Renting out your vacation property can be an incredibly lucrative investment. By renting out your property to vacationers, you can create an additional source of income that never dries up. However, just because vacation property rentals can be lucrative it doesn’t mean that it’s always easy. Renting out your property might seem simple until you factor in the cleanings and repairs, guest services, managing bookings, and collecting rent. If that all sounds too arduous, you should look into working with an experienced vacation rental agency.
Vacation rental agencies, also known as vacation property management companies, can handle all the tasks that come with renting out the property while you—the homeowner—gets to sit back and collect on your investment. Vacation rental agencies can manage your bookings, handle guest interactions, clean and repair your property between guests, and even transform your property through custom interior design.
But how do you know which vacation rental agency is right for you and your property? In this blog, we’re offering some practical tips to help you find the right vacation rental management company. By doing your research early on, you’ll save yourself both time and money in the long run.
VacayAZ is Arizona’s premier vacation rental management firm. With years of experience and countless satisfied clients, we know what it takes to effectively manage any type of rental property while maximizing homeowner’s profits. Take advantage of our personal concierge services, professional cleaning crew, and innovative custom interior design options. But what’s the most valuable thing we have to offer? Peace of mind. Allow us to manage your vacation property while you sit back, relax, and let the profits build.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN VACATION RENTAL AGENCIES
Deciding to work with a vacation home rental agency is certainly a step in the right direction if you want to maximize your profits. But how do you know you’re picking the right one? Most markets have several top vacation rental agencies that can help you market, book, and maintain your vacation property. However, it’s important to first do your research to ensure you end up with the agency that is best suited to your specific needs.
Here are some tips to help you find the right vacation rental agency for your property:
VACATION PROPERTIES AND SERVICES
When you begin researching various vacation rental agencies, first look at what types of vacation properties they represent. Do they specialize in a certain type of property (like downtown condos) or within a certain region (like solely listing Scottsdale vacation rentals)? You’ll want to ensure that the vacation property management company has the tools, resources, and experience needed to effectively manage your property. You should also review the various services they offer. Not every vacation rental agency is clear about the services they provide. Check this aspect of the company early on so you know what they can offer you.
PROFESSIONALISM AND EXPERIENCE
It takes a lot of trust to let someone else manage and look after your vacation property. This is why it’s critical to find a vacation rental agency that is both experienced and professional. This partnership is much more than simply letting someone watch over your property. Vacation rental management companies should care for your property like it’s their own and help you maintain the quality of your property while maximizing the return on your investment.
Experience is key when it comes to developing this trust with your vacation rental agency. Research the history of the company, assessing not just how long they’ve been in business but what types of properties they typically list. Geography is also an important factor to consider. If they don’t list any properties even remotely close to yours, they may not have the resources or local knowledge to effectively market and book your property.
RESPONSE TIME
If your guests get locked out of your vacation rental or have a maintenance emergency, timely response is critical. When looking into potential vacation property management companies, you’ll want one with a quick and consistent response time. Ask them about their average response time for guests needs (such as an emergency maintenance request) and whether or not they offer after-hours maintenance. A trusted vacation rental agency should be prompt and responsive—not just for your guests and their needs—but also with their interactions with you as the property owner.
VACATION PROPERTY MARKETING
You could own the hottest vacation property in town; however, if no one knows about it, what good does that really do you? Effective marketing and advertising are essential to keep your vacation home booked (and profitable) throughout the year. Look into how the vacation rental agency markets their properties. A little online research here can go a long way. How do they list their properties? Are the images both informative and eye-catching? As a potential guest, is it easy to find all the listed rentals that are available?
Poor marketing and presentation can actually hurt the value of your vacation property. Just think: if you were a potential vacation guest, would you invest your time and money into a property that’s lacking information online and is presented with poor quality photos? Most likely, you’d move on to the next property.
REVIEWS
Last but not least, you’ll want to read through the client and guest reviews for the vacation rental management company. Reviews offer a rare bit of objective information about the company and can help you gain more insight on important aspects, such as their processes and how they communicate. Of course, you should always take these reviews with a grain of salt, but for the most part, this information can be truly valuable when looking for a vacation rental management company to work with.
Remember that one or two negative reviews doesn’t mean you have to reject a certain vacation rental agency. In the online world, a few negative reviews are almost inevitable, but it’s still important to pay close attention to both the negative and positive reviews. Do you notice any consistent trends, complaints, or issues? While a few negative reviews shouldn’t entirely dictate your decision, consistently negative reviews may be enough to raise that red flag.
CONCLUSION – WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN VACATION RENTAL AGENCIES
Turning your spare property into a vacation rental can seem like an intimidating project. Juggling various tasks such as marketing, cleaning and repairs, and responding to the needs of your renters can quickly become overwhelming. But if you’re looking to earn additional profit by renting out your vacation property, there’s no reason you need to do this alone. Working with an experienced vacation rental agency can not only increase your annual profits, but it can make the entire process a breeze.
Working with a vacation rental agency allows you to take advantage of their wealth of experience, resources, and market knowledge. Vacation rental management companies can handle every aspect of the rental process, including cleaning and maintenance, bookings, guest relations, and even help you market your property. To keep your vacation property booked throughout the year, turn to a trusted vacation rental agency.
If you need a professional hand in managing your Arizona rental property, VacayAZ is the vacation rental agency for you. As one of the most experienced and trusted vacation rental management companies in the state, we can help you keep your vacation home fully stocked, schedule regular cleanings, take care of guests and booking services, and even promote your property with our complete set of marketing tools.
Are you looking to maximize profits with your Arizona vacation property? Contact us to learn more.