(10/27/2010) It's only a good time to buy a vacation rental if you are really cut out
for the job.
Property prices as low as they've been in a decade, record low interest
rates, an ample inventory and a growing base of travelers who want bargain
getaway accommodations with all the comforts of home, all add up to vacation rental market ripe for the picking, says
vacation rental guru Christine Karpinski, director of Owner Community for
HomeAway.com, the
global leader in vacation rentals, hosting some 540,000 vacation rental
listings.
That's provided you have what it takes to run with the vacation rental owner crowd.
Answer most of these questions with a 'Yes' and you are a good to go for
it. Answer 'No' to most of them and it's probably time to rethink a vacation
rental home acquisition.
Q: Am I patient?
Vacation rental ownership is not a "get-rich-quick" opportunity.
Profitable vacation rental owners are patient. They focus on the long-term
potential for profiting from their properties.
Q: Do I have five extra hours a week to spare?
That's about how long it takes to manage a property during peak season.
The job includes answering inquiries, taking reservations, managing staff,
keeping records and more.
"If every hour of your life is already accounted for, renting out your
vacation property may not be right for you," Karpinski says.
Q: Am I willing to do business on a week-by-week basis (rather than
year-by-year)?
Managing a vacation rental typically is not the same as working as a
full-time landlord. Tenants come for a few days to a week, and go. Every
week presents a new opportunity to be successful and to impress new guests
and make them repeat customers.
Q: Am I detail-oriented?
You must be. Guests expect a certain level of quality. Regularly visit your
property to make sure your on-site staff is keeping it in the shape you
desire.
Q: Can I follow a marketing plan?
You don't have to be a professional marketer, thanks to the Internet, but
you do have to follow simple instructions. Like other vacation rental portals, HomeAway.com
offers a turnkey method online to present your home to potential renters. In
a addition to offering the tools and features to market your home, its
OwnerCommunity.com provides a host of information articles, expert advice
and step-by-step instructions to keep your property rented.
Q: Am I responsive?
Be ready to grab opportunities. Potential renters typically inquire about
more than one property. If you want to close the deal, put on your
entrepreneur hat and be the first to act, returning calls, responding to
emails, etc.
"That may mean taking calls at dinner and checking your email regularly -
even when you're on vacation."
Q: Am I personable?
One of your jobs will be to make people comfortable when they rent your
home. Make your vacation rental a real "home away from home."
Q: Am I a good people manager?
If you're a long-distance vacation rental owner, you must be prepared to
hire and manage a productive "staff" -- housekeepers, lawn care people,
plumbers, and others. Your staff should understand what you want to achieve
with each guest. That will both ease your anxiety and make your renting
experience enjoyable. In most vacation rental markets, these networks are
well established. Just plug in.
Q: Am I okay with managing from a distance?
For many owners, vacation properties are hours and
many miles away from their primary residence. With the right on-site staff
in place, it is easy to manage your vacation property from a distance.
"Being a long-distance owner will make the vacation rental business a lot
more enjoyable for you because you won't be micromanaging every little
detail at your property," Karpinski notes.
"That's a habit that is easy to slip into if you live close by," she
says.
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