Everything Is Always Falling Apart (Life as Airbnb Hosts)

[@YesItsMeGuys68]

No truer words were ever spoken Michael , when it comes to the physical act of maintenance on everything we produce. This certainly includes our properties. I own a 5000 square-foot, 7 bedroom suites Airbnb house with a rooftop pool in Puerto Vallarta Mexico. When it comes to maintenance and keeping it up to my standards, it turns out to be "nonstop " touch ups and repairs. It's a bit of a money pit BUT it still provides a great income. There is absolutely nothing. PASSIVE about being an Airbnb host is there.

[@lost-south-lake-crafters]

Thanks, Michael and Kristen, for sharing your experiences. I agree with your ending thoughts. Of course, all hosts want to make money, but I have told people that the STR business, in my opinion, can't be solely about the money. To me, hosts that go the extra mile and put their heart and soul into their business are set apart. Thanks again for sharing.

[@cjjohnson5924]

I live a few miles away from you and I'm rehabbing the house on my property now. When it's done I'll be adding an ADU for short term rentals. I'm planning out the space and its' perks now. You guys are a great help and I know (as a long term Desert resident) the Summer struggle is real! Thanks again and see you next time.

[@lauriedawes6003]

The merch ideas are a fun addition to your business and could be a great marketing opportunity. I would suggest putting the large sun-rising logo in the middle of the circular writing on the back of your T shirt. It looks very empty at the moment as if something is missing. That sun rising logo is cool and very graphic! I hope that logo hasn’t been trademarked already! You need to apply for a trademark if you are going to market your brand with it. Another idea would be to do a cozy hoodie style sweatshirt with the sun-rising logo on the back that you could model on a chilly desert night out on your moon platform. You could also stock them and have them available for immediate sale at your unit when the nights are cool for people to buy. Guests could take selfies wearing your hoodie in your moon garden at twilight. Very Instagramable! If you don’t want to stock them at your unit, as that would entail a financial outlay, you could give guests the opportunity to order them in advance of their stay when they reserve their booking and they would have them ready to use on their arrival in the required sizes and quantities. You could also give your guests a complimentary mug as their welcome gift. (I also love your new sofa, by the way, and it is a big improvement over your original one!) Everything is coming together nicely. Good luck with your future plans! 😊

[@hollywagley805]

I agree- I think a stylized version of the moon garden platform or homemade wall art would look amazing inside the circular writing.

[@therachelgoshow]

LOVE the moon and cactus design!

[@jaygee941]

17:08 Thank you for sharing. Being a host that puts their love and heart into a STR while they physically break a sweat on upkeep as well as challenging themselves mentally with how to improve both creatively and effectively speaks to your character and commitment on providing an outstanding product. Bravo to the two of you for being an example to us! At times I think, “I must be the only one out there having to actively work hard on my one STR while everyone else just collects the reward.” Again, thank you! I needed the pep talk. 😁👍💯❤️🔥

[@kristenandmichael]

Oh trust us, we've heard horror stories about PMs and cleaners who have had to deal with those types of properties. Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, just know that eventually the good properties will thrive and the neglected ones will quietly go away.

[@claub5438]

You guys are doing a great job. Keep at it. You don't see the flowers from the seeds you have planted. All good takes time. ❤❤❤

[@li-nickels]

That time lapse was cool:) So much pressure to complete all the projects and keep up with all the every day demands, there just isn't enough time.

[@kristenandmichael]

Oh wow!! learning electric is definitely on Michael's list to do. It would make things so much easier.

[@letitrejo9332]

Oh my heart! When Michael said WE LIVE YOU HOUSE 🥹🥹🥹 I really felt the love that you both have poured into this house. What a blessed home and May All Be Blessed Who Enter. 💚🙌🏽

[@letitrejo9332]

WE LOVE YOU HOUSE

[@JaniceMullen-l1o]

You are both doing a fantastic job. What a beautiful property!

[@MadPutz]

Appreciate the level of detail in this video. Has some hints of what material choices require more cleaning and fixing. An unfortunate downside of modern/hip designs for certain fixtures like lamps is that it increases the chances that guests don't know how to operate it and either unplug or reach out. Similar tradeoff for the stainless steel sink and the wood sidings.

[@kristenandmichael]

100% If we could do it again I would not get a stainless steel sink. I would go with something more durable and easy to clean -Michael

[@jpfath]

Interesting about the monitor. I wish there was an easy way to get reports on which amenities are getting use! Keep up the good/hard work and congrats on the merch!

[@kristenandmichael]

Hahah I'm sure someone will invent something soon thats like sticker that can track data from items.

[@helenwilliams8471]

Thanks for your video and your honesty! I love you guys and your merch!! ❤

[@kristenandmichael]

Thank you so much!!

[@hollykeller1545]

I like that your hats go down to your ears. I hate tiny hats!

[@cw7368]

Digging the merch designs

[@kristenandmichael]

Thank you so much!

[@jad8123]

Nice views. I do have a question. Why would have a daybed outside with sheets & pillows when it can rain outside? Don’t they get musty or smelly? Are the renters in charge of bringing them in & washing them? I guess it’s for the Instagram crowd but it seems unnecessary. That said, I’m old so what do I know. LOL! B

[@santacruz7455]

Hey guys, the merch is a great idea. Have you thought about tote bags , pens and notepads?

[@kristenandmichael]

Love Tote Bags! Maybe we will do that next :)

[@MegInWhispers]

Thanks for the video guys! CONGRATS on creating the merch together 🥰👕 I definitely agree about needing to ENJOY hospitality and sharing the magic of your space that you've thoughtfully created with others. It's key. I've been building my handy-ness skills for the past few years and feel much more confident. This weekend, I'm going to assist an electrician to install 4 new circuits in our cabin, to install a total of 5 wall mounted space heaters - def looking forward to both the experience AND getting it done so I can stop thinking about heating solutions 24/7😂😂 I live 2 hours from.our cabin - which we just listed about 7 weeks ago - and although I don't love the driving, I DO love spending time there, working on it, planning for it, etc. Enjoying the process so far and excited for what next year will bring 🤞 Hope you guys can get some vacation time at the property soon!

[@swicheroo1]

This summer has not been amazing. It's gotten more jam-packed closer to the end.

[@SterlingSansing]

After reviewing your listing I would #1 get starlink internet because it's going to be faster and perfect for the clear desert skies. 10mbps might as well be dialup. #2 I would drop the pricing a bit or at least run promotions. #3 I would integrate the cleaning fee into your base pricing. I know listings in the area have it separate but it's just another line item that's not necessary and you might stand out. You will need to up your nightly price to absorb this fee which goes with lowering the price overall. So if your base nightly rate is $200 then your NEW rate would be $330 for the single night. Then you set discounts for multi day. So if they book 2 nights then the nightly fee would become $265 applying a 20% discount, 3 nights 25% discount = 245. Do this up to 6 nights and the 7th would be a weekly discount. #4 change your lead photo to the stargazing pad. The darker image will contrast perfectly with all the other listings when a guest is comparing. It will stand out drastically and get more clicks imo. Maybe add some sort of comfort aspect to the stargazing pad like a lounge chair. These are just my initial thoughts but overall the listing is beautiful.

[@kristenandmichael]

Oh wow! Thank you so much for the in-depth dive on our listing. We almost got starling when we first started but it was brand new and weren't sure on the quality. Our wifi right now is $89 and I believe starling is $120, we haven't had any complaints so far. As far as pricing goes, we can't really afford to drop the pricing also we have found that with lower price bookings come lower price guests who don't respect the home as much and complain a lot more. Love your idea of discounts for multiple days. We've been talking about changing our lead photo this week, we tried doing the stargazing platform but felt it wasn't performing as well. Worth a try again though. Also love the idea of adding comfort pads to the stargazing deck. Wind is a huge factor out there so we'd have to take that into account, thats why we haven't added anything so far. Appreciate your input a lot actually! Thank you

[@tracy3066]

Actually in my opinion your cleaners should be using the stainless steel cleaner on your sink on every turnover. Otherwise it looks like crap.

[@kristenandmichael]

We definitely let them know after this!

[@Dani-bp2ye]

I still wait for you in Rome Eur area is a great area you will like, you have been in Trastevere last time but I think is too much mass turism, discover the real Rome!

[@thathangrygurl]

I want a shirt please and thanks!

[@Justin-qz9rs]

Step one get rid of indoor plants

[@scottmichaels12]

The "merch" is great, if you're giving it away for free with every stay at your AirBnB. I'm sure that your "super fans" will buy some of it but it really doesn't make a lot of sense for an AirBnB channel...especially when you only have one property and 26K subs. Sorry but the "merch" seems a bit premature for such a small channel.

[@brightballoon]

I think you're misunderstanding the meaning of 'good morning,' as far as you using the expression 'great rising,' instead. Maybe you just are being cutesy and intentionally twisting the meaning, and changing it for uniqueness of your channel. But, I find the way you said that 'you're not mourning waking up' quite strange, if you do understand the actual meaning of the phrase. 'Mourning' is grieving, and 'morning' is a time of day. When people wish others a 'good morning,' they're not wishing them a positive grief experience. They're saying exactly what your special phrase for waking up means: upon waking up, hope you're doing well, basically. Is it kind of a superstitious, new-agey take on....an avoidance of what you saw as a phrase that signifies grieving, bc of the same sound of 'mourning' and 'morning' and you didn't want to manifest a day full of grieving, by accident?

[@joyannesloan8384]

I skimmed through your video without being able to find any places where you were actually talking about the title. Definitely don't want to watch you mix up plant food or show me your t-shirts...

[@kristenandmichael]

16:57