The Goldilocks Problem of Management
When you start looking for an Airbnb property manager, you will encounter what I like to call the Goldilocks problem of management. We all know the story of the three bears and Goldilocks trying to find the right porridge.
On one side, there are large companies that are managing 100 properties, with great owner marketing, who know a lot about str but are working at a scale that makes it impossible for them to give your house individual attention. Examples: if you have a question about permits, how many phone calls does it take to reach them? If you want to get info on pricing, is it on their website or do you have to reserve time on their Google calendar for a 30 minute slot.
These are all symptoms of a problem. Bigger is not always better. Or as I say more bluntly, “it's hard to give a f#$% at scale.” Companies like this use AI in the vast majority of their written communication with guests and it comes off phony. They outsource their guest services to call centers in foreign countries with no local knowledge. They do this because it's easier and cheaper, but it is not better for you.
On the other side, is the beginner. Sometimes people get sticker shock when they look for a manager, and so they start shopping based on price alone. This usually turns into someone’s brother’s cousin’s type management, or a family friend, a girlfriend etc. They are excited and they did it one time, what could go wrong?
The truth is that 80% of the time, anyone can manage a property just like 80% of the time an airplane flies itself. But what do you do when there is turbulence? What do you do when the calendar dies? What do you do when the neighbor is very upset? What do you do when the upstairs plumbing is turning the kitchen drywall into a bubble? In times like this, experience and skill are the difference between winning and losing. On the positive side, a lot of times beginners can be too cautious or just ignorant about opportunities. They often times lack the skill to pursue Airbnb on damages etc.
The correct choice: What I believe is best is a company that is experienced enough to deliver, but small enough to call you back. Big enough to handle 99% of issues, but small enough that you know they are hands on.
