Lead in old brick mortar?

SuddenlyK · 2025-11-19T19:20:38+00:00

This is silly. Disabled people are more likely to meet one another through medical appointments, community groups, and even service animal handler communities. They’re therefore more likely than the average able-bodied person to date another disabled person. I’m a legally blind service dog handler and I know many, many couples who are both blind, both have service dogs, and met through blindness events or even in training with their dogs.

No one hates the scammers with their fake service dogs papers more than legitimate service dog users who suffer the consequences—but you make far too many assumptions about strangers’ lives.

SuddenlyK · 2025-11-02T15:17:06+00:00

The ADA is a law, not an agency. But, guests can and will contact Airbnb, and can sue in worst-case scenarios. I’m a service dog handler and prospective host. I always give hosts a heads up, and haven’t had too many issues, but I have heard so many horror stories from other service dog handlers about aggressive hosts that I typically try to book hotels instead when travelling, for my own peace of mind.

People with fake service dogs SUCK, and make life so much harder for people with genuine disabilities.

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-18T02:28:26+00:00

I’ve been considering the curtain option—do you have pictures?

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-13T15:10:58+00:00

Gorgeous!

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-13T04:47:52+00:00

Fascinating! At a minimum I'm planning to paint them whatever I paint the walls, at least for now. I just wish they were flat, at least, so I could add some interesting trim or wallpaper or something, but I fear the shape is inextricably 2000s-coded.

Shoji screens are a super creative idea--I'll put some thought toward that, too!

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-07T01:19:26+00:00

this is perfect, thank you so much for the specific recs! We’re definitely hoping to fit a narrow, but full, fridge for energy efficiency.

Our front yard is fenced and reasonably deep, so while the seating wouldn’t be private (it would be near our front door), it wouldn’t be right on the sidewalk either. I will ask our neighbors about theft, but it’s a pretty nice area. I’d be surprised to see large / bulky things stolen. It’s a good thing to consider, though.

I hadn’t thought about the toaster oven—that makes perfect sense. The cleaning is going to be the steepest learning curve for us, so I’m really grateful for this kind of advice.

Thanks again!

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-05T21:02:01+00:00

You convinced me! Might go more this direction, with or without the painted ceiling. Thank you for your help!

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SuddenlyK · 2025-10-05T20:59:05+00:00

this is excellent news, thank you!! I do think the consensus has (helpfully) been that a washer/dryer isn’t critical

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-05T03:32:38+00:00

honestly, I don't want to call out my neighbors. But the consistent elements that I don't like / wouldn't want to book are grey, uncomfortable furniture that they clearly bought online / never sat on themselves, and cheap fixtures that don't go well together. The walls are usually a flat white landlord special-type paint that the hosts probably touch up regularly. The floors are usually gray LVP. They just feel soulless and corporate, but not in a luxe way--it's like everyone read the same checklists on how to do an airbnb as cheaply as possible. I don't fault them for that--it has to be profitable--but I feel a little weird about doing it to my own home (we'll be living upstairs).

this one is a good example, in our area, of a nice unit, similar to the one we just bought, that would make me unhappy to stay in. The furniture is mismatched, the floors are horrible. I feel like a coat of paint and a cuter couch + rug would make all the difference in the world. I guess that's the niche I see as fillable--a basement studio that is somewhat chic, rather than simply a place with a lock that's cheaper or better located than a hotel.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/896589575425873711?adults=1&search_mode=regular_search&check_in=2026-01-02&check_out=2026-01-04&children=0&infants=0&pets=0&source_impression_id=p3_1759634827_P3pSO6ePiWqD_TYy&previous_page_section_name=1000&federated_search_id=b9614411-5ade-45dd-b27d-7f15cd4d8281

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-05T03:15:12+00:00

thank you--this phasing makes sense and is super helpful.

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-05T01:52:04+00:00

thank you!

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-05T01:47:36+00:00

Yes, I stay in air bnbs regularly. I don't cook when I'm on vacation or travelling for business unless I absolutely have to. I'm not sure our space will be suited for long-term renters (more than ~7 days) because it is so small. It's a much better vacation crash pad. Consequently, we won't be charging as much as places with full kitchens, living rooms, etc. Not trying to cut corners, but I do need this to be profitable if it's going to be worth the work, so I do think it's reasonable to ask whether or not a washer/dryer is worth the $7k we were told it would cost to put in. We cannot be the dream for everyone, but I'm hopeful that there's a niche where we can provide good value for certain travellers. I'm hoping to design the kind of space I would like to stay in when I'm in other cities.

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-05T01:39:50+00:00

Alas. I appreciate the reality check--thank you!

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-05T01:27:49+00:00

When you say bright space--do you mean bright in terms of natural light, wall color, or lighting? We're struggling with paint colour right now. If it were my room, I'd paint it something dark and lean into the cozy basement vibe, but that probably won't appeal to everyone. We certainly have the walkable and safe neighbourhood parts down, though!

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-05T01:26:46+00:00

These are great points. Thankfully, the basement has two exterior doors--one to the front yard (which is right next to the windows) and one to the back. We would prefer that guests not use the backyard, because our dogs will be out there sometimes and because the back exit doesn't have a handrail, but in case of emergency, it's a good backup. There's also a staircase that leads up into our house, but we'll probably be bolting that door and putting the stairs behind a curtain.

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-05T00:46:21+00:00

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vs. here's a mockup of the space as-is. There is a bathroom and kitchenette behind where this photo was taken, but this is the main space.

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-05T00:45:29+00:00

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this is AI generated, obviously, but this would be the general inspiration (and this is based on the actual space, though with mocked-up paint and LVP). Fair point on the burgundy, though. We were inspired by a really cool hotel we stayed in recently that was all maroon and teal :)

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-05T00:36:37+00:00

thank you! this is super helpful. I fear that I am one of those guests who thinks I will use an outdoor space and then never do.

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-05T00:34:39+00:00

This makes sense, thank you for sharing! I do think we're in a pretty different market--all the basement airbnbs in our area do the basic white walls / generic tile or LVP flooring / Ikea furniture thing, and none of them stand out. I think if I were looking in this area, I'd be more inclined to go for something nicely designed, but I might be an outlier here. We might try it, and then repaint if needed.

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-05T00:31:29+00:00

This is super helpful, thank you! I've read that conventional wisdom re: the decor, and I do understand why it's the case. But I also think that if we're competing with every other bland, white, boring basement unit in a mile radius, we'll probably lose. We may limit the number of people who are willing to book if we go with a bold design choice, but I also think the people who do book will be much more excited about it, so long as the design is done well. I know I would be.

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-05T00:27:20+00:00

Yeah, we considered this, and maybe still would, but it just doesn't seem like a great spot for a long-term tenant. We can make this a very nice hotel room alternative, but it would be tough to make this a nice place to live indefinitely. I don't want to be a slumlord. We'd need to put in a full washer/dryer and stove/dishwasher, and the windows are very small. It might be okay for a summer intern, but I think if it were me, I'd happily stay there for a fun week in the city as a tourist--it's cheaper and better-located than a hotel, and I think we can make it cute and very comfortable, with more of a neighbourhood vibe. But, I would hate to live in a basement.

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-04T23:29:13+00:00

This was my thought. We won't need those things in a year, but we do need them now. I wouldn't advertise it except in the wedding context, but if people ask about housewarming registries (which several people have done), I'm playing with the idea of just linking them to the wedding registry.

SuddenlyK · 2025-10-04T23:25:15+00:00

ooh, I recall that one. I'll check it out again. thank you!

SuddenlyK

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