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How to Get 1% Better at Closing Investors When Fundraising

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If you’re looking to grow your business sustainably with a low CAC, join us at AreaHype. 
Contact us today for more info!

Image from Newsweek

Kim Kardashian, reality TV star and entrepreneur is putting her finger in the cookie jar!

She is joining in on the action with her new venture firm SKKY partners.Teaming up with Jay Sammons, a former Carlyle Group partner.

Yes! They are going to be Co-Founders / Co-Managing Directors!

Their thesis primarily focuses on: entertainment, consumer products, hospitality, luxury, and digital commerce.

This is great to hear, but deep down, how do you actually attract their attention?

It’s 2022 and investor sentiment has drastically dropped due to post-pandemic collateral damage, a crash in the crypto market, and the cascading repositioning of stock portfolios.

You’ve probably been told no over 100 times this year. If you haven’t been told no, you aren’t working hard enough to fundraise.

Don’t worry, it’s part of the process.

Why are they rejecting you? Why are they saying no? Why is it so damn hard to fundraise in 2022? Isn’t there a ton of dry powder? How do some founders raise millions of dollars without a product?

The answer is simple. “Make something people want.” 
— Paul Graham Co-Founder of Y-Combinator.

Guess what? There are tons of duplicate ideas out there, it’s almost 2023, and most of the solutions we need to propel society forward have already been created.

This leads to over-saturation, a distaste for ideas that are too similar to one another. It’s very rare to be 100% unique and unlike anything out there, because we naturally learn from other people’s mistakes and build something better.

How do you stand out?

Outside of a really great idea, you need to be sustainable. Investors don’t want to risk a ton of money on something that might work. They want to be pretty damn sure that something will work.

Simple put, you need to de-risk the investor.

This is easily done by having a low customer acquisition cost (CAC).

Why are you burning so much money trying to get customers to figure out who the hell you are?

Think about it, what the hell are you doing spending $3000+ a month on ads that lead to less than 1% conversion? Is this sustainable?

Let’s do the math, You pay $3000 to potentially get 5,000 more views?

You convert 1% of them, or 5000 x 0.01 = 50 new customers.

In order to break even, you need to make at least $100 on average per new customer. Can you do that month over month? Some people can, some people can’t.

Most of us can’t.

The system is designed to make you believe that you can obtain more customers if you keep throwing more and more money into ads.

Let’s think about that.

Take the risk, and throw more money to hope that you don’t have overlapping views of previous customers. Hope that you can maintain your growth.

If you ask any successful investor, hope doesn’t pay the bills. Results do.

So hope doesn’t mean jack when you are burning more money to try and make it. This is why a lot of startups fail.

The solution is simple: grow sustainably by reducing your CAC and becoming profitable sooner. Make sure you can get money in the bank, and make sure you aren’t just burning it on hope.

This will significantly de-risk your prospective investor, and make it easier for you to raise capital.

Think about it, wouldn’t you want to spend less money to make more money? If you tell an investor that you make more money and spend less to acquire a customer than your competitors, it’s a no-brainer!

We figured out a way to do this at AreaHype.

Currently, all forms of marketing and advertising charge businesses upfront for high CAC and little hope.

Marketing Secret: working with creators delivers the best conversion rates. Unfortunately, the platforms they use still rely on legacy technology which charges businesses upfront.

We figured out a sustainable way to deliver GUARANTEED results before businesses pay with our 1-click routing and checkout.

Skip the BS, stop wasting money, and don’t pay for hope. Pay for results.

Sign up for our waitlist today.

We will drastically reduce your CAC while helping you grow sustainably.

“Get paid to live life!”

Ken Ma — CEO | Co-Founder of AreaHype

https://medium.com/@HypeKen/how-to-get-1-better-at-closing-investors-when-fundraising-fd8f09a2298b

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Join our waitlist today!
https://hypex.app/

Check out what we do!

https://areahype.onuniverse.com/

https://www.areahype.com

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Stay tuned, learn more, ask questions. Become a 6 digit survivor. Check out the live stream.

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Disclaimer:

I want to point out, I am not a registered investment adviser or broker/dealer. I am a highly profitable options trader who has been successful time after time, and I have changed the lives of many people through the art of trading on the stock market.

– Ken

Refund Time: 5 Ways You Can Use Your Tax Refund Today

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If you’re looking for a network of like-minded investors who want to share ideas and learn together, you’ve come to the right place at Options and Traders Network. Contact us today for more info! 

Image from Unsplash

Refund Time: 5 Ways You Can Use Your Tax Refund Today

The IRS reports that over 77% of Americans can expect a tax refund this year, with an average amount of $2873. That’s a lot of money! Instead of spending all your earnings right away, why not be prudent with your money and use it beneficially towards your future you? If you’ve been looking for ideas on how you can use your refund this fiscal year, Options and Traders Network shares 5 great tips to get you started. 

  1. Invest in the Stock Market

Do you know that famous quote about how it’s impossible ‘to outperform the stock market’? Financial experts like Warren Buffet swear by this mantra for a reason – it really pays to invest in the stock market. You’ll have higher returns than bonds, CDs, savings accounts, and many other kinds of investments. And if you don’t have immediate financial need, retaining your stocks in a long-term manner will be an excellent way to accentuate your returns. 

  1. Save It for a Rainy Day

Did you know that most Americans don’t have an emergency fund? That’s right, CNBC reports that the lack of adequate savings can make it difficult for Americans to access funds when they have sudden financial need. A healthy savings account will ensure you’re not vulnerable if you lose your job or are hit with unexpected medical bills. Being in such situations without funds can cause you to overuse credit cards and take out loans at high-interest rates. Instead, putting it in a high-interest savings account is a great way to contribute to your emergency fund while reaping the benefits of your interest premiums!

  1. Pay Off Outstanding Debts

Stuck in an endless debt cycle? Feel weighed down by ever-accruing home loans and piles of bills? We understand; living with debt can be all-consuming. Using your tax refund towards your debt is an excellent way to reduce the burden and make a dent in your payments. Remember that your refund may not be enough to wipe your balances completely clean, but it is still a worthwhile strategy. Use your refund to pay off credit card debts first, as these often have the highest interest rates.

  1. Put It Towards School

If you’ve been looking to invest in your future in the business world by going back to school, you have a ready solution with your refund. Going back to school  is an excellent way to make a career change or increase the job opportunities coming your way. If you’re looking to achieve your business diploma while working or tending to family responsibilities, opting for an online degree program like one leading to an MBA will be the way to go. Just ensure that your online school is accredited and offers competitive tuition rates! And the most significant benefit of using your refund towards furthering your education? You’re literally investing in yourself!

  1. Get Better Insurance

An excellent life insurance policy will ensure that you can rest easy through the ups and downs of life. It also ensures that your loved ones are protected and set up at a relatively lost cost. Using your refund towards an improved policy will allow your family to maintain their standard of living, even if something unexpected happens. And the good news is that you’ll still have a little money left after you pay off your premiums!

Tax refund season is the best time of year! Not only are you coming into money you weren’t expecting, but receiving your refund is also an opportunity to set yourself in a better position for the future. Be sure to use one of the ideas above when it comes to your windfall – we promise they are great options to make your money work harder for you. 

– Eleanor Wyatt

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Join our waitlist today!
https://hypex.app/

Check out what we do!

https://areahype.onuniverse.com/

https://www.areahype.com

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Notion

Disclaimer: This is not a paid advertisement.

If some of these technical indicators are new to you, check out the videos tab on the website!

Stay tuned, learn more, ask questions. Become a 6 digit survivor. Check out the live stream.

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Disclaimer:

I want to point out, I am not a registered investment adviser or broker/dealer. I am a highly profitable options trader who has been successful time after time, and I have changed the lives of many people through the art of trading on the stock market.

– Ken

Tips for Relocating – How to Start Fresh in a New City

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Image via Pexels

Tips for Relocating: How to Start Fresh in a New City

Moving to a new city won’t magically solve your problems. However, a change in location may be the perfect tonic if you’ve been foundering in your current job and location. A new city can lead to more job opportunities and a clean break from anything that’s holding you back. Here, Options and Traders Network offers some insight on how to decide if moving is right for you and how to make the leap.

How to prepare for a move in recovery

How can you be confident you’re making a smart move for your recovery? Here’s what to consider as you plan a move.

  • Moving shouldn’t be an impulse decision driven by escapism. Be honest about your motives and choose your new location based on practical factors like a safe place to live, a like-minded community, good schools and job opportunities.
  • Start applying for jobs before moving. Major employers are usually more willing to hire out-of-towners. Consider traveling to local industry events to build your network and learn about job opportunities.
  • Identify MeetUp or networking groups where you can get to know people in your industry or who have similar interests.
  • Hire moving help. Whether you hire full-service movers or pay for a few hours of loading and unloading help, it’s worth having an extra set of hands.

Finding somewhere to live in a new city

Beyond budget, what should you consider when searching for a rental in a new city?

  • Choose the right neighborhood. Do you want a lively urban district or a quiet residential area? Pay attention to commute times, green space, and nearby businesses when choosing where to live.
  • Convenient amenities like all-inclusive rent, in-unit laundry, and on-site fitness centers ease your transition if you’re moving into an apartment. 
  • If you’re renting a home, look for rentals with lawn care included or hire out for yard services so you don’t have to worry about buying a lawnmower right away.

Settling into your new home

Take these steps after arriving in your new city to start feeling at home.

  • Make your move official by updating your license and registration with the motor vehicle office, registering to vote, and notifying important services of your new address.
  • Find a new doctor, dentist, and mental health care provider in your network and set up an initial appointment.
  • Put yourself out there. You won’t meet friends sitting at home. Introduce yourself to your neighbors, volunteer, and socialize at coworking spaces, coffee shops, and bars.

A change of scenery might be just what you need, but relocating takes some work. Set yourself up for a successful move by securing employment and housing ahead of time. With careful planning, your move can put you on the path toward the future you want.

– Eleanor Wyatt

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Join our waitlist today!
https://hypex.app/

Check out what we do!

https://areahype.onuniverse.com/

https://www.areahype.com

Crunchbase!

Notion

Disclaimer: This is not a paid advertisement.

If some of these technical indicators are new to you, check out the videos tab on the website!

Stay tuned, learn more, ask questions. Become a 6 digit survivor. Check out the live stream.

Get Started Today

Join my robinhood team and get a free stock here

Learn about my Indicators here.

Become a member and learn!

Newsletter Signup

Disclaimer:

I want to point out, I am not a registered investment adviser or broker/dealer. I am a highly profitable options trader who has been successful time after time, and I have changed the lives of many people through the art of trading on the stock market.

– Ken

The Reality of Events Without the Use of AreaHype the Mobile App

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AreaHype Logo EST 2015

Imagine your first day of college. You were young, probably 18 or 19. You were someone who was ambitious and you wanted to conquer the world. You wanted to find comrades who you could study with, play games with, and most importantly, people you could hang out with.

What did you do?

You probably spoke to people in your classes, attended some of the booths at orientation, and hung out with people in the recreational center to get the latest scoop on what the coolest thing to do was.

Maybe you wanted to get involved on campus and you joined multiple clubs to go to all those super cool events like you see in the movies.

Were those events cool? Did people go to those events? How did you know about them?

The reality is, things change on a whim. Sometimes there is a really cool event that everybody is talking about, and you think it’s going to be awesome, and then you attend, and nobody is there.

Everyone is talking about the new wicked water balloon fight on campus, and you see that there is a facebook group with 500 people saying that they are going to attend the event.

That sounds legit right? It’s going to be a great time, and everyone is going to be loving it!

What happens when reality hits?

You get your swimming suit on, put your clothes on, and you drive out to the event. You expect at least 10% of the people to show up. 500 people x 10% = 50 people.

That would have been a fun event right?

The reality is, maybe 3–8 people actually show up. But the idea was a good idea, the idea seemed really fun, it seemed really intriguing! Why isn’t anyone coming through?

Let’s think about this for a moment.

People typically only go to events if their friends are going. If one popular friend says that things have changed last minute, then they simply don’t go.

All the primary friends of the individual don’t go. Consequently, the secondary friends wonder if they should go or not, because their friend’s friends are not going.

They become indecisive and decide not to go, because they don’t know anyone that is going. Hence, reality hits, and what was suppose to be 500 people, actually turns out to be 3–8 people.

Eventually, some dorm students see the event going, and they stop and watch. They ask if the event is FREE, and if it is, they go to their dorm, get changed, and come back.

If this happens, the event may have 10–15 people, and become a “success”.

Most events aren’t this successful, you call everybody out, post things on meetup.com, eventbrite.com, post flyers around the campus, and you work really hard on marketing the event. You even spend money on advertising the event, and the results are futile.

Your return on investment does not pay off.

How do you solve this problem?

It’s simple, generate hype, and give people the ability to access it with the click of 1 button.

We do this with AreaHype.

Join our waitlist today!

Bonus: AreaHype users, gig workers, and influencers will be able to make $money on day 1.

“Get paid to live life!”

We will be launching at the end of January 2022.

Ken Ma – CEO of AreaHype

https://medium.com/@HypeKen/the-reality-of-events-without-the-use-of-areahype-the-mobile-app-fa894d509dfa

————————————————————————————————————————–

Join our waitlist today!
https://hypex.app/

Check out what we do!

https://areahype.onuniverse.com/

https://www.areahype.com

Crunchbase!

Notion

Disclaimer: This is not a paid advertisement.

If some of these technical indicators are new to you, check out the videos tab on the website!

Stay tuned, learn more, ask questions. Become a 6 digit survivor. Check out the live stream.

Get Started Today

Join my robinhood team and get a free stock here

Learn about my Indicators here.

Become a member and learn!

Newsletter Signup

Disclaimer:

I want to point out, I am not a registered investment adviser or broker/dealer. I am a highly profitable options trader who has been successful time after time, and I have changed the lives of many people through the art of trading on the stock market.

– Ken

Benefits of integrating SMIELS with Quickfile today

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Newsroom

Benefits of integrating SMIELS with Quickfile | You don’t want to miss these features.

Improved Inventory, Advance user permissions, Customized modern invoices, automatic sync with Quickfile.Integration

SMIELS is a private owned, UK based company. It streamlines and optimizes all everyday business operations related to sales, purchase, inventory, reporting, and more. To find out more about SMIELS company, visit the about us page. You can also view details for all features.

SMIELS improves sales co-ordination & collaboration and ability to customize roles and scope of team members has allowed our customers to cut running costs in business and increase revenue.

When you integrate your SMILES account with Quickfile, you get the following features out of the box.

Smiels Dashboard

User Management

SMIELS has industry leading user management optimizations. Easily add team members and set their boundaries with account type and permissions. You have complete control over what information your members can see and what they can do.

Member profile settings

You can choose from our presets or set your own custom permissions.

‍Click here to view complete permission management controls and FAQ.

Member permissions

You can set your invoices or products to be verified and approved by higher authority team member before being published. This makes your process less error prone and improve sales coordination between members and management.

Invoice approval

Advance Inventory

SMIELS has powerful and advance inventory management system that allows you to add and manage products. You can assign products, inventory or a category to team member/s such as a sales person. Set your business process the way you want it. SMIELS automatically updates your stock with acquire and dispatch operations under warehousing. Easily import products from CSV file.

Product Edit page

You can attach following attributes with each product and store for use in Invoices, Estimates and Purchase Orders within SMIELS and Quickfile.

SKU – Code number/name of the product, can be alphanumeric.

Product Name – Name of the product

Brand Name – Name of the Brand

Category and Sub-Category – For easy organization

Color and Quantity – For easy identification

Purchase Price, Sale price, VAT – Set default values, these can also be updated in each invoice. SMIELS also supports multiple VAT types with custom value, you can view VAT Details in SMIELS settings page.

Profit% is calculated automatically.

You can also assign a team member to manage and handle sales/purchase of the product or the category.

You can also add description and attach any documents with each product.

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Import from CSV File

You can also select Tools option from left sidebar and import csv file of products. Learn more.

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Warehousing operations

Purchase and Sales invoices are linked with acquire and dispatch history. Your GRN/GDN operations will automatically update the stock value of the product. You can view complete history for acquires and dispatches in Warehouse option in the sidebar in your application.

Acquire GRN page

Improved Invoices

SMIELS provides support for Sales Invoices, Sales Estimates, Purchase Invoices, Purchase Orders and more. The invoices are formatted for easy readability and better understanding. You can easily customize the look and feel of the invoice within settings. SMIELS also allows you to include custom notes in the invoices which can be set in the settings.

Invoice customization

Upon approval from client, your Sales estimates will become a sales invoice. And same is the case with purchase order which becomes a purchase invoice after approval from your supplier.

Sample invoice

Customized VAT support

SMIELS supports following VAT types and allows you to enter custom values as per needs.

Smiels VAT options

You can also set default values and default invoice notes for each VAT type in the settings.

Invoice VAT defaults

Quickfile Inventory

In order to save time during product entry into invoices, Quickfile stores ITEM NAME, DESCRIPTION, UNIT COST, and QUANTITY for each product called reusable item.

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These can be limiting and also create confusion with other variable names such as categories. Not having product stock and sold quantities is a pain point for businesses.

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Furthermore, the stored variable names are not exactly what it sounds like. In Quickfile, the ITEM NAME is used as the SKU or the codenumber for the product. This code is also limited to 25 characters which can create trouble for product SKU entry.

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The UNIT COST works like Sale price this can also create misunderstandings. There are only 3 options for VAT 0, 5% and 20%. And the QUANTITY field is locked with value 1.00 which defeats the purpose of storing quantity.

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Continue reading to find out how SMIELS can solve your inventory with easy Quickfile Integration. Or you can read more about Quickfile reusable items by clicking here.

‍

SMIELS Inventory Integration

SMIELS integrates with your Quickfile account to provide easy inventory solution.

You can attach following attributes with each product and store for use in Invoices, Estimates and Purchase Orders within SMIELS and Quickfile.

add product inventory, smiels screen

SKU – Code number/name of the product, can be alphanumeric.

Product Name – Name of the product

Brand Name – Name of the Brand

Category and Sub-Category – For easy organization

Color and Quantity – For easy identification

Purchase Price, Sale price, VAT – Set default values, these can also be updated in each invoice. SMIELS also supports multiple VAT types with custom value, you can view VAT Details in SMIELS settings page.

Profit% is calculated automatically.

You can also assign a team member to manage and handle sales/purchase of the product or the category.

You can also add description and attach any documents with each product.

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document attach
Attach document for product

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How to Integrate SMIELS with Quickfile

Integrating SMIELS with Quickfiles provides you with inventory, stock and advanced user management for invoices functionalities. To find out more about the amazing benefits of integrating SMIELS with Quickflow, click here.

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Getting QuickFile Account ID

  • Login to Quickfile.
  • Click on your profile name in top right corner.
  • Note the Account ID.
Menu Preview

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Getting SMIELS token from Quickfile

  • Login to Quickfile.
  • Under Help, select Additional Services.
  • Now select Quickfile Marketplace.
Quickfile Dashboard

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  • From the list of options, find SMIELS.
  • Click Connect button and note the token ID.
Quickfile Marketplace

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Connect SMIELS to Quickfile

  • Login to SMIELS.
  • In top right corner click settings icon.
Smiels settings
  • Select Settings from dropdown menu.
  • Select Account Integration.
Smiels account Integration settings
  • Enter the collected credentials and press save button
Smiels account Integration settings - verified

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If the Status indicator turns green and says verified, you have successfully completed the SMIELS account integration with Quickfile.

In case of failure, kindly verify that the account id and token credentials are accurate.

If issue persists, kindly contact us through live support or send us a quick message here.

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Create a free SMIELS account at www.smiels.com and improve your business today.

https://www.smiels.com/blog/benefits-of-integrating-smiels-with-quickfile-you-dont-want-to-miss-these-features

NEW Best Community for Startup Founders via Discord!

Join a discord community called YOLO Founders to help founders grow ~
Join here: https://discord.gg/uyNvNp4Umm

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Join our waitlist today!
https://hypex.app/

Check out what we do!

https://areahype.onuniverse.com/

https://www.areahype.com

Rank 20,000 on Crunchbase!

Notion

Disclaimer: This is not a paid advertisement.

If some of these technical indicators are new to you, check out the videos tab on the website!

Stay tuned, learn more, ask questions. Become a 6 digit survivor. Check out the live stream.

Get Started Today

Join my robinhood team and get a free stock here

Learn about my Indicators here.

Become a member and learn!

Newsletter Signup

Disclaimer:

I want to point out, I am not a registered investment adviser or broker/dealer. I am a highly profitable options trader who has been successful time after time, and I have changed the lives of many people through the art of trading on the stock market.

– Ken

Vacasa Taps Whimstay as Booking Partner for Last-Minute Guest Travel

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Vacasa Taps Whimstay as Booking Partner for Last-Minute Guest Travel

JANUARY 6, 2022THE LATEST FROM ARRIVAL
Maximizing Sales Via Textual CommunicationsAs is the lodging industry in general, resorts and vacation rental companies are well aware that direct bookings not only help hold down the “costs of acquisition,” but also increase our guest loyalty to our brands and not to a distribution channel partner. Therefore, it is certainly important to train your team to sell via the voice channel.

However, it is also essential to ensure that your team is properly trained on best habits for textual selling via online and digital channels. For one, there is often an interplay of the voice and online bookings. Secondly, many guests first reach out by way of the written word, which still distinctly shows intent.

Here are some of many textual selling opportunities…Read MoreMaximizing Sales Via Textual CommunicationsVRMA NEWSShare Your Property Photos With VRMAVRMA Arrival is looking for property photo submissions to feature in upcoming issues of the magazine. Your photo might even make it on the cover!

Send your high-resolution, print-quality photo to aschloss@vrma.org for consideration and possible publication in a future issue of Arrival. Please include a caption with each photo, as well as your full name. By sending us your photo, you acknowledge you have the right to publish the photo, and you grant VRMA the right to publish it.INDUSTRY NEWSSOCIAL IMPACT
Airbnb Will Hide Guests’ First Names in Oregon Until Bookings Are Confirmed to Fight DiscriminationStarting January 31, Airbnb hosts in Oregon will only be allowed to see the initials of guests’ first names until they confirm a booking request. Once confirmed, the guest’s full name will appear, and this change will be in effect for at least two years. The move by Airbnb is intended to address discrimination, but hosts in other states will not have the same mandate imposed on them. The company said in announcing the update that it is consistent with the voluntary settlement agreement it reached with individuals in Oregon in 2019 “who raised concerns regarding the way guests’ names are displayed when they seek to book a listing.” In 2017, Portland resident Patricia Harrington sued the company, saying because Airbnb requires guests to disclose their full name and include a photo for review before booking acceptance, the platform was allowing hosts to discriminate against Black guests in violation of Oregon’s public accommodation laws. Two more Black women in Oregon joined the lawsuit, which Airbnb eventually settled. Airbnb spokesperson Liz DeBold Fusco said the company has limited the update to Oregon because “the impact of this change is unknown.” She added that Airbnb “will evaluate the impact of this change to understand if there are learnings from this work that can inform future efforts to fight bias.”Gizmodo (01/01/22) Jody Serrano
Read MoreC-SUITE
HomeToGo Acquires AMIVAC From Groupe SeLoger, Growing Its Operations in FranceHomeToGo, the marketplace with the world’s biggest selection of vacation rentals, announced its acquisition of AMIVAC, the vacation rental business unit of Groupe SeLoger, which operates the French brands of amivac.com, vacances.com, and vacances.seloger.com. The brands offer subscription listing services for homeowners and professional agencies, which will contribute to the expansion of HomeToGo’s Subscription & Services platform. The merger aligns with Groupe SeLoger’s strategy of focusing on its real estate search business. HomeToGo CEO Patrick Andrae said the acquisition “will give AMIVAC’s customers and professional agencies an added benefit of the advanced technology solutions that HomeToGo offers, while also serving our customers with an expanded offering of unique, high-quality vacation rentals in France.” Groupe SeLoger Country Managing Director Caroline de Gantès commented that their focus on “simplifying and improving real estate search,” will seek “to improve the property buying, renting, and selling experience for all in France. We are convinced that with the ongoing consolidation of the vacation rental market in France and abroad, HomeToGo’s leading stature in the alternative accommodation industry offers compelling new opportunities for the AMIVAC, SeLoger Vacances, and Vacances.com brands.”Travel Daily News (01/04/22) Vicky Karantzavelou
Read MoreTRENDS
Western ‘Zoom Towns’ Take Aim at Short-Term RentalsFirms such as Airbnb, Vacasa, and VRBO facing short-term rental caps in Western towns have been aggressively soliciting property owners in quieter, unincorporated seaside communities with fewer restrictions on rentals, and business has surged. According to a public records request from retiree Monica Kirk in Depoe Bay, Oregon, the number of licensed short-term rentals in unincorporated neighborhoods in Lincoln County have grown from 385 to 601 since solicitations began. The transition of so many homes into short-term rentals has added to the difficulty for working people to afford homes in the county. Kirk and her neighbors collected signatures for a ballot initiative passed in November that will eliminate short-term rentals in unincorporated communities in Lincoln County over the next five years. Western tourist towns were short of affordable housing even before the pandemic, which gave rise to so-called “Zoom towns,” while owners of second homes also found it easier to list vacancies with Internet-based property firms. Whitefish, Montana, has seen long-term renters forced to move because their landlords decided to turn their housing into short-term rentals. “There’s this national thing where hospitality people aren’t returning to hospitality because the wages are too low, or they’re sick of dealing with the public or whatever it is,” said Lauren Oscilowski on the sustainable tourism management committee of the Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau. “But that’s just a piece of it. The bigger piece for us is really housing.”Seattle Times (01/02/22) Erika Bolstad
Read MoreREGULATORY NEWSSnowmass Village, Colorado, Town Council Chimes in on Short-Term Rentals DiscussionThe Snowmass Village Town Council has discussed the Colorado town’s options for regulating short-term rental (STR) properties without proposing an actual policy. “We should be looking at it, making sure that we are adequately protected from abuse,” said Councilor Tom Fridstein. The panel directed staff to identify STR-related issues and to devise possible regulations to address them. Councilor Alyssa Shenk recalled the dreadful misbehavior of people who rented a duplex in Aspen she used to own but acknowledged that she does “appreciate people that want to be able to get their little slice of heaven and come here. And the only way they can do it is if they rent their property some of the time.” According to Snowmass Village’s latest transient inventory study in 2018, the town has 1,699 STR units including 880 through hotel rooms, 735 in condos, and 84 in private homes, making roughly 4,768 housing and lodging units in total. Residents like Mike George think the council should not regulate STRs in reaction to a problem that it does not fully understand, arguing that property values are too high to expect a cap on STRs to “magically produce a large base of housing for our workforce.”Aspen Daily News (Colo.) (01/04/22) Matthew Bennett
Read MoreStonington, Maine, Is the Latest Town to Consider Regulating Vacation RentalsStonington, Maine, will decide whether and how to regulate short-term rentals amid a surge in the number of vacation rental properties and the increasing depletion of year-round housing. The town’s select board in December voted to organize a task force to look into the issue, making Stonington the latest community in the state to consider regulations. Airbnb listings in Stonington and neighboring Deer Isle ballooned from three to 298 between 2012 and 2018, according to the nonprofit Island Workforce Housing. “It’s to the point now, with vacation rentals having completely overtaken year-round rentals, that there’s nowhere to live,” said Peter Roth, a member of Island Workforce Housing’s Board of Directors. “People just can’t find a place to live and if they can, it’s a seasonal rental.” This is the first time Stonington has weighed possible short-term rental regulation, and Select Board member Evelyn Duncan said she hoped the task force, once established, would help frame the issue. Although short-term rentals can cause property values and property tax revenues to appreciate, if they displace people who cannot afford to buy or rent more expensive housing, they will leave. The effect will be declining school enrollments, fewer year-round residents, and a smaller pool of permanent residents which local businesses and organizations can tap for workers and volunteers.Bangor Daily News (01/03/22) Ethan Genter
Read MoreAfter Two-Year Trial, Ledyard, Connecticut, Debates New Approach to Short-Term RentalsThe town of Ledyard, Connecticut, is considering the regulation of short-term rentals following a two-year trial ordinance, which many agreed lacked sufficient agency to address neighbors’ problems about party rentals and absentee landlords. Ledyard zoning enforcement officer Mike Cherry said the present ordinance requires property owners advertising short-term rentals to have a permit, without penalty for non-compliance; town officials did not anticipate anyone operating a rental without a permit, which is why penalization rules were not included. Eric Treaster with the Ledyard Zoning Board of Appeals said “commencing legal action” against a permitless host would incur significant costs, while resident Pam Bartlett expressed concerns that Ledyard and other small towns would lose a sense of community if neighborhoods are purchased by corporations for rentals. Alternatives under discussion include regulation by ordinance with penalties added, and a proposal from Treaster to create a new zoning regulation for short-term rentals. His proposal would permit only “hosted” short-term rentals in residential areas, which means the owners are still on the property while renting out a room or accessory dwelling unit. This should discourage renters from throwing loud parties or do anything else that would disrupt neighbors or breach town regulations. A consensus favoring the zoning option appears to be forming, with new Town Planner Juliet Hodge recommending such a regulation as easier to enforce.Connecticut Examiner (01/03/22) Brendan Crowley
Read MoreAtlantic City Council Declines to Weaken Short Term Rental Ordinance Over LawsuitThe Atlantic City Council defeated a motion to water down its statutes on Airbnb-style short-term rentals at a special meeting, saying its legal team should return to the negotiating table in a lawsuit over the city’s actions. City attorney Michael Perugini said the revisions to one ordinance and removal of another were mandated by a recent court settlement in a reopened 2012 case. An ordinance to limit the number of such rentals in the 6th Ward in areas of the Chelsea neighborhood to those already licensed, or about 50, was staged for elimination, while language limiting house occupancy to 16 and requiring private garbage collection would have been stripped from another ordinance. “Lower Chelsea is being destroyed by short-term rentals,” said Chelsea Neighborhood Association President Carole Ruffu, who pleaded that the council not dismiss the issue so quickly. She cited noise pollution, overflowing trash cans, strangers the area, and residents’ inability to find parking. Following the meeting, Councilman Jesse Kurtz said the state can either veto the council’s actions and force the changes in the ordinance, or let the city renegotiate the settlement. It had already barred the ordinance limiting licenses from taking effect.Press of Atlantic City (12/29/21) Michelle Brunetti Post
Read More – May Require Paid SubscriptionNorthern Michigan Communities Wary of Short-Term Rental BillNorthern Michigan communities are closely watching an ordinance on short-term rentals in 2022, which would prevent local governments from banning such rentals, and instead leave control at the state level. Several cities have proposed resolutions opposing the bill, which is also opposed by the Michigan Municipal League. Many of these communities have resort- and tourism-based economies, and with demand for workforce residences already at a premium, many local government leaders say the bill would strip their authority on an issue that requires local regulation. Harbor Springs passed one resolution opposing the measure, amid mounting concerns about the city’s housing inventory being poached for short-term rentals. Harbor Springs City Manager Victor Sinadinoski said the ordinance, if passed as is, “could as much as triple or quadruple the number of short-term rentals we have now, and the number we have now, as expressed by a lot of residents, is too many and is ruining the…residential feel of some neighborhoods.” Last-minute revisions to the bill permit local units to set some caps on how many short-term rentals a property owner could operate, and on the number of short-term rentals; but at least 30% of existing residential units in a municipality must still be available for short-term rental. “When you take away the ability for housing to be used for long term rentals, you are really destabilizing the community,” warned Petoskey City Councilwoman Kate Marshall. “When you start giving real estate people and developers the edge, you will erode this community.”Petoskey News-Review (12/29/21) William T. Perkins
Read MoreS.C. House Bill Would Prohibit Cities From Banning Short-Term RentalsA bill in the South Carolina House would outlaw bans on short-term rentals in cities and towns. Local governments that break the rules would not be allowed to collect property tax at the higher 6% commercial rate for short-term rental properties and be disqualified from receiving money from the Local Government Fund and other state aid. Property owners prevented from operating a short-term rental would only be subject to the 4% property tax rate for a primary residence, even if the property was used as a second home or long-term rental, according to bill co-sponsor Rep. Lee Hewitt (R). The Municipal Association of South Carolina’s Scott Slatton said no local governments in the state are known to have outright banned short-term rentals, and while the association does not oppose the bill as written, this could change if it were rewritten to prevent regulating the rentals. “This is just one of many bills that seek to preempt local authority and, on principle, those are things that we generally we’re going to oppose because local officials know best how to address issues in their communities,” Slatton commented. Cities across South Carolina have considered and implemented short-term rental regulations as sites like Airbnb and VRBO have become increasingly popular, while Hewitt said the concern is that governments will consider such rules as more people relocate to the coast or buy property there to operate as rentals. “You’re just saying, ‘Hey, guys, that’s fine. If you want to do it, you can do it. But here are the consequences if you do,'” he noted.Post and Courier (SC) (12/24/21) Stephen Festenau
Read MorePRESS RELEASESVacasa Taps Whimstay as Booking Partner for Last-Minute Guest TravelSan Francisco—January 5, 2021 – Whimstay, Shortyz finalist for best Online Travel Agent in 2021, has entered into a partnership agreement with Vacasa, North America’s leading vacation rental management platform. Whimstay will now be a premier sales partner for last-minute reservations at Vacasa’s 35,000+ vacation rental properties. With this new partnership and addition of Vacasa’s inventory, Whimstay customers will now be able to book stays at over 100,000 vacation rental properties.

“Whimstay offers deals on last-minute vacation rentals,” says Ben Jamshahi, CEO and Co-Founder of Whimstay. “Partnering with Vacasa allows our customers to not only book Vacasa’s professionally managed and well-appointed vacation rental properties, but also provides incremental revenue for Vacasa’s homeowners when their homes may have been otherwise vacant.”
Vacasa is a full-service vacation rental management platform caring for thousands of vacation rentals in more than 400 of the most sought-after vacation destinations throughout North America, Belize and Costa Rica. The company’s end-to-end technology platform helps to maximize revenue and optimize vacation rental home care services for property owners, while providing guests with a consistent, professional vacation rental experience across all its properties and destinations.

“The pandemic accelerated a preference shift that was a decade in the making, with more people trying short-term rentals for the first time and guests staying in them more often,” said Caleb Donegan, VP of Marketing for Vacasa. “While we’re experiencing an increase in demand and occupancy rates remain high, our partnership with Whimstay will connect more guests with our homes and elevated vacation rental experience.”

About Whimstay
Whimstay, founded in 2018, is the first to market aggregator of unsold vacation rental properties and provides last minute deals in the fast-growing vacation rental market. Recognized as a Shortyz finalist for Best OTA in 2021, as well as Rentals United’s Who’s Who of new OTA for 2020 and 2021. Whimstay’s properties are available on whimstay.com and the Whimstay app.
For press inquiries, media@whimstay.com

About Vacasa
Vacasa is the leading vacation rental management platform in North America, transforming the vacation rental experience by integrating purpose-built technology with expert local and national teams. Homeowners enjoy earning significant incremental income on one of their most valuable assets, delivered by the company’s unmatched technology that adjusts rates in real time to maximize revenue. Guests can relax comfortably in Vacasa’s 35,000+ homes across more than 400 destinations in North America, Belize and Costa Rica, knowing that 24/7 support is just a phone call away. In addition to enabling guests to search, discover and book its properties on Vacasa.com and the Vacasa Guest App, Vacasa provides valuable, professionally managed inventory to top channel partners, including Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo.
For more information, visit https://www.vacasa.com/press.News summaries © copyright 2022 Smithbucklin© Copyright 2022 by the Vacation Rental Management Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher.

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