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Here at Breckenridge Resort Managers, we understand the challenges of owning and caring for a second home, particularly in the unique climate of the mountains. Frozen pipes, snowplowing, wear and tear on appliances, managing guests – all these can quickly sour your visit and make your vacation more work than relaxation.

Enter Breckenridge Happy Homes.

We created Breckenridge Happy Homes for this reason – so you can enjoy your second home, without wasting your vacation time on the ever-expanding to-do list. Toby Babich, owner and founder of Breckenridge Happy Homes and BRM says, “Breckenridge Resort Managers has been providing professional property management for vacation homes since 2008, and our experience, knowledge, and credentials are a demonstration of our dedication to our craft.  To bring that dedication and professional experience to a wider audience of homeowners, we opened Breckenridge Happy Homes in 2016 to serve owners who have second homes in Breckenridge.”

Whether you are looking to rent your second home or just want a watchful eye on it while you are gone, we take the chore out of second home ownership.

Here are a few of the services we offer:

without property rentals

• Wellness Inspection
• Emergency Calls
• Housekeeping
• Repair Coordination and Supervision
• Alarm Monitoring

with property rentals

• Housekeeping
• Key Service
• Post Guest Inspections
• Emergency Response

Breckenridge Happy Homes can protect your family’s investment, as well as protect your vacations. Visit our new website for a full list of the packages we offer or call to protect your home today.

Breckenridge is truly a winter wonderland that has the potential to give you a magical once-in-a-lifetime vacation experience. The absolute best way to make the most out of your Breckenridge vacation is to relax at a nice, comfortable, and cozy ski in/ski out rental property after a long day of playing in the snow. The place you choose to rent can make or break your vacation. That’s why we put together a list of three of the very best ski in/ski out properties in Breckenridge. Even our budget friendly ski in/ski out properties offer an optimal lodging experience with a fireplace, full kitchen and a top-notch location. Our most high end property is incredibly luxurious and offers more than you could have imagined.

1. Trails End

455 Village Road / Breckenridge, CO

1-bedroom condo, starting at $109/night

Why we love this property: Even though the unit at Trails End is ridiculously affordable, it still offers more bang for the buck than usual. For only $109 – $239 a night (depending on the time of the year), you get enough bedding for 4, a full kitchen, a fireplace, a private deck, and access to indoor and outdoor hot tubs. Did we mention that the unit is only a block from Main Street and the Quicksilver chair lift is right in its backyard? Click here to book this rental property.

2. Tyra Summit

800 Four O’Clock Road / Breckenridge, CO

2-bedroom condo, starting at $139/night

Why we love this ski-in/ski-out property: A walking distance from the Snowflake chair lift and downtown Breckenridge, the 1124 square-foot unit at Tyra Summit boasts an oversized foyer for degearing (an absolute must, given how wet and dirty skiing gear can get), comfortable leather couches, a full updated kitchen, a laundry room, and a large rear deck. On the premises you can find underground parking, an indoor pool, hot tubs, and a clubhouse. Click here to book this rental property.

3. Crystal Peak Lodge

1891 Ski Hill Rd / Breckenridge, CO

4-bedroom condo, starting at $425/night

Why we love this property: If you’re going all out on your vacation, we highly recommend this luxurious 2060 square-foot unit. It comes with all the bells and whistles, including (but definitely not limited to) a full high-end kitchen with all the appliances and supplies, windows with majestic views, the richest linens, and plenty of plush oversized seating. Not only that, but also the complex is located right next to the Independence chair lift at the base of Peak 7. It’s also next to the Breck Connect Gondola, which will take you right downtown in a matter of 10 minutes. The unit is luxurious and high-end, but it doesn’t stop there. The complex, which is just as luxurious, also has plenty to offer, including onsite hot tubs, a bowling alley, a movie theater, a steam room, a fitness center, fire pits, and various recreation areas. Click here to book this rental property.

See more of our fantastic ski in- ski out properties in Breckenridge here.

At some point after acquiring a vacation rental property, every landlord asks himself this question: Why use a Vacation Rental manager? What can a Property manager do that I cannot do myself?

It’s a really good question, and we’re here to answer it. Here are five good reasons to hire a property manager for your vacation rental property:

1.  Industry Knowledge

VRBO and AirBnB are not the whole of the vacation rental industry; they are an important part of it, but small part of a very large industry.  A professional Vacation Rental Manager will study and harness vacation rental trends, best practices, inside information, and emerging technology to elevate the success ofthe properties they manage.

Do you know the daily occupancy rate in your market?  Are you aware of the timing of local tourism marketing efforts and the reach of those efforts so you can capitalize?  Do you shop competitive rates weekly to ensure you are positioned well within the competitive set of properties in your market?  Do you know the overall demographic profile of your potential guests, and how that translates into their ideal vacation experience?  What technology do you use to manage the guest lifecycle, and what is the uptake percentage of that technology?  How widely distributed is your property across the OTA, wholesale, and transactional third party booking partner sites that make up a large and fragmented online travel market?

A professional Vacation Rental Manager will have a quick and educated answer to all of these questions, as well as dozens more building blocks that formulate an effective management strategy.  Our goal is to be students, experts, and leaders in a very complex industry, providing our owners and effective and professional resource to maximize the management and revenue of vacation rental properties.

A true professional Vacation Rental Manager will ensure you never question why you partner with them, and will be far more valuable than any commission percentage you may pay them.  

2. Less stress for you

Managing your vacation rental property can be extremely time-consuming and challenging, no matter if you live close by, or many miles away.  Providing quality management and guest services requires instant and rapid response times before, during, and after a guest stays in a property.  To manage properly, it must be a full time job and not a hobby or weekend activity.

You have to stay on top of multiple important property managing duties, such as handling bookings, scheduling and managing housekeeping, ensuring pre arrival readiness, stocking consumables and amenities, providing guest services and communications,  and being on-call to handle any issues that may arise

during a guest’s stay. Managing a vacation rental property is a full-time job, and if it gets too stressful for you, the quality of your guests’ stay might suffer, which brings us to the next point…

3. Better online reviews

A happy guest is a five-star review.  On the reverse, an unhappy guest is a potential one-star

review. In addition, an unhappy guest is far more likely to leave a review than a happy guest.  Vacationers expect a high quality “hotel experience”, and full satisfaction with their vacation.  If you’re unable to provide an optimal lodging experience to your guests due to not being locally present, your own full time job, being too busy with your everyday life, or any other reason, you need to use a property manager.

A qualified property manager will make it his job to be wholly dedicated to your property and guests. He/she will be on call to handle any issues that may arise with the property or your guests. Such attentive customer service can lead to glowing reviews of your property, which in turn leads to more bookings.

4. Constant supervision of the property

In addition to being on call every time a guest stays at your property, a professional property manager also keeps an eye on your property and ensures that everything is in working order for the next booking. He also takes care of repairs right away, manages housekeeping, and stays on top of cosmetic

improvements.Not only does having your property so well-maintained please your guests, but it also can have a huge positive impact on its real estate value.  Professional managers manage your revenue, but more importantly, they manage a large and complex investment asset- your vacation rental property.  Ensuring your property is enhanced and appreciating in value over time is just as important as your yearly gross revenue.

5. Local connections

Your property manager should also be a well-connected local who can provide you efficient and effective housekeeping, repairs, property maintenance, and more. If you don’t live in the area, you might benefit greatly from your property manager’s local connections, and internal staff.

Once you’ve got an expert looking after your vacation rental property, you can finally kick back and relax with a glass of wine while the rent checks roll in, comfortable in the knowledge that you have a professional looking after your investment.

Autumn has arrived, and what better way to soak it all in than to go on a hike in the midst of a sea of Aspen trees?

Every year, autumn brings us a spectacular opportunity to watch the leaves of our Aspen trees turn from a vibrant green to stunning shades of red, yellow, gold, and orange against the clear blue sky.

You don’t have to stray very far from Summit County in order to enjoy the beautiful change of color. In fact, you can stay right here. Grab your best camera and embark on a hike on one of the following 4 hiking trails that are abundant with color-changing Aspen trees.

1. Eaglesmere Lake

7 miles round-trip / Intermediate

Located on the very north side of Summit County, this trail is nestled in the middle of a thick aspen forest and boasts wildflowers, fewer than 2,000 feet of elevation gain, and backcountry camping sites. The trail leads you to Eaglesmere Lake and offers stunning views over Lower Cataract Lake and Cataract Falls.

Directions to trailhead: Drive 16 miles north of Silverthorne. Turn left onto Heeney Road. Continue for approximately 5¼ miles to County Road 1725. Turn left at the juncture and then continue for 2 miles. The parking lot is located at the right fork.

2. Peaks Trail

15.5 miles one way / Beginner–Intermediate

The fall foliage is strong with this one. If you’re looking for an easy hike, start at the Breckenridge trailhead, as the trail goes downhill from there. If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, the Frisco trailhead is the place to start, because you’ll be going uphill most of the time.

The trail stretches between Breckenridge and Frisco, and it provides majestic scenery over Summit County, as well as plenty of aspen trees changing colors at the onset of autumn. The trail also passes by Rainbow Lake in Frisco, where you can take great photos of the fall foliage against the vibrant blue sky and the lake.

Directions to Breckenridge trailhead: Take Highway 9 to Breckenridge, and then make a right onto Ski Hill Road. Continue on Ski Hill Road to the top. Make a right at the Peak 8 base area and drive past the Grand Timber Lodge. The trailhead parking lot is ahead.

Directions to Frisco trailhead: Drive west on Frisco’s Main Street and then make a left onto 2^nd Avenue. Drive to the end of the street and then park. Walk over the paved bike path and then you’ll see the trailhead.

3. Lower Cataract Lake Loop Trail

2.25 miles round-trip / Beginner-Intermediate

This trail has a waterfall, a creek, a bridge, a lake, and plenty of aspen trees that add a lot of color to the scenery. It goes around the Lower Cataract Lake, so there are plenty of photo ops along the way.

Directions to trailhead: Drive 16 miles north of Silverthorne. Turn left onto Heeney Road. Continue about 5.6 miles to Cataract Creek Road, and make a sharp left turn there. Drive to the end of the road, where the trailhead is.

4. Boreas Pass/Aspen Alley Trail

1 mile round-trip / Beginner

What better way to experience the Aspen fall foliage than to hike a trail named after Aspen trees? This short hike is a great way to soak in the fall scenery without too much planning, driving, and walking. There are so many Aspen groves along this trail that it is practically shaded the entire way. There is also an old mine dump you can explore. Not only that, but if you’re up for a scenic drive, you can drive up

Boreas Pass Road to the very top, where the fall foliage is stunning.

Directions to trailhead: Drive south on Main Street in Breckenridge. Take a left at Boreas Pass Road and then take the road all the way up the mountain. It will turn into a dirt road. When that happens, keep your eyes peeled for the trailhead parking lot on the left side less than half a mile up the dirt road.

Continue reading “The Top 5 Family-Friendly Restaurants in Breckenridge”

If you own a second home in a popular vacation destination like Breckenridge, there are many benefits above and beyond just having a vacation retreat. Of the many different advantages that come with owning a second home in a popular area, one in particular is very exciting- rental income. Renting your second home can help offset many costs of holding the property and provide extra income to you, including:

• Renting your home can help cover your mortgage payments, insurance, and property taxes.
• You may have the ability to deduct your rental expenses on your taxes.
• Rental revenue can help pay for your HOA fees and assessments.
• You have the possibility of your property appreciating in value.
• Property maintenance costs can be offset with rental revenues, which increase your property’s value in the long run.
• Rental revenues can be applied to property upgrades and remodels, increasing your rental revenues and home value.

The average rental property brings in about $28,000 a year and including cleaning, repairs, guest relations, check in and out, and other assorted communication and preparation can take about fifteen hours a week to manage. This figure is higher than average here in Summit County, especially during our very busy winter season. Increasingly, guests are looking for a hotel experience and professional communications during their vacation, which can be a challenge for many homeowners to do well.  When a guest is not provided with that experience, they will likely not rent the property again, or worse, leave a scathing review online to prevent others from renting the property.  To succeed in renting your property, time and resources must be invested to provide the type of experience todays traveler demands.

Renting your property is a very challenging time commitment. If you’re interested in renting your second home for extra profit, here are some tips to ensure you are positioned for success:

1. Learn the laws and restrictions for rental homes in your state and town. 

A good place to start would be to Google “[Your town] rental regulations”. You can also try calling your town’s community or tax office. You may have to apply for a rental permit, business license, pay taxes, and remit forms on a monthly basis to state and local authorities.  Many towns restrict or outright ban rental activity.  For those that allow rentals, regulations and tax remission are common, so don’t get yourself in trouble by not understanding the legal requirements.  A professional management company is set up to take care of all these things for you, and keep in in legal compliance.

2. Read your mortgage agreement

Ensure rental activity is allowed on your property, and your insurance will not be at risk of being voided by the rental activity. Some mortgage agreements include restrictions on renting out the property. You want to ensure that yours allows it. If you’re part of a homeowners’ association, it’s always a good idea to find out if they allow vacation rentals, too.  A professional manager will be aware of local HOA restrictions, and can help with ensuring you are compliant.

3. Find a Property Manager

Renting the property on your own is attractive for financial reasons, as there is no commission to pay. However, hiring a professional property manager can eaisly pay for iteself. Some property managers will request a percentage of the monthly rent as compensation. In the end, you will make more money. The professional property manager will pay for itself by reducing your time spent and burden, increasing rentals and decreasing vacancies, better guest service, and the convenience of having a valued manager just a phone call away.  Most owners eventually come to learn that a professional property manager is worth much more than the 30-40% they charge.

4. Keep detailed records of your income and expenses for all rental activity. 

Keeping a detailed record of every expense associated with the rental property so that you can potentially deduct them when tax season comes around.  Most repairs and improvements can be deducted from your personal taxes, but asking your accountant is a good practice to ensure tax compliance.  A professional manager can not only keep track of these costs for you, but also account for other items, and prepare reports for your tax professional.

5. Ensure your insurance is the correct type and level for rentals.

You likely have casualty insurance for your home, but ensuring you have rental and liability insurance will ensure coverage for you in the event of any sort of guest related issue.  Guests can become injured, or sometimes injure your property, and being properly covered for that can protect you from a financial loss.

6. Prepare the property ready for guests, by providing the first class hotel experience they are looking for.

Removing your personal belongings is a good idea, for both their protection as well as the comfort of the guest.  They want to feel like they are in a home, but not your home. Ensuring that the property has enough comfortable furniture will provide a relaxing and pleasurable gathering space for the guest during their time in your home. Stocking the property with a compliment of necessities and amenities will enable guests to relax comfortably, and will provide the type of experience that they desire. Fixing any hazards and deep cleaning the property will give the guest the first impression of an owner that takes pride in their home.  A professional management company can take care of all these things for you, and do it at a high level to promote happy return guests.

Click here to learn more about preparing your home for renters.

7. Draft up a list of house rules for your guests to read.

Such rules may include no smoking, no pets, no loud music after 10:00 PM, and no big parties. Don’t forget to include local emergency phone numbers and your property manager’s contact information. Print out the list and put it in an obvious place where you know your renters will see it.

8. Ge ready for your first booking!

Good luck! You are on your way to increased revenue as well as helping other families make vacation memories!

So your second home has been given the green light to be rented out to vacationers. Now what?

It’s time to whip your home into tip-top shape for your first group of vacation renters.

If you’re not sure where to start, we have you covered. Here are five steps to take to prepare your home for vacation renters:

1. Remove your personal items.

The first reason for doing this is to reduce clutter, and make the home comfortable and welcoming for your guests. You don’t want your guests to feel like they’re staying at somebody else’s house. They want to feel like it’s their home away from home. Reducing clutter involves removing any personal items or objects, such as picture frames and your favorite art fair sourced stuffed mountain squirrel, which will only cause discomfort to your potential guests.

Secondly, removing your personal items is a good idea because you don’t want to leave behind anything that’s precious and irreplaceable. Make sure everything you leave behind would not be noticed if it was lost. Everything in the home should have no personal attachment for you, just in case any accidents happen. We suggest keeping your personal and valuable items in an owners closet, so you can display them when you come out to visit.

2. Make sure all of the furniture is clean, comfortable, and presentable.

Todays vacationers have high standards, and expect the 5 star hotel experiences, even on a three star budget. It will be a financial and operational benefit to offer your guests new and comfortable furniture and high-quality bedding. Cleanliness and comfort should be your top priorities. The more comfortable the guest, the more he or she will enjoy the experience and return to your home year after year.

3. Repair any potential hazard.

Homes are full of failures waiting to happen, and accidents just around the corner. The last thing you want is for the water heater to quit working in the middle of a guest’s stay, or a rip in the carpet to trip up a guest. Have a professional property management company thoroughly inspect your home prior to guests staying to make sure all the appliances, steps, wiring, and plug outlets are in working order. If they find a potential hazard, they are capable of getting it repaired as soon as possible, and saving you any headaches down the road. A good property management company will inspect prior to every guest, and will act quickly to anticipate and remedy potential issues for you.

4. Have your home deep cleaned.

Cleanliness is the #1 factor in the satisfaction of guests to your home, and is the one thing that can turn a vacation into a trip from hell for many travelers. Your best bet would be to hire a property management company that has an experienced and capable cleaning service. You want your home to start as a clean slate in order to give your guests the perfect experience. You also want your management company to preform 1-2 deep cleans per year, to detail your home, and clean all the areas that are difficult to budget in on a back to back vacation rental clean.

5. Stock your home with the basic necessities.

To ensure that your guests are happy and comfortable, follow this checklist while stocking your home (remember, this is just a start. A good management company will customize a list for you and your home):

Kitchen	Living Area	Bedrooms	Bathrooms
____ Plates, bowls, glasses, and flatware (double the number of guests you sleep)	____ Comfortable seating (enough for the number of guests you sleep)	____ High-quality sheets (two sets per bed)	____ High-quality bath towels (two per guest)
____ Coffee maker	____ Large TV	____ Pillows with pillow protectors (four per bed)	____ High-quality washcloths (four per guest)
____ Pots and pans	____ Basic cable	____ Extra blankets	____ High-quality hand towels (two per guest)
____ Cooking utensils	____ DVD player	____ Mattress pads	____ Hair dryer
____ Napkins & paper towels	____ Cards and board games	____ Alarm clocks	____ First Aid Kit
____ Dish towels	____ Coffee table	____ Reading lamps	____ Travel-sized toiletries
____ Knife set	____ Throw pillows and blankets		____ Feminine sanitary products
____ Condiments	____ DVDs

When it comes to choosing the best place to stay in Breckenridge, there are no wrong answers. From secluded mountain homes, quaint Victorian style homes to ski-in/ski-out condos, Breck has something to offer for every type of vacationer. Nonetheless, choosing the right neighborhood can be daunting if you’ve never explored Breckenridge.

To help you figure out the best area for you and your family, we put together a list of the Breckenridge neighborhoods and the attributes of each.

The Peaks / 4 o’clock Rd

Most people stay around the Peaks or on 4 o’clock Rd for the access to the resort. This is the biggest selling point for this area. It has close proximity to several chair lifts and borders the trail 4 o’clock. You can ski within a few feet of your front door and many vacationers come back for lunch mid-day.

The downside to this is that town can be a good walk or a bus ride away. Since you are paying for the location, you can sacrifice space, luxury and the rustic atmosphere. Nonetheless, if you are looking for the traditional ski-cation, this is the perfect place to stay in Breck.

(Click here to see all our ski in/ski-out properties.)

Breck Historic District

The town of Breckenridge has an adorable historic district with heaps of atmosphere. The houses are in the traditional Victorian style and the main strip features quality restaurants, shopping and nightlife. The gondola is on one edge of town, a beginner’s chairlift on the other and both a relatively easy walk for most, so access to skiing isn’t a chore. If you are looking for a well rounded vacation experience, with options for even the non-skier in the family, Breck’s historical district is your best bet.

Warriors Mark

Many prefer the quiet of a neighborhood. Warrior’s Mark is located on the south edge of Breckenridge and is set back from the main street. One one side, it borders Peak 9 and the Village, so ski access is nearby. It is also bordered by National Forest, giving access to the backcountry and great hiking.

This area is a quieter, more traditional mountain feel and just removed from the thick of things. You’ll likely want to take advantage of Breck’s transit, Summit Stage to get to and from the restaurants, shopping and nightlife. The buses stop between 12-1am so if nightlife is your priority, this area may not be your top pick. It is perfect for families looking for proximity, but a quieter experience.

(Ski within 1.5 blocks of your house at this vacation rental in Warrior’s Mark.)

Blue River

Blue River is the perfect place to stay for the nature lover. This area sports the traditional rustic mountain experience. You are likely to see moose, elk, deer and even bear running through your backyard in this neighborhood! The houses tend to be more “retreat-style” and are nestled in the forest, with lots of space inside and out.

This neighborhood has the Goose Pasture Tarn and a stream for fishing, kayaking and other waterfront activities. You’ll want to have your own car in this area, as it is located a few miles outside town.

(See one of our favorites in Blue River.)

Baldy Mountain

Baldy Mountain is located on the hill opposite the ski resort. This area is popular with the local community for its amazing views and quieter atmosphere. We have several houses up here that are the quintessential snowy mountain retreat, with all the luxuries and comforts you could ever want.

The majority of the houses are above 10,000 feet, so you will want to be aware of the high altitude conditions. The buses run regularly up here, so access to town and the gondola is simple. This area is perfect for large groups, who want luxury at a decent price and need to appeal to a variety of guests.

Check out one of our houses on Baldy.

Wildflowers are the crowning glory of Breckenridge summers. They line the roadsides and trails and color the landscape. While they hit their peak in late July, different variations can be seen throughout the spring and summer.

Wildflower hikes are a great summer activity for the whole family. Here are a few you are likely to see and where you can find them.

Colombine

This flower is Colorado’s state flower and pride and joy. No matter how many times you see it, its unique shape and coloring continues to impress. It grows to about 12-24 inches tall and prefers shaded areas. There is nothing more lovely than a patch of delicate columbines in the shade of an aspen grove.

In the wild, it is most commonly found in purple and white but many other colors exist in gardens and the wild alike. Coloradans love their columbines, so the best place to see them is in the gardens in town.

Silvery Lupine

This flower grows almost anywhere in Breckenridge, taking over whole hillsides and cropping up along the roads. You have likely already seen it, cheerfully greeting visitors that drive into town. The tiny pea shaped flowers are actually bluish-purple but have white on the underside, giving it a silvery appearance from a distance. To see this flower in detail, hike the Dickie’s Trail around Lake Dillon. This trail sports several varieties of wildflowers and is perfect for beginners.

Wild Rose

The wild roses are much simpler than their domesticated cousins with only 5 petals. They are most commonly found in magenta, pale pink and white. They grow in scraggly bushes along the sides of the road and trails and are recognizable by their bright yellow centers. To see this flower, hike the Boreas Pass trail. A few are already beginning on Boreas Pass Road!

Heartleaf Arnica

This bold yellow flower can be found in almost all wooded areas. You can’t miss it. Look for the triangular pointed petals in the shaded forests around Breck.

Fireweed

Fireweed is a tall plant with magenta flowers. It gets its name from its ability to return quickly after a wildfire. This flower blooms in ditches, meadows, gardens – anywhere! It blooms a bit later than other wildflowers and is known as a herald to the coming winter.

Scarlet Gilia, Fairy Trumpet

This flower is shaped like a tiny reddish orange trumpet. At closer inspection, there is often white or yellow spotting inside the flower. You’ll see it in drier areas, roadsides and open meadows. It’s very tiny, so can be hard to spot.

Calypso Orchid Fairy Slipper

The Fairy Slipper Orchid is a rare occurrence and you should count yourself lucky to find it. It is found in forested, well shaded areas, and is usually in small groups of 1-5 flowers. This particular photo was taken on the Illinois Gulch trails and was the only flower of this type in the area.

Whether you are hiking or driving, wildflowers can be found in abundance in all of Breck. If hiking, don’t forget to bring the necessary provisions such as water and rain gear. The high altitude climate is known to change weather with little notice, especially in the afternoons. Hike safe!

Your property is an asset and you’ve worked hard for it. But does your property work hard for you? A professional property management company can help you get the best return for your investment property.

Here at Breckenridge Resort Managers, we believe that the key to getting the best return on your property are professional property management and guest satisfaction. If your guests are happy, they will return, recommend their friends, and tell others about their experience online. The key to guest satisfaction is no mystery. You need a quality property management company.

But how do you choose a property management company? If you choose solely cut rate commission, the guests will suffer, your revenue will suffer, and your service will suffer. (Don’t even get us started on extra fees!) Over the years, we’ve learned a few things about quality property management, and even introduced some new concepts. To be successful in renting your home short term, here are some strengths you should look for in a professional property management firm.

Professional Experience

When choosing a property management company, it’s important to find a company that knows their area well and has a solid backing of experience in the vacation rental industry. Each tourist destination has its own unique features and its guests will as well. A professional PM company should have professional credentials, industry leadership, and nuanced expertise in their market and industry.

Ask a prospective company how many years have they been in business, what certifications they hold, what boards are they active in, what leadership experience do they have, what is their staff to property ratio, how long have their employees and housekeepers been with them.

Guest Experience

Vacationers expect a lifetime of memories to come from their vacation. They want a smooth and seamless “hotel experience”, a prompt and polite communication process throughout the vacation, and the extra touches only a professional property management company can provide. A good company values and respects this guest experience, understanding how crucial it is to success and how to provide it to each and every guest.

Ask a prospective property management company how many and what type of staff is employed full time. What is the staff to guest ratio? Do they have their own maintenance crew or do they use contractors? What are their office hours? Average response time for client requests? What technology do they use for guest communications? How are their employees trained to provide an experience of a lifetime to each guest?

Guest Selection

An abundance of quality renters are essential to turning a profit on your investment. Ask a prospective property manager what their tenant selection process is like. What sort of marketing do they do in order to find quality renters? How do they increase their closing ratio? How do they remarket to past guests? What other channels do they use to procure guests? How quickly do they respond to guest leads? What is their average occupancy?

The Relationship between Owner and Property Manager

Lastly, the relationship with your management company must be open, honest, and collaborative to ensure complete confidence that your home is being managed properly. You should get a clear definition of the responsibility of the owner and the responsibility of the property management firm before you sign anything. You should review a proposed management agreement, along with the fee structure and what is included in those fees. Most importantly, ask them who you will be dealing with on a daily basis (owner, manager, and employee). Remember, this is a business RELATIONSHIP. Be careful who you select, and make sure it will be a positive experience.

We know that renting your second home can potentially be stressful and time consuming. The wrong renter, long vacancies or general mismanagement can drastically reduce your profits and enjoyment of your property. A professional property management company will minimize your stress and give you more freedom to do the things you love.