As a Property Manager and a Vacation Rental Homeowner, I have a view from both sides of “the fence.”  As the old saying goes “the grass is not always greener on the other side.”  There are many days that I want to trade places and other days that I think I have the best position…it just depends on what day you ask me!

As a vacation rental owner I feel empowered to choose my advertising, take my own inquiries and reservations, keep all the revenues and handle all problems.  On the flip side I have to handle all of the maintenance and field any and all guest queries or complaints.  As a vacation rental owner with several newer properties my maintenance issues are fairly easy, however, renting weekly in peak season keeps me hopping with cleaning and turning homes, responding to rental inquiries,  and handling all arrivals and departures.  To help determine if you should rent by owner or hire a manager you should answer two simple questions – 1. Do you have the TIME to attend to the duties of managing your own property? and 2.  Do you enjoy the process? 

Many vacation homeowners are retired or self employed and can handle managing their rentals by owner.  Many rent by owner because they truly enjoy the process.  Yes, some of us really do enjoy vacation rentals by owner.  You can meet new friends from all over the world and from many different walks of life.  There can be great satisfaction in offering and delivering a fantastic vacation rental experience to your guests.  

Others discover that managing by owner is just too challenging and demanding for their lifestyle.  You may (or will eventually) come across people that can’t be pleased, not often, but enough to let you know that you really prefer to have a professional manager handle the rental of your home.  

Utilizing the services of a professional property manager may be your best option if you have limited time to spend on day to day operations or you prefer to not have to talk to visitors.  Many managers know their rental markets and rental seasons inside and out.  Experienced managers have systems in place to market to new and existing client bases, systems to handle complaints, maintenance, experienced cleaning crews, precise records keeping, time tested rental agreements and much more. 

Property Manager or VRBO?  It’s all good….you just need to see which option will work best for your lifestyle.  As a VRBO you may increase income, however, you will have increased responsibilities, which is just fine if you have the time and prefer to “do it yourself.”  If you use a property manager you may have less rental income (not always), but you will have considerably less rental owner responsibilities.  You can always try it both ways to see which option suits your needs best.  One thing is for sure….we all have to advertise!

Property Managers and Vacation Rentals by Owners – We all need to advertise!  Free 6 months trial listings!