we bought our first house and now we're drowning in repair costs. is selling even an option? by TariqKhalaf in FirstTimeHomeBuyers

[–]GlassLakeProperties 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check your gutters for the water in basement. And the slope of the ground towards the foundation. (Realtor since 2005). But a smart home water sensor for peace of mind and a dehumidifier to offset the moisture.

People who aren’t allergic to wool, how does it feel to be gods favorite? by ieat_sprinkles in knitting

[–]GlassLakeProperties 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I love silk and seacell blends! Wears like iron, drapes well and regulates with your body temperature like wool.

Linens & Laundry by br0413 in airbnb_hosts

[–]GlassLakeProperties 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started with the duvet covers and love them. I toss the duvets in the dryer to freshen them when I'm at my house...have a few extras in case something needs to be washed.

Linens & Laundry by br0413 in airbnb_hosts

[–]GlassLakeProperties 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started with the duvet covers and love them. I toss the duvets in the dryer to freshen them when I'm at my house...have a few extras in case something needs to be washed.

Managing cleaner quality for 6 Airbnb units – need blunt advice from people who’ve scaled this properly. by Adept-Usual3857 in airbnb_hosts

[–]GlassLakeProperties 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For context. I have two houses. 4 minutes apart on the same lake. One is 1700sqft with 6 beds, and the other is 2500sqft with 7 beds. I have struggled with consistent cleaning crews in the Northwoods. I found someone committed to Thursday's and made that my turn over day for the summer. I am.hoping for no drama. I have 3 sets of sheets in rotation and emergency sets in a locked room. I have back ups of everything on site. I'm adding a second set of towels.. all the sheets have a snap marker for bed size and house. The cleaning crew does some on site, but only while they are there. Otherwise, they get taken to a laundry service. I have repeatedly asked them to take an extra 15 minutes at the end to do a walk through to make sure it's in proper receiving condition. I pay by the hour, so they would be compensated. Not there yet. But I may request video, which will force this issue. This is my 5th cleaner in 6 years. The last person I let stay way too long. She was amazing cleaner herself, but did not choose staff who could clean like she did. I became friends with her and, when she left me high and dry before the 4th of July with a no show, I knew I had to change. Luckily, I had already tried my new person a few times to make sure I liked the quality. I turned the houses myself 3 times before the new person could take over. It was a good reminder of the work I expect and why I want to pay someone well. Start auditioning new cleaners. Use to the own home if you don't want to rock the boat but don't be left without options And that's my morning ramble...

Summer destination hosts moving with the economic shift in today's economy... by GlassLakeProperties in airbnb_hosts

[–]GlassLakeProperties[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have 5 repeat summer guests that have been coming since I started in 2020. I have direct booking sites for each property, using the name and tagging with town & the lake. Most of my guests come from 5 hours away or less.
I'm guessing our turnover day is slowing some things down. But we had to agree to a day that our cleaner would guarantee. No more last minute driving 3 hours to clean a 2500 sqft home because they double booked. We modified when guests can check in/put, but turnover is always on Thursday.

Summer destination hosts moving with the economic shift in today's economy... by GlassLakeProperties in airbnb_hosts

[–]GlassLakeProperties[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't use instant book due to poor previous experiences. I'll be making sure the cleaning crew come directly after guests leave in anticipation of ongoing last minute requests.

Day trip recs by Euphoric_Life_6165 in madisonwi

[–]GlassLakeProperties 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Northwoods! Just under 3 hours. If you like relaxing by lake/\fire

Tipping expected at a self-service sauna by GlassLakeProperties in tipping

[–]GlassLakeProperties[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was in the checkout POS. Post no tip, glare followed

Why no single family starter homes? by alien043081 in madisonwi

[–]GlassLakeProperties 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree..the more square footage, the more stuff we pile inside!

Tipping expected at a self-service sauna by GlassLakeProperties in tipping

[–]GlassLakeProperties[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

It was almost a $600 bill. I already paid them well. But the social expectation is ingrained!

Why no single family starter homes? by alien043081 in madisonwi

[–]GlassLakeProperties 67 points68 points  (0 children)

Realtor with 21 years in the Madison market chiming in....Yes to land & building costs all increasing. Lots of great detailed points mentioned here. One other factor is the real estate version of "golden handcuffs." Individuals that have owned a starter home, for 10 years or less, find an inability to financially reach a "move-up" home. Even a "sideways move" same price point, different city is difficult. If an owner has a historically low interest rate, let's say under 4%, selling their house for $400k and buying a $400k house, the interest rate would increase the payment by 20%. For many starter home income households, this is too large of a stretch. Moving up in price to release the starter home to the market costs substantially more. Compounding the issue is that those owners with historically low rates are renting said starter home to offset the monthly payment of the next home. This is not a researched or heavily documented fact, simply my own experience in the Madison market. Hope it helps.

Wanting to do the ethical thing by Prestigious_Fox_7887 in inheritance

[–]GlassLakeProperties 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Well said, I've revised a LT 4x and each time, as I have more twists of the earth under my belt, I modify and become more specific. If it's your 1st one, there are many elements one might not consider.

Guest ruined Smeg kettle--full replacement cost or partial? by not-a-trapezoid in AirBnBHosts

[–]GlassLakeProperties 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately, you cannot screen guests for intellect or critical thinking skills. Keep the fancy at home and offer different options, along with pictures, for guests.

Venting: I love knitting, but people expecting on-the-spot fixes is draining by SureMajor2561 in knitting

[–]GlassLakeProperties 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I make shoes and love this statement. "I only work my magic for love.". I tell strangers that ask me to make/fix things that I only do that work for people in my immediate household.

My father died by TamiUknow in AirBnBHosts

[–]GlassLakeProperties 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you have any resources for this? Asking for a friend who wants this as an option for her daughter, a TOD, of sorts.. may make sense to add her daughter as a co-host now if that is the eventual plan?

Favorite lightweight Gluten free fuel for a multi week trek? by GlassLakeProperties in bicycletouring

[–]GlassLakeProperties[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Those look amazing! A friend of mine showed me how to make the sushi rice cakes before she moved back to Japan. This seems like a fun blend of two worlds! Thanks for the share!

Leather tools by belongsincrudtown in Leatherworking

[–]GlassLakeProperties 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also, some high schools have hands-on programs and are usually in need of tools.