(A1a) Our philosophy and our approach

• We have 3 seemingly unrelated topics here, but they are related. We develop technologies for short-term rental operations, and we rely heavily on computer technologies, like Microsoft Windows Operating Systems. Microsoft started with Windows 1.0, 3.1, 95/98/Me, and developed a well-like version Windows XP (2001).  The V-team could not sit still and came up with Windows Vista (2006). Vista was the target of much criticism and negative press.  It was swiftly replaced by Windows 7 (2009). The V-team went dominant, but their variants stealthily came back as Windows 11 (2021).  Are you ready for Windows 11?

• A quick answer here is that you may be ready for Windows 11, but Windows 11 is NOT ready for you. If you can still uninstall Windows 11 and roll back to Windows 10, do it as soon as it is still possible.  The lesson here, do not trade your "acres of diamonds for a piece of gravel land".  Microsoft have done such bad trades many times over, and we all have to suffer from that.

• On the other hand, we need to give Microsoft credits for their efforts in taking small steps to make improvements.  In solving any complex problems, taking actions (big or small) is the essence for success.  In detailed analysis, all complex problems can be boiled down to a collection of simple problems that can be solved easily.  In our service, we provide you simpler solutions to address complex problems in short term rentals. Simpler is better.

• So we have two seemingly contradictory thoughts. The spirits behind "acres of diamonds" is to value and appreciate what you have, keep it and grow it from there. But it is of course equally important to take actions to explore ideas, to solve problems, even if it just a small step a time.  Here we will provide you method and tools to solve problems (big or small), but we will also point out acres of diamonds that you already have.  In mathematics and engineer, complex (nonlinear) problems are solved in a simple way using an iterative procedure.  It all start at an "initial point", and take iterative steps to reach the solution (optimization). An interesting analogy to solving real life complex problem.

• Life is nonlinear, why not address it using a nonlinear approach! (simple steps with iterations)

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• Vacation rentals.  The phrase "vacation rentals" is a misnomer. It is neither here nor there. It is a catchy marketing phrase, but it is confusing from a legal/management point of view.  We can carry out a more meaningful discussion using the phrases "short term rentals" and "shared rentals".

• Short term rentals.  Depending on the municipality code, it is considered to be a "short term rental" if the rental period is less than 30 days (some codes uses 31 days, and some uses 32 days). Short term rentals are subject to Occupancy Tax (it is like hotel tax, also called as Transient Tax). Certain municipalities passed law to ban short term rentals.  Very few explicitly passed laws to allow for short term rentals requiring a permit.  Requiring permits is actually a good thing.  However, the procedure to obtain a permit can be complicated or convoluted. Also, some permits require the host to be a resident of the village or the city.  A "shared rental" (to be discussed) cannot be taken for granted either.

• Shared rentals/housing.  In strict regulation of residential zoning (R1), a house or an apartment, is for a single family.  When you have multiple groups of guests in the house, it may violate the village code. However, some municipalities may provide exceptions for occasional shared rentals. This is a gray area and can be hard to clarify.

• Municipality code can vary greatly different from place to place, even in municipalities next to each other.

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• PMS (Property Management System, or Property management software) provides all sorts of components (personnel and supplies for management, guest communication and management, payment matters, and so on) necessary to manage your listings.  In addition, it may also (1) Connect your listings to major booking portals (such as Airbnb, VRBO,  Booking,com, etc.) (2) Synchronize your listing prices and manage all your booking channels in one interface to avoid double bookings or overbookings.

• Channel manager is a software provider that helps the hosts (owners) distribute/update listing prices and availability on all the connected Online Travel Agencies (OTA). OTA rely on such services for their customer's bookings

• Dynamic pricing tools are software services that analyze real-time supply/demand data in an attempt to adjust the listing prices accordingly. Factors that affect supply/demand include variables such as competition, trend, seasonality, day of the week, and upcoming local events.

• Concept of synchronization.  When you use more than one software service, the information must be synchronized on a timely basis to be up-to-date.  Errors may occur during synchronization. That is a real challenge.

• Hosting platforms like Airbnb and VRBO will have a statement like "Listings that you create using other software — such as a property management system or a channel manager — need to comply with our listing policies. Listings must follow these policies or won’t be published".  A subtle but deadly statement.  It is like saying you are on your own.

• Key takeaway:  Do not use any third party software on Airbnb or VRBO unless you really need it.  Also avoid complicated tools. You may just need simple tools to address your needs. The simpler the better.

• Many PMS providers advertise they can do 3 for 1 (i.e., PMS + CM + Pricing). That is really a negative advertisement. You already have one huge integrated PMS (Airbnb or VRBO portal) if you use Airbnb or VRBO.  Do you really need another big PMS?

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• Airbnb    If you have a shared space,  Airbnb is the only platform you can use. Of course, you can also list your private apartment/condo or the entire house on Airbnb.

• VRBO     You cannot list shared space on VRBO. Each listing must have its own entrance (cannot be shared).  This is a major difference between listings on Airbnb and VRBO.

• Priceline, Expedia, TripAdvisor and alike are primarily Online Travel Agencies.  They can list your properties, but their functions and services are different from Airbnb and VRBO.

• VRBO was established many years before Airbnb.  HomeAway acquired VRBO and renames the new unit as VRBO (the unit is under Expedia).  The business model for non-shared hosting service (like VRBO) is very different from shared hosting service.

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• The easiest way to get HELP information on Airbnb is not through the Web Navigation Menu.  Instead, simply just enter   "Airbnb.com/help"

• If you are experimenting with PMS, CM, or DP tools on your Airbnb (or VRBO) account, you may see the following message when you preview your listing (if you are alert enough to see it).

"This is a test listing: Only approved users can view and book it."

• The above message means you have just created a dead listing; none of platform users (potential guests on Airbnb or VRBO) can see the listing, and of course none can book it.  The platforms may or may not do this intentionally (i.e., it is just a bug).  In either case, the consequence is equally deadly as the listing basically is nonexistent.

• Then you call Airbnb.  The Support Staff may give you all kinds of possible solutions but could not resolve your problems. This problem can then stay there for months where you can only use existing listings and no longer can create new listings.

• Go to Member Area to get a solution for this problem.

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• Depending the platforms you use, the hosts may pay a 3% to 4% service fee.  The guests may pay up to 12% to 14% (or higher) on service fee to the platforms. Such a service fee structure is very favorable to the hosts, and the hosts should gladly pay for it. 

• Service fees come with a lot of benefits. Your platforms not only help you on bookings, but they also help you on marketing, payment collection, among other things.  The services the hosts get worth a lot more than what the hosts pay.  On the other hand, the guest may not like the high service fees they pay to the platform. One of benefits included in the service fee is for damage coverage (reimbursement).  Airbnb covers up to $3M, and VRBO covers up to $1M.

• With the above information in in mind, it is most beneficial for hosts to use platforms like Airbnb or VRBO to offer any sort of rentals.

• There is no dropdown menu in the Airbnb Navigation Bar to review reimbursement claims (except at the initial filing). The host needs to enter "Airbnb.com/resolutions" in order to review all Resolution Center matters.

• It is important to visit "Airbnb.com/resolutions" on a regular basis as your guests may file claims against you.  You need to reject (or accept) such a claim so you will not be at a disadvantage.

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• Payouts typically are executed and delivered to your bank accounts by Airbnb and VRBO uneventfully, but this regularity cannot be taken for granted.  The host must review the Transaction History routinely (see reasons below), in particular, the categories under "Completed Payouts" and "Upcoming Payouts" in the Transaction History.  If you see "Payouts" that remain in the category of "Upcoming Payouts" several days after the scheduled date, you need to contact your Platform for an explanation or rectification. If such matters are not taken care in a timely manner, you may accumulate a lot of funds in the "Upcoming Payouts" category and the funds become uncollectible.  The loss is on the host.  Your platform is not responsible for such losses.

• It is important to note that your platform will "ATTEMPT" to collect payments for you, but if they cannot, they are NOT obligated to pay the amounts to you. So, if you are aware of a guest that has a payment issue; know about it, take action, or cut the loss.

• One common cause of "No Payout" is due to the guest arranged to pay your platform via Installment Payments.  The first payment may go through, but not the latter payments.

• There are many other situations that "payouts" cannot be delivered. The host need to contact the platform so it can be explained and understood.

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• Parties bring so much a notoriety to short-term hosting services, Airbnb has a worldwide ban for using a hosting service for parties of any sorts (neither by the guests, nor permitted by the hosts).  On selective dates, such as the New Year Eve, Independence Day, and Halloween Day, your listings may be blocked by Airbnb if a guest tries to book for a single day on such holidays.

• The host should specify severe penalties for holding parties of any sorts in the house rules.  Airbnb typically will not honor such penalties based on the house rules, but it is a way to deter the guest(s) to hold a party.  The consequences of having a party at your hosting places can be very serious and complicated.

• The host can cancel a booking without any penalties if there are any indications of holding a party. This works in favor of the host in preventing a party.

• In the event a party is held, collect any evidence of damages (must be in photos, e.g., weed/cigarettes butts, broken mirrors, broken chairs, etc.).  Airbnb will not reimburse you for the party alone, but will reimburse you for damages and extra cleaning services (must have an invoice). Since you indicate NO PARTIES in your house rules, you have a better chance in getting reimbursed.

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• A Twitter video posted in December 2020 showing an elderly Airbnb host slapped by a guest after telling the group to leave. This video was cited in several news articles around January 12, 2023. The video went viral with more than 22 million views by January 18, 2023.  Some facts need to be clarified.

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• Error message: 429 Too Many Requests nginx

• Then NO access to the website

• There are many reasons that could cause the above error in which you lose access to the website when you need it most.

• And there are many suggestions to resolve the issue.  Most of them are too complicated or too late to implement.

• This is the simplest way to resolve it. Restart your computer, and connect to a totally different Wi-Fi network. If you do not have an alternative Wi-Fi network, you may have to use your Smartphone hotspot as a stop gap solution.

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