Lake of the Ozarks Vacation Rentals: 6 Tips for Choosing a Vacation Rental Manager

Do you own a second home or condo at the Lake of the Ozarks? Have you found that you don't use it as much as you expected? Have you thought about off-setting some of your expenses for that property by renting it out to other vacationers? To get the most out of a vacation rental at the Lake of the Ozarks, you'll want to work with a professional vacation rental manager.

Finding the right company to manage your vacation rental property can make a big difference in your overall experience. Keep reading for some tips on how to choose the right Lake of the Ozarks property manager for the job.

1. Find Someone with Experience.

Obviously experience counts when trying to find the right property manager for the job. 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 or rental nights or guarantees a certain amount of rental income. However, a good vacation rental company at the Lake of the Ozarks will be able to provide you with potential income and rental night numbers based on their past history with similar properties.

2. Ask About Their Support Services.

Does the company offer housekeeping, maintenance, interior design, AC and appliance repair or landscaping and yard work? Are they available 24/7? When renting out your home to vacationers, you never know what could go wrong. You don't want to be the one dealing with them at 2 am in the middle of the summer when your AC unit stops working and they can't sleep because it's so hot in there. When you're working with a great property manager at the Lake of the Ozarks, those types of issues will be handled by the property management company so you don't have to worry about a thing. They will have a list of trusted vendors that they can call in any emergency situation. In addition, you don't have to worry about cleaning the home in between guests and you have someone that's looking after your property while you're away.

3. Understand Their Marketing Approach.

The next thing you will want to check with a prospective property manager about is how they market their properties. Do they provide plenty of images, virtual tours, videos and detailed 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 do they advertise their properties?

4. Look Into Their Screening Process.

Since damage is always a possibility when renting your home, how does the company screen potential guests? Do they have age restrictions? What kind of questions do they ask prospective guests during the booking process? How do they handle damage if it occurs? Do they offer any type of damage protection? Have the company provide you with examples of how they have handled past damage situations.

5. Ask How They Rent Their Properties.

Some vacation rental companies at the Lake of the Ozarks 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, decor, 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?

6. Find Someone Honest with Good Ethics.

Your potential property manager should have good ethics and be truthful about the potential for your property. Ask around to find out if the company you're considering has a good reputation. Does the company belong to other professional organizations? You should be able to get references from current owners, as well as other professionals within the Lake community. And finally, you should feel at ease and be comfortable with the potential manager.

If you have a vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks and are considering hiring a property manager to manage it for you, give us a call at 573-365-3367. We would be happy to discuss our program and your rental potential with you. In addition, if you're looking to buy a home at the Lake of the Ozarks to use as a vacation rental, we can advise you on what type of properties rent the best. Don't hesitate to call with any questions you may have.