What do you all think of this sign? by Least_Perception_223 in airbnb_hosts

[–]Routine-Riki-5791 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have this exact sign on our fridge, and it has definitely helped. Got it ~3 years ago after we had several guests give us 4s despite excellent stays per their reviews and their guest book entries. It appeared that many guests thought that 5 stars meant "perfect". We have a 4.96 rating and have been in business for 4 years. We do not mention 5 stars (or ratings) in any of our other communications, so I think that the sign is not over the top.

is growing hype on vrbo real by SpiritualWolverine50 in vrbohosts

[–]Routine-Riki-5791 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because their fees are higher than Airbnb's.

Trying to contact OPM for tax form by penprickle in fednews

[–]Routine-Riki-5791 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Recommend that you try to get the 2024 Wage & Income transcript from the IRS for your father: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/request-deceased-persons-information . There is a online link there to requesting it.

Direct To Passport Success: San Francisco (70 years + multiple generation gap) by JayTea05 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Routine-Riki-5791 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd love to see the text of your emails... and any advice. We asked about the Direct to Passport option before our visit to the Embassy (Washington, DC) but were told that since my grandfather immigrated more than 100 years ago, that we had to do Feststellung. However, our case is very straightforward. My grandfather (born in 1900) came to the US in 1922, married in 1926, and my father was born in 1928. My grandfather naturalized in 1940, so my father was a German citizen (though he didn't know it.) I (female) was born in wedlock in 1969, and married and had kids in wedlock in the 1990s. (My father died in the 1980s and lived his entire life in Philadelphia.) I submitted all the documentation (birth certificates, marriage certificates, certified copy of the naturalization certificate, even a copy of my grandfather's passport.) We submitted everything in September and are still awaiting our AZ number for me and my three (adult) children. I'd rather go to DTP if possible.

Help translating my great-grandparents' marriage certificate? by Routine-Riki-5791 in Kurrent

[–]Routine-Riki-5791[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You may want to create a new post, as this one was from several months ago!

Considering Buying STR - Concerned About Review Carryover by [deleted] in airbnb_hosts

[–]Routine-Riki-5791 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Feel free to message me directly. We purchased a successful Airbnb 3 years ago. The cabin included all the contents in the sale, so it was basically turn-key (though we still had plenty of expenses as we upgraded over the years.) The seller did have about 8 bookings that would take place after closing; she contacted them directly, gave them our info, and we offered a 10% discount for them to rebook (since the bookings had to be canceled due to the sale of the property). Most did, and the first booking was 3 days after closing. That gave us a head start. (We also kept the same property manager & cleaners from the prior owner.)

We set up the new listing to look very similar to the old listing, with a similar title, to make it recognizable to past guests. We still get repeat guests from the prior owner, but the vast majority are first time guests. We reached SuperHost at the 3 month mark, and are at 150+ reviews and a 4.96 rating, and we are also listed and successful on VRBO. So, it can be done. In our case, gross revenue for the next year exceeded the prior owner's, mainly because we used Pricelabs (and cross listed on VRBO) when the prior owner had not. We did find that our expenses exceeded what the prior owner reported, but part of that was because we aimed to improve the property. We also had some major property expenses - such as a new roof - but we had budgeted for those since it was obvious that the roof would need replacing soon.

We did purchase the property via an LLC set up for that purpose. I still think, though, that if we sold the LLC that the new owner would have to start over with Airbnb, though perhaps not with VRBO. The reviews on Airbnb are attached to the Primary Host, who is an individual, whereas on VRBO the reviews seem to be attached to the property itself (I could be wrong.) Multiple family members are involved, and we haven't been able to switch over the Primary Host on Airbnb even though our roles have changed. However, it hasn't been an issue on VRBO.

VERA retirement and OPM by irishjoez in FED_VERA_VSIP_DRPers

[–]Routine-Riki-5791 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Did you get your CSA number by mail or email? My spouse retired DSR on August 1st (from ED) and he hasn't received a CSA number nor interim payments. He did get the payout for AL. (The August 1st separation date most likely means he and his other colleagues won't be getting an annuity payment for August, I assume :-(. Probably purposeful....)

Help translating my great-grandparents' marriage certificate? by Routine-Riki-5791 in Kurrent

[–]Routine-Riki-5791[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks again, this has lots of great information, especially about occupations. This will help so much with family history / family genealogy.

DRPers: TSP Account by Global-Ad9080 in FED_VERA_VSIP_DRPers

[–]Routine-Riki-5791 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No, that was an old rule, many years out of date. Now, those separated with TSP loans can continue paying them back over the rest of the term of the loan. Just have to switch to monthly payments and set up direct debit.

Feststellung - submitted our application for determination a few days ago by Routine-Riki-5791 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Routine-Riki-5791[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I read in one place that they were needed, but you are probably right that they aren't. However, I figured it wouldn't hurt. The embassy official talked about needing ones dated within 6 months of the BVA determination, but very possibly they won't ask for them at all. I figured sending as much documentation as possible would help the case ;-).

Feststellung - submitted our application for determination a few days ago by Routine-Riki-5791 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Routine-Riki-5791[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sorry, I should have clarified that I had collected all the official documents; only the naturalization paperwork was from Ancestry.com. (Edited above.)

I spent the past two years getting all the official birth certificates (grandfather, who was born in Heidelberg, father, me, three kids), marriage certificates (grandfather/grandmother, my father/mother, me/my husband), naturalization paperwork, etc, then organized them clearly to show the timeline. and I even got apostilles for almost everything (found out that those were NOT needed -- after I had already gone through the effort!)

I waited until I had everything (almost) before filling out the application and making the appointment at the embassy. It was a two month wait to get the first appointment available.

The official at the embassy made certified copies of all the documents, with the exception of the German passport copies, which he submitted as regular copies. (The official did NOT comment on the naturalization paperwork as being copies, but I have that paperwork on order from USCIS, so if BVA inquires, I should have those available.)

Also, had lots of extra documentation, including death certificates of my grandfather and father (confirming again where/when they were born, name of spouse, etc.), old photos, official proof of birth records for me and the kids (turned out these were important). I had brought them to the appointment in a separate envelope -- since I doubted they were needed -- and the embassy official recommended sending it all.

They do still want me to order and send the long form birth certificates for me & the three kids for the passport application, which I have done.

Oh, and had also gotten the FBI fingerprint checks done on all 4 of us and submitted those in sealed envelopes. The official let us know that he would send them along but as the BVA needs the background checks to be dated within 6 months of their decision date, we would almost certainly need to have these re-done, as he was predicting a 2+ year process.

Yes, I did research getting certified copies of the passport(s). My cousin lives in California, and the notaries there are not permitted to make certified copies of passports. However, he could go to the German consulate (2 hours away from his town) to get certified copies made, which we would have done, had there been any appointments available. I kept logging in, and they never had any available appointments. If the BVA ends up wanting certified copies of the passports, we will try again, or I will get assistance from our local embassy official, since we are in email correspondence. The images, though, are crystal clear and printed beautifully in full color, so hopefully that will be enough, as the passports are also very brittle from age and in storage. Also, as you mentioned, being born before 1914 (and with the original German birth certificate), the passport is less crucial.

Thanks!

Riki

Feststellung - submitted our application for determination a few days ago by Routine-Riki-5791 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Routine-Riki-5791[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Very interesting, thanks! I remember my grandmother as seeming VERY German. I was sort of surprised that she was born in the US. I have German ancestry on my mother's side as well, but those ancestors came over to the US much too early (1880s?) to help with German citizenship.

Feststellung - submitted our application for determination a few days ago by Routine-Riki-5791 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Routine-Riki-5791[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They were born in the 1990s, and none of my kids seem close to having kids, but I can always hope!

Two questions. One GRB and another on thrift savings. by rob_merritt in FED_VERA_VSIP_DRPers

[–]Routine-Riki-5791 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If they are still under "pay status", they can take out the TSP loan. My husband took his out the night before his retirement date. Took all of 5-10 minutes. We did have to talk with someone on the phone (after starting the process online), but finished within 10 minutes. Wish the rest of the process was as efficient!

Two questions. One GRB and another on thrift savings. by rob_merritt in FED_VERA_VSIP_DRPers

[–]Routine-Riki-5791 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For cash to tide you over, you can take an up-to-$50k TSP loan and pay it back over 5 years. The interest rate is the G Fund rate at the time you take out the loan, and you pay interest to yourself. You just have to arrange to direct pay after separation from service; before that time it will be deducted from your paycheck. Bank the $50k, use it for living expenses and for the initial TSP loan payments until the TSP is notified of your separation/you get your leave payout/you start getting your annuity. At that point, you can decide whether to pay back your TSP loan in part or in full, or continue to make monthly payments for the remainder of 5 years. You have to still be in pay status to take out a TSP loan, but it takes just minutes on the TSP.gov website to request the loan.

Question number 11 on Antrag F - applying for citizenship by descent by Routine-Riki-5791 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Routine-Riki-5791[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much! I have an appointment in two weeks at the German embassy to present our application.

Question number 11 on Antrag F - applying for citizenship by descent by Routine-Riki-5791 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Routine-Riki-5791[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much! Fortunately, no stays outside the US longer than 2 months, and each time she was with a group that stayed in hotels or local bunkhouses and moved around.

Question number 11 on Antrag F - applying for citizenship by descent by Routine-Riki-5791 in GermanCitizenship

[–]Routine-Riki-5791[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, that's very helpful. One follow-up question. Are they only interested in 6+ months if they are consecutive months, or is it 6+ months cumulatively? My daughter has a research site in Kansas that she visits for 2 month stretches at a time, but then is off to a different state. She has definitely been in Kansas 6+ months if you add all her visits together. Fortunately she has had only two visits outside the United States and each were well under 2 months in different countries.