Outside appearance

[Tiffany578]

I need some help. I've received a couple of reviews about how the outside of my apartment building is less than desirable. I totally agree with the comments and I've tried to spruce it up a little but I'm not sure how I can explain this to guest before/after booking or how else to make it appear more nice. Any suggestions are welcome!!!

airbnb.com/h/poconos-retreat

[Normen0]

@Tiffany578   I agree with the comments here.  Photos of the outside are important.  I have one listing that I co-own but I'm not responsible for the maintenance.  I have worked with my partner to improve it - giving suggestions etc but "It is what it is."  There was a point where the exterior was very weird (thank goodnesss it got siding recently!!) so I put a line in the description that "the exterior may look odd with....but it's awaiting work."  No one has mentioned it in any reviews.  I don't think it's an issue at all, unless you try to gloss over the fact that its not appealing and they are surprised on arrival.  

[Sarah977]

@Normen0  I stayed at a little beach hotel several years ago that was quite rustic, but quite clean and the people who ran it were great. There was a covered but open to the outside at the front, second floor common area where guests could watch the sunset, and hang out, and it had a fridge.

Everything rusts terribly here in the high humidity and even worse right at the beach in the salt air. The fridge looked ancient and was completely rusted on the outside. The owners had put a sign on it- "I know I'm really ugly, but I work!".

[Normen0]

@Sarah977  Ha ha!  That’s awesome. My style!  Make a joke of it! 

[Tiffany578]

That's a good one.  You can't be mad at that. 

[Inna22]

@Sarah977 I like it, I think I will use it! My new plan is to use as much humor as possible. Cheaper than unnecessary cosmetic repairs! I have a staircase that connects two sides of one of my houses but I rent the two halves separately most of the time. The staircase is in one of the bedrooms and people comment often. I have boarded off the door. I have thought of making it a book shelf, seating etc but none of it is going to work.  I just found a quote by Marilyn Monroe from Seven Year Itch "Stairs to nowhere! Isn't' it elegant!" I am going to write it on that staircase wall as a quote. Color sharpie on the wall.