I am finally happy to share that my home has its first guests! Although it is not an IMTR, it is an Airbnb booking for 1.5 months with workers building an Apple Store. This truly has been a labor of love getting my home ready (I have lived in it for 37 years)!

Because of a challenging guest in our home, we're adding this note: "Note: This home is a private residential property and is not equipped or certified as a medical, clinical, or specialized hypoallergenic facility."

Happy Friday, After much discussion with my husband, we decided to communicate in a direct way with the family regarding the rule violation. We would prefer to keep their current term, which is through September 30, if possible. So, I sent my guests the following message: Hi (guest name), I hope you and your family are doing well and have a good weekend ahead. While we were at the house addressing the water heater issue, we noticed a strong smoke odor inside the home as well as smoking-related items in the garage. As outlined in the house rules, smoking of any kind is not permitted anywhere inside the home or in the garage. We put a great deal of time and care into preparing the home so that it is clean, comfortable, and free of smoke odors for our guests. Unfortunately, smoke odors can be difficult and costly to remove and can affect future guests. Please confirm that you are familiar with the no-smoking policy and that there will be no smoking inside the home or garage for the remainder of your stay. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Respectfully, Rebecca and Family This was his response: We are aware of the policies as outlined and will contain smoking to backyard patio. We have been burning incense (with use of the incense holder) in the garage for the odor from the garbage. Also burning mosquito/fly repellent in the back and garage since Jace is highly allergic. We sweep any ashes they may create. We respect your concern. This is satisfactory to me so we'll see how it goes. Praying they follow through with what they have stated.

Hi V. H. Family, I really need your help. I have my 1st "Potential" Family at $5,000.00 a Month for 3 Months. The Family wants to send me $5,000.00 & I don't know what to tell them to do as far as me Receiving payment. The Family offered to pay using a Credit Cardand I didn't know what to tell them. Then they offered to "Zelle" the funds, but I didn't know if that would raise any "Red Flags" with my Bank. I'm feeling very "Unprofessional" right now. What kind Of Payment Methods Should I Have Set Up & Ready To Go? Can anyone suggest something before I lose this Family & Earnings please?

Need some advice, VH Community! First, I hate that I’ve been missing calls and will miss tonight, but my mother-in-law has been ill and passed on Friday. Been pretty tough, but “pressing on toward the mark.” 🙏🏻 We have an MTR that has received almost exclusively 5-star reviews for years. A recent guest left a lower Location rating because, toward the end of her stay, she said she witnessed a serious incident next door involving alleged child abuse and a gunshot. She said she called 911 and Durham Police responded with two officers and a K-9 unit. She never mentioned any of this during her stay, despite us checking in multiple times and asking what we could do to earn a 5-star review. After I followed up, she explained this was the reason for the rating and even asked, “Can I change it?” I’m following up with Durham PD. Would you contact Airbnb to request removal or modification of the review? Has anyone had success when a review was based on an isolated incident at a neighboring property rather than the listing itself?