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‘home’ The comforts of home can be found in Tracy’s new Airbnb

TRAVELING 30 YEARS AGO OFTEN MEANT RESERVING A ROOM IN A HOTEL OR MOTEL WHEN AN OVERNIGHT STAY IS REQUIRED. Today, there are more options for lodging, no matter the destination.

Tracy has long been on the hunt to bring a hotel to town to complement its lodging choices, and now there is another option for travelers as Jeanne Knott has opened an Airbnb in the green house on 4th St. previously owned by Dick and Trudy Williams.

Call it a real home away from home.

“I just wanted to make it a home away from home for another family,” said Knott.

Because the house was indeed a home, creating that homey feeling wasn’t too difficult. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t require some updating. Jeanne, her husband, Jeff and carpenter Reid Kimball — who just happens to live a block away — literally tore into the house, ripping up old flooring as part of the makeover. The work wasn’t something Jeanne planned, but knew it had to be done.

“We had to do it,” she said. “I kind of realized part way through … ‘What did I just do?’ Reid was my handyman; he ripped out carpet, put down new flooring and the trim. My sister came for a week and painted; we painted all the walls, all the ceilings.

We updated a few fixtures, took out a half wall. I hope it’s better than a hotel for people.”

Jeanne bought the house in May, and all the work began in June — a couple hours here, a couple hours there, Jeanne said.

Walking around the house, one could be fooled into thinking it’s a brand-new home, with all new furniture, bedding. It offers a clean, fresh look with bright colors accented by rustic touches.

“I’m a very clean person and have very high standards,” Jeanne said with a bit of quiet laugh. “Nobody wants to go to place that’s dirty. We had all the ducts clean, too.” The house is in good condition, and Jeanne knew that Dick and Trudy took care of it. The purchase of the house was many years in the making, and Jeanne had kept her radar up since the idea came to her.

“I’ve been looking for a house for two years,” she said. “I had an offer on another, but they didn’t accept it. But this one is better because it has another bedroom and another bathroom (compared to the other house).”

The house has three bedrooms with either queen, twin or full-sized beds and three bathrooms, including one in the unfinished basement. She might add a fourth bedroom to the basement, but that’s a long-term plan.

“This would be great for a weekend," Jeanne said. "It's better than a hotel. With a family, if you have kids, where do they go in a hotel?

I want people to have all the comforts of home without be- ing home."

Jeanne said she was drawn to this house because of its location on the highway and the spacious yard. She said she started exploring the idea of opening an Airbnb about two years ago, drawing from her experiences using them when she and her family travel. She found that with multiple children — she and Jeff have three girls — it’s either get two hotel rooms, or find a larger space.

“It’s easier just to have your own space," she said. "And here, I just wanted to do the whole 'house' option."

In retrospect, Jeanne said all the hard work has paid off, and the house is ready for its first guests.

“It’s nice to see the end re- sult," she said. "I'm ready for people to come in and hope- fully have a good experience."

Jeanne said the reason she dove in head first on this proj ect is to add something to the

town that it sorely needs.

“It’s something that I look for when I go to see family,” she said. "People are driving 25 miles to Marshall, and this is just a good option. People coming to see grandma for Christmas, they can stay here!

It’s for all of those life events where you need an extra place to stay."

Jeanne tried to purchase as many things locally as possible. The large, white din ing table and chairs, as well as a coffee/wine bar in the kitchen, were bought across the highway at Cinnamon Hen, and another item was bought at Lights & Beyond in downtown Tracy.

“It’s all stuff I would put in my house," Jeanne said. "I like to decorate, and I’m not just going to get the cheapest things out there. It's kind of a piece of me." I already got the Christmas tree!”

Jeanne said there is an Airbnb app where people can look for places to stay and book them as well. The house is available for $219 per night, a cost she settled on compared to other Airbnbs, and one that she says is cheaper than what two hotel rooms would cost.