I would give Vince 5 stars for his communication before and during our stay. He was always quick to respond and tried to accommodate our request for a later checkout. While that wasn't possible, we appreciated his effort. He seems like he wants his guests to be happy, which is why writing the rest of this review is difficult.
I did read the description and reviews about the building being older, but we were still surprised when we pulled up. The exterior of the building looks awful, with tons of peeling paint. I remarked that it looked abandoned and haunted. The interior hallways were very dirty, with dirt and debris everywhere. The building is not cared for or maintained. None of this is Vince's fault, but I think it is important to mention. You will not have a good first impression.
Checking in was easy and as described. The keys were where they were supposed to be, and the August lock worked fine for us.
The condo itself is okay. It had the basics that we needed for our stay. The condo was clean but could use some TLC. The unit felt run down. I was not expecting the most luxurious and modern Airbnb, but I do think some small updates could have a huge impact. The carpet needs a deep cleaning (or to be replaced). The bathtub has really thick and messy caulk on the bottom where it meets the floor, which was unappealing to look at and made me wonder if there was a leak. The bathroom vanity area was wood and very water stained - it could use a coat of paint or be replaced completely. We very much got the feeling that they wanted to put minimal effort into this unit. It is about getting as much cash out of it as they can. This is understandable and fine, just know what you are getting into.
The location is the best part. Very close to the farmer's market, restaurants, coffee shops, and retail. We were able to navigate very easily, whether it be on foot to neighborhood breweries or in Lyfts/Ubers to downtown. It is also nice that the unit is dog-friendly. We did not bring our dogs, but the neighborhood was full of dogs and seemed like a great place to bring your four-legged friend.
I would stay in Ballard again, but not in this particular building/unit.