Hi @Zacharias0, interesting experience, thank you for sharing the outcome!
We lived like nomades between two places since 2001, at the beginning having friends stay, then artists, but renting to tourists since 2004. It was stressful to always prepare the place for new guests, when we left it, sometimes without even renting it, the organization needs are horrible, especially in a place with no professional help to be had. I started onsite hosting by chance, out of the necessity to stay in Paris for a while and still generate a bit of income.
Over the last few years,it became to much work for one person and I cut back on expenses. No more guests in the South, no more chaos with late arrivals, no more bills for everything twice, phone, Internet, TV, repairs, replacements etc.
Although both places were home and investments profited me too, it was a lot of money.
This year, I still rented the whole apartment in Paris whilst on a long trip, but to repeat guests. In the future, I'll only rent half of it in my absence, the unit I share onsite with the guest, but not my room.
Renting onsite is much more profitable, as I only allow short term, the monthly rate would not be much lower than the whole unit was for two. I have less utility costs, more laundry costs and more contact with guests, but at times of my choosing (I kick them out during the day). If they arrive early, we can talk, if they arrive late, I let them in and leave them alone, in the morning I see them only between 9 and 10, if they are still here. They enjoy their privacy and I savour mine.
After two years - only two years or an eternity? - I learned to protect my daytime as this is the time supposed to bring in my real income. Airbnb is partly extramincome to pay for some luxury, but mostly to widen my world. Renting the full units was mostly business.
I can understand your feeling of liberation - I had that too when I switched off the full unit listings.
Good luck Zach, with your return to your beginnings!
