Running a Vacation Rental Business FAQs
Anwers to commonly asked questions about vacation rental ownership and running a vacation rental business, including information about screening renters, insurance and more |
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Vacation Rental Resources: Florida (FL)
Handy resources for Florida vacation rental owners including tax information, regulations, and forms. |
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Owners' Favorite and Least Favorite Parts of Renting Their Vacation Homes
Results from vacation home owners regarding the highs and lows of renting their vacation homes as vacation rentals |
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When Do Your Guests Form Their First Impressions?: Part 3
In part three, we tackle professionalism, how to win the hearts of travelers, and how to dazzle your guests upon arrival |
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The Different Types of Vacation Rental Travelers
A light-hearted look at the easy-to-book travelers, the tough-sells, and the ones to avoid altogether. |
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How to Handle Inquiries from Bargain Hunters
When responding to bargain hunters, learn how to sell them on the value of your home without compromising your rates |
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What to Do When Vacation Rental Guests Get Locked Out
You get the phone call, "We went to the beach, a big wave hit, I lost my keys." What do you do? |
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After Your Vacation Rental Guests Say, "I Would Like To Book Your Property"
The next steps in the booking process
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Common Location Questions Received by Vacation Rental Homeowners
Learn the types of questions that other vacation home owners are receiving most frequently. |
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HomeAway Listing Critique: Gated Golfing Condo (Orlando, FL)
In a competitive market like Orlando, it's important that your ad pop! This listing is solid with good pictures. |
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Sample Short-Term or Seasonal Rental Lease, Agreements & Contracts
Use our sample short-term or seasonal rental agreements for summer rentals or short-term rentals throughout the year. |
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In the News: Clearwater, Florida
Articles about the vacation rental ban controversy in Clearwater, FL. |
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Vacation, Transient, and Short-Term Rental Restrictions
Christine addresses the issues driving vacation rental bans and how to fight them. |
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Buying a Hot Tub For Your Vacation Rental Property
Installing a hot tub is a big draw for potential guests. |
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10 Fun Amenities Which Could Make Travelers Choose Your Property
Unique extras that could be the deciding factor between your home and the next |
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10 Fun Amenities Which Could Make Travelers Choose Your Property
Unique extras that could be the deciding factor between your home and the next |
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Baby Gear Rentals in Vacation Rental Destinations
The benefits of referring your guests to baby-equipment rental companies and where to find them |
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Welcome Baskets and Gifts for Your Renters
Gather some great ideas for gifts and treats for your vacation home guests |
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Where Vacation Homeowners Find the Best Deals on Linens, Towels, and Decor
Holiday rental owners chime in on where they find the best deals on linens, towels, silverware, and decor. |
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Baby Gear Rentals in Vacation Rental Destinations
The benefits of referring your guests to baby-equipment rental companies and where to find them |
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Sample Nightly or Weekly Rental Lease, Agreements & Contracts
Use our sample weekly rental agreements for weekly rentals or weekend rentals at your vacation property |
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How to Come Up with 16 Photos for Your VRBO Listing
For some vacation rental properties, it can be hard to find 16 photos to display |
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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. |
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Vacation Rental Market Q&A: Orlando, Florida (Disney Area)
Insight into the Orlando area vacation rental market from Central Florida realtor, Steve Schaffer. |
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Vacation Rental Market Q&A: Outer Banks, North Carolina
An interview with Outer Banks, NC realtor, Beth Dobney. |
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Vacation Rental Market Q&A: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
A Q&A with Gatlinburg realtor, Pat Malone. |
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Bubble-Proof Buying: How to Avoid the Bubble When Buying a Vacation Home
How to NOT get caught in a speculators market when purchasing a vacation home. |
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Vacation Rental Market Q&A: Destin, Florida
An interview with Destin, FL realtor, Shannyn Stevenson about buying a vacation home in the Destin vacation rental market. |
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Buying Another Vacation Rental Home
It's contagious! Your property is renting so well you that you want to buy another. Here are a few tips to consider. |
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Vacation Home Sales Rise to Record, Investment Sales Plummet in 2006
NAR reports shows vacation home ownership is on the rise. |
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8 Essential Questions to Ask Your Vacation Home Inspector
Buying a second home is a big investment. Make sure that you choose the right home inspector for your vacation rental home. |
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Inspecting Vacation Properties: Choosing an Inspector
HGTV's "House Detective," Wally Conway weighs in on the benefits of hiring a home inspector before buying your second home. |
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Christine's Blog: Back from the FVRMA Conference (5/23/07)
Christine's takeaways from the Florida Vacation Rental Manager's Association conference that she attended this week. |
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Christine's Blog: Not-So-Smooth Sailing (8/6/07)
After her claim of a smoothly-running summer last week, Christine recants as this last week was a doozy. |
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Christine's Blog: Vacation at My Destin Rental (3/16/09)
Christine is enjoying one of her vacation homes in Destin, but she'll still be responding to inquiries as usual. |
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Christine Karpinski in the Media
A record of bestselling author Christine Karpinski's print, tv, and radio appearances. |
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About the Author: Christine Karpinski
A short biography of bestselling author and Owner Community director, Christine Karpinski. |
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Christine's Blog: FVRMA and Takeaways from Traveler Focus Groups (5/21/07)
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. |
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Christine's Blog: Wrong Number Coincidence (6/20/07)
This weekend, Christine once again tranposed a number (see the Credit Card Scam blog post)... and it may result in a booking. |
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Christine's Blog: Proposed Vacation Rental Bans in Hawaii (3/2/07)
Christine addresses the reasons behind the Owner Community's new Vacation Rental Bans and Local Rental Alerts sections. |
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Christine's Blog: The Vacation Real Estate Market (6/4/07)
Christine's back from the NAREE conference with advice about dealing with the softening housing market. |
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Christine's Blog: The Value of Snowbirds (1/29/08)
Christine describes the invaluable feedback that monthly (or longer) renters can give. |
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Ask Christine: Should You Offer Refunds for Acts of Nature?
Christine answers a question from an owner whose property was struck by lightning during a guest's stay. |
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How to Protect Your Vacation Home (and Renters) During the Holiday Season
How to protect your vacation rental home during the holiday season. |
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Top 10 Most Common Cleaning Problems at Vacation Rentals
Avoid some of your renters' biggest complaints. |
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Is There a Fungus Among Us?: Detecting and Preventing Mold in Vacation Homes
How to detect and prevent mold in your vacation property. |
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Frequent Vacation Rental Scam Inquiries
We've added this section to our site to help owners spot vacation rental scams |
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February 7, 2007: Walton and Okaloosa County Taxpayers
How Florida taxpayers can fight back against the rising tax burden on second home owners. |
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February 7, 2007: Walton County, Florida Tax Relief Letter
Sample letter to be used to write Florida representatives about tax relief for second home owners. |
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May 23, 2007: Florida Property Tax Relief and Reform
Letter from CAPEC Executive Committee regarding Florida property taxes. |
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August 29, 2007: Okaloosa Citizens Alliance in Push to Engage Voters
Group formed to examine local taxation and budgetary process. |
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February 7, 2007: Representative Contact Information for Florida Letter Writing Campaign
Mailing address for Florida representatives. |
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Guidelines for Local Rental Alert Mass Mailings
If you have a message that you'd like sent out to other vacation rental owners in your area, here are a few guidelines. |
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February 7, 2007: Okaloosa County, Florida Tax Relief Letter
Sample letter to be used to write Florida representatives about tax relief for second home owners. |
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February 14, 2009: Bed tax spike on table in Walton
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Sample Condo Rental Rules, Lease, Agreements & Contracts
Use our sample condominium rental rules to create a short-term rental agreement for your condo or vacation property. |
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Sales Tax and Vacation Rentals 101 (Transcript)
Christine speaks with CPA and co-owner of HotSpotTax.com K. Stephens about collecting and paying sales taxes for vacation homes.
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Buying an Investment Property in Destin, Florida: Part 2 (Transcript)
In the second part of Christine's interview with Destin realtor, Shannyn Stevenson, Stevenson discusses why more and more Destin vacation rental owners are renting by owner instead of using a property manager, why Destin isn't the typical home market, and why those interested in Destin should buy now. |
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One on One with La Jolla, CA Vacation Rental Owner, Mireya Schmidt (Transcript)
Christine talks with Mireya Schmidt about her background as both a real estate agent and vacation rental owner of multiple properties.
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Selling a Vacation Home, Part 2 (Transcript)
Christine talks with Washington owner, Ed Reese, about his process for selling a vacation home. |
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Florida Sales Tax on Short-Term Rentals: Part 2 (Transcript)
Second half of Christine's interview with Belinda Watson of the Florida Department of Revenue.
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Buying an Investment Property in St. Croix
Christine learns about purchasing island property on St. Croix from real estate agent and broker, Kim Lucas. |
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Ask Christine #11: Is It Okay to Charge Renters for Utilities?
When should you charge renters extra for electricity, gas, or water? |
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Baby Gear and Vacation Rentals
Christine talks with Jill Lepow about why we should go through a rental service to get baby gear rather than buying it |
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Buying an Investment Property on the California Gold Coast (Transcript)
Christine talks with real estate agent, Meredith McKenzie, about the vacation rental market along the California Gold Coast. |
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Buying an Investment Property in Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge, TN (Transcript)
A transcript of Christine's interview with Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Realtor, Pat Malone. |
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Introduction to Vacation Rentals (Transcript)
Christine talks about the basics of buying a vacation rental home.
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The Business of Owning and Renting a Vacation Rental Home (Transcript)
Christine talks about the business side of the vacation rental owner experience. |
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Buying an Investment Property in Naples, FL Part 1 (Transcript)
Christine and real estate agent, Lynn Wilber, discuss the vacation home market in Naples, FL. |
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One on One with Fernandina Beach, FL Vacation Rental Owner, Bob Moore (Transcript)
Bob Moore tells Christine about his experiences as a long-distance vacation rental owner. |
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One-on-One with Destin Vacation Rental Owner, Gayla Berry (Transcript)
Christine talks with Destin owner, Gayla Berry. |
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Ask Christine #29: How to Screen Renters (Transcript)
Christine explains how she screens renters. |
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Vacation Rental Bans (Transcript)
Christine addresses the issue of vacation, short-term, and transient rental bans.
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Building an International Airport in Panama City, Part 1
Christine talks to Jerry Ray about the progress and benefits of an international airport for vacation rental owners in Panama City. |
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How to Choose a Vacation Rental Property Manager (Transcript)
Christine talks with Orlando property manager, Steve Trover about how to find a good property manager. |
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Insurance for Vacation Rental Homes, Simplified
Christine speaks with insurance expert Danielle Workman about the obstacles that owners face in obtaining homeowner's and liability insurance for short-term rental homes |
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New 3% Lodging Tax in Sevier County Tennessee (Transcript)
Christine talks with Sevier County Trustee, Jettie Clabo about the new 3% occupancy/lodging tax effective July 1st. |
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Vacation Rental Hot Spots (Transcript)
Christine discusses the current best buy areas for vacation homes. |
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Legal Advice on Renting Your Vacation Home (Transcript)
Christine talks to attorney Janet Portman about legal advice for vacation rentals. |
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Florida Sales Tax on Vacation Rentals: Part 1 (Transcript)
Christine Karpinski speaks with Belinda Watson of the Florida Department of Revenue about collecting sales taxes for vacation rental properties.
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Foreclosures and Short Sales in the Destin, FL Vacation Rental Market (Transcript)
Real Estate Agent, Shannyn Stevenson, is back to discuss the Destin, FL market, along with foreclosures and short sales. |
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Selling a Vacation Home, Part 2 (Transcript)
Christine talks with Washington owner, Ed Reese, about his process for selling a vacation home. |
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Buying an Investment Property in Destin, Florida: Part 1 (Transcript)
Part 1 of Christine Karpinski's podcast interview with Destin realtor, Shannyn Stevenson. |
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Ask Christine #14: The Pros and Cons of Renting by Owner
Christine discusses the upsides and downsides of renting your vacation home yourself instead of going through a property management company |
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Fighting a Short-Term Rental Ban Within an HOA (Transcript)
Palm Desert owner, Melinda DiPerna talks about her experience fighting a short-term rental ban in her complex. |
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Buying an Investment Property in Provincetown, Massachusetts (Transcript)
Christine talks with realtor Rick Tourgee about the vacation rental market in Provincetown.
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Building an International Airport in Panama City, Part 2
Christine continues her discussion with Jerry Ray about the benefits of building an international airport in Panama City, FL. |
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The Resort and Second Home Market (Transcript)
Christine interviews real estate broker Jim Dague, an expert on the resort and second home industry |
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Buying an Investment Property in Martha's Vineyard (Transcript)
Christine chats with Martha's Vineyard buyer's agent, Fred Roven about the vacation home market in the area. |
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Christine on the Benefits of Collecting Sales Tax from Vacation Rental Guests
Sales tax evasion has always been a pretty hot discussion topic among vacation rental owners. |
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How to Market Your U.S. Vacation Rental to International Travelers
The benefits and considerations of taking your vacation rental business global. |
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How to Write Your Ads for the Search Engines, too!
When writing your advertisements, learn how to attract travelers from the search engines. |
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Charging by Night or by Person: Setting Vacation Rental Rates
Whether you charge per person or by maximum occupancy often depends on your vacation rental market. |
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How to Market Your Vacation Home to Fishing Enthusiasts
Guide to baiting and hooking recreational fishermen and women. |
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Marketing Your Vacation Rental to International Travelers: FAQs
Answers to commonly asked questions about advertising and renting to travelers form outside the U.S. |
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