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Rainmaker
4,582,184
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

I have not been an AirBnb host or guest but I have known people who have visited overseas and in larger US cities who like it.  Different strokes for differernt folks.  It seems there is some detractors from cities/communities in the United States due to inconvenience(noise, parking and such) and lost tax revenue.  I don't know if that feeling is the same outside of the U.S.  

Jan 29, 2019 12:04 PM
Rainmaker
1,506,013
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Host: I don't have any properties that I'd rent out on a short term basis.  If I did, there are other ways not involving AirBnB or their competitors and would not require a management fee (assuming I did all the work).  Depending on the cash flow and location (and my time), it may be worth it to use a VRBO/AirBnB type service.

 

Guest: I stayed in one last year in the Cottswolds (England) for a few days and one in Dublin (Ireland) for a few days as well.  The England one was great.  Landlord lived in the house behind and was available for any questions.  House was great and very enjoyable.  Only downside, was I gained too much weight getting yummy pastries from the co-op down the street every day for breakfast.

 

The one in Dublin was more like a hotel.  The landlord owned the bar down below and there were 8 or 10 rooms above it (with the landlord living on the top floor).  Very helpful, saw them daily, was able to get us a second room when we needed it, and they provided a home cooked breakfast daily.  Again, gained too much weight with toast, hash browns and assorted granolas, cereals and yogurts daily.

Jan 29, 2019 11:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,056,272
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

One of my girlfriends in Atlanta does fantastic with hers. She does have a couple of horror stories though. Like how to get rid of the ones that won't leave.

I've never stayed at one.

My hotel criteria is specific:
Pool Bar Casino

Jan 29, 2019 10:48 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

At the moment I do not host although as a guest never any issues that weren't remedied immediately.

Jan 29, 2019 12:04 PM
Rainmaker
5,112,471
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I don't host. I had a reservation once and one week before my trip they cancelled without explanation. I won't do airbnb again ever!

Jan 29, 2019 11:54 AM
Ambassador
5,254,035
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Friends who have used them as guests have never reported anything but, wonderful experiences.

I spoke with two of my clients today who own homes that they Airbnb - both reported excellent results thus far and no issues whatsoever. One of them said they feel like they own a bed & breakfast but, the guests are staying in guest houses off of the property! 

Jan 29, 2019 08:30 PM
Rainmaker
2,399,936
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

No thank you to either at this point of my life. I happen to like hotels and I have no desire to allow strangers into my home.

Jan 29, 2019 12:47 PM
Ambassador
1,457,019
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

Used them a lot overseas.  Never like the B & B style of accomodation as I enjoy my privacy and communal spaces are my nightmare!  Here, I just hope they're held to the same standards but have no experience as a consumer.  If I was to get back into income properties, I'd give it a go for sure!

 

Jan 29, 2019 12:14 PM
Rainmaker
632,925
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

Stayed at one a couple of times in Nashville and went very well. I know a few people that host and they have done well. Allot of towns are beginning to adopt short term rental legislation and imposing the hotel motel tax on them.

Jan 29, 2019 11:59 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,328
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I know someone who has one in a "nothing town" that's one hour from Boston... she has no vacancies and makes a bundle....

Jan 29, 2019 11:50 AM
Rainmaker
1,846,901
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

No experience, won't bother. I want ammenities & cooking is one of them.

Jan 29, 2019 10:55 AM
Rainmaker
1,553,094
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Great as a guest.

No experience as a host.

 

Jan 29, 2019 10:46 AM
Rainmaker
2,221,377
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Not for me as a host or a guest. 

Jan 30, 2019 07:17 AM
Ambassador
6,417,409
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Have not used it for either, but someday I hope to.

Jan 29, 2019 06:23 PM
Rainmaker
759,485
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

Have not done it. 

Jan 29, 2019 04:28 PM
Rainmaker
1,322,984
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

AS a guest, i stayed in a great AirBnb in Bend, OR last summer.

I have not been a host.

Jan 29, 2019 02:47 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,776
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I am more a VRBO weekly rental where I have the whole property. I do both sides of that successfully.

Jan 29, 2019 02:29 PM
Rainmaker
547,527
Steven Nickens
Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers - Wailea, HI
R(S)GRI ABR, Maui Real Estate Hawaii

I have a cottage Air B&B.  They are very strict on canceling bookings. I love the travelers that have stayed at my cottage.

Jan 29, 2019 01:24 PM
Rainmaker
715,782
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

One of our agents puts her personal home into AirBnB and loves the value of it.

Jan 29, 2019 01:10 PM
Rainmaker
913,468
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

They can be good and bad. Some do fine with them, others have had problems with people, parking, HOA;s, etc.

Jan 29, 2019 01:00 PM
Ambassador
2,456,409
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

As a guest:

I have used AirBNBs fairly often in the last 3 or so years when traveling. I love them, specifically because I'd rather have a full kitchen available to me so I can cook meals, rather than eat out all day long. While the quality differs depending on the owner and area, I would select AirBNB over hotel/motel almost all the time. 

It's possible to get an AirBNB with a private deck/balcony, full kitchen, washer-dryer in unit, and be quite comfortable!

 

I've never been a host but we are considering building a one-bedroom cabin  with kitchen for that purpose when we move to MT.

Jan 29, 2019 12:50 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,581
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Santa Barbara has clamped down on them.  Some people were buying expensive properties to cover their mortgages.  In the meantime the county of Santa Barbara was missing out on the hotel visitor taxes.  When the law took effect, many had to sell at a loss.  I think other cities have also done that.

Their have also been scams on both AirBNB and VRBO, where scammers copied pictures of luxury homes and placed them on their sites in FLA.  They manage to collect a couple of night stay...One of our clients had to take legal action on behalf of their sellers to have those removed...Thread carefully.

Jan 29, 2019 12:30 PM
Rainmaker
853,012
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

Well I think it's pretty cool that I used to work w/ the founder's mother.  I've never used it as a host or a guest so can't comment there. 

Jan 30, 2019 05:09 AM
Rainmaker
2,463,740
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

I have never hosted but have been a guest on 3 separate occasions. Each time the accommodations were outstanding. I will definitely use AirBnb again.

Jan 29, 2019 02:29 PM
Rainmaker
7,863,162
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

No plans to be a host or a guest.

Jan 29, 2019 01:00 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,177
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Good luck.

Jan 29, 2019 11:36 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,132
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I have never used one.  I know I would not like to have one of my neighbors attempt to be hosts.

Jan 30, 2019 06:30 AM
Rainmaker
536,943
Rose Mary Justice
Synergy Realty Pros - Dandridge, TN
Synergy Realty Pros

I have not had the experience with them but hear good things advertised.

Jan 30, 2019 05:58 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

 I think they are guilty of anti-semitism if that matters.

On the other hand, they are canalizing the B&B industry without paying for the infrastructure for which local governments depend.

But, there is no putting the paste back in the tube.  This act of democratizing business will be seen more frequently in not only brick and mortar but also in professional disciplines where information is empowering the consumer.

As a guest, no complaints to report from my Key West trips.

Many Florida Gulf Coast property owners report this is a esential tool for keeping their 'short term ' rental properties  essentually fully booked. The income more that pays for their mortgage.

Jan 30, 2019 05:39 AM
Rainmaker
5,238,990
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Not a fan of either side of the coin. Have friends who have booked them and rave.

Jan 30, 2019 04:22 AM
Rainmaker
2,245,675
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Use Airbnb all the time. It's great, cheaper and you get way more space, feel like you live in the area more than in a motel by a truck stop or airport. Have a log lake extra property next to a vacation home that will put into the Airbnb inventory when rehab is done.

Have a farm house rented out for extended stay to local traveling doctors and nurses that I don't need Airbnb to fill. Love the Airbnb website..latest stay in Halifax Nova Scotia.

Jan 30, 2019 03:52 AM
Rainmaker
817,153
Paul Antonelli
Antonelli Realty - Saint Cloud, FL
Broker Owner; Antonelli Realty

 Ben, I own one in Kissimmee. It was one of my listings and bought it wholesale. Many communities are stopping the practice but if you stick with a HOA free community you should be fine. Knock on wood, I have been pleased with my outcome. In 17 IRMA did a number on the home and going through Insurance was a nightmare. I found out the hard way that insurance does not cover lost rental on a short term rental property. Good luck, neighbor. :)

Jan 30, 2019 02:23 AM
Rainmaker
519,324
Dan Tabit
Keller Williams Bellevue - Sammamish, WA

I'm not a host, but might consider it someday. I've stayed in some and they are okay, depending on the host.  Generally cheaper than a hotel. Staying in one next month in New Orleans. 

Jan 29, 2019 09:11 PM
Rainmaker
809,258
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

I haven't jumped on the bandwagon yet. That and Uber, I just feel weird staying in someone's home or getting a ride from a "civilian". I think it's probably a good idea as an investor, though a lot of areas are cracking down on it. I am certain it is the way of the future and in 10-20 years I'll think it's normal. Just like online dating. -K

Jan 29, 2019 09:09 PM
Rainmaker
4,900,966
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I'm not a fan of host or guest

Jan 29, 2019 02:06 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,308
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I have never been involved with this

Feb 03, 2019 04:42 PM
Rainmaker
5,877,335
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I have not been a host or a guest, but have friends that have, and they loved it.

Feb 02, 2019 07:21 AM
Rainer
155,337
Anthony Kirlew
Group 46:10 Network @ eXp Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Helping You Make Fiscally Sound Real Estate Deals!

I would never host anyone in a house that I was living in. Some people are purchased home in high rent areas exclusively to rent as AirBnB's and do quite well (I have a friend who does this.)

I have stayed in one and it was a bit worrysome because it was an in law suite with someone I did not know. The upsides is that it was steps from the beach and we did a last minute beach trip during peak season so that was the only place to stay without spending $300 per night (I think we paid $150 for the AirBnB room.)

Feb 02, 2019 06:38 AM
Rainmaker
962,383
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

I have not tried AirBnB yet.  Have some friends who rave about it and others who were so-so on it.

Jan 30, 2019 03:39 PM
Rainmaker
1,299,367
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

We are superhosts and enjoy it, payment is quick, and I think Airbnmb does a good job. As a guest I have used them several times and generally been happy.

Jan 30, 2019 12:21 PM
Rainmaker
1,241,754
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

A realtor's airbnb was a total disaster. Teen ager wild party, noise, police visit. Rec'd bad reviews.... 

Jan 30, 2019 09:03 AM
Ambassador
3,349,404
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I have no feelings about Airbnb. No experience as a host or a guest. 

Jan 30, 2019 07:40 AM