January 23, 2021 | wheelhouse
Whether you’ve recently purchased a property or have an extra home, renting your unit sounds like a great way to earn passive income—and it is!
But, it’s not always as easy as it sounds.
Not only will you need to keep a well-maintained property stocked with essential amenities, but you’ll need a marketing, sales and pricing strategy to turn a profit. Guest communications can be tricky and time-consuming, and you probably don’t want to be on call 24/7 to tend to your guest’s every need.
When renters go at it alone, they quickly find it’s a heavy undertaking to facilitate the marketing, maintenance and customer service on their own.
With that said, you’re better off outsourcing this kind of service. That’s where the best vacation rental management companies come in.
They are there to manage nearly every aspect of the rental process from check-in to check-out.
In this article, we’ll break down what 14+ of the best short-term rental management companies have to offer. After reading, you will be able to make a more informed decision on which is best for you depending on your specific needs and location of your property.
A vacation rental management company handles all the logistics associated with renting out your property.
It’s daunting to place the care of your home in the hands of someone else. And with strangers frequently coming and going, vetting your rental management options is a necessary step to ensure your unit and the needs of your guests are properly managed.
In recent years, the vacation rental industry has seen a surge in activity with the development of new software and integrated apps. People are gravitating towards a more comfortable and affordable vacation experience and homeowners are reaping the financial benefits.
According to studies, vacation rental revenue in 2019 exceeded $87 billion and the market is experiencing a growth rate of 6.9%.
Even though travel restriction and the economic turbulence brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry continues to grow. Since social distancing will be a necessary protocol for the foreseeable future, hotels are a less viable option for short-term stays. Travelers appreciate the safety and flexibility that come with home rentals, like having contactless entry. This makes it a great time to list your space.
If you’re looking to switch or this is your first time partnering with a rental management company, you may not know where to start or which factors to take into account.
There are a few things to consider when looking for a company to work with.
1. Local expertise: It’s important to find one that knows the area and has an understanding of the local competition, trends and rental market so your property can be effectively priced and marketed. They will be aware of what types of properties are popular for their region as well as regulations that impact vacation rentals.
2. Fees and contracts: These vary from company to company, so you’ll need to learn about their commission fees, services, payment terms and out clauses. Getting familiar with these agreements will save you from getting stuck in a contract with a bad property manager that loses you money.
3. Services offered: When it comes to services provided by rental management companies, some are free and some are not. Don’t be blindsided by extra fees because the handyman had to come make a repair outside of office-ours. Get a clear understanding of how marketing, house cleaning, amenities and maintenance are handled, and who is paying for what.
4. Customer service: Without great customer service, you won’t be likely to gain repeat customers or referrals. See if your potential management provider has a clear guest relations policy and if they offer 24/7 guest support.
It pays to know what you’re getting up-front, so take the extra time to do your research. This article is a great place to start.
Rented created this handy check-list of services to inquire about:
It’s a lucrative decision to list your property on the short-term rental market. There are plenty of vacation rental management companies out there to choose from, so we’ve done our homework to list out the best ones we’ve seen that will get you earning money while you sleep in no time.
Your trusted vacation rental management partner, managing over 25,000 properties.
Locations: Multi-country
Headquarters: Portland, Oregon, USA
What they promise:
Pricing: It’s all included in one straightforward management fee. Learn more here.
Helpful review:
“Vacasa has just been a win for me. I’ve had zero problems, my home looks great, and my income has exponentially exploded. . . . I’m getting more bookings than ever before.”
Karen C., homeowner in McHenry, MD
Link to learn more: https://www.vacasa.com/property-management
Evolve Vacation Rental management company helps market your property and book up your calendar with a low property management fee.
Headquarters: Denver, Colorado, USA
What they promise:
Pricing: Evolve keeps 10% of what you make with no joining fee or term commitment.
Helpful review:
“Great communication and personal attention, no issues, and great bookings. We were totally new to this and were amazed at how simply everything came together.”
Helen N., Evolve Homeowner
Link to learn more: https://evolvevacationrental.com/vacation-rental-management
From marketing to property management services, No Worries takes care of your rental property while making sure you earn the highest possible return from your listing.
Locations: Florida
Headquarters: Port St. Joe, Florida
What they promise:
Pricing: No Worries keeps a fixed percentage of what you earn.
Helpful review:
“When we first heard the name No Worries we knew that it applied to the guests, but now we know that it applies to the homeowners as well. With Zach and the No Worries team managing things, we don’t have to worry about problems that come up during rental season. They have taken care of all issues with our home and our guests. Starting our third rental season with No Worries we also don’t have to worry about rental occupancy. We have almost tripled our rental income since starting with No Worries in 2012. Thanks again Zach and the No Worries team.”
Ann & Jay Reed
Link to learn more: https://www.noworriesvacationrentals.com/property-management
TurnKey leverages smart home technology and hotel-quality property management to create unforgettable experiences for luxury homeowners and renters.
Locations: Single-country
Headquarters: Austin, Texas
What they promise:
Pricing: TurnKey collects service fees from owners and guests in consideration for the Services. Taxes may also be charged in addition to the service fees.
Helpful review:
“Matt and Jerry and company are amazing. We have worked with them for a year now helping manage our property. We live out of town and they handle everything. They have found us an excellent tenant and keep us up to date on items we need to take care of. They provide a personal level of service and are never more than a phone call away. I cannot imagine working with anyone better.”
Ed K., Sammamish, WA
Link to learn more: https://turnkeyvr.com/vacation-rental-management
With a combined 50 years of property management experience, the SkyRun team provides a stress-free renting process for the owners of over 950 vacation rental properties in the US, Mexico and Canada.
Locations: Multi-country
Headquarters: Boulder, Colorado
What they promise:
Pricing: Most of the costs are variable, like cleaning and marketing. As you add more properties and get more bookings, the costs rise only as your revenue rises to cover the costs. In addition, you will pay 4.5% of your gross rental receipts for ongoing royalties and support (min $350/mo). There is also a mandatory 1% that goes into a national marketing fund, which is matched and then spent on your behalf.
Helpful review:
“SkyRun Vacation Rentals has been managing our house in Vail, CO since 2013. The team at SkyRun keeps our house beautifully maintained and is very responsive to our needs as well as the guests. There is always an open line of communication. SkyRun Vacation Rentals takes its responsibility seriously and are always looking to stand out by continuously evolving their company and the technology they use for reservations and marketing. We are very happy knowing that our home away from home is in good hands.”
Rita & Gene Rubin
Link to learn more: https://www.skyrun.com/property-management
Effortless is a full-service property management for short-term rentals and vacation rentals in Denver, Colorado.
Locations: Single-country
Headquarters: Denver, Colorado
What they promise
Pricing: Pricing available upon property contact.
Helpful review:
“As another PM company in Denver, we always feel very comfortable sending short-term leads their way. We trust and know they take care of their clients and their investments. Both Dana and Taylor are trustworthy and will treat your property with care while making you as much money as possible. Trust these guys!”
Pauline Fetters
Link to learn more: https://effortlessrentalgroup.com/effortless-property-inquiry/
Casago is a full-service management company specialized in short term property and rental management with offices in 17 cities throughout the US and Mexico.
Locations: Multi-country
Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona
What they promise:
Pricing: Fees are determined upon property evaluation.
Helpful review:
“Everything with Casago is excellent, they have been my property management company for over two years. The professional staff goes above and beyond. Hilda, Gabby and Brenda go out of their way to make sure everything goes great. I never had to ask twice about anything. Because of them, I have bought more properties for them to manage.”
Ida Van Dyk McLeary
Link to learn more: https://casago.com/property-management/
iTrip provides rental management for property owners in 100+ locations in the US and Canada.
Locations: Multi-country
Headquarters: Nashville, Tennessee
What they promise:
Pricing: Pricing available upon contact.
Helpful review:
“To my surprise and financial enjoyment, my property grossed $50,000 in one year. The level of professionalism and financial reporting was second to none.”
Chris S., Sanibel and Captiva Islands
Link to learn more: https://www.itrip.net/get-listed
Brett/Robinson is a full-service rental property management company serving homeowners on the Alabama Gulf Coast for the past 35 years.
Locations: Single-country
Headquarters: Gulf Shores, Alabama
What they promise:
Pricing: Brett/Robinson’s commission fee is 22% of your gross rental income. They also offer innovative “Bookings By Owner Plus Brett/Robinson” (BBO+BR) and “Bookings By Owner” (BBO) programs with reduced commission fees.
Helpful review:
“We had talked extensively with Brett/Robinson team members at the front desk, maintenance and their HOA administrators prior to even purchasing our condo. The team members were all friendly, dedicated and knowledgeable. We were so impressed by the Brett/Robinson people we never even talked with another firm.”
Sheila & Gary, Tuscaloosa, AL
Link to learn more: https://www.brett-robinson.com/rental-management/
Founded in 2006, VTrips is one of the fastest growing full-service property management companies.
Locations: Single-country
Headquarters: Brewster, Massachusetts
Locations: Single-country
Headquarters: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
What they promise:
Pricing: Pricing available upon contact.
Helpful review:
“I got into this business because I was dissatisfied with the way my own rental property was being managed. With my background in internet marketing, I knew I could do a better job of it . . . and now I manage more than 2,000 vacation properties throughout Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, New Mexico and Hawaii.”
Steve Milo, Founder and CEO of VTrips
Link to learn more: https://vtrips.com/property-management
Meyer Vacation Rentals keeps your rental property in tip-top shape while working hard to keep your calendar booked all year long.
Locations: Single-country
Headquarters: Gulf Shores, Alabama
What they promise
Pricing: Meyer Vacation Rentals has a 20% management fee for qualifying properties.
Helpful review:
“Much emphasis is placed on advertising the Meyer Vacation Rentals program and maximizing the rental partner income.”
Charles & Kathleen O.
Link to learn more: https://www.meyerre.com/property-management/
Kinlin is a local vacation rental management company serving property owners in Cape Cod.
Locations: Single-country
Headquarters: Brewster, Massachusetts
What they promise:
Pricing: Call or email VacationCapeCod@KinlinGrover.com for pricing information. Kinlin Grover will collect, report and remit the Massachusetts short-term rentals lodging tax to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue on your behalf.
Helpful review:
“Checking in is always a warm welcome, and our departure is always met with a genuine inquiry as to how our week was. Issues are practically nonexistent as far as we’ve found, but Cindy and Dan are quick to have them resolved and/or to notify the property owner. “
Stephanie H., Medford, MA
Link to learn more: https://www.vacationcapecod.com/cape-cod-homeowners
Village Realty specializes in Outer Banks vacation rental management, currently overseeing 700+ properties in Nags Head, Corolla, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Duck, Manteo, and Southern Shores.
Locations: Single-country
Headquarters: Nags Head, North Carolina
What they promise:
Pricing: Pricing available upon property evaluation.
Helpful review:
“We rented a home in Nags Head from Village Realty. The home was perfect for our needs. The home had access to the Village Realty Beach Club.”
Renter testimony
Link to learn more: https://www.villagerealtyobx.com/outer-banks-property-management
Over 600+ property owners trust Panhandle Getaways to manage their Florida vacation rentals.
Locations: Single-country
Headquarters: Parma City Beach, Florida
What they promise:
Pricing: Panhandle Getaways receives a percentage of your revenue from bookings.
Helpful review:
“We’ve used Panhandle Getaways as our property management company for a Calypso Resort condo since 2017. We couldn’t be happier with how they take care of our renters. we’ve had no complaints from vacationers, and our bookings are solid.”
Robert M., Bloomington, IL.
Link to learn more: https://www.panhandlegetaways.com/owner-services
Sandpiper Rentals was founded in 1969 and is the premier vacation rental manager for property owners in Martha’s Vineyard.
Locations: Single-country
Headquarters: Edgartown, Massachusetts
What they promise
Pricing: Pricing available upon contact.
Helpful review:
“Sandpiper Rentals made finding a rental house easy and pleasurable. What can be a stressful process was made very relaxing. The staff was always pleasant and helpful. I would definitely use Sandpiper Rentals again.”
Sandpiper Rentals homeowner testimony
Link to learn more: https://www.sandpiperrental.com/listing-your-property
Grand Welcome manages over 600 vacation rentals with it’s easy and comprehensive management program.
Locations: Single-country
Headquarters: Torrance, California
What they promise:
Pricing: Property evaluation by General Manager Rates determined through pricing algorithm, photo, housekeeping and maintenance service.
Helpful review:
“I am a property owner at Horizons 4 in Mammoth. Grand Welcome is our property manager and brings in good short-term vacation renters. The company has a good reservation system that is easily used by property owners. We have received good reviews on our property so that means Grand Welcome has performed as expected by us specifically in instructions on key pick up and cleaning. I especially appreciate our owner liaison, Lillie. She is quick to respond and take care of any of our requests. Grand Mammoth is reliable paying our net rental receipts monthly. They provide statements both monthly in paper and anytime electronically. They prepare our 1099 accurately and on time. It is easy for me as an owner to block out my owner usage in their system. Their fees are reasonable. I would definitely recommend using Grand Welcome if you are a property owner.”
Miriam K., Lake Arrowhead, CA
Link to learn more: https://www.grandwelcome.com/listwithus
Condo-World has 35 years of experience managing vacation rentals in the North Myrtle Beach area.
Locations: Single-country
Headquarters: North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
What they promise
Pricing: Pricing available upon property evaluation.
Helpful review:
“We rented through Condo-World for our first time in November for the whole month. It was such an incredibly easy process to do everything online.”
S. Hamilton
Link to learn more: https://www.condo-world.com/rental-management.html
Frontdesk offers a powerful and flexible short-term rental tool for multi-family living spaces.
Locations: Single-country
Headquarters: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
What they promise:
Frontdesk helps manage your short-term renal portfolio with Frontdesk Flex which includes:
Pricing: Frontdesk Flex is available at three price points. Flex Lite pricing is available upon contact. Flex Plus costs 15% of the revenue you earn per booking. Flex Pro costs 15% of the revenue you earn plus $80 per booking.
Helpful review:
“Frontdesk came to us at the right time with a service that would allow us to outsource many of our daily activities so we could focus on the strength of our client relationships and building our business. The onboarding process was painless, the negotiations simple, and the experience 1 month in has exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend that any large scale STR operators looking to get time back to grow their business without handling the daily headache of internal operations speak to Frontdesk and learn about the solution they offer. Highly recommended.”
John, Property-owner
Link to learn more: https://frontdeskflex.com/
Cabins for YOU is a property management company serving cabin owners in the Smoky Mountains.
Locations: Single-country
Headquarters: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
What they promise:
Pricing: Pricing available upon contact.
Helpful review:
“We have owned our cabin in Pigeon Forge since 1996 and this company is the best of any we have used. They really get the job done. We get a lot more rentals with them. They advertise on the web and Facebook and show pictures, availability, and info on your cabin.”
Property-owner testimonial
Link to learn more: https://www.cabinsforyou.com/gatlinburg_cabin_management.asp
Now is an opportune time to list your vacation property on the rental market and start earning a direct stream of income.
And, if you want to outsource your vacation rental management, getting to know your options is the first step.
Just to recap, these are the key services to look into when vetting your potential managers:
Whether you’re in need of a full-service management team or a tech-focused platform to help distribute your listing, there are options out there for you.
All of the companies listed above earned a spot on our list by having years of experience in the industry and a proven track record of homeowner and customer satisfaction. So, this is a great place to start looking.
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