(Newswire.net — May 12, 2021) — With the increase in tech tools aimed at the vacation rental industry, starting a vacation rental business is becoming more feasible, even more so considering that you don’t necessarily have to be on-site to manage your properties. Becoming a host offers you the opportunity to turn your property into an asset that can generate a good stream of income. While this income can help to counterbalance the costs of maintaining a property, the financial rewards can be more significant. It can be the chance to build and grow your own vacation rental business.
What Are the Key Aspects of Vacation Rental Management?
Vacation rental management is multifaceted. From marketing your rentals to communicating with guests, there are several aspects to running a successful vacation rental business. The following are the most important aspects:
- Communication and messaging
- Cleaning and maintenance
- Handling reservations and cancellations
- Arranging check-ins and checkouts
- Marketing
Can You Manage a Vacation Rental Remotely?
Considering the multiplex nature, many hosts wonder if it is possible to manage a vacation rental property remotely and, if so, how. The following are some practical vacation rental host tips to make the seemingly impossible task a feasible reality.
- Respond quickly to inquiries
Your goal should be to reply to messages within 24 hours. As the industry is competitive, you don’t have the luxury of responding in your own time. In fact, the potential guest has most likely sent an inquiry to multiple properties. If it takes you longer than a day to respond, the chances are good that another host has beaten you to it. So, it is best to make use of message templates and automated messages. After all, it is with the help of these tools that other hosts manage to respond so swiftly.
- Automate the check-in and check-out process
Creating a seamless check-in and check-out experience for your guests should be one of your top priorities. Not only will automation help you to avoid human error, but it also gives guests the freedom to check in whenever is convenient for them and unpack and settle in at their own pace. From lockboxes to smart locks, there are several tools that you can use to offer self-check-in.
- Use the services of a reliable cleaner or cleaning service
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed new emphasis on cleaning. Not only is it important for health and safety reasons, but it is also one of the aspects where guests are the most unforgiving. Considering how crucial cleaning is, hiring a cleaner or cleaning company that specializes in vacation rentals is the best practice.
- Hire reliable contractors
While cleaners will help you with every reservation, your vacation rental business will still need to add reliable contractors to its network. If there is damage to a property or an amenity breaks, you will need to know that you can count on a professional to assess the damage and resolve the problem timeously.
- Prepare a detailed welcome book
A comprehensive welcome book can create an excellent first impression. By writing a welcome letter and creating a welcome book that shares all the important information such as public transportation, Wi-Fi password, and instructions, your guests will view you as a caring host, even without meeting you in person.
- Install smart sensors and home security systems
Home security systems are key for two reasons. They ensure that your property is well-protected, but also that your guests can rest assured knowing that systems have been put in place. From burglar bars to motion detectors, there are a variety of approaches that a vacation rental business can follow. With the advances in tech, many hosts prefer to use smart security systems that can sync with their smartphones. This way, they can receive alerts when they can’t be at the property.
When it comes to running a vacation rental business, one of the most cost-effective ways to manage your property is to ensure that the listing remains up to date. Taking the time to upload new photos and include new rates, you can boost its ranking in the search results helping you to attract more reservations.
What Are the Advantages of Managing a Vacation Rental Remotely?
Deciding to manage a vacation rental remotely has advantages in store for both guests and hosts. For hosts, this approach allows them to work from anywhere in the world. Moreover, they can also enjoy flexible working hours. For guests, there is reassurance knowing that the contactless self-check-in minimizes the risk of catching COVID-19.
Why Vacation Rental Software Is Essential
If you plan on self-managing your rental remotely, short-term rental management software will be an essential tool. Without this touch of automation, the task can overwhelm even the most experienced host. While hiring a property manager can free up time that you can focus on scaling your vacation rental business, it comes at a cost (and often with hidden fees). On the other hand, vacation rental software like azibo allows you the opportunity to save time, yet enjoy more control over how you run and market your rental.
Conclusion
In today’s day and age, it’s entirely possible to run a vacation rental business remotely. While intuitive tech-enabled tools are must-haves, you’ll still need to have a network of cleaners and contractors. These professionals will be invaluable when you can’t be at your property to attend to turnovers or the odd emergency.