Airbnb Goldmine

How to make your Dallas home Airbnb-ready and earn some cash in a flash

The House [https://www.daveperrymiller.com/property/23283124/2200-Victory-Avenue-%20-%202602-DALLAS-TX-75219], at 2200 Victory Ave., is a gorgeous 28-story contemporary high-rise in the center of it all.

Photo courtesy of Dave Perry-Miller & Associates

Pack up your valuables and bribe anyone with a comfy couch: The gorgeous fall weather that's creeping into Dallas is a harbinger of holiday travelers who can end up paying for your Croatian vacation — or mortgage.

Whether you prefer HomeAway, Airbnb, or Craigslist, you can pull down some serious dollar bills renting out your home sweet home during autumn in Dallas.

Before you hit post, you may want to consider some things beyond a basic scrub down and frantic hiding of … um … personal items. Here’s our master list to help you minimize loss and maximize post-rental reviews.

Safety first
Fix anything that might be a hazard for your guests. Think exposed wiring, loose steps, burnt-out light bulbs. The goal is to make money, not pay an attorney. Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working, too.

Lock away your pricey stuff — jewelry, personal documents, mementos, financial papers, booze — or take it with you. Check your homeowners or renters insurance to see if they cover liability. Also consider installing a touchpad lock that you can re-key after rental.

Inform and inspire
You know and love this city, so compile top tips and favorite local spots for guests. Print or provide takeout and delivery menus, and if you’re renting to folks in town for a specific event (post-season Rangers games, Cowboys matchups, the State Fair) point them toward a handy guide like this one.

Leave detailed instructions about how you want them to treat your space. Specifically address items like animals, smoking, parties, and loud music. Don't forget to share your Wi-Fi password, instructions for remotes, and more. And, obviously, make sure your contact information is readily available.

Amp up the amenities
Stock up on the following to ensure your guests have a stellar stay:

Quality guest towels, washcloths, and pillows
Higher-end toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, soap, sunscreen
Board games, playing cards, movies
Easily discoverable extra blankets and sheets
Hair dryer
Welcome basket with snacks and drinks
Bikes and accessories
Beer and wine openers — and maybe beer and wine
Bluetooth speaker
Coffee maker and good local coffee

Sure, you could throw on some new sheets and rent out your place as-is, but making a few concessions can go a long way toward building up a good online rental reputation — and your bank account.

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Holiday News

American Airlines expects record-setting travel on Thanksgiving 2024

Photo courtesy of American Airlines

American Airlines ready for takeoff.

The holidays are looming and American Airlines is ramping up. Over the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend, the Fort Worth-based airline expects to process nearly 8.3 million customers across more than 77,000 flights.

According to a statement from American's COO David Seymour, the airline is having a good fall season and canceled fewer flights than its peers during October.

“Thanks to the hard work of our 130,000 team members, we canceled fewer flights than any of our major competitors this October and beat our own records for on-time departures and arrivals,” Seymour says.

That's surely good news. One hates to rain on their parade, but in June 2024, the only flight I booked this year, my flight was canceled less than 24 hours before take-off. I had made hotel reservations, scheduled a pet sitter, planned events, and arranged for a friend to pick me up at the destination airport. One employee speculated that it may have been "insufficient crew." Their only solution offered was: Feel free to reschedule your flight.

Thanksgiving facts and figures
The travel window runs from November 21 to December 3, and the airline expects to carry more than 500,000 more customers than it did last year.

The most-traveled day will be Sunday, December 1. The second most-traveled day will be Monday, December 2.

The peak of peak: 1,035 mainline and regional aircraft will be enroute at 10:45 am on Sunday, December 1 — the highest number of flights handled at any given time during American’s travel period.

The airline expects to serve more than 6.8 million Biscoff cookies on board from November 21 to December 3.

Travel tips
Download the American Airlines app and check in for your flight, noting added any bags to your trip. This will save you time at the airport.

If traveling internationally, download the Mobile Passport Control app, which can speed up your entry into the U.S. Global Entry members can download the Global Entry app, which allows you to submit your entry and go straight to the officer.

Upon arrival at the airport lobby, scan your mobile boarding pass to print bag tags quickly at a kiosk. If you’re not checking bags, go straight to TSA security with your mobile boarding pass.

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