371. They Banned Vacation Rentals in Our City — Now What?

Today’s expert guest is Ellyn Vollmer. She’s got a wild pain-to-purpose story that many hosts will find eerily familiar. She and her husband Devin live in Pittsburgh, PA and recently launched their first STR property in Oceanside, CA after a long and winding road filled with false starts and regulatory red tape.

We talk all about how their six-month plan turned into a two-year (and more!) ordeal that involved almost every possible hurdle, spending the first year creating a rental experience they could be proud of and another year dealing with city politics in order to get their permit approved.

This one will make you frustrated, it will make you sad, it will remind you that this business is based in emotion and fueled by thoughtfully presented data. We hope you find her story as inspiring as we do, and urge you to check out her new listing any time you’re in California.

(00:01:23) #STRShareSunday: @sea.sun.maui

(00:03:26) Early STR Trials & Tribulations of Ellyn Vollmer

(00:14:04) STR Shed Permits? STR Shed Permits!

(00:22:22) Fighting for Her Right to Host a Vacation Rental

(00:37:58) Making Her Case to Oceanside (with Money)

(00:41:19) Finally Hosting Their First STR Guests

Resources:

• Click here for full show notes

• Direct booking at stayblueskies.com

• Instagram: @stayblueskies

• #STRShareSunday: @sea.sun.maui

• Video: 20+ Years of Business & Airbnb Hosting Lessons