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Hi everyone!
I hope your summer is off to a great start. In this month's newsletter, we thought it would be fun for you to meet some of the other staff members who are responsible for a lot of the behind-the-scenes work that goes on for the Owner Community. Be sure to read Meet the Owner Community. If you can't tell from much of our writing, we have so much fun here, and the “Meet the OC” bios are no exception. These two ladies are the most proficient and diligent workers, but more importantly, funny too! |
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Also, since the Owner Community has grown so much since our inception in July 2006, we'd like to get some feedback from you about what you like and don't like about the Owner Community site, newsletter, and other services. We would appreciate your feedback through this quick 7-question survey. We know you have strong opinions so this is your chance to voice them.
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Have a safe, happy and booked 4th of July.
Christine
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Question of the Month
Christine always encourages owners to update their listings once a month, or better yet, once a week. Still, we have found that many owners don't update their listings until renewal time.
We know that our OC Newsletter Subscribers are a savvier group, so we're curious: How often do you update your property listing(s)?
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Have a question for Christine? Leave a message at (512) 493-4340 and get an answer on the air.
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Upcoming Seminars
Registration is now open for seminars through September 30. Click on the cities below for more information.
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Upcoming Webinars
We have also begun a new series of free online classes covering a variety of topics for vacation rental owners. Learn insider tips in our 15-30 minute webinars!
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Buying the Right Vacation Home - Learn what you should look for in a prospective vacation home for maximum vacation rental potential.
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Vacation Renting 101: Tips for Getting Started - This class will take you through the steps to get your vacation home on the short-term rental market.
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Selecting Photos: Room by Room - This class will delve into which photos renters want to see and which photos will send them running in the other direction.
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How to Write a Compelling Headline & Property Description - Learn how to highlight your home's best assets and most important features within your headline and property description.
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The 10 Most Frequent Photo Mistakes - Learn the most frequent mistakes that vacation rental owners make when taking photos of their vacation rental properties.
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Visit the Owner Community for more May Vacation Rental News and 100s of articles in the Vacation Rental News archive.
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Economy may cool summer rentals of vacation homes "Highly leveraged second-home owners are especially vulnerable in this seemingly intractable housing slump. They need rental income to cover the carrying costs of the house..." MiamiHerald.com 6/3/2008
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Top Tips for Vacation Home Buyers "It's a great time to buy your dream vacation home...Mortgage rates are low, prices are down and boomers will resume shopping for retirement retreats soon." Forbes.com 6/4/2008
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10 Ways to Use Your Vacation Home Directions to Prevent Confusion
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1. “Yikes, did I pass the street?” You know the phone call: “We seem to have crossed state lines and never saw your condo complex.” By providing “you've driven too far if” instructions (including landmarks), your guests are more likely to find your home on the first try and less likely to waste time driving around.
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2. “Which way do we go?” Let's face it – north, south, east, and west has little meaning for many people. When providing directions from your home, it might be simpler to just say “left” or “right” out of your driveway. That way your guests won't have to rely on potentially unreliable internal compasses.
3. “Wish you would have told me before I unloaded!” You try unloading a week's worth of suitcases, baby gear, sand toys, boogie boards and groceries, all with a baby balanced on one hip! Your guests are going to need to know where to find elevators and luggage carts, and at the very least point them to the stairwells so they're not wandering around.
4. “Can you hear me now?” Many vacation homes are located in remote destinations or areas with unpredictable cellular reception. Provide fair warning about the reception in your area, and offer alternatives or explain the phone service in your home.
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5. “We overloaded the plugs!” In case mom and daughters have one too many hairdryers going at the same time, renters should be given instructions on where to find the circuit breakers quickly and easily. No one wants to face a bad hair day, especially on vacation.
6. “I can't throw this away!” Provide recycling instructions so when your guests come in from a long drive, they can immediately place their plastic soda bottles and mini cereal boxes into the appropriate recycling bin.
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7. “So what price can you get me?” Everyone loves a deal, so if you know where to find coupon books or discounted prices for local restaurants or attractions, share the wealth!
8. “Can we feed the bears?” Keep in mind that your guests may not be used to the environment in which your home is located, and they are therefore unfamiliar with the associated risks. A simple “If you see a sharp fin pointing out of the water, don't go in” can go a long way.
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9. “Which remote?” Sure, the television has been around for 80+ years, but it doesn't mean everyone knows how to turn it on. Especially with all the newfangled gadgets these days, it's helpful to provide instructions for the equipment in your home so your guests can plop down in front of the tube or adjust the thermostat instantly.
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10. “It's 3 am. Where can I get some Alka-Seltzer Morning Relief?” What happens when little Sally gets too much sun or little Timmy eats too many hot dogs? Let your renters know where to find local clinics, hospitals, nearby pharmacies and 24 hour pharmacies in case of emergency.
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