Running a hotel, resort, or even a boutique bed and breakfast offers no shortage of problems, surprises, and unexpected events. Challenges hotel and resort managers face today on a regular basis are numerous and significant. On top of the day-to-day hotel operations, there’s marketing, balancing the revenue and expenses, managing staff and more.

It’s hard to stay on top of all of these, especially in a time of changing demands and expectations. Not to mention the pandemic we’ve just gone through and the impending recession. Hospitality businesses today are facing some unprecedented changes in technology, availability of labor, inventory, and customer behaviours. This requires from hospitality companies much effort, creativity and innovation moving forward.

Navigating these complexities requires a proactive approach—one that fosters creativity, adaptability, and innovation. Hospitality companies must rethink their strategies and develop inventive solutions to meet these modern challenges head-on, ensuring both operational efficiency and a memorable guest experience in a rapidly changing landscape.

Continuing on the topic we discussed last week, we want to delve into how sustainability impacts the operation of your short-term rental. Embracing eco-friendly practices not only helps the environment but can also enhance the appeal of your property to increasingly eco-conscious travelers. To provide you with actionable insights, we reached out to Borrum Energy Solutions, a leading expert in sustainable energy solutions, who shared some valuable tips for property managers.

Borrum Energy Solutions emphasizes the importance of incorporating energy-efficient technologies and practices in your rental property. Simple changes like installing LED lighting, optimizing heating and cooling systems, and using smart thermostats can significantly reduce your energy consumption and lower utility costs. Additionally, implementing water-saving fixtures and promoting recycling and waste reduction can further enhance your property’s sustainability profile.

Moreover, Borrum Energy Solutions suggests highlighting these eco-friendly features in your property listings to attract guests who prioritize sustainability. By showcasing your commitment to green practices, you can differentiate your rental from others and appeal to a growing segment of environmentally-conscious travelers.

Incorporating these sustainable practices not only contributes to environmental conservation but also positions your property as a responsible and forward-thinking choice. This can lead to higher guest satisfaction, positive reviews, and potentially increased bookings from guests who value eco-friendly accommodations.

Sustainability

Being a property manager or a landlord may seem simple, but there are many additional responsibilities and costs associated with this role. Maintenance and updates are a huge cost for landlords plus there are government regulations put in place to ensure these are upheld. This means the property manager does not simply walk away with whatever their renters paid. This money is further divided into paying property taxes, maintenance updates (i.e., painting, repairs, new appliances, etc.) along with other surprise expenses. That being said, if these updates are consistent, it creates property value which is beneficial for both the renter and the tenant.

Switching to sustainable microgeneration energy can be a great way to save on costs and that can otherwise be the owner’s profit or even used as an emergency fund for the property. Additionally, if your property is listed as an environmentally friendly dwelling, it increases the renter attraction. It’s a simple give and take; if you are offering ecofriendly amenities, you will require less effort to acquire renters/sublets. Tenants will be proud to know they are using green energy which is also beneficial to our community and our wallets. Eco friendly homes tend to fall into their own niche making them appealing.

There are many options available to pursue this sustainable path. Microgeneration wind power is a viable possibility depending on the wind profile of your residence. If you are interested in learning more about this option, be sure to check out this Canadian made wind turbine: The Anorra. This microgeneration turbine has been tested to survive even the harshest Canadian winters, making it a durable product to invest in. For the price of a depreciating jacuzzi, you can invest in appreciating energy sources.

If you have any questions regarding microgeneration or aspects of becoming a greener, more sustainable host, feel free to visit Borrum Energy Solutions’ website or email us at contact@ensoconnect.com.

Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro in the short-term rental industry, concerns about potential parties in your rental property are a common issue. If you’ve experienced the aftermath of a party, you know the significant stress and potential damage it can cause. Even if you’ve been fortunate enough to avoid such incidents, the worry about a future event remains.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a decrease in large gatherings, temporarily alleviating some of this stress. However, with the rollout of vaccines and the easing of restrictions, the threat of parties in your rental is returning. As travel rebounds and people engage in what’s often referred to as “revenge travel,” the risk of large gatherings in rental properties is increasing once again.

To safeguard your rental property, consider integrating technology that helps manage and monitor guest activities. Smart technology solutions like noise monitoring sensors and security cameras can provide real-time alerts if unusual activity is detected, allowing you to take proactive measures. Additionally, incorporating clear house rules and reinforcing them through automated messages can help set expectations and minimize the risk of disruptive events.

Staying ahead of potential issues by leveraging technology and clear communication will help you manage your rental effectively and maintain a positive guest experience while protecting your property from unwanted parties and disturbances.

Noise Sensor Smart Device

Dealing with parties can be quite a difficult task to overcome but there are several solutions that can be implemented in order to preserve your rental. The first, and most well known is using a noise sensor smart device. The two biggest ones that get the most attention are Minut and NoiseAware. Their purpose is to essentially alert guests and hosts of noise levels that are deemed too high. In essence, these notifications will alert the host of a potential party and will allow hosts to deal with the situation accordingly.

Another way to deal with parties is to stipulate in your listing description that you do not tolerate them, and potential fines can occur if they do not abide by these rules. Although this isn’t as enforceable as the noise sensor solution, conscious guests will abide by these rules.  As well, if you combine the two together, you will be able to prove that there was some form of party, and thus collect your fines for the retribution.

Learn how to deal with parties effortlessly by offering delicious food that pleases every palate. From planning a menu to preparing tasty dishes, discover tips and recipes to make your gatherings a hit. Enjoy stress-free hosting with delightful culinary creations.

Lastly, if you’re not totally adverse to having guests party in your rental, you can set guidelines and fines for damaged property. By setting guidelines on damaged property, you can have some peace of mind that if there is a party, the actual structure and contents of the property won’t be destroyed, and if they are then you will be compensated as such.

If you’ve had any experience with parties in your rental property or any ways that you’ve dealt with similar issues, feel free to reach out to us at contact@ensoconnect.com.

When it comes to switching a career or moving into a new field, there are always aspects that may discourage you from entering. If you have recently switched or are looking to switch into rental property or vacation property in the short term rental market, then you already have the passion for property management. Passion is the first step when making a major career shift like this, but just like every other career path, you always need to find the fun. What does this mean, and how can you find the fun? Fun itself can mean different things for every person, but in this sense, fun will be defined as enjoyable or something that gives you joy.  Fun, in essence, is what makes you smile, and makes you happy. If you are in the rental market and feel you are overwhelmed or are otherwise feeling stressed out, you have lost the fun or spark you initially had when getting into property management.

How to enjoy managing properties

So how can you get that spark back? In every industry, there are countless small details that, while seemingly minor, play a crucial role in the overall success of your job. For chefs, mastering techniques like dicing, julienne, or slicing vegetables might seem basic, but each technique is unique and essential. When executed correctly, these small details contribute to the chef’s skill and bring joy to both the chef and the diners, reflecting the dedication and precision invested in the work.

Similarly, in the short-term rental industry, it’s the attention to these intricate details that makes a difference. Whether it’s securing bookings, managing property maintenance, or crafting personalized guest experiences, these seemingly small tasks collectively define the success of your operation. To rekindle your passion, take a moment to reflect on all the small things you’ve mastered over time. Recognize the effort and expertise you’ve applied to each aspect of your business.

By appreciating these elements and acknowledging the work that has gone into perfecting them, you can find renewed enthusiasm and satisfaction in your role. Embracing the small victories and recognizing their impact can reignite your passion and help you rediscover the joy in what you do.

If you’re new to the short term rental industry, looking to master aspects of your process are great ways of setting goals for yourself. Once you hit these goals, you’ll be left feeling accomplished and happy that you were able to do these things. Setting goals for yourself, and striving to hit them, will encourage you to stay involved with your business and will also leave you feeling more confident and rewarded as you know what you are now capable of.

The fun, passion, enjoyment may fade here and there, but if you can look back at all that you’ve accomplished and go back to where you started — that one thing that drove you into this field — you’ll find yourself and the fun along the way. If you’re starting to feel frustrated, try to think back on those times where you were frustrated in the past, and what you did to overcome it. Once you find the fun again, your business will flourish, as this passion and enthusiasm will translate into quality in your property.

Sometimes in life, you’re faced with two difficult decisions, and choosing the right one can seem daunting. These pivotal choices—whether it’s selecting a high school, choosing a college, or purchasing your first home—are significant and can shape your future in profound ways. Such decisions often come with a mix of excitement and apprehension, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the weight of these choices.

Fear, though often viewed as a negative emotion, can actually serve as a valuable guide. It can highlight what truly matters to you and push you to weigh your options more carefully. By acknowledging and understanding your fears, you can use them as a tool to make more informed and thoughtful decisions. Embracing fear as part of the decision-making process can help you confront challenges head-on and ultimately lead you to choices that align more closely with your goals and values.

Property Management

Becoming fearless especially when handling major aspects of your life can be something that seems out of reach, and maybe even overwhelming. Buying your first rental property and committing to becoming a property manager may seem like a daunting task, but if you’re able to see past this and notice that you’re actually making a positive life decision, you may just conquer that fear. Pushing yourself past this fear can actually make you a better and stronger person, as well as making your business stronger.

Where would society be without inventors who hadn’t pushed themselves past their fears? Acknowledging the fear is the first step to realizing you’re onto something big. It’s your body’s natural instinct to be nervous and anxious when making a resolution. Take it as a sign that your body knows you’re onto something, but is purely cautious. If you harness the fear, but also are aware of the caution then not only will you have the confidence to keep going and achieve your goal, but the next time you encounter a similar situation, you won’t be as hesitant to go through with the decision.

Harnessing your fear while remaining aware of its purpose can boost your confidence and help you achieve your goals. Each time you navigate a challenging decision, you’ll become more adept at handling similar situations in the future. Fear, when managed effectively, can be a powerful catalyst for growth and success.

Pushing through the wall of ‘firsts’, like first property, first booking, or first employee, you’ll become more and more confident in the idea that you do know yourself best, and that your decisions have worked out in your favour. Getting over your fears may sound like childhood rhetoric, but at the same time there is still some truth to them: skills only improve with age, and if you hone in on them, you’ll be better off.

If you feel as if you’re stuck or unsure what to do next, take a deep breath and write down the options ahead; what needs to be done? By illustrating on paper that you know what you have to do, it’ll help you conceptualize the steps to take afterwards. Big decisions take time, and they take energy, but if you are able to see what needs to be done, you’ll be better prepared.

Short Term Rental

When contemplating entering any new market or work force, the first thought that enters everyone’s mind (hopefully) is “How can I successfully enter this market?”. Doing market research, and figuring out what the most cost effective strategies to implement are all a part of the process.  When it comes to entering the Short Term Rental market, there’s no difference in the initial stages. For those of you who don’t have enough capital to purchase a separate rental property, but currently own your own property, you’re already in the game — you just don’t know it. A common deterrent from entering the rental market is having to purchase the rental property itself. Today, we are going to figure out how to turn your primary residence into a Short Term Rental. Many property management companies actually started out by either renting out their primary residence or a friend’s, so don’t be discouraged.

If you are really passionate about entering the rental market, but currently don’t have the funds to purchase a second property, you can still participate in owning a rental property.  By transforming your current residence into a rental of some sort, you circumvent the main issue of buying a rental property, thus allowing you to start your rental business sooner. The first step in this journey is to figure out what laws and regulations you must abide by.  Start by figuring out fire regulations, maximum number of guests, length of stay, and other rules you may not have thought about before. After this point, you’ll have a better idea of how many people you can legally have in your house, as well as what you need to renovate or modify for it to be considered safe.

From this, you’ll need to decide whether you want to rent out your entire house or just a portion of it. As you become more comfortable with the rental process and iron out any issues, you can gradually increase the percentage of your home that you make available for renting.

One significant advantage of renting out your primary residence is that you are physically present in the property. This means that any issues your guests encounter can be addressed promptly because you’re there to handle them. Living in the property yourself provides you with direct insight into potential problems and allows you to respond quickly. This hands-on approach can significantly enhance your status as a short-term rental (STR) owner and prepare you for managing additional properties in the future. The experience you gain from resolving a variety of guest concerns will be invaluable as you expand your rental portfolio.

When you start renting your residence out, it may start out slow, or quite fast, but one thing you should do no matter how many people rent your property, is asking for ways you can improve future stays.  This part is crucial.  Whether you give a monetary discount for them to review you or to take a questionnaire, or just flat out asking, this information is invaluable.  Figuring out your STR weaknesses can ensure that future guests are always happy and will pass on that message. As well, if you are planning on purchasing another property to rent in the future, you now have a much wider insight into what your guests are looking for.

At the end of the day, owning a rental property can be a really interesting and lucrative business opportunity if operated correctly. If you follow the natural progression of getting your property up and running, as well as listening to your guests, you’ll only be that much more successful. If you are curious about the smaller intricacies of renting out your property, don’t hesitate to email us at contact@ensoconncect.com for more info.

If you currently own a property, and are interested in transforming it into a short term rental, there are several things you must consider before making the transition.

In general, creating a new project for yourself is a great way to keep you busy and your mind active. However, doing something this intensive can prove to be rather laborious. The best way to ensure that your short term rental transformation succeeds is to thoughtfully plan out how you want to make the transition.

Things to consider when transitioning your home into a str

The first thing to consider when transitioning your property into a short-term rental is whether you have enough time to dedicate to managing it effectively. Operating a short-term rental can significantly increase your workload, as being an active host involves a variety of tasks, including handling guest inquiries, coordinating bookings, managing check-ins and check-outs, and maintaining the property. If you have a busy schedule or other commitments, this increased demand on your time could be a significant concern.

However, there are strategies to help alleviate some of the stress associated with managing a short-term rental. One effective solution is to utilize a Property Management System (PMS). A PMS can streamline many of the administrative and operational tasks involved in running a rental, such as automating booking processes, managing reservations across multiple platforms, and coordinating cleaning schedules. By leveraging such tools, you can reduce the time and effort required to manage your property, making the transition to a short-term rental more manageable.

If the prospect of increased responsibilities still feels overwhelming, consider exploring additional support options, such as hiring a property manager or partnering with a co-host. These resources can provide valuable assistance and help ensure that your short-term rental operation runs smoothly, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of renting out your property without being burdened by the day-to-day challenges.

Depending on where you live, there may be a number of restrictions you’ll have to adhere to and applications that must be submitted. It is imperative that you follow these guidelines so your hobby project doesn’t turn into a nightmare.  These restrictions are there to guide your process, so although they’ll be frustrating, stick with it. In Toronto, Canada, a recent regulation was put in place to regulate the definition of what a short term rental is, and how it should operate. If you live in Toronto and want to learn more, you can read our article about the Toronto Short Term Rental Regulations here.

Besides restrictions and applications, the next step is to determine what type of rental you’re going for. This is where your creativity kicks in, and you can really experiment with the layout and design.  You have full control over what happens during this step, but remember that you still have to make it accessible to potential guests wanting to rent.

At the end of the day, the decision of whether or not to convert your property into a short term rental is purely up to you, but like always there will always be something that you have to consider (i.e restrictions) or modify (i.e accessibility).  A short term rental is an exciting and hands on project that takes a lot of work, but when done right, can really be rewarding — figuratively and literally.

There’s no denying that as lucrative as a short term rental (STR) property can be (depending on the location), it’s not the easiest source of income to manage. In fact, there are a fair amount of moving parts, a lot of client management, and even the slightest oversight or misstep can have an impact on a host’s ratings and host status.

On one hand, opening up a home or a room via a rental platform such as Airbnb, VRBO and the like can enable a potential host to reap financial rewards and possibly allow them to invest in other properties to build a diverse portfolio of rental income. To someone just starting off in the short term rental business, it seems like using rental platforms can permit a host some measure of passive income and allow them to work at their own convenience. But those in the know understand that this is far from true. In fact, managing a rental business, whether it’s one property or several, can actually be a full-time job.

Managing an Airbnb business is tedious and time consuming, as it is a service business. A host needs to deal with all manner of vacationers. You, as the host, need to deal with people, be attuned to all of their needs, answer all of their questions, and be ready to jump in to manage something or another. And that is on top of the regular maintenance of the property, ensuring that it’s clean and sanitized between reservations, and having a solid access management plan in place to let guests in, but also ensure that your property is secured at all times.

But, if you want to increase your guest turnover and occupancy rate, and increase your ratings and average cost/night, then you need to go above and beyond to ensure you offer the best customer service experience possible. This is why a Property Management Software service is a must have for your rental.

 

It’s Your Very Own Personal Assistant

A Property Management Software is the best way to maximize your revenue and enhance your guest’s experience and overall service, and allows you to be as hands off as you need to be. Its core benefit is to automate and mitigate all the mundane tasks such as answering questions, keeping track of your reviews, updating your listings page, managing keys and access and keeping all of your guest contacts organized across multiple booking platforms.

Here’s how the right service can streamline your rental management and save you a significant amount of time:

 

1. It’s Convenient and Practical

Every service has its own perks and benefits, but the majority of them work across your multiple platforms and consolidates everything into one dashboard. With one click, you can see all of your reservations, check ins and outs, and can update your listings once and push it out to your different booking platforms.

This also applies to your inbox. Most services offer a unified inbox so that you can keep track of all guest communications in one place, as well as manage your vendors and whatnot.

 

2. It Offers Flexibility

Utilizing a PMS means you don’t have to be at your rental as often, or at all. In fact, you can manage it remotely. By relying on your software, as well as introducing automation and smart technology, you can manage every facet of your rental from a birds-eye-view.

For example, introducing smart locks, smart thermostats, noise sensors, and other smart tech allows you to offer access remotely, as well as monitor your property’s security and integrity. Some services, such as the one that Enso Connect provides, offer an AI-enabled concierge that can answer the common questions that hosts are tired of answering. It can also send out booking confirmations, greetings and reminders of what to do upon check out, and to leave a review.

It can also then inform the cleaning staff when a reservation ends and the next is to begin, so they can get in and sanitize.

 

3. It Can Optimize Your Pricing

 

There are major cost benefits to relying on a PMS after the initial investment, and one of them is dynamic pricing. The software can look at the market and rely on its algorithms to optimize based on peak and low seasons, surrounding availability and help you maximize your earning potential and total profits across all your listings.

That said, no system and machine learning is perfect. Letting the software manage your pricing dynamically is a good starting point and something that you can let run automatically most times, but as a word of advice, it’s a good idea to sometimes go in yourself and play with the numbers manually to boost your listing intentionally.

 

4. It Can Help With Your Marketing Strategy

 

When it comes to managing your rental property firsthand, there is a lot of input required from a host to best manage their listings. One such way is keeping your listing updated, changing the verbiage from time to time to freshen it up, and most importantly, managing and giving reviews. As mentioned above, the key to a good review is reliable and consistent communication with your guests. This is one of the largest pain points for most Airbnb veterans – hosts that are incommunicado, so being available is key to getting those good reviews and word of mouth. Hence, an inbox that has all of your communication in one place, in both email and direct message format, makes this a lot easier.

As well, a lot of PMS services integrate with social media, which helps promote your listing organically via your guests comments and photos on their personal feeds.

 

5. It Allows for Superior Guest Service and Operations

The key to having a successful rental property is offering that unparalleled service. Travellers have plenty of options when choosing a rental or Airbnb, so you need to lean on your PMS to take care of the little stuff, so you can focus on the bigger picture – offering a memorable stay. Automating tasks means that your attention is focused on your guests and what they want out of their time in your home.

From an operational standpoint, once you streamline everything (the cleaning, any repairs, the management of the physical space itself via smart technology), you’ll only see better guest reviews, more occupancy, and watch costs go down, while profits go up.

 

It Helps More Than You Know

As counterintuitive as it seems, running a rental business via Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, or any other site, is a customer-facing and hospitality-focused business. That’s how you succeed. And as with any other business, there are efficiencies to be found, and ways to rely on technology to do a lot of the heavy lifting, so that you can offer your best self as a host to your guests.

Reach out to us at Enso Connect to learn more about how we can make your home smarter and work for you, rather than the other way around.

 

One of the best things about the current state of the Short Term Rental (STR) market is that one could be perfectly content as a remote host, with properties all over their city, or even, the world, and manage them as if they were living next door. As well, investing in real estate, pandemic or not, is always an exciting prospect for an enterprising individual.

But that means that you’re potentially far away from the physical address of your investment, which means you can’t be there if anything goes wrong. Thankfully, there are options to help manage every facet of your rental property and the guest’s vacation journey.

Picking the Right Platform to Host your Property

Depending on the type of property or properties you have on offer and what you believe guests are seeking, there are numerous platforms where vacationers actively search for rentals. These platforms are prime locations to reach your target customers precisely when they are ready to book. Each platform offers unique features, catering to different types of travelers and preferences, which allows you to strategically position your property where it will attract the most interest.

For instance, platforms like Airbnb may appeal to travelers looking for unique, home-like stays, while sites like Booking.com might cater to guests seeking more traditional accommodations with flexible booking options. VRBO could attract families or larger groups looking for vacation homes, whereas platforms like HomeAway might appeal to those looking for longer stays in well-established vacation spots.

You can choose to focus on one platform that best aligns with your target market or expand your reach by listing your property on multiple platforms. This multi-platform approach increases your property’s visibility and booking potential, but it also requires careful management of reservations, pricing, and availability to avoid double bookings and ensure consistency across all listings.

This is where Property Management Software (PMS) becomes invaluable. A robust PMS can help you manage your listings across multiple platforms seamlessly. It synchronizes reservations, adjusts pricing in real-time based on demand, and keeps all your calendars up-to-date. This ensures that you can maximize your reach without the headache of manually managing each listing, allowing you to focus on providing excellent service and enhancing the guest experience.

Airbnb

This is number one on everyone’s list, and has the largest community of vacation rental hosts. With over 7 million listings and 220 regions and countries, there are a lot of options to choose from. While there’s no fee to list a property on the site, hosts do pay a service fee per booking.

Do note, that with the sheer volume of listings (with some geographically adjacent to yours), a host would need to find ways to make their listings stand out, with sharp images, unique amenities and features, as well as dynamically pricing your nightly rate.

What makes Airbnb unique and the clear frontrunner in the STR market, is the ability to list different types of properties (shared rooms, cabins, full houses, and even treehouses).

VRBO

This site is a part of the Expedia Group, and one of the most popular vacation rental sites for holiday seekers. Originally known as Vacation Rental by Owner, this is a site that focuses on private apartments and houses for rent, ideally for a vacation stay, rather than one night here or there. A homeowner/host can either pay by booking, or through an annual fee.

This platform differs from Airbnb in the sense that it only allows hosts to list private spaces, and full properties, rather than just a spare room. This means that the listings on the site cater more towards an older audience who are willing spend more and travel with family.

HomeAway

Also owned by the Expedia Group, HomeAway was the original format of VRBO, before it was spun off into a separate site. They offer over 2 million rentals across 190 countries, and the benefit here is that if you list with HomeAway, then you automatically cross-listed on VRBO. This means more eyes can see your property.

Much like VRBO, it only allows private apartments and houses and offers an annual subscription or a pay-per-booking option for hosts.

Booking.com

This site has more than 27 million properties listed, and was once known more as a hotel booking site, rather than a vacation rental booking site. But in recent years, that’s changed. Now, you can use this site to find a short term rental, much like any other.

The differentiating factor, however, is that booking doesn’t offer its own payment system, but allows a host to choose their own payment options, and the site then invoices the hosts for a commission. Other than that, there’s no cost to list your property, and it a great site to have in your list of platforms you’re using.

Other options

There are also other sites, such as TripAdvisor, Homestay, atraveo, and OneFineStay, that offer listing services with various benefits to hosts. Each of these platforms caters to different types of travelers and property styles, which means that carefully selecting the right platform can significantly impact your property’s visibility and booking success.

For example, TripAdvisor might be ideal for reaching a global audience seeking trusted reviews, while Homestay could attract guests looking for a more personalized, cultural exchange experience. Atraveo specializes in vacation rentals across Europe, making it a go-to for properties in that region, and OneFineStay caters to luxury travelers looking for high-end, curated homes.

Given the variety of options, it’s crucial to do your due diligence in evaluating which site would best suit your property and the type of guests you want to attract. Consider the platform’s user base, the types of properties that perform well, the fees involved, and the kind of exposure you can expect.

While you’re assessing which platforms to use, it’s also wise to find a Property Management Software (PMS) that can amalgamate all your listings into one unified dashboard. This software will simplify your operations by allowing you to manage all your properties and reservations from a single interface, saving you time and reducing the risk of errors. With all your listings in one place, you can easily monitor performance, update pricing, and ensure consistent communication with guests across all platforms, making your property management more efficient and stress-free.

Vet your Vacation Renters

The beauty of all the online rental portals, as well as the proliferation of social media, means that when someone requests to book your property, you can take a look and screen them to see if they’d be a good fit. While this might seem like a lot of work, it’s a necessity to protect your investment. Every member of a STR booking site has a profile and a booking history with reviews. Looking at how they’ve been rated by previous hosts, as well as how they themselves rate their hosts and stays, will inform you if this is someone you want to let into your home or property, and if they’ll offer any sort of risk.

Especially since you’re not in geographic proximity to the rental, it helps to know that it’s in good hands.

Communicate Frequently

The worst thing a remote host can do is remain radio silent. A lack of communication can lead to confusion, frustration, and a poor guest experience, which can ultimately result in negative reviews and a decline in future bookings. On the flip side, effective communication is key to building trust and ensuring a smooth stay. A host should communicate often (but not too often) with their tenants, striking the right balance to avoid overwhelming them while still being available and responsive.

Checking in on your guests shortly after they arrive helps ensure that everything is going well and gives them an opportunity to ask any immediate questions. Throughout their stay, regular yet unobtrusive messages can enhance their experience by offering personalized recommendations, reminders about amenities, or information about the local area. As their departure approaches, sending a friendly message with checkout instructions and a thank-you note leaves a lasting positive impression.

With the help of a good piece of management software, these communications can be largely automated, ensuring consistency and saving time. Automated emails can welcome guests to the home, provide check-in and check-out instructions, and offer reminders or local tips at strategic points during their stay.

Some advanced property management software solutions even include a virtual AI-enabled concierge that can answer guests’ questions in real time. Whether it’s how to operate the thermostat or where to find the nearest grocery store, the AI concierge can handle these common inquiries efficiently, freeing you from answering the same questions repeatedly. This not only improves the guest experience but also allows you to focus on other aspects of your rental business, confident that your guests are well taken care of.

Offer Self Check-In

Since a host can’t be there in person, and manage the keys physically, it only makes sense to offer a way for guests to access your property without meeting a physical person. In most cases, this means a lock box or a service like KeyCafe, but there’s an even better option; a smart lock. Both options have the ability to send notifications when a guest has accessed your property, but with a smart lock, there’s no physical key to keep track of.

Through a keycode or an app that works with a mobile device, guests can get into their rental property without any hassle. They’ll have all the information they’ll need right at their fingertips, and with a hosts remote access, they can offer help if a guest is having trouble gaining entry, and you’ll also know if there’s any unauthorized access immediately.

This is also a great way to monitor check-outs as well as offering access to your cleaning staff.

Automate as Much as you Can

Smart technology has revolutionized the way rental properties are managed, especially for remote hosts. With tools like smart thermostats, you can control the temperature of your property from anywhere, ensuring that your guests are comfortable upon arrival and during their stay. Noise sensors help you monitor the noise levels in your property, alerting you to any potential unauthorized parties or disturbances that could negatively impact your property and ratings.

Additionally, smart routers allow you to control access to WiFi and other connected devices, ensuring a secure and seamless experience for your guests. While the goal is to let your guests enjoy their stay with minimal interference, having remote access to these smart technologies provides peace of mind. It allows you to step in only when necessary, ensuring that your property remains in excellent condition and your guests have a five-star experience.

Invest in a Good Property Management Software

If you’re listed across multiple booking sites, then it’s a pain to have to manage each listing individually. Thankfully, software exists to permit you to manage your vacation rentals easily via an integrated dashboard. This way, you can control all guest communications, bookings and alterations, manage prices and property management operations, as well as coordinate with your vendors, any maintenance staff, and cleaning teams.

An even better feature is that with a unified inbox, you can also automate messages that are triggered with actions such as booking requests and their check-in date. You can also synchronize calendars to manage reservations and print detailed reports of key metrics, so you can best manage and optimize your properties.

All this means you can take care of everything efficiently, so you can focus on your own activity outside of vacation rentals.

Feel Closer to Your Rental Than Ever Before

Implementing these key ideas into running your business from afar, will offer you peace of mind that your properties will remain safe, clean and ultimately, profitable. It takes a bit of laborious setting up at the beginning, but it will be worth it in the end.

 

And when your business starts to run perfectly, you’ll be able to attract more bookings, get positive reviews and enjoy the fruits of your hosting responsibilities.