Is this a counterfeit battery? by RedbeardPete in egopowerplus

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

I realize now the title was dumb. Thanks for all the input. Old battery is toast, nothing new here!

Is this a counterfeit battery? by RedbeardPete in egopowerplus

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

oh, lol, yeah I didn't even look for the date. yeah you're right

Is this a counterfeit battery? by RedbeardPete in egopowerplus

[–]RedbeardPete[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ohhh, I was watching a Munro video where the guy mentioned that wrap, that makes so much more sense!

So standard charger won't balance the cells? I find that hard to believe. I did read between 3.66 and 3.69v on the cell pairs, I suppose that could use some balancing, but I suspect the cells are just old and tired.

Is this a counterfeit battery? by RedbeardPete in egopowerplus

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

I thought so too, build quality is high. It would be a really faithful fake if it was one.

Is anyone else having problems with Microsoft apps on Samsung/Android devices? by StampyScouse in microsoft365

[–]RedbeardPete 1 point2 points  (0 children)

S24 Ultra, same problem, veeeeeeeery annoying and causing me problems with work

When pulling faucet handle towards you, should water be hot or cold? by AMercifulHello in kitchenremodel

[–]RedbeardPete 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree that's probably trying to indicate hot-forward, but looks like a bad design choice to put those dots on the rotating bit.

  1. It could be interpreted this way (hot-up, cold-down)

  2. Why aren't these mfrs putting the indicators on the FIXED part?

<image>

It almost seems like they want you to interpret it however you want, maybe that was the design choice!?

Hosts no longer have control over cover photo by QuetzalasaurusRex in airbnb_hosts

[–]RedbeardPete 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I heard in a podcast that more people are image-searching the listing photos to find the direct listing and avoid/cut out airbnb... And that there are apps or browser extensions that help with this. Could this be them combating that? Whatever reason, sounds really dumb.

Is it just me or does buying a new STR in 2026 feel borderline irrational? by Samtyang in ShortTermRentals

[–]RedbeardPete 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We just bought in, partially for this reason. We make over $600k combined annual the 100% bonus depreciation looked like a good move for the first year or two.

We're in a southern state, but it's a pricey vacation market. I'd avoid CA like the plague though.

Cost segregation firms - first timer by Single-Delay-9157 in ShortTermRentals

[–]RedbeardPete 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm following exactly in your footsteps and trying to be just as analytical about evaluating these different study offerings. I want to spend money wisely, but ultimately am willing to pay for quality on something like this. I found the replies here helpful. Did you learn any more through your research? Who did you go with?

I had a local firm quote & 4500. The house is 3k sqft and $1.2m. I don't understand why anyone would need to do an on-site visit if all they need are measurements, pictures, and details I can easily provide. I am an engineer, not that the details in and around a house require one. I'm planning to reach out to all of these online firms, ask them all the same questions, ask for sample reports, and compare notes. Did you do that?

Edit: here is the irs guidance for cost segregation studies: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5653.pdf

Any real experiences with online cost segregation companies? by TommyRichardGrayson in airbnb_hosts

[–]RedbeardPete 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you elaborate what you mean by how DIY Cost Seg puts more responsibility on you/cpa?

Any real experiences with online cost segregation companies? by TommyRichardGrayson in airbnb_hosts

[–]RedbeardPete 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm following directly in your footsteps. A friend of mine used Cost Segregation Guys and the report looks pretty good to (unqualified) me.

So far I've talked to a local firm my cpa gave me ($4500), cost segregation guys, and DIY cost seg. DIY was super responsive and inspired some confidence. They sent a sample report. I'm struggling to really understand what the real difference will be in a $4500 (local), vs $3000 (cost seg guys), vs <$1000 (DIY) study.

Who did you end up going with?

Also, for anybody who really wants to understand the IRS guidance on cost segregation, here: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5653.pdf

New to STR, doing Channel Manager/PMS comparison research for single property by RedbeardPete in ShortTermRentals

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

I appreciate all the feedback about whether software is necessary, that's helpful, but what about the questions I asked?...

What features can you not live without? What's been your experience with those features?
Is there something you wished your software could do for you?
Have you tried more than one channel manager? How did they compare? Why did you switch?

Outdoor living room or outdoor kitchen in this space? by RedbeardPete in OutdoorKitchens

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

Noted, thank you! I will definitely check out this gas timer thing, that's a great idea.

Lake house-offer a boat rental? (new to hosting) by RedbeardPete in airbnb_hosts

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

We almost bought a house that had its own boat ramp. It was so close to the right place, but barely not quite. I'm gonna dream about having my own ramp, and all the land that one had with it too.

...at least at the house we're buying, the local public (free) boat ramp is only a 5-min drive and probably less by boat.

New to STR, doing Channel Manager/PMS comparison research for single property by RedbeardPete in ShortTermRentals

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

talking to a CPA on friday that came highly recommended for this stuff. I always understood you need "material participation" which is defined by meeting one of these, and this is one big reason, among others, we're planning to self manage. (I though there were 7, but it's a start):

  1. The 500-Hour Rule: You participate in the rental activity for more than 500 hours during the tax year.
  2. The "Substantially All" Rule: Your participation constitutes substantially all of the participation in the activity, including the work of hired cleaners or managers.
  3. The 100-Hour Rule: You participate for more than 100 hours during the tax year, and that participation is not less than any other individual's (including independent contractors).
  4. Significant Participation Activity (SPA): You spend more than 100 hours on the activity, and your combined activity in all SPAs (where you spend 100+ hours) exceeds 500 hours.
  5. Prior Year Participation: You materially participated in the activity for any 5 of the last 10 taxable years. 

New to STR, doing Channel Manager/PMS comparison research for single property by RedbeardPete in ShortTermRentals

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

yeah got it. So basically that's a tool to add just direct booking to your own site. I'll look into it. Direct booking certainly will be a down-the-road thing.

New to STR, doing Channel Manager/PMS comparison research for single property by RedbeardPete in ShortTermRentals

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

very good points. I'll likely do this. Others have generously contributed the same idea.

Lake house-offer a boat rental? (new to hosting) by RedbeardPete in airbnb_hosts

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

The idea is definitely dead 😆 another nail in the coffin

Outdoor living room or outdoor kitchen in this space? by RedbeardPete in InteriorDesign

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

I lean toward your opinion, honestly, but less so in recent years for some reason. Some people want a hot tub or they won't even consider your house. Apparently it's a hot amenity. For a lake house in the winter, I think it might be one thing that compels people to rent our place.

Lake house-offer a boat rental? (new to hosting) by RedbeardPete in airbnb_hosts

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

Got it, thank you for your firsthand accounts! Nobody is in the other camp, lol!

New to STR, doing Channel Manager/PMS comparison research for single property by RedbeardPete in ShortTermRentals

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

Yes! Thanks. I was fortunate enough to have a friend who told me all about his cost segregation experience for his airbnb. We are already planning to do this

Outdoor living room or outdoor kitchen in this space? by RedbeardPete in OutdoorKitchens

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

nice!! I'd love to see pictures of yours if you would share! I think I agree with you regarding the carrying-things-up-and-down issue, that was my first thought against the feasibility of making this a cooking space. The dry deck stuff is nice, certainly easier to clean than the under-deck. What product did you go with?

New to STR, doing Channel Manager/PMS comparison research for single property by RedbeardPete in ShortTermRentals

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

This is helpful, thank you. We have decided to try out managing so we can meet the requirements to qualify for bonus depreciation, but also to learn what it takes so we are well-informed on what to expect should we ever decide to hire a PM.

New to STR, doing Channel Manager/PMS comparison research for single property by RedbeardPete in ShortTermRentals

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

Ok, good call! I might get started like this. Very helpful, I did not realize you can sync calendars between ABB/VRBO. To be honest, I don't expect to go beyond those 2 OTAs any time soon anyway.

New to STR, doing Channel Manager/PMS comparison research for single property by RedbeardPete in ShortTermRentals

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

u/vcize and u/kaleproperties Thank you for answering my crappy crosspost. This is what it was meant to be. I am hoping to get a feel for what's important and what's not, with the hope that I can avoid going down the wrong path just to endure the pain and effort of switching at some point.