10 Less-Obvious Things to Include in Your Vacation Home Directions
Help renters be fully prepared for their stay at your home by going the extra “mile” with your vacation home directions |
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10 Things to Include in Your Directions for Your Vacation Rental Guests
When creating the pre-arrival packet for your vacation rental guests, don't forget to include these things |
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4 Reasons to Create a Property Inventory for Your Vacation Home
Having a clear inventory of which items you have in your vacation rental property is very important. |
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Accepting Credit Cards from Vacation Rental Guests
Learn why you should accept credit cards from renters and your various options for securing payment. |
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Booking Nightly Stays at Your Vacation Rental: Is It Worth the Hassle?
If bookings are slow, easing your minimum stay requirement could be a winning strategy |
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Checklist for Creating a Booking Confirmation and Invoice
What information you need from renters to create a complete booking confirmation and invoice |
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Checklist for Creating a Thorough Short-Term Rental Agreement
Use this checklist to sort through your own rental agreement and be sure you have all the necessary clauses |
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Checklist for Creating Comprehensive Directions for Your Renters
Use this checklist to make sure you aren't leaving out any important information for your guests |
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Condo Owner Questions HOA Fees
Special thanks to columnist Ilyce R. Glink, for allowing us to use the following article from ThinkGlink.com on researching how your Homeowner's Association fees are being spent and providing condo tips for vacation home owners. |
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Condo Rental Tips: Parking Passes and Gate Codes at Your Vacation Rental
Do you have a security gate at your condo rental? Do you have a designated parking spot that your renters are required to use?
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Easing Your Renters' Minds During an Economic Downturn
Before you and your guests start to panic, learn how to work with your renters' financial concerns and keep your bookings strong. |
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Electronic Signatures and Vacation Rental Contracts
Learn the pros and cons of accepting e-signatures on your rental agreements. |
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Establishing Strict Check-in and Checkout Times for Your Vacation Rental Guests
Avoid potential conflicts and problems for your housekeeper and vacation rental guests. |
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Evictions & Short-Term Rentals: How to Be Proactive and Prepared
Evictions are by far one of the scariest things that comes to mind when dealing with your vacation rental property. |
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Get Organized: 12 Ways to Simplify Your Vacation Rental Life
Cottage, cabin and condo rental tips for confidently handling any problems that may arise at any type of vacation rental. |
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Gratuity for Your Vacation Rental Housekeeper
Determine a clear gratuity policy to communicate to guests and your housekeeper. |
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Guidelines for Accepting Pets in Your Vacation Home
Creating a set of specific pet policies will make the process of screening guests with pets much easier. |
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Hot Tub Rules for Your Vacation Rental Property
Suggestions for rules to post to keep your guests safe, your neighbors happy, and your hot tub clean. |
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How to Accept Payments from Your Vacation Rental Guests
Learn the safest and most convenient methods for accepting payments from your vacation rental guests |
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How to Accept Security Deposits by Credit Card for Your Vacation Rental
How to handle deposit payments from your vacation rental guests via credit card. |
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How To Avoid Cancellations While "The Check Is In The Mail"
Steps which should help avoid turning away valuable bookings from vacation rental guests while you're waiting for a “check in the mail." |
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How to Avoid Checking Account Fraud When Accepting Payment from Vacation Renters
Things to consider when sending a deposit refund by check. |
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How to Avoid Double-Booking Vacation Rental Guests
Tips for preventing every vacation rental owner's biggest fear. |
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How to Avoid Early Arrivals at Your Vacation Rental
How to alleviate the problem of guests checking in early. |
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How to Convert a Word Document to a PDF
Tips for changing your contracts, receipts, and invoices into PDF files. |
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How to Deal with the Two Most Common Guest Complaints
The good, the bad and the ugly: How to handle the two most common vacation rental guest complaints |
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How To Dispute Your Vacation Home Property Taxes
Learn how to investigate and possibly lower your property taxes. |
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How to Enforce a No-Smoking Policy in Your Vacation Home
Tips for keeping your vacation rental property smoke-free |
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How to Handle Payments for Far-In-Advance Bookings
Consider adjusting your cancellation policy for vacation rentals nine months or more in advance. |
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How to Make the Switch to Renting Your Vacation Home by Owner
Renting your vacation property by owner is easier than you'd think. |
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How to Organize Your Vacation Rental Inquiries
Tips for taking control of your email inbox |
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How to Protect Your Good Name: Vacation Rental Transactions
Safeguard your renters and your reputation by avoiding unsafe payment methods. |
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How to Protect Yourself from "Phishing" Attacks on Vacation Rental Owners
The three types of "phishing," a common scam tactic, and how to recognize them |
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How to Set Up Payment Schedules for Your Vacation Rental Guests
Schedule payments to make sure you receive your money well in advance. |
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How to Work with a Travel Agent to Book Your Vacation Home
Travel agents can be a source of bookings and often work for clients who may not have discovered your property otherwise. |
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Income Tax Deductions for Vacation Rental Owners
Don't miss out on the federal income tax deductions available to vacation rental home owners. |
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Keeping Damage Deposits vs. Charging Fines
Two ways to go about preventing damage to your vacation rental property. |
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Keeping Records: Organizing Your Vacation Rental Business
Avoid double-booking and other scheduling disasters by keeping detailed records. |
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Keys and Vacation Rentals: Four Ways To Avoid Liability Risks
A concern with many vacation rental owners is the liability associated with
keys. |
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Maximum Occupancy at Your Vacation Rental
Some pointers for determining when to be flexible and when to enforce your maximum occupancy |
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Merchant Credit Card Account Categories for Vacation Rental Owners
Be aware of the protection (or lack thereof) provided by your merchant account and/or business category. |
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Nine Things You Should Warn Your Vacation Renters About
Include warnings about known local dangers with your directions to your guests.
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Preparing Your Vacation Rental Home for a Natural Disaster
What to do if the location of your vacation rental home is prone to natural disasters. |
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Registering Your Vacation Home with the Do Not Call List
Ensure a peaceful stay for your family and your renters while staying at your second home. |
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Sales Tax Formulas for Vacation Rentals
How to calculate your base rate or sales tax amount. |
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Sales Tax Requirements for Vacation Rental Homes
Do you know the rules for your state, county and/or city sales and lodging taxes? |
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Sample Checkout Policy/Departure Information Checklist
Communicate your checkout policies clearly to renters to avoid misunderstandings and delayed checkouts |
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Sample Directions for Your Vacation Rental Guests
Learn how to make your vacation rental directions clear and thorough. |
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Sample Emergency Information Sheet for Your Vacation Rental Guests
It's important to have certain emergency contact information readily available to your guests |
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Sample Hot Tub Rules for Your Vacation Rental
If you have a spa or hot tub at your vacation property, use these rules as a guideline. |
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Sample Hurricane Policy for a Vacation Rental Property
It's important to have established hurricane and storm policies for your renters |
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Sample Vacation Area Tips for Your Vacation Rental Guests
Providing insider tips about your surrounding area is one surefire way to make guests happy |
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Sample Vacation Rental Deposit Refund Letter (Asking for Review)
Sample thank you letter asking renters to leave a review. |
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Sample Vacation Rental Deposit Refund Letter (No Damages)
Example of a deposit refund letter to be sent with the refund check |
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Sample Vacation Rental Deposit Refund Letter (When Withholding for Damages)
For the very rare occasions when you have to withhold a portion or all of the damage deposit |
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Sample Vacation Rental Lease, Agreements & Contracts
Two sample vacation rental contracts, leases or agreements, including cabin and condo rental rules, plus a rental invoice and confirmation, and a credit card authorization form |
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Security Deposit Guidelines for Vacation Rentals
Helpful guidelines to follow when handling deposits for your rental |
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Security Deposit Policies: Dos and Don'ts
When to make a “to do” about renter-related damage without ending up in small claims court |
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Security for Your Vacation Rental Home
Tips for keeping your home, your possessions, and your guests safe at your vacation home. |
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State Sales Tax Offices
Links to each state's sales tax office. |
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Swimming Pool Rules for Your Vacation Rental Guests
Help ensure a safe and enjoyable visit for your renters by posting pool safety guidelines at your property. |
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The Different Types of Vacation Rental Fees
Definitions of common fees included in rental agreements. |
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The Fair Housing Act and Vacation Rentals
Does the Fair House Act apply to vacation rentals? And if so, how should vacation rental owners treat potential renters according to the act? |
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The Pros and Cons of Allowing Pets at Your Vacation Home
Some considerations when deciding whether to make your vacation rental pet-friendly. |
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The Pros and Cons of Donating a Stay at Your Vacation Rental Home
Consider donating a stay at your vacation home to one of your favorite causes, but be sure to consider the pros and cons. |
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The Scoop on Accepting Credit Cards from Your Vacation Rental Guests
Ten good reasons to reconsider accepting them from your guests. |
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The Top Ten Things You Should Have In Your Vacation Rental Rules
Thorough vacation home rules can go a long way toward protecting you and your renters from common rental “disasters" |
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Top 10 Most Common Vacation Rental Rates Mistakes
A light-hearted take on common pricing mistakes. |
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Travel Insurance for Your Vacation Rental Guests
Insure your booking in case of traveler cancellations. |
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What to Do if a Hurricane Is Heading Right for Your Vacation Home
How to deal with hurricanes headed straight for your vacation rental home when you live far away |
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What to Include in Your Check-in Policy and Welcome Letter
Communicating your check-in policies clearly can help avoid misunderstandings and guest complaints |
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When to Withhold Security/Damage Deposits from Vacation Rental Guests
Security deposits typically have strict guidelines. |
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Why You Should Include Warnings in Rules and Rental Agreements
Are there known dangers regarding flora, fauna, weather, danger areas, or just plain crazy neighbors in your area? |
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Year-End Tax Considerations for Vacation Rental Owners
When the year comes to a close, remember your year-end responsibilities. |
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