Lake of the Ozarks Vacation Rentals: Lake of the Ozarks property management company

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

Also Check Out Our Other Sites:

KnollsResort.com

LazyDaysRentals.com

Friday, March 23, 2018

4 Benefits of Hiring a Professional Property Manager

Do you own a second home at the Lake of the Ozarks? Are you, or have you, considered renting it out to vacationers for some extra income? Turning your home into a vacation rental at the Lake of the Ozarks is a great idea. But can you handle it all on your own? Today's blog discusses some of the benefits of hiring a professional property manager.

1. Property Managers have Reliable Vendors for Emergencies.

What happens when your guest calls to say that the AC went out? You are responsible for accommodating them and finding someone to come out and get it fixed. When you choose to hire a property manager at the Lake of the Ozarks, they can take care of all those issues for you. They have a list of vendors that they work with on a regular basis, that they trust to get the job done right. Whether it's an HVAC, appliance, plumbing, dock, lawn care or any other type of problem, they've got you covered!

2. Housekeeping Services are Provided by a Property Manager.

After each guest, your home or condo at the Lake of the Ozarks will need a thorough cleaning before the next guests arrival. Will you be doing that housekeeping? Will you have to hire someone to do it for you? What if they aren't available when you need them? Property mangers will either have housekeepers on staff or have contract with cleaning companies that they work with on a regular basis to ensure a flawless cleaning schedule.

3. Property Managers Know How to Market Vacation Rentals.

You have a property that's ready to rent, great! Now how do you get people to come stay there? Aside from letting your family and friends know (who are going to want a discount), how will you market your vacation rental? While working with a property manager does incur a small cost, your property will have a lot more visibility which will lead to more reservations in your vacation rental. Property managers spend thousands of dollars each year on advertising to attract guests. Your home or condo could be included in that marketing.

4. You Don't Have to Deal with Money and Accounting.

In addition to marketing help, a professional Lake of the Ozarks property management company is going to take care of all the accounting. The staff is going to take payments, send contracts and coordinate the entire guest stay from booking to arrival to departure. Their accounting department is going to handle your monthly statements, expenses and income distribution, and they will provide you with yearly 1099's to make tax season a breeze.

This are just a few of the many benefits associated with hiring a professional property manager to take care of your vacation rental property at the Lake of the Ozarks. For more information about the Your Lake Vacation rental program, give us a call at 573-365-3367. We would love to discuss adding your property to our program!

Nightly Vacation Rentals at the Lake of the Ozarks:

We make it simple. Paperless. Keyless. Stress-less.

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

Also Check Out Our Other Sites:

KnollsResort.com

LazyDaysRentals.com

Friday, February 2, 2018

To Dock or Not to Dock?

Just how important is a boat dock or boat slip when it comes to your Lake of the Ozarks vacation rental? I get that question quite a bit when people call me about their vacation rental property. Remember that the absolute main attraction at the Lake of the Ozarks is "the Lake." And, as a renter, if you are going to experience the Lake in a boat or other watercraft, then a dock is essential. So how many of our renters bring a boat or other watercraft with them? Having the answer to that question can help you realize the overall value of having a boat slip available for your guests.

How Many Renters Bring a Boat?

I usually won't accept a condo without a boat slip onto our rental program and I most definitely won't take a home without a dock and a slip. During the summer months, about 38% of all our renters bring a boat. So if you don't have a boat slip, you could be reducing your pool of available renters by 38%. In addition, many of our guests choose to rent a boat for a day or two and need a place to park it overnight.

It is even more important that a rental home at the Lake of the Ozarks (vs. a condo) have a dock with a boat slip. And the bigger the home, the bigger your dock should be and the more slips you will need. Bigger homes are usually rented by a couple of families or a group that many times are bringing more than one boat. Our history shows that large homes with two or more slips rent better than those with only one slip.

Does Boat Slip Size Matter?

Size is also a factor. Most older homes and condos have boat slips in the 10 x 24 foot range, but boats just keep getting bigger and bigger. You can put a smaller boat in a big slip, but you cannot put a bigger boat in a small slip. I would recommend a slip in the 12 x 32 or 12 x 36 range just to be safe, and again to maximize your rental opportunities.

Should I have a Boat Lift?

Another question I am frequently asked is if the slip should have a lift or not. The best answer is that you should avoid having a lift in the slip. Lifts are setup for a specific boat, and unless the renter has the same size, weight and hull style (to fit your lift design) you could end up with damage to the lift or even the boat. Ensure that you have proper padding and tie downs while instructing yoru renter that a properly tied boat should be fine unless you have very, very rough water.

Russell Burdette is the owner of Your Lake Vacation, a professional vacation rental company at the Lake of the Ozarks since 1986. If you would like more information on renting your second home at the Lake of the Ozarks as a vacation rental, call 573-365-3367. We would be happy to provide you with other statistics on what makes a great rental property at the Lake of the Ozarks!

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

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

Also Check Out Our Other Sites:

KnollsResort.com

LazyDaysRentals.com

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

The Damage Dilemma

When you choose to rent your property as a vacation rental at the Lake of the Ozarks, you run the risk of property damage. From understandable accidents to wild parties, we've seen our fair share of property damage caused by renters. In the past, a damage deposit was collected on every rental, but luckily Your Lake Vacation has a better solution!

Trustworthiness of Guests

When it comes to short-term rentals, some type of property damage is inevitable. Many guests claim property damage as an accident or even deny that it happened on their watch. In addition, some guests have been known to glue things back together, hide broken items in closets, etc. Others would claim that the item was broken before they got there. (That's one of the reasons that we ask you report anything you see upon your arrival. We also do an inspection before your arrival.) In the early days of the company, we would collect a $300 damage deposit from our guests. In the event something was broken, we would pay for it out of that deposit. The issue however, is that it's not always easy to determine who actually broke or damaged the property in question. If the guest tried to hide damage, it may not be discovered until several other guests have stayed in the property. While some guests would admit to the damage when asked, others would seem flabbergasted that we would even think such a thing. In both cases, neither guest felt that they were responsible for the damages.

Damage Deposit Costs

One of the first questions asked by most owners when inquiring about our Lake of the Ozarks vacation rental program is, "How does damage work and who pays for it?" In the past, the answer revolved around that damage deposit. Unfortunately, no one was really benefiting from that strategy, not the guest, not the owner and not us. Not only does a damage deposit system cost the guest more, as they have to have the funds available prior to their arrival, but it was costing our property management company a ton of money each year in credit card processing fees. We had been spending nearly $5,000 per year just on processing fees for those deposit transactions. In addition, we were losing otherwise good customers when we kept their deposit or even a portion of their deposit. So how do we fix the problem, keeping both us and the customers happy?

Damage Waiver Program

Our travel insurance company told us about a damage waiver program they offer. The way it works is that each guest purchases a damage waiver for a small fee and that plan covers them up to $3,000 in accidental damages during their stay. Not only were we saving costs, but our guests were happy they weren't shelling out cash for the lamp their kid broke or the kitchen chair that's missing a leg. Accidents are bound to happen and this damage waiver program allowed for those mishaps to not affect us, the owners or the guests as much. Once we implemented the plan, more guests would report accidents and we stopped finding as many hidden items. The damage waiver plan saves us in credit card fees, while also allowing us to cover those "accidents" that tend to happen to even the best of renters. Our guests are happy, our owners are happy and so are we!

When you choose to rent your Lake of the Ozarks home or condo as a vacation rental on our program, you can rest assured that it's in good hands. In the event that property damage does occur, we have a program in place to get your property back to normal in no-time, at no cost to you as the owner. For more information on our property management company at the Lake of the Ozarks, give us a call at 573-365-3367.

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

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

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Small Change, Big Difference

In this week's blog, we'll take a look at how to get the most out of your money when it comes to redecorating and updating your home or condo at the Lake of the Ozarks. Use these easy tips from Your Lake Vacation's on staff interior designer, Lisa Porter, to help make your property look better without breaking your budget or the bank!

New Bedding.

The place you'll want to start is in the bedrooms. New bedding can really change the entire look of your bedrooms. The rooms will look fresh and appear updated with minimal effort. The cost for this small change is around $100 per bedroom. Just be sure to coordinate your new bedding with the current colors in the room. When it doubt, keep it neutral and simple.

Lamps & Artwork.

The next step in the updating process is to look at your lamps to see if they are dated, need new shades or if they even work properly. Sometimes new shades will do the trick (yellow, pleated or stained shades are definitely out of date) or you can replace the entire lamp for $25 to $50 per lamp. Artwork, especially the frames, can also become dated if not changed out periodically. Avoid 80's brass frames and find something that looks nice and fits the space. Wood frames are usually a good option. New artwork can be found for $30 to $60 per piece.

Televisions.

Nothing makes a Lake of the Ozarks rental home or condo look more dated than old box televisions. They still work, so you are hesitant to get rid of them, even though you upgraded years ago at your primary residence. Everyone has flat screens now, and your property looks cheap and dated by not having them in every room. The bedrooms should have around a 32" TV and the living room a minimum of 40" to 55". You can now get a 32" for around $120 and the 40'-55" in the $200 to $400 range.

Bathrooms.

Another simple fix is changing out that dated shower curtain with a new rod, hooks & curtain for less than $50!

Interior Painting.

A fresh coat of paint can be very economical if you can do it yourself. If you're unsure on colors, get some advice from friends and neighbors or peruse the internet for ideas.

De-Clutter.

It's time for a garage sale or maybe the dumpster for the following items: anything with 80's brass, box televisions, VCR's and anything prior to 2000. Also get rid of dust catching fake greenery and floral arrangements; they are not in anymore. Keep our accessories simple and to a minimum.

For a two bedroom condo at the Lake of the Ozarks, you can spend around $950 to $1,500 plus tax and you would have updated bedrooms, flat screen televisions, new lamps and artwork! A couple of extra rentals per year due to your updating would pay for your new decor. Taking just a little bit of money, you can make some small changes that will make a big difference!

Your Lake Vacation is the premier property management company at the Lake of the Ozarks since 1986! If you would like a vacation rental market analysis or more information on renting your home or condo as a vacation rental at the Lake of the Ozarks, give us a call at 573365-3367 today.

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

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

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Helpful Tips for Making Your Vacation Rental Investment a Success

Investing in a vacation rental property at the Lake of the Ozarks can be a great business opportunity. Yet many people don't realize the work and cost it takes to run a profitable vacation rental home. We've compiled a list of tips to make your lakefront home at the Lake of the Ozarks a successful investment opportunity.

Buy What You Can Afford

The biggest mistake a 2nd home buyer can make when buying investment property at the Lake of the Ozarks is depending on that property to bring in income to cover its own expenses. The majority of the Lake of the Ozarks vacation rentals see the most activity during the summer months and see very little activity out of season. This means very little to no income during that time.

On top of your mortgage payment, there will be the initial cost of staging the home for renter use. If you don't have additional furnishings already, your cost of staging can be quite costly. You'll have utility start up fees and recurring expenses. If you buy within a condo or homeowner's association, there will likely be monthly, quarterly, or annual assessments due. Some associations require amenity memberships in order for owners and guests to be able to use the amenities. Last but not least, there will be taxes, insurance, and maintenance expenses as well.

Will Your Property Entice Renters?

Your ideal vacation spot may be somewhere secluded, but most vacation renters choose their stay at Lake of the Ozarks based on its convenient location to activities at the lake. Most people are drawn to the lake to enjoy the lake itself. So renters are more likely to look for lakefront properties than offshore properties for their stay. Find a property that provides the lakefront luxury and the convenience of close by shopping and activities.

What amenities does your property offer? Having access to a pool on-site rather than having to find one nearby will be more enticing for a renter. Making your home turn-key ready will also bring more renters. People don't want to have to pack their entire home just to go on vacation for a week. If everything is provided, it makes their trip easier and more enjoyable.

Having wi-fi and cable available for your renter's convenience is a must for today's tech-savvy generation. Many folks rely on internet for both work and leisure purposes. Set up a guest wi-fi that is password protected so they can use it without the frustration of a slow connection. After a fun-filled day out on the lake, your guests will appreciate being able to relax and unwind with their favorite show.

Consider Hiring a Property Manager

Between advertising the property to maximize its full rental potential, coordinating check-ins and check-outs, scheduling cleanings between guests, and handling any unforeseen maintenance that may come up, managing a vacation rental property can be a full-time job. You can do all of this via phone and email communications, but do you have the time to commit to following through? By hiring a property manager you eliminate the stress of keeping track of these tedious tasks.

Another great perk to hiring a property manager at the Lake of the Ozarks is their marketing experience. They will be knowledgeable about the local rental rates and can help maximize your advertising opportunities. A property manager can also make sure that any potential bylaws or regulations are not being violated.

If you have questions about what to look for in a vacation rental home at the Lake of the Ozarks to optimize your rental nights, don't hesitate to contact the best vacation rental property manager at the Lake of the Ozarks for all of your needs. With over 20 years of experience in property management, you can be certain we'll provide the best quality of service.

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

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

Saturday, August 6, 2016

4 Considerations for Purchasing Vacation Property at the Lake

The Lake of the Ozarks is the premier vacation destination in the Midwest. In fact, we were voted BEST recreational lake in the country. Not only is the Lake area loved by tourists, but its home to a multitude of second homeowners. Have you considered purchasing property at the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks? If you're planning to hire a Lake of the Ozarks property manager to help you rent out your second home to vacationers, there are a few things you need to look for.

Photo Credit: FunLake.com

1. Find the BEST Location.

The Lake of the Ozarks covers a wide area, and property can be purchased on the water in a variety of different locations. While the water covers a lot of ground, the majority of the other activities and attractions that the Lake area has to offer are centralized. Most vacationers want to be in either the Lake Ozark or Osage Beach area. Finding the right location is an essential piece of every vacation rental. If you don't have a good location, you're going to have difficulty finding renters.

2. Choose the RIGHT Type Property.

Besides the location, the next most important thing is the type of property you purchase. Choosing something too small can limit your prospective renters. At the Lake, bigger is better. On the other hand, you don't want to purchase anything you can't afford. The number of bedrooms isn't the only thing you have to think about in regards to the type of property you choose. People vacationing at the Lake of the Ozarks are coming here for just that, the lake. If your vacation home or condo isn't on the water, the pool of renters is very limited. Most renters not only want a great view of the lake, but also a dock to store their boat in.

3. Think About the NECESSARY Amenities.

While there may be some amenities you don't personally need, your prospective renters may have a different perspective. How many separate baths does the home have? Is there a separate family room? Does it have a garage? Not only do you need to think about the features of the home itself, but also the bed situation. Based on our rentals, condos with king beds in the master bedroom averaged twice as many nights. Many vacationers also request being close to the pool, having Wi-Fi, having a TV in every room, a large boat slip and more! At the Lake of the Ozarks, another popular request is having a boat launch on site and trailer parking for their boat trailer.

4. Select a GREAT Real Estate Agent.

If you're in the market to purchase a vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks, it's important that you find a great real estate agent. By choosing to work with an expert on the area, you're sure to find a property that has all the features and amenities you need to successfully rent out your home or condo to prospective guests. In addition, local real estate agents will know which condo complexes and housing associations allow nightly rentals and which ones don't. At Your Lake Vacation, we have several reputable real estate agents that we work with on a regular basis. Talk to us today about finding the perfect vacation property that will provide maximum vacation rental income.

While the busy season for vacation rentals may be winding down, we're still looking for more rental properties at the Lake of the Ozarks to add to our program. It's never to early to start thinking about next season, we have some guests who like to book a year in advance. Over the past several years we have grown to be the largest Lake of the Ozarks vacation rental company, with over 90 properties on our rental program. This past month, we've been practically sold out every weekend. If you're thinking about purchasing a vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks, contact us today at 877-284-0267! We'll work with you to find the perfect property!

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

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

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Investing in Vacation Property at Lake of the Ozarks

So far in 2016, we've gotten a ton of calls from investors looking at vacation rental properties at the Lake of the Ozarks. In light of all the people currently looking at investment property, Your Lake Vacation has decided to revise an earlier blog on investing in a vacation rental home. Before you make your home purchase, talk to a professional at our property management company to make sure you know what you're in for!

Investment Perspective

By investing in a vacation rental property, the owner can do two things: off-set some of the property expenses like the mortgage, taxes, insurance, etc. and also use the Lake of the Ozarks home or condo as a vacation property for their own family and friends. When it comes to owning a vacation rental property, having the proper perspective will make all the difference in your experience. Very few properties will completely pay for themselves through the rental income. So if you can't afford any added expenses to what you already have, you're probably better off not buying. However, if you are just looking to off-set some of your expenses (and I would say in most cases at least half of your total expenses would normally be covered by your rental income), then you will have a positive experience.

Return on Investment

When it comes to investments, most people are interested in the return they'll be getting from it. Let's look at the basics when it comes to getting a return at the Lake of the Ozarks. Keep in mind that our vacation rental season, compared to coastal locations, is relatively short. At the Lake, we're looking at around 90 days for the season and depending on the type of property, you might only get weekend rentals for the most part. There are only 15 weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day. However, if you have a nice property in a great location, you'll get a few rentals outside of the prime season too. Just keep in mind that 80% of your rentals will fall within that 90 day period.

Running the Numbers

For an example, let's look at a 2-bedroom condo at the Lake of the Ozarks. The average selling price right now for a 2-bedroom waterfront condo in the Osage Beach area is still right around $123,000. Based on a 30 year mortgage at 4.5% interest and a 20% downpayment, your monthly payments would come out around $490. A typical, nice 2-bedroom condo rents for around $175 per night in the summer. You can expect around 40 summer nights and around 10 off-season nights (in the $140 per night range). That gives you around $8,400 for the season. Your average cost is going be somewhere around $11,000 for the year. That total includes your mortgage, insurance, taxes, quarterly assessments and electricity. Also, over time, you will need to set aside some of your earnings to update your property, repaint, replace worn items, etc. Depending on what Lake of the Ozarks property management company you go through, you're going to give 35-40% of your rental income to them. That leaves you with around $5,000 to $5,500 in net income from rentals. Even if you manage the property yourself, you will, in most cases, come up a bit short.

If you are looking to cover some of your expenses, like your electric, insurance and taxes, then you are probably going to find the experience a lot more satisfying than if you need your rental income to cover your mortgage and assessments. Thinking about investing in vacation property at the Lake? Give Your Lake Vacation a call at 573-365-3367 before you buy. We'll discuss your options, estimate your annual income based on similar properties on our program, and find a solution that works best for you!

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

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

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Who Do You Want Managing Your Property?

Professional vs. Amateur

In life there are times when amateurs are equal to or greater than their professional counterparts. For years, the U.S.A. only allowed amateurs to compete in the Olympics - until we finally got beat in basketball. Then we created the "Dream Team" to take back our Olympic pride demolishing every other team in our path.

A young Tiger Woods, as an amateur, was obviously better than most, if not all, of the professional golfers and proved it before and after turning pro. In most sports, you will find that there are those amateurs who are better than their professional counterparts. The same goes for other areas of life.

In many professions, there are good reasons why the government does not allow amateurs to practice in their field without a license or degree. Would you rather visit a licensed doctor or an amateur? Would you rather have a licensed airline pilot or an amateur fly you across the ocean? How about a licensed real estate agent who knows the real estate laws and the market or your neighbor who once sold his own home?

In most cases, people want a professional who knows what they are doing to help them in an area of expertise. The same is true when it comes to vacation rentals. I have come into contact over the years with amateurs who are able to lure away clients by offering them a lower commission rate for managing their home or condo. Part of the reason that they can offer lower rates is that they don't have a city or county business license, don't have liability insurance or pay workers compensation, they don't have a real estate license or continuing education and usually it is a one or two person team with very low overhead.

While I am all for competition, which I believe makes for a healthy economy and a wider variety of choice, please remember the old saying "buyer beware." What happens when there is damage to your property that is the result of the property manager who doesn't have insurance? Who is collecting and paying your state and lodging taxes? What if there is an injury to an employee of the property manager at your property and they don't carry workers compensation or liability insurance? For these and many other reasons, it is usually wise to seek out a professional vacation rental manager who really knows the market, the laws and has the expertise to properly manage your asset.

A friend of mine once got a job working in the cafeteria at the hospital and when I told my young son that Dave got a job at the hospital, he replied, "What did he get, Doctor?" Soon after we stated calling my friend "Doctor Dave." Think about it - who do you want managing your property?

Russell Burdette is the owner/broker 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 Lake of the Ozarks waterfront home or condo as a vacation rental, please call 573-365-3367.

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

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

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

8 Reasons to Hire a Property Manager

The Lake of the Ozarks is a premier vacation destination in the Midwest - and people are eager to find a home or condo to stay in rather than a hotel. Do you have a vacation home at the Lake? Have you thought about renting it out when you're not using it? Here are a few reasons you might want to hire an experienced property manager instead of trying to rent your home or condo at the Lake of the Ozarks out yourself!

1. Online Booking.

With the advances in technology, people can easily book a vacation rental home at the Lake of the Ozarks with the touch of a button. Online booking makes finding a vacation place easier than ever. By using a property manager, you have the potential to get many more bookings through their online booking system than you would having people just call you. Don't worry - we call all of our guests that book online for screening purposes and to confirm everything with them.

2. Finding Renters.

When renting on your own, it can be hard to find renters, and not only renters, but quality renters. At Your Lake Vacation, we screen all of our renters for partiers and those who are under age. We require that all our renters be at least 25 years of age to rent from us and we rarely allow bachelor and bachelorette parties unless we have the approval of the owner. In addition to the extra screening, we also have a larger pool of renters that are now considering your property among other properties on our site. Plus, if someone calls about a particular property that is not available for their dates, we can refer them to similar properties and your property could be in that list!

3. Marketing Strategy.

A property management company at the Lake of the Ozarks is going to have a bigger marketing budget than a single owner, allowing that property to be seen by more people. While individual owners can list their property on sites such as VRBO and HomeAway, so can property managers. In addition to those listings, most property managers are going to have their own website, where your property will be listed as well. Many management companies also have a robust social media campaign, allowing your property to be seen all across the web.

4. Guest Experience.

At our Lake of the Ozarks property management company, we're focused on the entire guest experience. We don't just get the house booked and leave it at that. We ask, "What you planning to do while you're visiting the Lake?" Granted some people are just here to go boating, but others appreciate help finding other things to do. We ask if they are interested in playing a round of golf or if they need restaurant suggestions. We want to do our best to help our guests plan the perfect vacation getaway at the Lake of the Ozarks!

5. Customer Service.

Let's face it - renters are needy! They want their vacation to go perfectly and will complain about every little thing. Do you want to be the one answering those late night or early morning phone calls? When you hire a property management company, you wont have to. The manager will take care of all those little issues like, "We don't have any hot water." or "The TV isn't working." Why do they even want to watch TV when they have the beautiful Lake to enjoy? That answer we will never know!

6. Legal Protection.

Lots of things can go wrong when you choose to rent your property to vacationers. When renters stay in a Your Lake Vacation property, they are required to sign a rental agreement. This binding contract protects both our company and the owners of the property. In addition, we require all of our renters to pay a damage protection fee, which covers accidental damage to the property while the renters are there. This type of insurance protects everyone, the renter, our company and the owner, from having to pay for repairs.

7. Housekeeping.

While some people make it a habit to pick up after themselves, others don't even want to bother when they're on vacation. They feel it's a time for them to relax and leave all their cares behind. Do you want to be the one that has to clean up after those people, especially when they're leaving on a Saturday and you have new renters arriving on Sunday? When you hire a property management company, you don't have to worry about keeping your property clean. We have housekeepers assigned to each property on our program.

8. Maintenance.

If there are any maintenance issues that need addressed, there's no doubt the renters are going to find them. We've had people call about a missing handle on a cabinet, even though the door could still be easily opened. From the small issues to the larger ones such as a broken toilet or AC unit, a property management company is going to have someone that can easily take care of it. We have relationships with local HVAC companies, plumbing companies, etc. that we can call when any problems arise. The owner can rest assured that they're property is being taken care of, and in a timely manner.

If you have a waterfront home at the Lake of the Ozarks that you're consider putting on a rental program, give us a call at 573-365-3367. We would love to take a look at your property and discuss our program with you. Now is the time to talk to us, before the season gets started - people are already booking places to stay for their Summer 2016 Lake of the Ozarks vacations!

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

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

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Why Talk to a Property Manager BEFORE Purchasing a Vacation Property

I have received a number of calls over the past few months from people looking at the option of purchasing a home or condo and putting that property on a vacation rental program. I tell each of them that they have made a great choice in reaching out to a property manager "prior" to making their purchase. Why? Well, I have come across a few owners who made the mistake of purchasing a property that either could not be rented or that would be very difficult to rent.

Although we live in a summer vacation area, which in fact was recently voted as the number one recreational lake destination in the entire United States by readers of US Today, there are some areas that do not allow nightly rentals. There are also some areas and properties that aren't very desirable to someone vacationing at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Rules & Restrictions on Nightly Rentals

A few years ago, I received a phone call from someone who had purchased a home in an area that did not allow nightly rentals. When I explained this to them, there was dead silence on the other end of the line. I can only imagine the conversation they had with their real estate agent. It is possible that they didn't tell the agent that they wanted to use the home as a vacation rental at the Lake of the Ozarks or that the agent just didn't know that there were restrictions on that type of usage.

Desirable Location and Amenities

I have also had a number of calls from people who have purchased a condo at a complex that just is not very desirable for rentals. The complex may have a really small pool, a lack of boat slips, horrible location or no elevator and they just purchased a fourth floor unit. I recently looked at a condo with a real estate friend of mine and her client. When you opened the blinds, you were looking directly at another building on one side and a large tree with just a hint of water on the other side. Fortunately, her client didn't purchase that unit. That would have been a real challenge trying to rent it!

Why do people visit our beautiful area? The Lake! A waterfront home or condo at the Lake of the Ozarks, with a good view of the water, is possibly the most important selling point that your property can have. We frequently get asked by guests whether the property is "on the water." While other factors play a part in a guest's choice of properties, including location, amenities and how many people the property will sleep, at the end of the day, the single most important fact is that your home or condo be on the water, with a good or better yet, a great view of the lake.

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 information on renting your Lake of the Ozarks waterfront home or condo as a vacation rental, please call 573-365-3367 or email russell@yourlakevacation.com.

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

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

Monday, July 20, 2015

National Vacation Rental Month

July is National Vacation Rental Month! Vacation rentals are great options for families or groups of friends, providing all the comforts of home. Why would you stay in a hotel when you could have plenty of space to spread out, a place to cook meals, many rooms and more for close to the same price? Whether you're a vacationer or someone who owns a second home at the Lake of the Ozarks, this is the month to talk to us about what Your Lake Vacation can do for you!

Vacationers

With July already well underway, there's a limited amount of time to take that family vacation before the kids head back to school. Now is the time to get your vacation planned with the help of our staff. Not only can we help you find the perfect accommodations, we can help you with renting a boat or jet skis, setting up a golf package, suggesting the best places to eat and more! We are committed to making your Lake of the Ozarks vacation a truly memorable experience. Contact us at 573-365-3367 to book your reservations today!

Second Homeowners

Now is the time to consider putting your home on our rental program! We are halfway through the season, making now a great time to analyze how much you've actually used your vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks. If you're only coming down a couple times during the summer months, you're home could be a great candidate for our vacation rental program. We can come out, take a look at your property and give you an estimate on how much you could potentially make through renting your home. We'll make suggestions on improvements to help your home rent better and the best part is, you have someone looking after your home while you're away. Depending on where your permanent residence is, it might be nice to have someone else taking care of the maintenance of your home and keeping an eye out for you. Contact our Lake of the Ozarks property management company at 573-365-3367 about putting your home on our program today!

Since 1986, we've helped thousands of guests from all across the country with their vacation planning. In fact we have served more than 10,000 guests staying a total of more than 40,000 nights in the past 25 years. We are dedicated to providing visitors an exceptional vacation experience in one of the many private homes or condos at the Lake of the Ozarks that the company manages. For more information on our property management services, give us a call at 573-365-3367!

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

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