I'd skip considering having strangers come into my home and do God knows what. There are enough nightmare stories to prevent most from going down that path. Even if you're smart enough to check potential renters out well, they can snow you. Case-in-point: a group of mindless 20-somethings destroyed someone's home to the tune of $50K. Hope they serve jail time. But that doesn't help the homeowners, they've had to relocate their entire family until their home can be restored.

We lived in a rental unit for a little over a year while we gutted and remodeled our little house. It actually took us two years to do it. The first year not much progress was made because we lived 40 miles away. Once we moved up here to Rye, CO. We were able to work more than just weekends and it came out real nice. We love living in the mountains even in the winter!

Not in my home...in a flat I own, yes !

Our home on St Simons Island included a guest cottage that had been a 2 story carriage house for the historic plantation nearby. We needed to undertake major engineering to straighten the building and be sure it was solid. That being done

We have renovated two homes which are listed on Airbnb. Although I understand the comments of diyer59, all our guests have been respectful of our homes. I don't have to accept a reservation if I feel uneasy. It is a lot of work, but I think in a small way it helps build connections and community.

@kathleenquin You are in a wonderful place to have guest house, and congratulations on making this a financial success! We have made many visits to your neighboring island, Little St. Simons.

Last year we bought a second home in Flagstaff, AZ that's currently occupied by long term renters. Next summer we'll convert it to our summer home/short term rental property. We're actually meeting with a vacation property manager today for conversion tips. I'm excited about being able to share this house and its fantastic view of the ponderosa forest with others, while also earning rental income. We love our primary residence in Tucson, and this second home in cool Flagstaff gives us the best of two climates, just a few hours drive away.

For three years we put our home into short term (weekly) rentals and summered elsewhere. To do this we converted a home office back into a bedroom and converted a loft music room back into a bedroom. Every year we would put our best things into storage (the copper All-clad pots and pans, the leather chair, the good china, etc.) and put the rental items into the house. We really enjoyed the 4 and 5 month vacations and the rental income from the house paid for the alternate living expenses. I wouldn't do this on my own. We used a local property manager to do advertising, screen potential guests and arrange for housekeeping and repairs. We had over 20 different families in our home over the 3 years with only 1 batch of bad renters. Fortunately, that one bad group did only cosmetic damage that was quickly put to rights. Most renters are quite respectful of your home. They are thrilled to get a nice place to enjoy in their vacation. Even with the rental substitutes, the home provided above average accommodations for the location (3 blocks from the beach) and the price range (just under $2k for the week). We had some families that came all three years. At the end of the 3 years we sold the house to someone who intends to split the use of the house between rental and personal use. He was thrilled with the things we did with the house.

Lovely!

I remodeled a condo recently for the sole purpose of renting it weekly. Having rented many vacation homes over the years, I had a specific plan to keep things neutral, nice, but not precious, and easy to clean. Paint is washable, granite counters were worth the price in terms of longevity, all the appliances and kitchen items are mid-range in price and quality. The bedding and towels are grey and brown and interchangeable so the cleaners don't have to worry about matching anything. Mattresses and living room furniture are where I spent the most because when I've rented places a comfy bed (and pillows) along with a relaxing place to gather in the evening really made the stay enjoyable. Decorative accessories were kept to a minimum for less dusting and chance of breakage. It's been rented only a handful of times so far, and the tenants haven't done any damage. I have heard a few horror stories from friends, but most vacation property owners have told me about items disappearing or being broken. That has already happened, but the things that walked away were not expensive. Wish me luck!

Beautiful!

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that is really awesome view

We had a designer's help to repaint and decorate our house in Mérida, Mexico for short-term rentals as well as our own use. Super happy with the results: http://remixto.com/merida/sincera

We loved Merida when we visited there a few years back. I'll keep your place in mind if we ever go back!

Would love to but DH against it.

We bought a historic way too big for a retired couple with one son living at home. The reason - we loved the land and the architecture. But what to do with four en suite bedrooms, and two more with two more half baths? It was fun to set up extra bedrooms as rooms I would like to rent if traveling around. So far they are nicer than room I have tried on air bnb.

We've enjoyed renting air bnb.

I know a couple people who have, but mostly not..

I turned a large (630 sq ft) den into an 'efficiency' for short term renters - it has a bar and fridge, but they have to share the guest bath and kitchen. I rent to summer interns and currently to a recent grad who relocated to my city. I prefer guests who stay longer than an air b&b situation, but not over long. Students are the perfect fit for my rental.

My idea to do short term rentals was born out of survival and in desperation to get by. I never expected to love hosting, but I truly found my passion :-)

Hi Darlene- What part of the country are you in? Did you find it a worthwhile investment in addition to your passion? Your place looks lovely! Please share more of your story.

I completed a renovation of my house with having a suite to be able to rent out nightly in mind. Security was an issue so there is no access to the main house but should I wish down the road I can easily install a door and have a main floor master bedroom. I manage and clean it myself. It is a bit of work but the pay out is worth it. I live in a tourist destination so I'm booked for the entire summer season and then I get a break in the off season.

I don't think I could rent out my personal space - there's just something about someone I don't know inside my house that doesn't feel right. But please come stay in the suite!!

I own a home in Vero Beach, FL that I have rented out as a seasonal vacation home, as well as off season (when I can) and have even shared it with a friend of the family who lived there year round while I came seasonally. This requires a lot of flexibility, but I do whatever it takes to avoid New England winters. I make gradual improvements which the rental income pays for (along with the usual expenses, maintenance, etc). Started off with inherited furniture, but am gradually replacing the dated or worn pieces. I shop mostly resale & second hand which saves a lot of money while I enjoy the thrill of the hunt! Am trying to simplify decor. Floors are now all easy care tile and vinyl plank. When in FL I rent out my apartment in N.E. Have discovered that a nearby Christian College is a source for reliable renters. I put my personal effects in one room and simply lock the door. So far so good. There's work and a lot of juggling involved, but it enables me to live a snowbird's existence while I'm young and healthy enough to enjoy it. For the most part there has been negligible damage & wear and have never had a problem tenant. (Knock on wood!)

I made sure to pull out all the carpets and use laminate or Tile for our pet loving guests. We also make a point of updating all plumbing and fixtures, you don't have to get the most trendy, opt for quality and easy care. This was a bath we gutted and did on a budget.

I have been renting my Nor Cal 250 sqft down stairs studio apartment out for several years. I don't advertise or use any AirB&B or VRBO services and only rent to referrals from friends & family. The apartment is attached to my home but also has a separate entrance. I recently tore out all the old carpet and replaced the floors with luxury vinyl plank with radiant heat below. The floors are easy to clean -especially being close to the beach with sand and surf wax being part of the landscape. I also remodeled the bathroom which was poorly done by the previous owners. Next - removal of the front deck and replace with patio pavers. When there are no visitors we use the deck/apartment as entertaining space so all the modifications are with ease of use/cleaning and comfort in mind

Wow, 250 sq ft is pretty small. Is it just for short term people? I have an 18x20 ft garage that I have considered turning into a living space for myself to use during summers (I head south in the winter), but I'm not sure I could deal being cramped into such a small space.

I'd like to hear about anyone renting out their own vacation home for part of the year only. We have a weekend place we love, and have always rented to ski families in winter. But it's our furniture, our dishes, etc.. We rent for 4 months in winter, with a fifth in summer is optional. The house is in a more casual than chic area (The Berkshires) and I like the idea that all occupants can enjoy the house without the fear of ruining a new remodel. We just have to look for the right family, and have usually found them. We put away our trinkets, deep clean, and replace smoke detectors, clean chimney, etc etc, and we are good to go. Any comments?

We bought a house at a foreclosure auction: total gut. Three years later: www.thelittlehousevermont.com is open and thankfully, thriving !

@kas300, scroll up and read my post. I have a home in FL that I at one time rented out as a vacation rental. Now I use it winters. I rent it off season (if I can...not great demand unless a buyer in town needing a place while they look). While I am in FL I rent out my apartment in MA for the 6 months I am in FL. Works well with 2nd semester students who want to live off campus.

I have done this various & sundry ways, but my aim is the same. Avoid winters in N.E., avoid FL in the summer. Snowbird. So far no problems (10 years into it.) But it requires flexibilty. I list with RE agents now in FL. MA I handle myself.

Nothing I have in either place is precious to me. Am more concerned with being where I want to be rather than possessive of objects and "my space" sort of thinking. In MA I lock up one room; in FL I claim one closet (so I don't have to schlep so many clothes back & forth).

YES I did and changed it into two apartments for short term rental. It took me just over 1 year. Unfurnished and simple apartments. Its my first with renters but so far I have gotten some great tenants. I am enjoying the short term rental as it brings in more income.

It's been a goal of mine for many years to purchase a home to convert to a short term rental property. Finally, last year my husband & I found the right home in a wonderful neighborhood in Gilbert, Arizona!! We live nearby and plan on someday down sizing into this home. So in the meantime we have vacation renters stay at the house. We have almost completed our 1st year and yes, it is a lot of work as we manage it ourselves. So far a few minor things have been broken...glassware, towels soiled..stuff like that. Some guests are wonderful and even though we have insurance and security deposits in place, they replace the items!! Others are not so considerate. We have decorated the house with homey touches to make people feel welcome, however, as others have said I wouldn't put items in the home that are extremely expensive or precious. Over all I'd say it's been a positive experience and we enjoy meeting new people!

facebook.com/ArizonaVacationGetaway#

Great looking place! Didn't know a rental could have it's own FB page, but then I am a novice on FB. How do people find it? Do you list on VRBO as well? I used to use vacationrentals.com for my FL property, but it was years ago.

Thank you capeanner! Yes, you can create a Facebook page for pretty much anything! I list it with VRBO, so far that's were all of my bookings have come from.

About 20 years ago, we lifted our house to increase headroom in a 6-foot-tall basement, then added an in-law unit. As it was supposed to be for my dad, a lot of the design decisions were driven by his preferences (two small bedrooms, for example, so his 'study' could be separate from the bedroom). Living in a college town, we thought eventually we'd rent it out during the school year. In the end, my dad never came to live there, and we've almost never rented to students, having had mostly small families there for long periods of time. In 20 years, we've had three poor tenant experiences, and none of them stayed very long.

Now the kitchen needs remodeling, and wonder if I should be thinking about upgrading it so we could at least consider short term rentals... Quartz counters instead of inexpensive laminate, a higher-end range, and maybe finally a decorative backsplash where we currently have paint. Torn about whether to change out the plain gray tiles.

Guess it depends upon what type of tenants you prefer to have. If you are happy with small families downstairs continue as you have been. If you prefer to do shorter term B&B type make your upgrades. Have you figured out the difference in income; checked out other rentals in your area? Higher rent could cover your renovation expenses and increase your bottom line. Depends on the market in your area.

Chris, if are considering a short term rental, I would recommend you upgrade the kitchen. We gutted the existing kitchen when we bought and replaced with a nice clean look..granite, white maple shaker cabinetry and subway tile backsplash. We put in black appliances mostly because we got a smokin' deal on a set of brand new ones...thank you Craigslist! Stainless steel is too much upkeep with the constant finger print battle. Even if your renters don't cook, the pictures sell the space and a nice clean kitchen is desirable!! Good luck! Here's how ours turned out!

Very nice Blog, Thank you

https://www.ruempel-chris.at/de/leistungen/wohnungsraeumungen

https://www.ruempel-chris.at