How to Choose a Vacation Rental Manager

Things to Think About Before Handing Your Home Over to A Property Manager

You have a second home or condo at the Lake of the Ozarks and you realize that you are not using it as much as you thought you would, or you have decided that you want to off-set some of your expenses for that property.  Now what do you do?

Finding the right company to manage your vacation rental property at the Lake of the Ozarks can make a big difference in your overall experience.  Are you just looking for some additional income or do you want to make as much money as possible?  Whatever your situation, you need to make your expectations clear when you are interviewing potential managers.

Experience. 

Obviously experience counts.  Find out how long they have been managing property and how successful they have been in renting properties similar to yours? Beware of any company that promises a certain number of rental night’s or income; however, a good company will be able to give you potential income/number of rental nights based on their past history with similar properties.

Services. 

What types of support services do they offer?  Do they offer housekeeping, maintenance, interior design, AC & appliance repair or landscaping and yard work and are they available 24/7?  Since this is your second home, maybe you don't visit it enough to catch those small maintenance issues that pop up.  Often times not fixing those issues right away could lead to bigger problems down the road. And do you dread cleaning up after yourself while you are on vacation?  Having a housekeeper through your management company, allows you to relax and enjoy your second home.  Having someone to monitor your second home year round will ease your mind while you are away.

Marketing. 

Next you will want to ask how they market their properties.  Do they provide plenty of pictures, virtual tours, videos and information about their properties?  Do they utilize social media, digital marketing and e-blasts.  Is their website easy to navigate and is the presentation professional?  In addition to their website, how else do they advertise their properties?

Damage Control. 

Since damage is always a possibility, how do they screen their potential guests?  How do they handle damages?  Do they offer damage protection?  Have them give you examples of past damages and how they handled the situations.

Other Properties. 

Some companies rent their properties on a rotating basis.  If you have a nice property or a great location, companies using this procedure should be avoided.  Your hard work, décor, amenities and location should be allowed to work in your favor.  A company that presents all of their properties in the same manner and allows your features to sell your property to potential renters is your best bet. Wouldn’t you want to be able to choose if you were a guest and not have to take the next unit in line?

Reputation. 

Your potential manager should also have good ethics and be truthful about the potential for your property.  Do they have a good reputation?  Do they belong to other professional organizations? You should be able to get references from current owners as well as from other professionals within the Lake Area community.  And finally, you should feel at ease and be comfortable with the potential manager.

Russell Burdette is the owner of Your Lake Vacation, a professional vacation rental management company at the Lake of the Ozarks since 1986.  If you would like more info on renting your home or condo as a vacation rental, please call 573-365-3367 or e-mail russell@yourlakevacation.com.


For more information please call us at  1-877-284-0267!!

YourLakeVacation.com
4571 Osage Beach Pkwy, Suite A
Osage Beach, MO 65065
Local - 573-365-3367
Fax - 573-365-5076  

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