If you’re a property owner considering renting out your property on a short-term basis, a vacation rental management company can be an invaluable partner. Here are a few reasons why you might choose to work with a short-term rental management company.
Marketing and advertising Property management companies not only handle the listing and presentation of your property on popular platforms (Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, etc.), but they also know the secrets and tricks to make your property stand out in searches. All research shows that 95% of customers make their selection from the first page of results. Search engine optimization (SEO) is not just a term for Google, but also for Airbnb, Booking, and all platforms. Property management companies have the technology of the algorithm (which is constantly changing) and thus they succeed in raising their listings higher than the competition.
Communication 24/7 Communication with guests may sound like an easy task, but believe us, it’s not always the case. First, there’s response time. For all platforms, the time it takes for a host to respond to a guest’s question is a crucial factor in evaluating and reviewing the listing. The ideal time is 15 minutes or less. Imagine a guest who is locked out and sends you a message. How long can they wait without getting frustrated? And if you’re at the beach at that moment? Driving? Just relaxing? A property management company takes on the responsibility of being available to guests 24 hours a day and always responds politely and understanding.
And we should not overlook the language issue. Good and properly written English, in addition to a good first impression, is also a sign of responsibility. Also, being able to communicate in the language of the guest is always an added bonus. A French or German guest will feel more at home and will appreciate it if you speak their language. Property management companies usually have people who know more than 2 languages. This increases the chances of our guest leaving a positive and detailed review.
Cleanliness and Maintenance Along with communication, cleanliness is the foundation of a pleasant stay. Clean white sheets, dust-free surfaces, spotless glasses, clean bathrooms and tables without crumbs. They are expected, but not always so easy, especially when the cleaner is not a professional and when there is time pressure.
Most guests want to stay a little longer than check-out and the next ones want to arrive before check-in. If you meet this need, you will certainly get enough +, and a good chance for a 5* rating, but how to clean up in the small gap between the 2 reservations? Here the property management company comes in and takes on the responsibility of learning the desired departure and arrival times and coordinating the cleaning team, so that everyone is satisfied.
Balancing the benefits of using a short-term rental management company for your Airbnb villa or apartment.
Maximizing revenue A property management company specializing in short-term rentals takes on the best pricing for each reservation, but also maximizes occupancy. This is often a balancing act for experienced managers. Increasing the price excessively and having the property stay empty is perhaps a worse option than keeping the price low, but having occupancy. However, if you lower the price too much, it may not be beneficial for the owner, as expenses (e.g. electricity) may eat into the small profit, and each reservation puts wear and tear on the property and increases the risk of damage.
So what is the upper and lower limit that we should not exceed? Is it preferable to put in a higher number of minimum stays or to adjust the price? And how do these change with the high and low seasons?
A management company, like Hometrust, takes on the task of providing answers to these questions, by analyzing not only the accommodation they manage, but also the competition. Because, as in all other business forms, the same laws of supply and demand apply, in a rapidly evolving competitive environment.
Information, guides and knowledge What time does the boat leave for that beach, Balos? And what is the best vegan restaurant in Chania? Where can I rent a bike? Which route should I take to reach Elafonisi?
These are some of the everyday questions you will be expected to answer as a host. And while it may sound simple, often you may not have the answers because some websites may not be updated and phone lines information may be busy. Perhaps you may not have the time or inclination to deal with it. And maybe hiking is not your hobby, so information around it may be limited. However, guests appreciate the fact that they have a local who can give them the information they need.
Property management companies know the answers, as they have been asked many times for the same questions and have evaluated the information from the feedbacks they have collected. Also, through a network of partners that they have created over the years, they are able to recommend guaranteed good services, something that will certainly be appreciated by our customers.
At Hometrust we go one step further, and through a personalized guide, we provide all the information, rules and instructions, through text, photos and videos. So, the guest will quickly and easily find the house (since they will have received precise location with GPS and photos), will use the appliances without any problem (since they will have seen explanatory videos), and will go to the best places to have fun (since they will have gone to tested places). In this way, the guest will also leave satisfied and the property is less likely to suffer any damage. Everyone happy, in other words.
Flexibility Short-term rental management companies offer flexibility to property owners. This means you can choose the level of involvement you want, whether it’s managing your property or just looking after a few things that you’re not able to handle.
By working with a vacation rental management company, property owners can take advantage of these services and more, without having to handle all the responsibilities of renting out a property on their own. This can allow you to earn rental income without the hassle of managing guests, maintenance and other related tasks, giving you peace of mind, and allowing you to focus on other priorities.
If you’re interested in taking advantage of our expertise and finding out more about how we can help you with your vacation rental property, just fill the form for a free evaluation of your property. Our team will be happy to answer any questions you have and provide you with more information about how we can help you maximize the potential of your rental. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today!
Call us on: +306977774356 or email us.
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