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  Owner Community Newsletter , May 2007: Owner Community Newsletter  
 
     



Hi Everyone,

Last month we rolled out a newsletter with a new look and feel and asked you to let us know which version you preferred. Unfortunately, the results were split right in half! So what we've decided to do is to create a hybrid version. We'll continue to have the top ten list, as well as, give you links to all the new articles and important news of the month.

Also, we must apologize for the errors in last month's newsletter. We realize that in some browsers the links didn't work. We've tested the heck out of this one, so hopefully all the links will work for you.

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

Christine


Top Ten Things Vacation Rental Owners Should Know About the Average Traveler

1) They don't want to feel like they're staying in someone's private residence (i.e. clothes in drawers, toothbrushes in the toothbrush holders, prescriptions in the medicine cabinet). A few family photos left at your property is fine and even encouraged.

2) They want a property with a fully stocked kitchen, even if they don't end up using it.

3) They don't trust that your calendar is up-to-date. That's why they always ask "Is it available?"

4) They want you to have high quality towels and sheets. They want your property to be as nice or even nicer than their own home.

5) They expect you to respond to their inquiry within 24 hours-- even if you're booked.

6) They are more likely to trust a property with reviews.  If you don't have them available, they want you to provide references.

7) They are leery of doing business with anyone who doesn't accept credit cards.

8) They worry that your property will not be clean when they arrive and want reassurance that any cleaning or maintenance problems will be taken care of right away.

9) They can't remember the name of the hotel or vacation property that they stayed in on their last vacation. This means that it's less important to think of a cutesy name for your property and more important to make your property itself memorable.

10) They want comfy seating in the living room. Futons and wicker furniture are notably uncomfortable.


Recently Added Articles to the Owner Community

Spring Cleaning Checklist: Clean, Restock or Replace Cleaning and stocking tasks to be completed to prepare for the busy summer season.

20 Steps to a Greener Vacation Home Ways to create a better indoor environment for you family and guests, lower your energy bills, and help the environment.

Renting by Owner FAQs Answers to the most commonly asked questions about renting vacation properties by owner.

Vacation Rental Terms Glossary Definitions for terms that come up often when researching or talking about vacation rental homes.

Vacation-Home Sales Rise to Record, Investment Sales Plummet in 2006 NAR reports shows vacation home purchases to be on the rise.

How to Write Your Ads for the Search Engines, too! When writing your advertisements, did you know that there are some very easy steps you can take to attract more renters?

Frequent Inquiry Scam Emails Have you received a suspicious inquiry? Send it to us and we'll post it in this section.


Question of the Month

We've replaced the "Owner Tip of the Month" with the "Question of the Month" in hopes that more of you will have insight to share in this format.

This month's question: When Christine bought her first property in Gatlinburg, she was amazed that having a pool table was the deciding factor for many renters. What amenities or extras are "must-haves" in your area?

Email us your answer and we'll share the results in next month's newsletter.


Local Rental Alerts

May 23, 2007: Florida Property Tax Relief and Reform

May 15th, 2007: Recent Sales and Lodging Tax Rate Changes

May 7, 2007: Rental Ordinances Proposed on Marco Island

May 1, 2007: Credit Card Scammers Target Vacation Rental Owners


Christine's Blog Posts

May 23, 2007: Back from the FVRMA Conference Christine's takeaways from the Florida Vacation Rental Manager's Association conference.

May 21, 2007: FVRMA and Takeaways from Traveler Focus Groups Christine sounds off on why she's attending the Florida Vacation Rental Manager's Association conference and what she learned from focus groups conducted by HomeAway this past week.

May 14, 2007: Accepting Large Dogs Christine talks about targeting an often-overlooked group of renters: large dog owners.

May 7, 2007: How I'd Like to Respond to Bargain Hunters Christine reacts to a few of the inquiries that she received this week.

April 30, 2007: Credit Card Scam or Not? Christine talks about her experience dealing with an unsavory credit card situation.


Recently Added Podcasts

Buying an Investment Property on the California Gold Coast Christine talks with realtor, Meredith McKenzie about the California Gold Coast vacation home market.

Ask Christine #2 This week, Christine answers a question from a Bodega Bay owner who wonders if there are any companies that provide damage insurance for vacation rental homes. Read the transcript

One-on-One with Branson Vacation Rental Owner, Valerie Budd
Christine talks with Branson owner, Valerie Budd, about her decision to switch from a property management company to renting by owner. Read the transcript

Ask Christine #1 We're introducing a new segment to the How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner podcast series, "Ask Christine". This week, Christine answers a question from a potential owner who wonders whether he should invest in a 3BR or a 4BR house on Lake Hartwell. 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. We're currently looking for:

Vacation Rental Owners: Christine's "One-on-One"s with owners have been enormously popular. Would you be willing to share your story? Email us.

Second Home RealtorsR : Do you know of a stand-out real estate agent in a vacation market? Please send us their name, so that others can learn from their expertise.

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


Seminar Schedule

June 6th: San Francisco, JW Marriott

Look for seminar dates in Boston, Burlington (VT), Philadelphia, Washington DC, Gatlinburg, and Destin in the fall. Check the Seminar Schedule on the Owner Community and this newsletter in coming months for more details.

Would you like Christine to give a seminar in your area? Take a survey.


May Vacation Rental News

5/24/07: Big drop in home prices predicted CNNMoney.com

5/24/07: Oneonta panel to assist in rentals TheDailyStar.com

5/23/07: Morocco praised for second home potential Ready2Invest.co.uk

5/23/07: Mortgage Sector Shaking Economic Foundation RealtyTimes.com

5/23/07: Vacation-home owners: Think before exchanging Mortgage101.com

5/22/07: Short-term home rental limits will go to public hearing in Neptune Beach, Florida Jacksonville.com

5/21/07: Rehoboth Beach, Del.: Despite slowdown, vacation spot remains popular USAToday.com

5/19/07: Houseguests Who Pay, and Pay Well NYTimes.com

5/18/07: What You Need to Know About Summer Rentals Kiplinger.com

5/18/07: Avoid the bugs, build a sunroom DailySouthTown.com

5/17/07: Risky second home loans seen weighing on U.S. housing Reuters.com

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

Have a question or comment? Email us.