Short term rental options?

[aigel]

Here is a question for the brain trust - many of you are landlords or have been, so maybe you have some input!?

I own a ranch style single family home in a SF bay area suburb that I have been renting out. The tenants are terminating the month to month agreement and my plan is to move back myself. Unfortunately they terminated 5.5 months before I am ready to start moving my family in. It needs minor refreshing that I can do in a couple weeks. That leaves 5 months net that it is unused.

What would you do with the home for the 5 months?

I have 4 ideas:
1) Leave empty
2) Rent out for 4-5 months unfurnished to a single family
3) Lightly furnish and rent out short term using VRBO for weekends, i.e. wedding visitors or business visitors etc.
4) Move myself into one of the bedrooms, spend about half my nights there to keep tabs on it and rent out the rest to roomies. (Could also work in combination with 3))

I’d like to hear if you have any more ideas? Let's hear them! And if you don't you can at least say what you'd prefer out of my 4 ideas!

TIA

G

[nostatic]

Do you need the rent money? If not, then #1 by a long shot.

If so, then is it close to any university? Often times visiting faculty or researchers might be looking for short-term rental.

[bivenator]

Echoing nostatic, we get quite a few short term renters in the area due to the proximity to the energy corridor. It may be possible to get your name on a list of housing options with a large company.

We needed a short term rental after a fire at our house. Renting a house for 5 months was a challenge and the landlord made out like a bandit. Thankfully insurance paid for the high rent. You could check with some insurance co for similar setup.

[aigel]

Do you need the rent money?

No - but this being in the Bay Area, it is a considerable amount - definitely worth worrying about and/or taking a risk.

Keep the ideas coming!

G

[Don Plumley]

AirBnB.

[dad911]

Do you like the existing tenants? Make them an offer they can't refuse to stay an extra 4-5 months.....

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by aigel

Here is a question for the brain trust - many of you are landlords or have been, so maybe you have some input!?

I own a ranch style single family home in a SF bay area suburb that I have been renting out. The tenants are terminating the month to month agreement and my plan is to move back myself. Unfortunately they terminated 5.5 months before I am ready to start moving my family in. It needs minor refreshing that I can do in a couple weeks. That leaves 5 months net that it is unused.

What would you do with the home for the 5 months?

I have 4 ideas:
1) Leave empty
2) Rent out for 4-5 months unfurnished to a single family
3) Lightly furnish and rent out short term using VRBO for weekends, i.e. wedding visitors or business visitors etc.
4) Move myself into one of the bedrooms, spend about half my nights there to keep tabs on it and rent out the rest to roomies. (Could also work in combination with 3))

I’d like to hear if you have any more ideas? Let's hear them! And if you don't you can at least say what you'd prefer out of my 4 ideas!

TIA

G

How about short term rental of the empty house and arrange for the tenants to rent furniture by the month. Here in Los Angeles there are furniture rental places where you can get everything including beddings pots and pans, dishes and glasses.

[aigel]

Do you like the existing tenants? Make them an offer they can't refuse to stay an extra 4-5 months.....

Very good tenants They are buying their own house. So nothing I can offer them.

G

[aigel]

Originally Posted by porwolf

How about short term rental of the empty house and arrange for the tenants to rent furniture by the month. Here in Los Angeles there are furniture rental places where you can get everything including beddings pots and pans, dishes and glasses.

That's a great idea. I knew these existed but forgot for my situation. It completely makes a "hey, I need a house for 4 months" doable without having the landlord furnish the place. Often these 4 month things are paid for by an employer or insurance (as I learned), so definitely an option.

I am not close to a university but many large companies that have expats and exchange programs for sure.

AirBnB sounds interesting - lots of horror stories when I searched. Some of the activities sound entertaining to where I'd want to be invited as the landlord.

Thanks and keep the ideas coming! I knew you guys are good!

G