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Hi Everyone!
I hope
that you are booked up for the summer months. If not, be sure to see our
article on last minute bookings.
In this month's newsletter, we have
changed up the format just a little bit. We wanted to highlight the
seminars that we're holding this fall in a particularly beautiful
destination -- Hawaii! |
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We're excited about our Hawaiian
seminars, not only because we get to travel to Hawaii (well maybe that is
a smidgen enticing) but also because we're going to be offering Individual
Consultations and Property Walk-Throughs. These have been two highly
requested services, and though we have offered Individual Consultations in
other cities, this will be the first time we're offering Property
Walk-Throughs. If you are interested, sign up early because spots are
limited.
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Our Top 10 List this month has a
humorous slant on yet another very common question: “What do I tell my
friends who want to use my vacation rental home for free?” Scroll to the
bottom to read our top 10 responses - we hope you find it both amusing and
helpful in foiling this ever-so-sensitive question.
Happy
Renting!
Christine
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Seminar Series in Hawaii
This September!
Need an excuse for a tropical
Hawaiian getaway? Couple a vacation with one of our seminars on the Big
Island, Oahu, or Kauai this Fall. Depending on how your vacation rental
business is classified, you might even be able to write off your trip as a
business expense.*
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To learn more about our Seminars
and Workshops, plus our NEW Individual Consultations and Property
Walk-Throughs that offer one-on-one time with Christine Karpinski, visit
our Hawaii Seminar
Series page.
September 25: Waikoloa Beach (Big
Island)
September 27: Waikiki Beach (Oahu)
September 28:
Waikiki Beach (Oahu)
September 30: Lihue (Kauai)
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If you have any questions or would
like to schedule a consultation or walk-through, please contact
512.592.4493.
*Talk to your accountant for more information.
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Going Green at Your Vacation
Rental Learn tips from journalist and cottage owner, Leslie
Garrett, about staying environmentally conscious even at your vacation
home.
Buying an Investment
Property in Muskoka, Ontario Real Estate Agent, John Jarvis,
discusses the vacation home and cottage rental market in Muskoka, Ontario.
Ask Christine #15: How
to Convert Inquiries to Bookings Christine advises a condo
rental owner on how to convert her many inquiries into actual bookings.
Foreclosures and Short Sales in the Destin, FL Vacation
Rental Market Real estate agent, Shannyn Stevenson, is back to
discuss the Destin, FL vacation rental market, along with foreclosures and
short sales.
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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.
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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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How to Make a Low Listing Review Work For You! - Learn
from reviews to make unit improvements, impact new travelers with
your response, and request reviews from satisfied renters.
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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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Europe's Top Second-Home
Spots "For many Europeans, that ideal second-home spot is
therefore one that offers relaxation as well as close proximity to luxury
retailers, hip restaurants and perhaps even exclusive nightclubs."
Forbes.com 5/20/2008
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Top 10 Responses When Friends Ask to Stay at Your
Property
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1. “Sure you can
stay at my vacation property when it's available. The next opening is in
January of 2019.” A bit of sarcasm might serve you well if a friend
is asking for a free or highly discounted stay at your vacation home. If
mockery isn't your style, you can always offer your friends a stay at your
home in the off-season when you're certain that no one else will be
renting.
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2. “The cottage is
available this weekend. You can stay there if you can make the 900-mile
drive tomorrow.” If your home is available and would otherwise be
sitting empty, go ahead and let them use it. If they can't make it last
minute, then hey – at least you made the offer!
3. “I'd love to
have you stay at my property if you'll refinish my cabinets and clean the
carpets while you're there.” There's no harm in putting your friends
to work – especially if you have handy friends – if you're giving them a
free stay at your home.
4. “Do I look like I'm made of
money?” Humor is always a good defense mechanism when you simply
don't know what else to say!
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5. “Yes you can
stay at my property. It rents for $2500/week.” If you feel like
having friends stay at your home is like taking money out of your pockets,
there's an easy answer: simply charge them just like everyone else! And
remember to charge for cleaning expenses as well. Your friends might have
lower cleaning standards, so you're better off charging to have the home
cleaned by a housekeeper rather than kissing your friendship goodbye!
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6. “Yes you can
stay at my property. My friend/family rate is $250,000/week.” That
should get them off your back for a while!
7. “You can stay
at my property if you'd like to pay my mortgage this month because that's
essentially what my renters do.” Honesty can go a long way. Explain
the financial implications of giving away your home, and your friends
won't think you're being quite so stingy.
8.
“Sure, let's swap vacation properties! Oh wait, you don't
have one. Call me when you do.” You can always remind your friends
that you're not the type that gives something for nothing!
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9. “What vacation
home? I don't have a vacation home...” We've heard from many owners
that they simply keep their vacation properties private. To avoid
conversations like these in the future, simply don't spill the beans about
your cabin on the lake or your condo on the beach!
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10. “My condo is
an investment. If you'd like to stay there, can I borrow some of your
Microsoft stock for the weekend?” It is [hopefully] not likely that
your friends would ask you to dip into your personal savings for their
family vacation. Compare the financial repercussions to something with
which they are familiar.
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