With travel traffic kicking back into gear, now is a great time to make a game plan for the future of your short-term rental business. As the industry starts to recover, a great way to grow your business and increase bookings is to hire a professional property manager.
As they market your property and handle guest relations, that leaves you with the pleasure of designing your own home as a serene vacation escape for your visitors.
We understand choosing the right company to partner with can often be a gamble. Here are a few tips for finding that perfect professional.
Property Manager Referrals & Ratings
Some things never change. When it comes to choosing a new dentist, a college for your kids, or just a reliable pair of hiking boots, you typically ask for advice.
The example carries over to your business — the best way for you to confidently choose a property management company is by referral, whether from a friend, colleague, or from a resource you trust. We suggest you do your research; talk to your real estate agent and your friends with investment properties in the area.
One of the best referral sources are often companies in the short-term rental industry whom you already work with.
Ratings also go a long way, so visit the property management websites to see the response and ratings they have from other hosts. Speedy response rate? Seamless communication? Are repairs done in a timely manner? Keep an eye out for bad reviews to discuss if you interview the company.
Property Manager Advertising
Another important aspect to consider is how your property will be advertised. You can easily review each managers’ website and see the degree of care put into presenting the properties.
Consider these things:
- Is it easy for visitors to find the list of available rentals?
- Are the rentals presented in a professional manner with photos and
- detailed descriptions?
- What demographic do their rentals primarily serve?
You don’t want prospective guests to pass by to poor presentation. Think about the quality of the photos used to present your property; paying a professional photographer can be a necessary increase for attention. Furthermore, focus on describing the amenities offered to your guests:
Essential items such as towels, bedding, and basic kitchenware, or added benefits such as fast Wifi, washer/dryer, or a hot tub.
In addition, try to focus on a particular group and discuss with your property manager how to present your property as the best choice in town.
Property Manager Professionalism
Once you have a list of alternatives, reach out directly and get an idea of the level of care and professionalism the company provides to their owners and guests.
Try and ask important questions:
- How long has the company been in business?
- What is their experience working with short-term rental hosts?
- How do they handle cancellations?
- What are the details of the contract?
Make sure there are clear expectations for both you and the management company before signing a contract. If you find yourself with limited local possibilities, there are a variety of great national property management companies.
These companies generally take great care of their owners and guests and would definitely pass the test to become your personal professional property manager.