I sneezed the minute I walked into the apartment. The parquets, broken and disbanded, were all over the place. The windows were dusty, and I remember asking - what year was this ceiling fan installed? It was the type of ceiling fan that came with an attached fluorescent light and the only way to switch the lights on was to tip your toes and extend your fingers up so you could pull the strings down.
That kind of ceiling fan.
One of the wall was suffering major leakage where rainwater would seep in and create bubbles around it. It was a pain then, and little did I know the pain would stay. Now that I think about it, why was I even viewing the place at that time? It surely wasn't for me, probably my brother who wanted a place. It was not until I saw the view that everything an uncle family friend said, (who was also the realtor) made any sense.
That's the road to home, I thought.
I didn't realise how near it was to my family house and to everything. And because of that, I saw the potential and fell in love with it.
Everything as they say was history. This was the post that I wrote back in 2013, detailing everything about the process including money.
I told my uncle that I would like to buy the apartment and was in for a pleasant surprise when he told me that it was below market price. After asking about the ceiling fan, he then confirmed it was an old apartment probably about 10 years old and in apartment or condominium language, 10 years old is ancient. He said he would arrange everything for me and told only to hope for the best for my bank loan.
The apartment was listed in 2013
Six months before getting my apartment listed online were one of the hardest I've ever worked. There were major renovations taking place; rework the problematic wall which became a once in two years thing, change the entire flooring, deep cleaning the entire place, fixed all the old lightings and fans, aircond that were inherited to me, install termite repellents, buy new furniture, moved in the new furniture, paint the walls, install the television, fix the internet, the list went on. Honestly, it was a shock to my system. How did the TV make it so easy??
All while keeping a day job. I don't have a partner now, I didn't have a partner then to ask to help me. Yes my family was there, but many things were being managed on my own, late nights - busy off days became routine.
In 2013, Airbnb was still a myth at that time and in between legalities. But I liked how they market it, from one home to another. I was one of the only 13 units listed online, now there are more than 300+ houses listed as global caught on. I listed mine and wrote everything the way I wanted to be attracted to. I didn't know how to be "honest" at first and it's not that I wasn't - it's just that I didn't know how honest or detailed you should be. I didn't put the fact that the building was a 10 year old building while it looked old from the outside but my own home was newly renovated, or that it was on the fifth floor.
All I did was post the photos of my new place, describe its location and that's it. Did I get into trouble for this "lack of information"? One or two times only because it was not located right at the city center but about 8 minutes from. To some, that 8 minutes truly mattered.
Europe was catching on Airbnb at that time and I think because of that - I had a fair bit of European travelers. Maybe largely by accident and quite awkwardly in the suburbs.
Every month I enjoyed the extra hundreds of ringgit. I did not only lease it via Airbnb but also to my friends who needed a short term stay. My strategy was just to merely list it much cheaper than anyone else (after all, it was an old area so I felt it should be valued lesser) and see the reaction.
One of the fondest memory I've ever had of the apartment was when I hosted a bunch of Russians and they invited me over for a drink. Firstly, the other tenants stared at me strangely as I walked into the lift among these 6 feet looking Caucasians. Remember, when Russians invite you for "a" drink, it is unlikely just "a drink". I got knackered that night that I had to sober up on the dining table and swore to myself - to never drink with Russians again. They drank vodka like it was tea..........
It was with a heavy heart that I decided to unlist my first round of Airbnb in 2015 because my new job required me to travel between two cities very frequently. That would mean it would be difficult for me to pick the guests up, accommodate them and eventually send them off if needed.
I unlisted this apartment and rented long term until today.
A new home listed in 2018
And then I built a new home. After we sold an old house we split four ways and since I still do not have a partner lol (this has been impacting many of my life decisions), I decided to use the money to build a landed house on mum's land.
This time it was more than just an "investment". This was actually a home. It featured all the paintings I've bought from all over the world and even the one I painted myself. There were also actually photos of me and the family all over the house. There is a studio I access from time to time, so it wasn't just another home to be listed. It was my home, my character and personality colouring it, my soul built around it...
But, I wanted the extra cash flow to sustain my lifestyle that likes to travel. And not just that, when you're on your own - living on your own, using the electricity and water, you soon realise why don't I use these cash to pay these bills? Like, upcycling the bills.
So I listed it back in 2018 and never thought the glory this house would experience. Within weeks, I've had a few long term guests, and many whom truly loved the house and appreciated it as what it is. I now had the experience to feature the house "more accurately" and appealed to those who would truly appreciate it. It was for an entire house in the countryside not the city, warm during the day, but peaceful with chirping birds in the morning and insects singing in the night.
There were months where it would be booked back to back which meant I would need to clean it within hours before the next guest enters, and pick the other guest again - all.... while... still... keeping... a... day... job. The busy was mental. I remember sleeping in the car late in the morning trying to catch the next guest and wake up early to do my other sides. It was insane. Now that I think about it, I wasn't sure whether the whole thing was truly enjoyable - but it was quite an experience.
But like all advises, asking for help was vital. I decided to ask for help from some of my stay at home cousins with fees and it really relieved my days.
The money was good. The extra cash flow was used to buy new things for the house like a new aircond since the countryside was "warm", a new bed, utensils and much more.
I have hosted a kpop music producer who wanted to wind down from months of extreme music work, I have hosted a mother and son who came to Borneo to specifically find bugs, I have hosted first time international traveler who knew nothing about other places except for her nation and shared a meal together. I have hosted a local writer who wanted to write a book and stay in a place that would give him peace and quiet to do so. I have hosted a couple who wanted to take a break from their children over a weekend, I have hosted a lady in search of herself in her marriage for months, I have hosted friends and even a family who is sending off their child to the new workforce.
The fondest memory of this new home was actually this year when I hosted Anna, Vadim, Lubova and Lubomir. A young family from Ukraine that was stranded here in Kota Kinabalu due to the pandemic movement control order by the government. Due to travel restrictions; a week turn to two, that turned to a month, that turned to five months. What actually touched me was the fact that my entire family in the street had helped them in terms of food supply, livelihood and just basically being kind to them. No one parade their kindness as they did it silently and simply.
The family endured many challenges including being ignored in the hospital for being a stigmatised foreigner during this crisis. The night before they flew back home, they cooked up a delicious Ukrainian feast for all of us. We have developed friendship and relationship that was based on humanity.
Still welcoming
I would continuously host until I am unable to. I never thought this would have such a big impact in my life, the lessons I've exchanged, the friendships I've made, the culture I've learned. In eight years, I have welcomed hundreds of individuals, families, some that are still in touch with me, painted my house and shared the photo with me - asked me how I was during this pandemic.
It may be about the money at first, but I continued because of the human connections. I have always wanted to travel as far out the world as possible and as cliche as this sound - meet as many different nationalities and understand humans as much as possible.
Alas, I don't think I could travel the entire world so this was definitely a step closer to that as I open my eyes to the many different worlds.
- Countryside Art Home Kota Kinabalu : https://airbnb.com/h/countrysidearthomekk
Jacqueline Rowena @ Jacqkie.
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