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!
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.
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

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.*

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)

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.

Recently Added Articles to the Owner Community

The Importance of Keeping Your Calendar Up-To-Date Don't underestimate the importance of calendars in the traveler search process.

Booking a Wedding or Event at Your Vacation Rental Property Learn how to handle a group event at your vacation home.

How to Market Your Vacation Home to Fishing Enthusiasts Guide to baiting and hooking recreational fishermen and women.

How to Equip and Market Your Lake Rental Property Guide to furnishing your lake rental with the right amenities to attract certain types of vacationers.

How to Book Last-Minute Rentals at Your Vacation Property Tactics you can use to increase last-minute bookings of your vacation rental property.

How To Use iTravex.com: A Vacation Home Travel Exchange Learn how to fill last-minute vacancies at your vacation property and earn next-to-nothing* stays at other vacation homes.

Welcome Baskets and Gifts for Your Renters Gather some great ideas for gifts and treats for your vacation home guests.

HomeAway Listing Critique: Luxury Tuscan Retreat (Las Vegas, NV) This luxury home listing should focus on its target market and use more updated photos.

Examples of Well-Written Vacation Rental Property Headlines Come up with new ideas for your own property headline by learning what works well in the examples below.

Rainy-Day Amenities for Your Vacation Home Bad weather is a bummer, but you can help alleviate guests' disappointment with fun rainy-day amenities.

Question of the Month This month's question: What topics would you like to see covered in future webinars? Last month we asked, What is your favorite part of renting your vacation home? What is your least?

Learn what other owners shared about their favorite and least favorite parts of the renting experience.

Christine's Blog Posts

May 27, 2008: Misconceptions About Recent Inquiry Christine discusses an inquiry from what she thought was a scammer but was actually a qualified renter.

May 21, 2008: Memorial Day Weekend Christine talks about ideas for booking last minute renters for a big holiday weekend.

May 13, 2008: The 2008 NAREE Conference Christine talks about what she learned from her panel at the 2008 NAREE Conference.

May 5, 2008: An Overview of Spring Conferences Christine talks about the recent shows and conferences she has attended.

Recently Added Podcasts

One-on-One with Richland Chambers Lake, TX Vacation Rental Owner, Michelle Helterbran Christine interviews lakehouse owner, Michelle Helterbran, who had the first vacation rental on Richland Chambers Lake, TX.

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.

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

Upcoming Seminars Registration is now open for seminars through September 30. Click on the cities below for more information.

May 31st: San Diego, California June 3rd: Phoenix, Arizona July 15th: Minneapolis, Minnesota July 17th: Chicago, Illinois

Sept. 25th: Waikoloa, HI (Big Island) Sept. 27th: Waikiki Beach, HI (Oahu) Sept. 28th: Waikiki Beach, HI (Oahu) Sept. 30th: Lihue, HI (Kauai)

Upcoming Webinars We have also begun a new series of free online classes covering a variety of topics for vacation rental owners.

	Buying the Right Vacation Home - Learn what you should look for in a prospective vacation home for maximum vacation rental potential.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.

May Vacation Rental News

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

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

Branson/Tri Lakes News: Vacation rental home market keeps real estate ticking "Vacation rental homes, a hybrid of single-family homes and condominiums, are breaking out as the latest trend in Branson-area guest accommodations." SBJ.net 5/19/2008

Is this buyers' market a good time to buy a vacation home? "In this buyer's market, many vacation homes now have lower price tags as well as lower mortgage rates." SuburbanChicagoNews.com 5/11/2008

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

Have a question or comment? Email us.