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CSN offering 'Airbnb' courses for prospective short-term renters

Posted at 6:28 PM, Feb 09, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-09 21:28:47-05

The College of Southern Nevada is offering certification courses on the ins and outs of operating a short-term home rental business.

Julie Davies, a veteran of the hospitality industry, teaches a semester's worth of material on the subject in two day-long classes.

She says students will learn about the latest rules and regulations for compliance, as well as tips on how to run a successful small business.

Vanessa Johnson enrolled despite her six years of experience as a host.

"It is hard work," Johnson. "[New hosts] think it's easy money, but it's not."

Davies calls the industry "a moving target," especially in Las Vegas, but there's opportunity as well.

According to Homes.com, the average nightly earnings from Airbnb in Las Vegas is $144.53, which means it'd take just over nine days to cover the average mortgage payment here.

Money is not the only appeal, however, for some of the entrepreneurs taking the course.

"I like the flexibility of self-employment," said Rick Messersmith, who's been renting properties since the 1980s. "That way I have the ability to come and go as I please and if I do it in a few other cities, I get to travel."

If you want to rent a property legally, there are steps to go through with the City of Las Vegas. Click here for more information.

Renting a property in unincorporated Clark County is illegal.

CSN will offer the course again in April. Click here for more information.