August 17, 2018
New program would link local homeowners to prospective vacation home renters
Many travelers no longer automatically reserve a hotel when they travel. Now, people look at different options such as HomeAway, VacationHomeRentals or a program called AirBnB.
AirBnB allows homeowners to rent all or part of their homes to help supplement their income.
Trail Town is hosting a question and answer session with a Tourism expert who personally rents out her home as an AirBnB. Ms. Debby House Spencer will walk the participants through the process and explain the “in’s and outs” of the program. Ms. Spencer will explain that no two AirBnBs are exactly alike and she will explain how the homeowner is compensated and protected in this program.
While renting out your home sounds a little scary to some people, Cathi Wells of Trail Town states that she and her husband more often than not use AirBnB rather than hotels.
“We just feel more comfortable because we have more room usually! We found a horse farm in Lexington that we stay at occasionally,” Ms. Wells said. “They have a FROG (Finished Room Over the Garage) and we have a private entrance, a bedroom, bathroom, living room and mini-kitchen. We wake up and watch them work the horses every morning!”
Wells and her family has stayed in AirBnBs in Lexington, Hilton Head, Savannah, Charleston, SC, Lexington and all over Florida. In fact, they are in the process of finishing their basement in case they decide to become part of this program.
The program will be held on Tuesday, August 21st at 6 pm at the Sr Citizens Building on Pike Street.
The meeting will be very informal so please feel free to come with lots of questions and bring a friend!
