Have you ever overheard a customer at a coffee shop meticulously outline their 20-step process for getting their perfect cup of coffee? While such detailed preferences might seem rare, they’re often just the tip of the iceberg. More commonly, customers might simply request whether they take milk or sugar. This principle of varying preferences translates into the short-term rental space as well.

As a host, you’ll frequently encounter unique or unusual requests from guests. These might range from extra pillows to special dietary requirements or personalized recommendations. Balancing between providing excellent accommodation and avoiding overwork can be challenging. It’s crucial to discern when a request is feasible and aligns with your service standards, and when it might stretch your resources too thin.

The key is to establish clear guidelines and boundaries for what you can and cannot accommodate. Setting up a well-defined set of services and communicating these clearly to your guests can help manage expectations. Additionally, leveraging property management software can streamline requests and ensure you’re able to handle them efficiently without compromising your well-being. This balance allows you to offer exceptional hospitality while maintaining your own standards and avoiding burnout.

Fulfilling Unusual Requests

When dealing with an unusual request, figure out the complexity of it. Will it cost you a lot of money? Does it take a lot of time to organize? The bigger the request the more reluctant you may be to do it. If you haven’t already, we suggest you join a short term rental FAQ or group on social media so that you can ask and answer questions of your fellow short term rental operators. One of them may have experienced this request before and can advise you further.

If you’re okay with the request, figure out whether or not you’ll pay for the request. If they want extra towels, for example, you may charge them a small extra cleaning fee or cover it entirely. If they want champagne in the room with chocolates, then you’ll most likely charge for the items as well as the time it takes to set up. It’s about understanding what’s being asked and whether or not you’re comfortable with it.

It is your property and your business, so you are not beholden to fulfilling every guest request. However, some guests may complain about not being able to meet their special requests.

Over the past 18 months or so, you’ve almost certainly heard the phrase ‘return to normal’ or ‘getting back to normal’. This sentiment is obviously in regards to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and how necessary steps have been taken in order to get back to life as we knew it before the pandemic. Now that restrictions are becoming more and more loose around the world, it has become time to think about your vacation rental business and its preparedness for when it’s your turn to get back to normal.

Now is the time to evaluate how your business can adapt and thrive in the evolving landscape. Consider how you can implement new strategies to enhance guest experiences, optimize operations, and stay competitive. Whether it’s adopting advanced technology, improving your property’s appeal, or refining your guest communication processes, preparing for a return to normalcy involves ensuring that your business is well-positioned to meet the renewed demands and expectations of travelers.

Obviously, when we talk about returning to normal, it’s important to acknowledge that some caveats will remain, such as restrictions on large indoor gatherings and continued emphasis on social distancing. Nonetheless, the situation is improving, and travel is poised to pick up. For instance, the United States plans to resume international travel this summer (2021), with European countries also giving the green light for travel. This resurgence in international travel is expected to increase the flow of business and guests to your short-term rentals.

As travel resumes, it presents an opportunity to attract new guests and capitalize on the growing demand. Preparing your vacation rental for this influx involves ensuring your property is in top shape, your booking and communication processes are efficient, and you’re ready to deliver exceptional experiences. By staying ahead of these trends and adapting to the evolving travel landscape, you can position your business to benefit from the anticipated increase in tourism.

Staying safe and returning to normal

However, there are still essential steps to take to successfully attract and accommodate new guests. This summer will continue to have various travel restrictions in place, and people will remain conscious of the ongoing pandemic. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain stringent cleaning measures and retain your cleaning team to ensure guest safety and prevent any potential spread of the virus.

Additionally, as highlighted in previous blogs, incorporating as many contactless fixtures, software solutions, and integrations into your properties as possible is vital. These technologies minimize the need for physical interactions, allowing guests to handle daily tasks without requiring direct contact with staff.

As new information emerges and guidelines evolve, staying well-informed is key. Use your best judgment to assess which protective measures are necessary and how they might impact your business. Adapting to these changes and maintaining high standards of cleanliness and convenience will help you attract and retain guests in this dynamic environment.

When entering the short-term rental business, you encounter several significant entry barriers, with property management being one of the most prominent. Managing a property involves numerous tasks, from coordinating bookings and handling guest inquiries to maintaining the property and ensuring compliance with local regulations. This can be incredibly overwhelming and time-consuming, which might be why you haven’t yet expanded further into the short-term rental or vacation home market.

Fortunately, co-hosting offers a viable solution to these challenges. By partnering with a co-host, you can share the responsibilities of property management, allowing you to leverage their expertise and resources. A co-host can assist with various tasks such as guest communication, check-ins and check-outs, and day-to-day maintenance, helping to alleviate the burden and streamline operations. This collaborative approach not only eases the workload but also provides an opportunity to expand your rental business more effectively and efficiently.

Considering co-hosting could be a strategic move to overcome the initial barriers of property management and unlock the full potential of your short-term rental investments.

Co-hosting Your Property

Co-hosting, essentially is when you connect a property manager or property management company with an existing property. The amount of work done by either partner, and the amount of money can be negotiated between you and the parties involved, but the main draw is the experience of the Property Managers. If that’s your only barrier, this may be your best option. One good website that we’d recommend is Cohost Market, they specialize in this sort of thing by connecting property managers with ours so you can find a partner to co-host with you — and it’s relatively easy to create an account and get started.

Co-hosting can also be taken in a different context, and that is splitting the property management responsibilities 50/50. If you’re someone who is quite busy, and also a bit strapped for cash, going in business with someone else to start your short term rental journey may also be a great option. This option will see you and your partner splitting the responsibility and costs of managing your property. One thing to consider is how much your business part is willing to chip in, whether it’s costs or time.

Whatever the case may be, if you’re looking for someone to help manage your property, or help split costs, co-hosting may be the right option for you. If you have any questions about co-hosting, feel free to email us at contact@ensoconnect.com. We also host twice weekly Clubhouse meetings on our Airbnb on Autopilot Clubhouse. They’re run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:55pm EST where you can join in on the conversation about Airbnb and short term rentals.