13. Why Self-Managing Your Airbnb Fails for Remote Owners with Ansley Hinson

📺 Watch the Video on Spotify & YouTube “I know everyone thinks it's a get rich quick scheme and you're on vacation all the time, and that is so not true. And even when you are on vacation, you're always working,” says Ansley Hinson, realtor with 360 Real Estate and founder of Southern Joy Properties, who joins host Nonet Reese on Start a Conversation to share how she went from working the front desk as a high school junior to running her own short-term rental management company. What began as helping one out-of-state family friend with their property grew from five properties to 25 across Auburn and Lake Martin in just one year. Ansley explains why so many investors "put the horse before the buggy" by buying first and asking questions later. She also shares what it really takes to get 25 homes guest-ready before a football weekend, and how she blends automation with the personal touches that keep guests coming back. She reveals her plan to guide investors from "concept to closing," and why she believes Auburn's short-term rental market is where the opportunity is. ## 5 Key Takeaways 1. Most investors buy first and ask questions later, and that is backwards. Talk to a short-term rental professional about revenue, location and the bedroom-bathroom mix before you make an offer. 2. A listing on a booking site is not a management plan. If you live out of state, line up local boots on the ground, trusted cleaners and on-call maintenance before your first guest arrives. 3. Every turnover needs a set of eyes and proof. Have someone inspect the property before each check-in, and keep time-stamped, dated photos, because the guest is not always right. 4. Automation should handle the repetitive work, not the relationship. Template your check-in and welcome messages, put your phone number on everything, and follow up on the reason each guest came. 5. Businesses often start with the thing people keep asking you to do. Ansley's one favor for a family friend grew to 25 properties, so pay attention to the requests you keep getting and turn them into your next step. ## Memorable Quotes "I put a big emphasis on someone has to see it before guests enter, because for the price that they're paying, you just can't have these guesses." "A lot of people put the horse before the buggy. They get the Airbnb, buy the property, and then come to me afterwards." "You're always talking to me. Your guests are always talking to me. And I care, because it is mine." ## Connect with Ansley LinkedIn: https://tr.ee/NFlAdLAdBV Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ansleybuysauburn/ Facebook: https://tr.ee/8nqDS6KmDu ## Nonet Reese LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nonetparmerreese/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nonetparmerreese YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@threesixtyauburn ## Three Sixty Real Estate Website: https://concepttoclosing.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/concepttoclosing/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/threesixty.realestate.eal/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/three-sixty-development-sales-management/ Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/ThreeSixtyRealEstate 🎙️🎙️🎙️ Podcast Production & Marketing by FullCast: https://fullcast.co Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/