Superhost Marianne suddenly found herself alone in the craft...
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Superhost Marianne suddenly found herself alone in the craftsman she and her late husband renovated together. To pick herself...
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For Superhosts Mary and Buster Reynolds, hospitality and home building have been a part of their lives for 40 years. “It’s a way of life,” Buster said. He and his wife Mary have been building their home by hand since 1980, and sharing it with guests. “With all these new people coming in, you get to look at your home again with fresh eyes. We are really proud of what’s happened.” The property —located in a former bird sanctuary, a 30-minute bus ride from Johannesburg, South Africa— has a main house with three guest rooms, as well as two guest cottages. And the couple finally completed it “last night!” Mary laughed, “I literally just finished tiling the new bathroom.”
Mary and Buster took some time away from tiling to tell us how they started hosting, how it’s helped support them through retirement, and why there may be another house just like theirs 3,000 miles away in Nigeria.
Hand building a home seems like a massive undertaking. Did you both work in construction before?
Mary: Actually, no. Buster is a retired cinematographer, and I worked most of my life in education. We used to have a landlord who built cottages, and they were built so poorly that we thought, if he could do it...we could do it better. So Buster did a bricklaying course, and I bought a plumbing book.
That’s your training?
Buster: (laughs) We didn’t have the money to buy a home back then. It was the only way we could get the house we wanted on the piece of land we wanted. So we started with 3,000 rand ($218 U.S.) and went from there. It was every weekend, every spare minute, every spare cent that went into the home.
Mary: Buster did the structure and I worked on the inside. The beams are made from local gumtrees, and a lot of the other wood came from the Crown Mines scrapyard, one of the first goldmines in Johannesburg. The only thing we contracted out was the electricity and the thatched roof because it’s very specialized. Thatching is a traditional craft, so we hired local experts to thatch the roof with grass hand-cut by their wives. It’s like Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel, spending almost a lifetime up and down ladders. It’s like living in a work of art.
Has chatting about the house become a good way to connect with guests?
Buster: Yes, definitely. The house is open-plan, which in 1980 wasn’t even in the dictionary. Now times have finally caught up with us! Guests come in through the kitchen door and immediately connect with [the home and] what we’re serving them for breakfast: homegrown and homemade jams, pickles and chutney as well as home-baked granola and muffins. There’s always a variety of breads, plenty of coffee and Rooibos tea, which is a South African thing. We spend at least an hour at the breakfast table talking.
Mary: We had a group from Nigeria who had anticipated a 5-star hotel. When they walked in their faces dropped, but it wasn’t long before they mellowed into the experience. By the time they left, one asked for a copy of our house plans because he wanted to build a house like ours. So somewhere in Nigeria there may be a clone of our house.
That sounds like the highest compliment! How did you get started hosting?
Mary: Through the AFS — American Field Service, an international exchange program. In 1984, we did an amazing trip to America and, upon our return, AFS was looking for host families. Since then, we’ve hosted seven students, each for a year, and from all over the world. Hosting became a way of life for us. We also added two cottages, originally for our parents, and then as rentals. In 2017, our daughter Katy encouraged us to join Airbnb, and we started getting bookings almost immediately.
What do you enjoy most about hosting?
Mary: It’s the people. We’ve always enjoyed having people here, learning about different cultures, and learning about why people come to South Africa. We had an amazing group of African-Americans from Chicago who wanted to discover their roots. We directed them to places where we thought they’d enjoy authentic African experiences. And they were completely bowled over and felt a great affinity with the culture.
Buster: There was also this Argentinian man who was so fascinated by our composting system that he wanted to go back and start a compost business. It’s stories like that that keep us going.
Mary: Plus, Buster had to take early retirement and as I am semi-retired, this supplemental income has made a huge difference. It’s allowed us to continue to live in our home. We also employ two domestic workers and a gardener. If we didn’t have the Airbnb income, they would also lose their jobs. Our intention is not to make a profit or a killing—absolutely not—but just to retain our home and keep Nelly, Elizabeth, and Mishek employed.
Do you have any advice for hosts?
Mary: You’ve got to enjoy what you’re doing otherwise it’s not worthwhile. We do enjoy it. And when people appreciate things, you know you’re doing it right.
You'd be very welcome. Would love to meet you.
Of I totally agree with Mary and Buster. I love meeting the people and learning about their roots and journeys. I find that expressing genuine hospitality and respect for others are wonderful ways to advance unity in our world. I am an retired (almost) human rights lawyer/educator and my Airbnb has helped me and my family accomplish so much more of our goals. I am still improving my old Adobe home in New Mexico. I will have to come and see yours for mere inspiration! Keep enjoying!
Beatriz
Hello Beatriz. Yes, do come and visit us! We visited your corner of the world in 1984 and love the adobe style.
It's motivating. I am so happy for both of you.
Nice job Mary & Buster! My husband and I totally understand how you love hosting for Airbnb!
What a lovely story. Sounds like Mary and her husband put a lot of love into their home. My husband and I acted as our own contractors and built a beautiful modern art filled home, in the hills of Los Angeles. We sourced everything ourselves with my husband either doing the work or supervising day laborers. What we didn't know, we learned, outsourcing plumbing, electrical, foundation, HVAC. and roofing It has taken us 10 years but we followed city codea and permit requirements and the investment has been worth. We finished a fully equipped guest apartment in November and have been booked with ABnB since day one. I am a consultant and my husband is an actor. Our home is a vital part of our retirement strategy. Building a house without a lot of money is not easy, but it can be done and so worth it. Thanks for the reminder Mary.
Well done Kelly and Perry! We know just how much effort it takes. Being in a big city we also had to follow municipal regulations etc. ... we just learnt as we went along and sought much advice from the building inspectorate who were happy to advise. When they came to approve the final product they already knew it well! We'd love to meet you one day.
What a wonderful story and such an interesting home. We are adding on a bedroom to our AirBandB room. It's been an efficency for 3 years and has done well but we decided to add on to guests can have even more privacy.(our room is separate from our house) It's fun to make things nice for others!
Love being a part of AirBandB.
Amazing story!
Fantastic to hear this story. I too am retired on the grounds of ill health, with out my tiny air Bnb Le Shed in Coleford, Somerset England I would have to have moved from my home. On the times I am not up to doing change overs I also employ a local person to help me. I have always worked in hospitality and have really enjoyed welcoming travellers from far and wide.
Thank you for this amazing story. My home is just a traditional mid-century home in a very typical rural village in the USA but I am proud of it and feel the same about hosting. I am inspired and hope that as I grow in the AIRBNB, only my 3rd month I will be as accomplished as Mary & Buster. I am on my way to Superhost, fingers crossed.
Hello Joan. I'm sure you'll make a success of it. In our experience many folk who use Airbnb are looking for the different experience that a home can offer. Building connections are what its all about. Just see the best in every experience. Best wishes. Mary
Can you link us to Mary and Buster's Airbnb listing so that we may add it our wishlists, please? 🙂
Hello Heather. We'd love to welcome you to our home. Search for the little area of Vandia Grove and you should spot us.
Having grown up in South Africa I love reading positive info like this, good for you!!