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 Security Deposit FAQs
Answers to common questions about security deposits. |
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How to Start a Vacation Rental Business
Questions to ask yourself when making the decision to start renting your vacation home and running a vacation rental business |
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Vacation Rental Terms Glossary
Definitions for terms that come up often when researching or talking about vacation rental homes. |
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How to Set the Rental Rates for Your Vacation Home
Cabin, cottage, and condo tips for properly pricing your vacation rental property. |
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The Rental Process: From Inquiry to Checkout
Most transactions between travelers and vacation homeowners consist of many or most of these 15 steps. |
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Setting Rates for Your Vacation Rental FAQs
Answers to the most commonly asked questions from vacation homeowners about setting rates. |
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Vacation Rental Income Tax FAQs
Anwers to frequently asked income tax questions. |
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How to Rent Your Home for a One-Time Special Event
Tips for renting your primary home for a one-time special event like a music festival, bowl game, or Inauguration. |
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The Pros and Cons of Accepting PayPal from Vacation Rental Guests
The pros and cons of accepting PayPal. |
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Weddings and Events at Your Vacation Rental Property
Tips for how to handle a group event at your vacation home. |
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The Pros and Cons of Renting To College Students
Here are some considerations to take into account when deciding whether to welcome young renters. |
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How to Attract the Best Spring Break Guests at Your Vacation Rental
Fill your spring break openings without compromising condition of your home. |
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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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Obtaining Feedback from Your Vacation Home Renters
Easy ways to encourage your guests to provide constructive criticism |
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Six Reasons To Accept Credit Cards from Travelers
More than a just convenience for your renters-- it makes your life much easier! |
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10 Ways to Ease in Travelers New to Renting Vacation Homes
For some, renting a vacation home sight-unseen can be a leap of faith. Here are some ways to ease their minds. |
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How To Avoid (and Handle) Cancellations from Vacation Rental Guests
The best way to avoid a cancellation: Don't book a reservation without having money in hand |
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Why You Should Give Renters Under 25 a Chance
An opinion on the common practice of vacation rental owners of limiting renters to those over 25 (age limits, age restrictions, age of renter) due to their ages. But should you? |
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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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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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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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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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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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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 Different Types of Vacation Rental Fees
Definitions of common fees included in rental agreements. |
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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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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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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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The Different Types of Vacation Rental Fees
Definitions of common fees included in rental agreements. |
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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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How to Enforce a No-Smoking Policy in Your Vacation Home
Tips for keeping your vacation rental property smoke-free |
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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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Sample Vacation Rental Deposit Refund Letter (Asking for Review)
Sample thank you letter asking renters to leave a review. |
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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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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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Security Deposit Guidelines for Vacation Rentals
Helpful guidelines to follow when handling deposits for your rental |
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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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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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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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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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When to Withhold Security/Damage Deposits from Vacation Rental Guests
Security deposits typically have strict guidelines. |
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Top 10 Most Common Vacation Rental Rates Mistakes
A light-hearted take on common pricing mistakes. |
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Entering Guestbook Comments for Renters to Submit
The easiest and quickest way to get guests to submit reviews |
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How to Avoid Negative Reviews of Your Vacation Home on HomeAway
One way to avoid future negative comments from your guests is to understand their common complaints |
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Christine's Blog: Refunds for Cancellations (2/16/09)
Christine admits to sometimes being a softie when it comes to renter cancellations. |
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Vacation Rental Seminars & Workshops
Information about Christine's upcoming How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner seminars and workshops for vacation rental owners |
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Ask Christine: Can I Ask For a Credit Card Number in Case of Damages?
Christine answers a question from an owner who does not take credit cards, but who wonders if she can keep a credit card number on file in case of excessive damage. |
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Christine's Blog: Budget Travel's Vacation Rental Handbook, Part 3 (11/7/2008)
Christine wraps up her dissection of the Vacation Rental Handbook from Budget Travel Magazine (Nov. 2008). |
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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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Policies & Procedures
Sample forms for your vacation rental business. Plus, tips for security deposits, best practices, and written communications with your renters. |
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Making the Decision to Rent Your Second Home (Transcript)
Christine outlines the reasons for renting your vacation home and discusses common fears.
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Ask Christine #2: Damage Insurance for Vacation Rentals
Christine explains the best way to prevent damages at your vacation rental |
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Ask Christine #8: Can You Ask for a Credit Card in Case of Excess Damage? (Transcript)
Christine answers a question from a Dillon Beach owner . |
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Ask Christine #34: What to Do if Damages Exceed Deposit?
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The Impact of Turning Your Vacation Rental Business into an LLC (Transcript)
Christine talks to author Janet Portman about the pros and cons of LLCs. |
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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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Guidelines for Charging Pet Fees at Your Vacation Rental Home
If you choose to accept pets in your vacation rental, here's a guideline for pet fees. |
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How to Market Your Vacation Home to Travelers with Pets
Learn how to equip your home and advertise your vacation rental as pet-friendly |
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How to Encourage Repeat Renters at Your Vacation Home Rental
Having a past renter come back to your vacation rental property makes good business sense |
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How to Market Your Vacation Home to Large Groups
Don't miss out by forgetting large groups when equipping your home and creating your ads. |
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