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New AIRBNB RULES- HOW DO THEY IMPACT YOU · From Check In to Check Out

• Pam: I can recall when Airbnb it seems like was first really getting started. Sometimes you were just renting a room in somebody's house. So you were renting a room in their house and now Airbnb's new rules are saying that you can't even know that person's name. Thad: I mean, I can recall when Airbnb it seems like was first really getting started. Sometimes you were just renting a room in somebody's house. Yeah. So you were renting a room in their house and now Airbnb's new rules are saying that you can't even know that person's name or Pam: or any of their demographic information. Thad: any of their demographic information. Hello everybody and welcome back from Check In to Check Out, the podcast brought to you by Elliott Beach Rentals. Today we have a special edition. We brought in Pam, who is our OTA manager. She's also our revenue manager. And we are going to go over the recent changes that Airbnb has made that go into effect very soon, November twentieth. Pam: Hello everybody and welcome back from Check In to Check Out, the podcast brought to you by Elliot B Trunnels. Today we have a special edition. We brought in Pam, who is our OTA manager. She's also our revenue manager. And we are going to go over the recent changes that Airbnb has made that go into effect very soon, November twentieth. November twentieth. Yep. I'll let you talk a little bit about how the OTA presence was. OTAs, if you're unaware, online travel agencies. Yes. They include Airbnb, VRBO, Vacation Finder Finder. Google Travel, Thad: I'll let you talk a little bit about how the OTA presence was. OTAs, if you're unaware, online travel agencies. Yes. And they include Airbnb, VRBO, Vacation Finder. Google Tri. Google Travel. Pam: Booking dot com, Expedia. Thad: it's a great way to acquire guests, but tell us a little bit about your OTAs, like when you started How big they were and what it is now. Okay. Pam: it's a great way to acquire guests, but it is tell us a little bit about your OTAs, like when you started How big they were and what it is now. Okay. Well, when I started working in the revenue department we were Thad: We were Elliott Beach Rentals had a very small footprint in the OTA world. We were primarily on VRBO. That was the big OTA at the time, so we were on VRBO and we saw that we could really enhance our listings with more details and things like that. So I started out working in Pam: Elliott Beach Rentals had a very small footprint in the OTA world. We were primarily on Virbo. That was the big OTA at the time. So we were on Virbo. And we saw that we could really enhance our listings with more details and things like that. So I started out working in OTAs, just trying to help improve our existing VRBO listings. Then Airbnb became a huge player in the field. Thad: OTAs just trying to help improve our existing VRBO listings. Okay. Then Airbnb became a huge player in the field, and so we expanded into Airbnb. We already had a small presence on Expedia, but we expanded into Airbnb at that time. and OTA has become basically a department of its own. Yeah. it does generate a good many bookings. I will say though that for Pam: And so we expanded into Airbnb. We already had a small presence on Expedia, but we expanded into Airbnb at that time. and OTA has become basically a department of its own. It it does generate a good many bookings. I will say though that for Thad: Elliott itself, if your properties in North Myrtle Beach, we still book 90% plus Pam: Elliott itself, if your property's in North Myrtle Beach, we still book 90% plus Thad: direct booking, so we are not as dependent on OTAs as a lot of our competitors are. Yeah. our Myrtle Beach market is a little bit different. So in Myrtle Beach, we're probably closer to a 40-45% OTA presence. Okay. And that is growing, but it's a different market there. Pam: direct booking. So we are not as dependent on OTAs as a lot of our competitors are. our Myrtle Beach market is a little bit different. So in Myrtle Beach we're probably closer to a forty, forty five percent OTA presence. Okay. And that is growing. But it's a different market there. Thad: Yeah, a lot of smaller condos, right? Yes, it's smaller properties. Pam: Yeah, a lot a of smaller condos, right? Yes. It's smaller properties, it's smaller shorter stays, guests come in for two and three nights in Thad: It's smaller shorter stays, guests come in for two and three nights in in North Myrtle Beach, we're still very family focused, able to have guests in from Saturday to Saturday during the summer, especially for houses and things. And we we book the majority of North Myrtle Beach direct. But we do get some bookings in North Myrtle Beach from OTA, so I don't want to downplay that. Right. And these Airbnb changes are going to be huge. Pam: In North Myrtle Beach, we're still very family focused, able to have guests in from Saturday to Saturday during the summer, especially for houses and things. And we we book the majority of North Myrtle Beach direct. But we do get some bookings in North Myrtle Beach from OTA, so I don't want to downplay that. Right. And these Airbnb changes are going to be huge. They are. And would it be fair to say though is that because of how big these OTAs are. Thad: They are. And would it be fair to say though is that because of how big these OTAs are. have gotten and that is another reason why we have one of the largest revenue management teams. According to any other companies around here. Would that be fair? Yes, it is, because on the on OTAs you have to maintain your listings. And listings for OTAs do not automatically populate. So we have certain information that we're able to push automatically about our properties. But when it comes to the details, those have to be manually fixed, adjusted, kept up to date. So we have to manually go into each listing on each place. Pam: Okay. Yeah. Yes, it is, because on the on OTAs you have to maintain your listings. And listings for OTAs do not automatically populate. So we have certain information that we're able to push automatically about our properties. But when it comes to the details, those have to be manually fixed, adjusted, kept up to date. So we have to manually go into each listing on each platform Thad: platform separately Pam: separately. Thad: and keep those up to date. Pam: And keep those up to date. Thad: So pricing and occupancy and then and the initial bones of the listing feed over automatically. But after that it's like when new pictures are taken, you have to go in and update your pictures, you have to update descriptions as things change about a property. So it's it's a huge undertaking. A lot to do. It's a lot to do. Pam: So pricing and occupancy and then and the initial bones of a listing feed over automatically. But after that, it's like when new pictures are taken, you have to go in and update your pictures, you have to update descriptions as things change about a property. So it's it's a huge undertaking. It's a lot to do. Thad: Yeah. They're a huge presence where we are. That's why we have to pay so Pam: That's why we have to pay so Thad: much attention to what's going on, right? And these these if these Airbnb changes, like we said, November 20th is when they go into effect, it's really flipped the short term rental world upside down. The headline has been like stop making guests do the dishes, right? But it is if that was all it was, we could swallow that, right? we could find a way. Pam: Yes. These if these Airbnb changes, like we said, November twentieth is when they go into effect. It's really flipped the short term rental world upside down. The headline has been stop making guests do the dishes. Right. It is if that was all it was, we could swallow that, right? we could find a way to get around to work with it. Thad: To get her up to work with it. Pam: Yeah, if it was just a if it was only a matter of cleaning, then cleaning can be addressed. Thad: Yeah, if it was just a if it was only a matter of cleaning, then cleaning can be addressed. Yeah. You can charge a larger cleaning fee because you can anticipate that cleaners are gonna need longer times in the properties to get prepared for the next guest. That would be an easy fix. the big thing for professional property managers is it's not only the cleaning, it's the fact of not being able to know who the guest is in your property. It's being able to enforce a guest signing your own rental agreement Pam: You can charge a larger cleaning fee because you can anticipate that cleaners are going to need longer times in the properties to get them prepared for the next guest. That would be an easy fix. the big thing for professional property managers is it's not only the cleaning, it's the fact of not being able to know who the guest is in your property. It's being able to enforce a guest signing your own rental agreement. Thad: that we're Pam: That we're Thad: required to have and that protects our owners. Yeah. Pam: required to have and that protects our owners. Thad: our heads working through it, we don't have the answers. Like a lot of other professional property managers, we're kind of figuring out how to do this. But Airbnb says there are some exceptions to that, right? And is if it's required by law, they'll still sign a rental agreement. Now South Carolina I know between an owner and a property manager Pam: Airbnb says there are some exceptions to that, right? And is if it's required by law, they'll still sign a rental agreement. Now, South Carolina, I know between an owner and a property manager required to have a contract between that property manager, that vacation rental manager and a guest, rental agreement, right? Right. So by that I would assume that yes, Airbnb would still require them to sign our rental agreement. What are your thoughts on that? Well Thad: required to have a contract between that property manager, that vacation rental manager, and a guest, rental agreement, right? So by that, I would assume that yes, Airbnb would still require them to sign our rental agreement. And what are your thoughts on that? Well, it sounds like in a perfect world that's exactly what would happen. Yeah. However Pam: It sounds like in a perfect world, that's exactly what would happen. However, for the past few years, we have been trying to have guests sign our rental agreement. We disclose on all of our Airbnb listings that we require that the guests sign our rental agreement, that they provide us with their contact information and personal information. We also tell them that we require a credit card on file in case of damages. There is a way to Thad: For the past few years, we have been trying to have guests sign our rental agreement. We disclose on all of our Airbnb listings that we require that the guests sign our rental agreement, that they provide us with their contact information and personal information. We also tell them that we require a credit card on file in case of damages. There is a way to to recoup damages through Airbnb. It is a very time-consuming process. Pam: to recoup damages through Airbnb. It is a very time consuming process. And Airbnb Thad: Airbnb puts us on a 14-day time limit. And that's just not to report the damage, but that's to be able to report the damage, show proof that this guest is the one who caused it, and show an invoice for the cost of the repair. Pam: puts us on a 14 day time limit. And that's just not to report the damage, but that's to be able to report the damage, show proof that this guest is the one who caused it, and show an invoice for the cost of the repair. Thad: Yeah. So we're talking about a tight window. Yeah. So we've been Pam: So we're talking about a tight window. So we've been Thad: this is something we've been dealing with with the Airbnb. We've we've already run into situations where guests refuse to put a credit card on file. Pam: This is something we've been dealing with with Airbnb. We've we've already run into situations where guests refuse to put a credit card on file. If we cancel on the guest, Airbnb penalizes us monetarily. So they assess a fine to us. Thad: If we cancel on the guests, Airbnb penalizes us monetarily. So they assess a fine to us. Yeah, so if you try to Pam: If you try to Thad: enforce your rental agreement that you're required to have, Airbnb says, like for the credit card, Airbnb says Pam: Airbnb and says, like for the credit card, Airbnb says, no, don't require that because we have it. And if something goes wrong, we'll give you that information. Is that fair to say? Basically, Airbnb says if something goes wrong, we will take care of it. We'll be your intermediary Thad: No, don't require that because we have it and if something goes wrong, we'll give you that information. Is that fair to say? Basically Airbnb says if something goes wrong, we will take care of it. We'll be your intermediary. Pam: and take care of it. experience has shown that that's not always the case. Yeah. We've had we've had situations where guests have damaged properties. Thad: take care of it. experience has shown that that's not always the case. Yeah. We've had we've had situations where guests have damaged properties Pam: And we send, picture proof of damages. we've had vendors come out and fix things and then Airbnb refuse to reimburse for the cost or they only want to pay a portion of the cost. They feel like the vendor charged too Thad: and we send picture proof of damages. We've had vendors come out and fix things and then Airbnb refuse to reimburse for the cost or they only want to pay a portion of the cost they feel like the vendor charged two much right and typically as a company we absorb those cost yeah we try not to push that onto our homeowners because it's not the homeowner's fault that a guest came in and Pam: much. Right. and typically as a company we absorb those costs. We try not to push that onto our homeowners because it's not the homeowner's fault that a guest came in and Thad: knocked a hole in a door yeah you know so we've had things like that though airbnb also when there's like damage to furniture they take into account depreciation for the age of the item yep so it could be a sofa that was in perfect condition but Pam: knocked a hole in a door. Yeah. so we've had things like that though. Airbnb also when there's damage to furniture, they take into account depreciation for the age of the item. Yeah. So it could be a sofa that was in perfect condition, but Thad: But because it's three years old and now it has a huge rip where somebody took a knife and ripped open one of the cushions for some reason, they're gonna take away Pam: because it's three years old and now it has a huge rip where somebody took a knife and ripped open one of the cushions for some reason. they're gonna take away Thad: three years worth of use. So they're only gonna give you a portion of what your property your property was worth. Right. So we've run into that. Pam: three years worth of use. So they're only gonna give you a portion of what your property your property was worth. Right. So we've run into that. Thad: So a thing that just popped into my head was because we Pam: Yeah. Thad: are in you know short term rentals, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, HOA associations Pam: HOA association. Thad: are very prevalent, right? So when a guest breaks a rule, that's in our rental agreement because we let them know all the rules that they have to abide by. But let's just say a guest breaks it. The HOA isn't fining the guest. They're fining the owner or the property manager. And then it's up to us to have to go recoup the money from the guest now and or Airbnb. Right. But that's a lot harder now with these rules if Pam: Yes. When a guest breaks a rule, That's in our rental agreement because we let them know all the rules that they have to abide by. But let's just say a guest breaks it. The HOA isn't finding the guest. They're finding the owner or the property manager. And then it's up to us to have to go recoup the money from the guest now and or Airbnb. Right. But that's a lot harder now with these rules if if Thad: if Airbnb is either trying to be the intermediary or Pam: Airbnb is either trying to be the intermediary or Thad: only pay a fraction of of these rules because now these guests don't even if they're not signing a rental agreement, they're they can say, I didn't even know that these were rules. Correct. that's wild. They can. And that happens. a lot of condo buildings have Pam: a fraction of of these rules because now these guests don't even if they're not signing a rental agreement, they're they can say I didn't even know that these were rules. Correct. that's wild. They can. And that happens. a lot of condo buildings have rules, their HOA has rules and it's for safety about not leaving items in the walkways. Because, you know, in the event of a fire, everybody needs to be able to safely exit. we've had an occasion during the summer Thad: And it's for safety, about not leaving items in the walkways. Right. Because in the event of a fire, everybody needs to be able to safely exit. Yeah. we've had an occasion during the summer where a guest actually left a pair of flip flops on the mat outside the door of the condo and the HOA fined the owner. Yeah. The owner is who gets fined by the HOA. Right. So the owner is fined by the HOA and then we have to submit Pam: Where a guest actually left a pair of flip-flops on the mat outside the door of the condo. And the HOA fined the owner. The owner is who gets fined by the HOA. So the owner is fined by the HOA. And then we have to submit proof of what happened. Hopefully the HOA took a picture of the shoes on the mat. And so we submit all of that through Airbnb. Thad: proof of what happened. Hopefully the HOA took a picture of the shoes on the mat and so we submit all of that through Airbnb to try to get reimbursement from the guest. Right. it's a very interesting process that I feel like is only going to become more complicated by the fact that we cannot gather the guest information Pam: to try to get reimbursement from the guest. Right. it's a very interesting process that I feel like is only going to become more complicated by the fact that we cannot gather the guest information. You Thad: we can't gather a credit card in case there are damages that we can't recoup from Airbnb. we're not even allowed to have sign our rental agreement. Yeah. Pam: know, we can't gather a credit card in case there are damages that we can't recoup from Airbnb. You know, we're not even allowed to have them sign our rental agreement. Thad: and something else along the lines of a rental agreement that I do want to point out is we we have a contract with our owners and in our contract we spell out things like our cancellation policy. Like when can a guest cancel and receive money back? When do they not receive money back? Pam: And something else along the lines of a rental agreement that I do want to point out is we we have a contract with our owners. And in our contract, we spell out things like our cancellation policy. Like when can a guest cancel and receive money back? When do they not receive money back so that Thad: That the owner receives the money. and Airbnb for years has been imposing their own cancellation policies. Pam: the owner receives the money? and Airbnb for years has been imposing their own cancellation policies. Thad: Yeah. And we have just had to choose the one that was closest to our own, even though it's not identical. And over the past year, Airbnb has become more and more flexible with their cancellation policies. Yeah. So now we're in a situation where an Airbnb guest can rent one of our properties that takes it off the market for those. Pam: And we have just had to choose the one that was closest to our own, even though it's not identical. And over the past year, Airbnb has become more and more flexible with their cancellation policies. So now we're in a situation where an Airbnb guest can rent one of our properties that takes it off the market for those dates for other people. And then they can come up sixty or thirty days prior to arrival and cancel. Thad: Dates for other people and then they can come up sixty or thirty days prior to arrival and cancel. Yeah. Which leaves us left with a property that we need to try to re-rent. Yeah. And it's difficult to re-rent a large property within 30 days of arrival. Yeah. And get the homeowner the money that their property deserves. Yeah. And I I mean, just this I know Pam: Which leaves us left with a property that we need to try to re rent. And it's difficult to re rent s a large property within thirty days of arrival. Yeah. And get the homeowner the money that their property deserves. Yeah. And I mean just this Thad: this is a biased opinion, but from what I see, it sounds like it's just Pam: see it sounds like it's just Thad: Airbnb is more focused on taking care of the guests because that's how Pam: Airbnb is more focused on taking care of the guests 'cause that's how Thad: they're going to make the majority of their money by keeping guests happy and keeping them booking through Airbnb so the guest returns for another experience. we are we are very guest centric too, you're serving both owners and guests and you have to be able to find some middle ground, but like I don't I would argue that Airbnb definitely skews more towards the guest when it Pam: guest happy and keeping them booking through Airbnb so the guest returns for another experience. we are we are very guest centric too, you're serving both owners and guests and you have to be able to find some middle ground but I don't I would argue that Airbnb definitely skews more towards the guest when it in a lot of these situations. They do. They definitely do skew more toward the guests. That's that's been apparent since the beginning really. Thad: in a lot of these situations. They do. They definitely do ski more toward the guests. That's that's been apparent since the beginning really. Pam: seems like was first really getting started. Sometimes you were just renting a room in somebody's house. So you were renting a room in their house and now Airbnb's new rules are saying that you can't even know that person's name. Thad: seems like was first really getting started. Sometimes you were just renting a room in somebody's house. Yeah. So you were renting a room in their house and now Airbnb's new rules are saying that you can't even know that person's name or Pam: or any of their demographic information. Thad: any of their demographic information. Pam: Yeah. Thad: Yeah. We have to trust that Airbnb has all of that. Yeah, so this is the last major points we're gonna talk about is Pam: We have to trust that Airbnb has all of that. so this is the last major points we're gonna talk about is Thad: and a of people are up in arms about this. It's the guest verification point of Pam: Guest verification point of these Thad: these changes that Airbnb is implementing and that's what Pam's about to Pam: changes that Airbnb is implemented. to get into a little bit more. Thad: get into a little bit more. we've had guests that we receive reservations from Airbnb where the guest may not have a first name. Yeah. Their reservation could come in as the letter K Smith. Yeah. or we get in where we get a first name and then the last name is just an initial. We've had Tony D book with us through Airbnb. Pam: we've had guests that we receive reservations from Airbnb where the guest may not have a first name. Yeah. Their reservation could come in as the letter K Smith. You know, or we get them in where we get a first name and then the last name is just an initial. We've had like Tony D book with us through Airbnb. Thad: Well, when we book guests direct Pam: Well, when we book guest direct, we do not accept Tony D as a name. We we require the guest name. And when they check in, they have to show ID that matches. So we know that the person we book and the person that checks in is the same person. And with this method that Airbnb is doing, you know, in the past we've been successful in most cases. Thad: We do not accept Tony D as a name. We we require the guest name. Yeah. And when they check in, they have to show ID that matches. So we know that the person we book and the person that checks in is the same person. And with this method that Airbnb is doing, you know, in the past we've been successful in most cases by reaching out to the guest and saying we require your full name. Pam: By reaching out to the guest and saying we require your full name Thad: For the most part we've had guests provide it. Yeah. But but that's not to say that you can always get that. And now Airbnb is even saying that you can't ask for that. Yeah. That you have to accept the booking the way it comes in. Pam: For the most part, we've had guests provide it. But but that's not to say that you can always get that. And now Airbnb is even saying that you can't ask for that. That you have to accept the booking the way it comes in. Thad: imagine you have a spare room in your house and you're renting it to, you know K Smith or Tony D and you have no idea who's coming with them, if that's even their name because you can't verify it, or who's staying with them and they're just gonna come stay a couple days in your spare bedroom or your or exact it's terrifying 'cause like you need to be able to trust that the person going into your house, or, you know, the house you manage is going to protect that property. They should be there. They're using it for the right reasons. Pam: K Smith or Tony D and you have no idea who's coming with them, if that's even their name, right? Because you can't verify it, or who's staying with them and they're just gonna come stay a couple of days in your spare bedroom or your or your Exactly. it's terrifying. 'Cause like you need to be able to trust that the person going into your house, or, you know, the house you manage is going to protect that property. They should be there. They're using it for the right reasons. It's a a gray area that's getting a little bit darker. That's how Thad: It's a it's a gray area that's getting a little bit darker That's how Pam: I feel about it. And I feel that it's not just the property managers. It's the individual host. It's the individual people Thad: It's the individual host, it's the individual people. Pam: who are hosting on Airbnb that we also need to keep in mind. Because well, just like the people that we manage their properties for, but these individual hosts, they're not a huge hotel owned by a corporation. They're renting Thad: who are hosting on Airbnb that we also need to keep in mind because well just like the people that we manage their properties for, but these individual hosts, they're not a huge hotel owned by a corporation. They're renting their second home or sometimes their primary home space in their primary home. Or they may have investment property, you know, that they're renting as part of their income. Yeah. But but it's something that these people have they're working Pam: their second home or extra space in their primary home, or they may have investment property, you know, that they're renting as part of their income. But but it's something that these people have they're working Thad: And they're paying for, and second owners, you have a lot invested in your property when you come to the beach. You know, you live far off, and you come to the beach and you buy a property Pam: and they're paying for. And second owners, you have a lot invested in your property. When you come to the beach, you know, you live far off and you come to the beach and you buy a property Thad: and you entrust it to a professional property manager to rent that for you. You're trusting that we are taking care of your property. And these new Airbnb rules are making it more difficult for us to take care of your property. Pam: and you entrust it to a professional property manager to rent that for you, you're trusting that we are taking care of your property. And these new Airbnb rules are making it more difficult for us to take care of your Thad: property. Pam: property. Thad: I agree with you. Pam: we Thad: we Pam: had one a few weeks ago that came in that Thad: had one a few weeks ago that came in that Pam: I mean it was clearly a a made up name because it was I can't remember exactly what it was, but it was something along the lines of hot mama queen. Thad: And it was clearly a a made up name because it was I can't remember exactly what it was, but it was something along the lines of Hot Mama Queen. Yeah. Something like that. Like an Instagram handle. Yeah, so that is not that person's name. Now this guest was very nice, provided us with their real name. Yeah. But the booking came in as Hot Mama Queen. I mean, if there's a problem at the property, you're gonna have to notify local law enforcement that Pam: Something like that. Like an Instagram. So yes, so that is not that person's name. Now this guest was very nice, provided us with their real name. Yeah. But the booking came in as Hot Mama Queen. if there's a problem at the property, you're gonna have to notify local law enforcement that Thad: That hot momma queen is there. Yeah. That's not helpful. So I think Pam: Hot Mama Queen is there. Yeah. That's not helpful. So I think Thad: that the bottom line on a lot of the Airbnb changes that we really need to focus on is safety. Yeah. Safety of the property, safety of the neighbors, you know, the safety of the people that are actually in the property. Just making sure that we try as short term rentals, we try to provide a safe environment for people to go enjoy their vacation. Pam: that the bottom line on a lot of the Airbnb changes that we really need to focus on is safety. Safety of the property, safety of the neighbors, you know, the safety of the people that are actually in the property. Just making sure that we try as short term rentals, we try to provide a safe environment for people to go enjoy their vacation. Thad: Yeah. So I know I served on the ejection team for quality control. So I had to enforce our rental agreement and it was usually spring break week or when there were large house parties because Pam: So I had to enforce our rental agreement and it was usually spring break week or when there were large house parties. Thad: we're a strict no house party company. Right? But the first thing I have to do is I have to print out the guest reservation with the renter on record. And now I could not imagine having to go eject a a guest from a house and being is hot mama queen here? Like Pam: Right. Right. Yes. The first thing I have to do is I have to print out the guest reservation with the renter on record. And now I could not imagine having to go eject a a guest from a house. Right. And being is hot mama queen here? Right. that's crazy 'cause like I have to have the police there. Yes. And I'm like, I have no idea who's in our property. Like this is obviously not a real name, but they booked through Airbnb and you think about it like that, it's like Thad: that's crazy 'cause I have to have the police there. Yes. And I'm like, I have no idea who's in our property. this is obviously not a real name, but they booked through Airbnb and you think about it like that, it's like they're making it way harder than they should to to protect the property. They are. And we as a professional property management company, at least we are set up Pam: They're making it way harder than they should to protect the property. They are. And we as a professional property management company, at least we are set up to deal with things like ejections and all of that. If you have to evict someone for a legitimate reason, we at least have a team that knows how to go out and take care of these situations and handle it. Think about that individual host that's just renting out Thad: To deal with things like ejections and all of that, if you have to evict someone for a legitimate reason, we at least have a team that knows how to go out and take care of these situations and handle it. Think about that individual host that's just renting out the other half of the duplex they live in. Because I know I've rented an Airbnb before in New Orleans, and the host that we rented from lived in the other half of the duplex. So our host was like, right. Pam: the other half of the duplex they live in. Because I know I've rented an Airbnb before in New Orleans and the host that we rented from lived in the other half of the duplex. So our host was like right Thad: next door. Mm-hmm. can you imagine being a host and you get a bad actor in? Yeah. And it's adjoining to your home? Yeah. I just can't imagine. I can't imagine that why Airbnb does not try to see this also from the host perspective more so. Pam: next door. can you imagine being a host and you get a bad actor in? Yeah. And it's adjoining to your home? Yeah. I just can't imagine. I can't imagine that why Airbnb does not try to see this also from the host perspective more so. Thad: Yeah. No, it's true. Pam: Yeah, no, it's true. Thad: Are there any other things that you think that we haven't touched on? We did guest verification, rental agreements, don't let guests do the dishes. Those were the main ones. Did you think there was anything else that you'd want to kind of leave us with on a closing note? Two things I'm thinking of. One is about the guest chores. Yeah. Pam: Are there any other things that you think that we haven't touched on? We take guest verification, rental agreements, Yep, don't let guests do the dishes. Those were the main ones. Did you think there was anything else that you'd want to leave us with on a closed note? Two things I'm thinking of. One is the about the guest chores. Yeah. I understand not wanting to have to do Thad: I understand not wanting to have to do a deep clean of the property that you've stayed in for your vacation. A hundred percent. I get that. And that's why we all Pam: a deep clean of the property that you've stayed in for your vacation. I get that. And that's why we all professional property managers and non-professionals, we all employ cleaners to go in and clean and sanitize a property between guests. So I understand that. Thad: professional property managers and non professionals, we all employ cleaners to go in and clean and sanitize a property between guests. So I understand that. Pam: I think Airbnb has mixed up the short term rental vacation market with a hotel because they're different. Thad: I think Airbnb has mixed up the short term rental vacation market with a hotel. Because they're different. They are different. When you go into a hotel you are renting a room and people are gonna come in and daily Pam: When you go into a hotel, you are renting a room and people are going to come in and daily make Thad: make your bed for you, clean up after you to an extent, you know. Things that if you don't have common courtesy, they're gonna come in and take care of. Yeah. But in a short term rental for a vacation, it's not a hotel. People are not coming in to make your beds every day. Pam: your bed for you, clean up after you to an extent, you know, things that if you don't have common courtesy, they're gonna come in and take care of. But in a short-term rental for a vacation, it's not a hotel. People are not coming in to make your beds every day. your host has provided you with a home that you should treat like your own. Yeah. And I just and I feel like in all the complaining I've seen online and everything about the cleaning, that we've kind of lost sight of the fact that a short term vacation rental and a hotel are two very different things. Yes, you vacation in both, but you get completely different experiences. Thad: your host has provided you with a home that you should treat like your own. Yeah. And I just and I feel like in all the complaining I've seen online and everything about the cleaning that we've kind of lost sight of the fact that a short term vacation rental and a hotel are two very different things. Yeah. Yes, you vacation in both, but you get completely different experiences. and you Pam: And Thad: Post COVID, everybody, you were having to avoid those common areas, so a lot of people shifted over to short-term vacation rentals because that was a way that you could still bring your family on vacation but maintain your precautions for your health but I think now that Airbnb has taken it a step too far, yeah, and they're expecting short-term vacation rentals to be operating like hotels. Pam: post-COVID, everybody, you know, you were having to avoid those common areas. So a lot of people shifted over to short-term vacation rentals because that was a way that you could still bring your family on vacation, but maintain your precautions for your health and safety. but I think now that Airbnb has taken it a step too far and they're expecting short-term vacation rentals to be operating like hotels. Thad: There's a reason we do not Pam: There's a reason we do not Thad: not operate the same way as hotels. Hotels have everything under one roof. We do not. Right. We have a lot of properties here in the Grand Strand and they are scattered all the way from slightly north of surfside all the way up here to Cherry Grove. Yeah. They're not all in one building. They're it's a different beast. Pam: operate the same way as hotels. Hotels have everything under one roof. We do not. We have a lot of properties here in the Grand Strand and they are scattered all the way from slightly north of surfside all the way up here to Cherry Grove. They're not all in one building. Yeah, it's a different beast. Thad: And that's a it's a great way to to kind of differentiate the two. Pam: It is differentiate the two. Yeah, I just I think we need to remember that. and I did just want to reiterate that I think that the fact that Elliott Beach Rentals that we maintain ninety percent direct bookings in all of our North Myrtle Beach properties, and we still maintain about sixty percent in our Myrtle Beach itself properties that's a very big advantage that we have. Yeah, it really tells the Thad: Yeah, I just I think we need to remember that. and I did just want to reiterate that I think that the fact that Elliott Beach Rentals that we maintain ninety percent direct bookings in all of our North Myrtle Beach properties and we still maintain about sixty percent in our Myrtle Beach itself properties. Yeah. that's a very big advantage that we have. Yeah, it it really tells the story of our brand that's been around for over sixty-five years and Pam: sixty five years and has built that trust to keep people coming back. it Thad: has built that trust for to k keep people coming back. It does and it it assists our owners because you are covered. Owners are covered by the rules that we impose and not simply the rules that big OTAs like Airbnb have decided to follow. Yeah. OTAs really are used more for the the marketing effect. Yeah. That they call it the billboard effect. Pam: it does and it it assists our owners because you are covered. Owners are covered by the rules that we impose and not simply the rules that big OTAs like Airbnb have decided to follow. OTAs really are used more for the the marketing effect. Yeah that they call it the billboard effect. Thad: Yeah. It helps get our properties out there in front of people who may not already know about Elliott Beach Rentals. So it helps get them out. Pam: It helps get our properties out there in front of people who may not already know about Elliott Beach Rentals. So it helps get them out Thad: There, get the name out and show the property. Yeah. But the goal of any booking that we get from an OTA is that that guest becomes a repeat guest of Elliott Beach Rentals. Yeah. So we always try to encourage guests, to book direct when they can. Yeah. And it's in the guest's best interest, Pam: there, get the name out, and show the property. Yeah. But the goal of any booking that we get from an OTA is that that guest becomes a repeat guest of Elliott Beach Rentals. Yeah. So we always try to encourage guests, to book direct when they can. But and it's in the guest's best interest. Thad: not only for their experience, but also the cost. The cost is typically less expensive to book direct with a property manager. Yeah. And Pam: Not only for their experience, but also the cost. The cost is typically less expensive to book direct with a property manager. Yeah. Thad: I can't wait Pam: And I can't Thad: to have you back again because that's we're gonna I love the revenue part of the game, especially working down in Myrtle Beach a little bit more with the dynamic pricing. So we're gonna have Pam back very soon to do a little bit more of a of a deep dive on all things revenue when it comes to a short term vacation rental. But thank you for your time today. I thought that was a killer show and I hope you all enjoyed it as well. And we'll see you next week. Thank you. Pam: Especially working down in Myrtle Beach a little bit more with the dynamic pricing. Yes. We're gonna have Pam Backs very soon to do a little bit more of a of a deep dive on all things revenue when it comes to a short term vacation rental. But thank you for your time today. I thought that was a killer show and I hope you all enjoyed it as well. And we'll see you next week. Thank you.