In today’s fast paced online world there seems to be an abundance of options for consumers, and property management companies are no different. Filtering through each of them can be overwhelming and knowing exactly which one is best for you is even tougher! Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals has been in the real estate and property management business for over 30 years so we know a thing or two about vacation rentals. Here are a few tips from our pros on how to determine the best management group for you!
#1 – The more traffic, the more guests
The key to any business is traffic. The more traffic the more sales! When researching vacation rental management companies, ask about their booking history, how they market properties and how they market to potential guests. Where do they rank in Google searches, how many followers do they have on social media? All of these factors go into how well your property will be marketed and in turn how often it will be rented.
#2 – The Local Advantage
When in doubt, go local. Local companies are typically involved in their local government, community events, and are more accessible if an emergency arises. Local management teams are better equipped to check on your property regularly and have better contacts with maintenance organizations. In general, companies who are local, are better equipped to help your guests and help you as well!
#3 – Guest Feedback and Customer Service
What are guests saying? One of the best ways to know how well a property management company handles their customer service is to look at reviews. There will always be positives and negatives about properties, but the way the company responds says a lot about how they will treat their owners too. Do they respond quickly and are they able to answer a guests concerns in a timely manner? Is it easy for guests and owners to contact them? Customer service is a key player in determining if a guest will return, and keeping owners worry free.
#4 – Look at services offered
Services for homeowners range from in house maintenance all the way to marketing your home. In other words, what all will the management company do to ensure your property is taken care of before, during, and after a guest stay. Do they offer regular inspections; will they help with updates in your home? Do they have in house maintenance or do they depend on another company? What will your property management group do to make sure your vacation property is successful.
#5 – You get what you pay for
There’s a reason some products cost more than others…and the same goes with vacation property management. You want your property to be well maintained and for it to be taken care of by qualified professionals, and that may cost you a percent or two. The management company you choose could be the single reason your property is or isn’t making money so make sure to analyze your options and not pick a company based solely on their commission.
