Hi everyone,

We're trying something new! As you can see your newsletter has taken on a new look and feel. What we have done is changed this newsletter into an “update.”

Instead of writing articles and posting them into your newsletter, we've decided to give you links to all of the news, articles and podcasts that have been added to the Owner Community website in the past month. So do you love it? Hate it? Or just ambivalent? We want to know which version you prefer. Please vote on which version that you like better. Don't remember what the old version looks like? Here's a link.

Happy Renting By Owner!
Christine

Recently Added Articles to the Owner Community

Should You Hire an Individual Housekeeper or a Cleaning Service?  Since your housekeeper is your eyes and ears at your vacation property, it's vital that you pick a good one. But should you hire an individual housekeeper or go with a cleaning service?

Buying TVs for Your Vacation Rental Property  What to keep in mind when buying new televisions for your property.

Why You Should Set Up an Auto-Reply to Respond to Inquiries  Using an auto-responder to inquiries assures potential renters of your vacation rental home that you got their inquiry and will get back to them shortly.

How to Rent Your Property When Your Neighbor (or Complex) is Doing Construction  Christine answers a question from a vacation rental owner whose neighbor is remodeling their property.

The Pros and Cons of Accepting American Express  Should you accept Amex? The pros and cons.

The Pros and Cons of Accepting PayPal  PayPal allows you to accept credit cards from renters, but is it the best option for your business?

State Sales Tax Offices  Links to each state's sales tax office.

Christine's Blog Posts

Switching to Fluorescent Light Bulbs (4/23/07) Christine talks about making the switch from incandescent to compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Whew! Taxes Done (4/16/07) Christine is glad to be done with her taxes and checked in at her cabins on the new beds and linens that she recently ordered.

Buying Linens for Your Vacation Home (4/10/07) Christine writes about her experience buying new sheets for her new king-size beds.

Recently Added Podcasts

Buying a Vacation Property with Friends or Family: Part 1 Have you ever thought about buying a second home with friends? Christine talks with attorney and co-ownership expert, Andy Sirkin. Read the transcript

Buying a Vacation Property with Friends or Family: Part 2 Second half of Christine's interview with attorney and co-ownership expert, Andy Sirkin.

One-on-One with Florida Vacation Rental Owner, Gayla Berry Christine talks with Destin owner, Gayla Berry, about how she came to buy her first vacation rental property and why she rents by owner. Read the transcript

Have a question for Christine? Leave a message at (512) 493-4340 and get an answer on the air.

Christine is on the lookout for her next radio show guest: Are you a vacation rental property owner with an interesting story to tell? Email us.

Also, check us out on iTunes! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review.

April Vacation Rental News

4/27/07: Bubble bursting or soft landing? Spain frets over fate of real estate boom IHT.com

4/24/07: Home sales, prices continue to lag in Merrimack County, NH ConcordMonitor.com

4/24/07: Sales of existing homes plunged last month by largest amount in 18 years IHT.com

4/24/07: Hermosa Beach eyes legalizing vacation rentals DailyBreeze.com

4/23/07: Kailua considers tougher tactics for illegal rentals HonoluluAdvertiser.com

4/22/07: Vacation rentals being hit for unpaid taxes in Hawaii StarBulletin.com

4/22/07: Some concerned about rise in short-term rentals in Elk Rapids, Michigan Record-Eagle.com

4/21/07: 31 short-term rentals can continue in Clearwater SPTimes.com

4/21/07: Weekend revelers are costing city, Palm Springs officials say TheDesertSun.com

4/20/07: Committees punt on short-term rental proposals in Santa Fe SantaFeNewMexican.com

4/19/07: Housing prices stalled in Spain Expatica.com

4/19/07: Lake Tahoe residents signing up to get wired NevadaAppeal.com

4/19/07: South Carolina panels look at coastal insurance legislation MyrtleBeachOnline.com

4/18/07: Cape Canaveral stalls on rentals accord FloridaToday.com

Visit the Owner Community for more April Vacation Rental News and 100s of articles in the Vacation Rental News archive.