residential community. We shared the pool and hot tub with our new "neighbors," feeling uncomfortable drinking beer and wine along side our neighbors' kids. Their parents all got up early to go to work the next morning.

The unit was quirky, with poor internet service that had to be constantly reset, and electrical fixtures and switches that looked to be installed by a handyman, and clearly not to code. The ceiling fan in a room we didn't use literally was 2' above a bunk bed that would have decapitated a child if they stood up.

We were instructed to put all the towels in the washer and run the cycle before leaving.

We have absolutely no interest in renting someone's "home" again.

 

[Snazzylass]

^^^ This! Yes, just based on the business model, selections will be all over the place. And, sometimes they are illegal rentals - "if anyone asks, tell them you are my cousin, Louie."

This was a huge problem in San Diego. Scottsdale had 5,400 SFR listed as S/T rentals. Many are already selling and many are expected to be listed after the Super Bowl.

Landlord wanna-bes have bought homes in Sedona and are loosing their shirts. They don't understand the market. It's hard to be an expert in Real Estate and Tourism, though T/S and hotels seem to understand it.

 

[ScoopKona]

^^^ This! Yes, just based on the business model, selections will be all over the place. And, sometimes they are illegal rentals - "if anyone asks, tell them you are my cousin, Louie."

People should be able to do what they want with their property. I personally know people in Hawaii who are homeowners ONLY because of AirBnB.

They ate ramen noodles every day and scraped up enough for a down payment. But renting out a spare room on AirBnB is the only way they are able to afford their mortgage. This is an expensive place. And not everyone has the means to pay cash for a house.

I don't begrudge them their short-term rental income.

They're not hurting anyone. And they're able to "live the dream" because they're willing to put up with the hassle of tenants. Let's face it -- tenants are a hassle. Even good tenants.

 

[Ken555]

Let's face it -- tenants are a hassle. Even good tenants.

Let’s be clear. *People* are a hassle. I don’t care what business you’re in, if you need to interact with anyone you will experience hassles. Real estate rentals just get a lot of ink about this topic, but it happens in every industry.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[ScoopKona]

Let’s be clear. *People* are a hassle. I don’t care what business you’re in, if you need to interact with anyone you will experience hassles. Real estate rentals just get a lot of ink about this topic, but it happens in every industry.

It's different when they are living on your property, where they can do serious damage.

If they're a hassle at the supermarket, it's usually a short-term hassle -- unless they're armed.

 

[klpca]

People should be able to do what they want with their property. I personally know people in Hawaii who are homeowners ONLY because of AirBnB.

They ate ramen noodles every day and scraped up enough for a down payment. But renting out a spare room on AirBnB is the only way they are able to afford their mortgage. This is an expensive place. And not everyone has the means to pay cash for a house.

I don't begrudge them their short-term rental income.

They're not hurting anyone. And they're able to "live the dream" because they're willing to put up with the hassle of tenants. Let's face it -- tenants are a hassle. Even good tenants.

I don't begrudge anyone either but depending on location, they are hurting people. In suburbia, having a party house next door ruins the neighbor part of the neighborhood. It affects livability and property values for everyone else around them and it is the non-resident owner who reaps the financial benefit. I've told the story before about my friend's 50+ year old neighborhood where the heirs of one elderly couple who passed away converted the house into a house "great for bachelor parties" according to the original ad. (I haven't checked but I am pretty sure that airbnb put an end to party houses during the pandemic). But my friend has been dealing with this for over 5 years. Weekly parties, people throwing up in the street, trash everywhere, parties going on into the wee hours of the night. The police say that it is a civil issue and do nothing. The house holds 16 people. Everyone else just has to put up with it. If you are on acreage, and/or you are onsite while hosting, then I am all for it. There needs to be a solution that works for everyone.

 

[ScoopKona]

Everyone else just has to put up with it. If you are on acreage, and/or you are onsite while hosting, then I am all for it. There needs to be a solution that works for everyone.

The landlord could have just as easily rented the property long-term to riff-raff who do the same thing.

The landlord could have just as easily sold the property to riff-raff, who do the same thing.

If people don't want to be right on top of each other, they should move to a more rural area. Any time you have neighbors, you roll the dice on what kind of neighbors you get.

 

[DavidnRobin]

We are 4 for 4 in excellent AirBnB stays.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ken555]

It's different when they are living on your property, where they can do serious damage.

If they're a hassle at the supermarket, it's usually a short-term hassle -- unless they're armed.

I get that you’re hyper focused on this particular type of nonsense. But it happens in all businesses, and it doesn’t even require the customer to be in the same physical location. The root cause is the lack of civility, common sense, and in general due to “people”. Sure, there are obvious concerns when the customer is on your property but that does not negate the fact that the same individual might be a nasty customer to their vendors and cause them strife, as well. Real estate gets special treatment and consideration in this regard due to the drama which plays well in news reports on this issue. I absolutely feel for your situation, but…you know what you’re doing, and you know the inherent risks. You obviously should mitigate them as much as possible.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[klpca]

The landlord could have just as easily rented the property long-term to riff-raff who do the same thing.

The landlord could have just as easily sold the property to riff-raff, who do the same thing.

If people don't want to be right on top of each other, they should move to a more rural area. Any time you have neighbors, you roll the dice on what kind of neighbors you get.

True but highly unlikely.

 

[ScoopKona]

True but highly unlikely.

I have a friend who is a realtor in Las Vegas. He hated HOAs on principle. And so he found himself his dream house in a non-HOA community.

A few months after he moved in, a family from a country in Eastern Europe moved across the street. They painted the boulders in their yard hot pink, and then every weekend had insanely loud polka parties -- dozens of people with brass and accordions, doing the polka until the wee hours of the night.

And my friend had no HOA to fall back on to enforce quiet-hours or neighborhood standards rules. That's an expensive way to learn your lesson about HOAs. They exist for a reason: If you have neighbors, you roll the dice.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

We own an AirBnB/VRBO rental in Tahoe. We have a management company to deal with customer issues. Well worth it. They must be doing a decent job screening because I find that most renters are families looking to ski or enjoy summer vacation and are respectful of the property leaving it in good shape.

There are some rules that are mandated by local ordinances. The tenant must take the trash out and place in the bear trash bins. If they have more than can fit they must take it with them or they will be fined if they leave trash outside the bear bins. This keeps from attracting bears to the trash and making a big mess on the street which upsets the permanent neighbors. It also creates bad bear behavior which can lead to injury or death.

I find the VRBO renters tend to be very picky and complain more. One could not figure out how to turn on the TV even though the instructions are in plain sight. Another complained because they could not get good cell phone service even though we have a fast wifi. (hello, it is the mountains...) The AirBnB renters are more appreciative and easier going.

The best way to rent is if you know an owner book direct with them because they can circumvent the AirBnB fees, marked-up cleaning fees. They also can pass along a reduced management fee for renters we when we bring renters to them to them (about 5% off the rental). This can save about 15% - 20% off the rental. The owner can also dictate the fee. We've given better rates to friends for non-event weeks than the management company charges.

 

[TravelTime]

People should be able to do what they want with their property. I personally know people in Hawaii who are homeowners ONLY because of AirBnB.

They ate ramen noodles every day and scraped up enough for a down payment. But renting out a spare room on AirBnB is the only way they are able to afford their mortgage. This is an expensive place. And not everyone has the means to pay cash for a house.

I don't begrudge them their short-term rental income.

They're not hurting anyone. And they're able to "live the dream" because they're willing to put up with the hassle of tenants. Let's face it -- tenants are a hassle. Even good tenants.

In North Lake Tahoe, new Airbnbs are no longer allowed. There is a shortage of rentals for the locals so that is why they created this law. In many parts of the Bay Area, short term rentals are regulated. Thanks to the government in California over regulating. The over regulation and high taxes is why people and businesses are moving out of California. I would like to move out but my husband is resistant.

Hope this is not perceived as political because it is not my intention. I am not part of any party so this is a financial warning, not a political statement.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

In North Lake Tahoe, new Airbnbs are no longer allowed. There is a shortage of rentals for the locals so that is why they created this law. In many parts of the Bay Area, short term rentals are regulated. Thanks to the government in California over regulating. The over regulation and high taxes is why people and businesses are moving out of California. I would like to move out but my husband is resistant.

We are fortunately grandfathered into this with our vacation rental permit. There is also a law that if there is a short-term rental within 500 feet then you cannot get a vacation rental license. Our next door neighbor bought with the intention of renting and found that they cannot because of our permit. There is currently a waiting list in our county for 90 homes to get a permit.

In addition to lowering supply, the additional requirements to comply and fees are causing short term rental prices to increase in the area. 5 years ago we had no short term rental laws. Now we have many. The county lawmakers are going overboard IMO.

Strangely, our neighborhood consists of second homes and rentals. Only 2 homes are permanent residents on our street. I presume lawmakers would rather let second homes be idle and deteriorate because owners cannot afford the maintenance, vs. providing local jobs for cleaning, trades for upgrades/maintenance and rental management. Not to mention helping the local economy with travelers who spend on restaurants, groceries and vacation activities.

 

[TravelTime]

I have a friend who is a realtor in Las Vegas. He hated HOAs on principle. And so he found himself his dream house in a non-HOA community.

A few months after he moved in, a family from a country in Eastern Europe moved across the street. They painted the boulders in their yard hot pink, and then every weekend had insanely loud polka parties -- dozens of people with brass and accordions, doing the polka until the wee hours of the night.

And my friend had no HOA to fall back on to enforce quiet-hours or neighborhood standards rules. That's an expensive way to learn your lesson about HOAs. They exist for a reason: If you have neighbors, you roll the dice.

This sounds terrible and I feel for your friend. I am wonder if it is a lower priced housing neighborhood? Not that this means it happens in lower priced neighborhoods but your friend’s neighbor is bring down property values.

I have lived in very high priced housing neighborhoods where people are constantly remodeling as well as building gorgeous homes. I have never seen this happen. There might be a party or two every now and then but people have not had party animals over who vomit in the streets.

We have lived in places with reasonable HOAs and neighborhoods who have reasonable rules to maintain property values and so we could all co-exist in harmony.

 

[ScoopKona]

This sounds terrible and I feel for your friend. I am wonder if it is a lower priced housing neighborhood? Not that this means it happens in lower priced neighborhoods but your friend’s neighbor is bring down property values.

My friend moved to a non-HOA neighborhood in Las Vegas because he hated the regulations and the monthly bill.

The polka family ALSO moved to the non-HOA neighborhood so that nobody could bother them about their insanely-loud polka parties.

Lacking the ability to do anything, my friend is well and truly stuck. He's still there, on a half-acre property in Las Vegas, with late-night live polka nearly every weekend.

He wanted his libertarian paradise. And he got it. Complete with accordions and tubas.

 

[pedro47]

Yes, I have seen the add on fees that amount to hundred of dollars. Taxes on hotels, resort fees and parking also amount to hundreds of dollars but virtually nothing with timeshares. I would not like it if I arrive at a Airbnb and they told me to do any cleaning at all. That is a deal breaker for me. But I plan to try it once at some time and see what it is like.

After driving six or more hours. We do not want to do any house cleaning.

 

[TheHappyWanderer]

My friend moved to a non-HOA neighborhood in Las Vegas because he hated the regulations and the monthly bill.

The polka family ALSO moved to the non-HOA neighborhood so that nobody could bother them about their insanely-loud polka parties.

Lacking the ability to do anything, my friend is well and truly stuck. He's still there, on a half-acre property in Las Vegas, with late-night live polka nearly every weekend.

He wanted his libertarian paradise. And he got it. Complete with accordions and tubas.

Is this a troll account? I've got to say, it's pretty funny.

 

[pedro47]

My friend moved to a non-HOA neighborhood in Las Vegas because he hated the regulations and the monthly bill.

The polka family ALSO moved to the non-HOA neighborhood so that nobody could bother them about their insanely-loud polka parties.

Lacking the ability to do anything, my friend is well and truly stuck. He's still there, on a half-acre property in Las Vegas, with late-night live polka nearly every weekend.

He wanted his libertarian paradise. And he got it. Complete with accordions and tubas.

That is so funny.

 

[ScoopKona]

That is so funny.

Not for my friend it isn't. Nobody wants to move anywhere near him. And he's stuck in unfashionable East Las Vegas, on a half-acre "horse property." (Everyone in Las Vegas knows what those are.)

Police don't bother with noise complaints -- same as most urban areas. So now he's seen the light and is going to buy another house and rent this one out -- at least that way it is no longer a non-performing asset. Long-term tenants probably aren't in the cards because of the polka music. (I've been there during one of the parties. Sounds more like Klezmer music to me. I think they're Roma people.)

Yeah. It's insanely loud. You can hear the horns crystal clear in a shut house. So he's probably going to have to position it as a "Las Vegas party house." And rent it to hooligans.

That's the danger of having your neighbors too close. When I lived in Las Vegas, my neighbors were basically ghosts. Hardly ever saw them, except for one family who we had dinner with occasionally. I don't think that's optimal. But it beats loud accordions and squat dancing.

 

[Ken555]

Police don't bother with noise complaints -- same as most urban areas. So now he's seen the light and is going to buy another house and rent this one out -- at least that way it is no longer a non-performing asset.

I suggest he find a renter who is in a metal band that rehearses on the weekend.

 

[rapmarks]

We are fortunately grandfathered into this with our vacation rental permit. There is also a law that if there is a short-term rental within 500 feet then you cannot get a vacation rental license. Our next door neighbor bought with the intention of renting and found that they cannot because of our permit. There is currently a waiting list in our county for 90 homes to get a permit.

In addition to lowering supply, the additional requirements to comply and fees are causing short term rental prices to increase in the area. 5 years ago we had no short term rental laws. Now we have many. The county lawmakers are going overboard IMO.

Strangely, our neighborhood consists of second homes and rentals. Only 2 homes are permanent residents on our street. I presume lawmakers would rather let second homes be idle and deteriorate because owners cannot afford the maintenance, vs. providing local jobs for cleaning, trades for upgrades/maintenance and rental management. Not to mention helping the local economy with travelers who spend on restaurants, groceries and vacation activities.

I don’t believe second homes deteriorate as stated. I have a second home in a neighborhood with many second homes and live in an area of second homes with my primary home. No deterioration or neglect and strong rules to prevent short term rentals

 

[TravelTime]

My friend moved to a non-HOA neighborhood in Las Vegas because he hated the regulations and the monthly bill.

The polka family ALSO moved to the non-HOA neighborhood so that nobody could bother them about their insanely-loud polka parties.

Lacking the ability to do anything, my friend is well and truly stuck. He's still there, on a half-acre property in Las Vegas, with late-night live polka nearly every weekend.

He wanted his libertarian paradise. And he got it. Complete with accordions and tubas.

Funny about the libertarian paradise. I would describe it as something else but I would get in trouble for politics LOL. I have been wanting to move to a non-income tax state but we might regret it. So I let my husband rule and we stay in California. When we retire and our income goes down, the state income tax will not be as big of a deal anyway.

 

[ScoopKona]

Funny about the libertarian paradise. I would describe it as something else but I would get in trouble for politics LOL. I have been wanting to move to a non-income tax state but we might regret it. So I let my husband rule and we stay in California. When we retire and our income goes down, the state income tax will not be as big of a deal anyway.

I don't feel guilty telling his story online, because I know that he now advises clients to buy houses in HOA communities -- using his own experience as a cautionary tale about what can go wrong. And he used to be Mr. "HOAs are the devil."

When I lived in Las Vegas, there was a family down the street who threw a big party roughly once a month. It always involved dozens of shrieking children and a bouncy-house. I hope they owned the bouncy-house outright and didn't rent it. Because, seriously, every month you could count on them inflating the bouncy-house. And it was going to be like living in a theme park that weekend. They blasted Norteno music (which also sounds like polka) and whooped it up all day.

Thankfully, these parties ended around dusk. And it was only once a month or so. If I had to deal with that every weekend, and into the early morning, it would be a problem.

Half the neighborhoods in North America have a problem neighbor. Or the kind of neighbor you warn your children not to approach. Or the drunk. Or the guy who thinks "power tools at 5am is OK." Or the absolute maniac.

I disagree with T_R_Oglodyte that it's 10% of the people who are a problem. With my experience as a Las Vegas landlord, I think it's more like "half." I also helped an aunt with her Las Vegas properties, and she had some really awful experiences as well. I stand by my statement that most people are dishonest slobs. I'll even amend it: difficult, dishonest slobs.

The only reason I'm going to open AirBnBs here is that they are too lucrative to pass up. My hope is that with my agritourismo business model, and the peculiar nature of the property and its setting, it's going to mostly attract a certain type of visitor. And if not, nobody is going to be here for longer than a week or two.