Numerous vacation rental owners choose to purchase and manage their properties remotely. This option is excellent for all hosts: those looking to invest in a region with a strong demand for tourism, those interested in marketing their property to foreign tourists, or those who own a vacation home abroad and rent it out when not in use.
Telecommuting may have seemed like a pipe dream around a decade ago. However, it has evolved into a natural element of the workplace environment. Even before the COVID-19 epidemic, statistics indicate that 7 million residents in the United States (3.4 percent of the population) worked remotely. Additionally, the number of remote workers has climbed by 44% in the previous five years.
However, working from home creates unique obstacles for vacation rental owners and property managers. Whether you’re an owner or manager of an urban or vacation rental property, continue reading to learn more about managing a rental property remotely.
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However, first and foremost, what is a Long Distance Rental Property?
A long-distance rental property is situated many hours away, in a different state, or even in a different nation.
Long-distance rental management is not restricted by geography, since hosts who live close to their rental may be unable to devote full time to the company or travel regularly themselves.
How to Remotely Manage a Vacation Rental?
Wherever you are geographically situated, you must ensure that you meet all of your visitors’ demands and provide a 5-star guest experience. With the vacation rental sector developing at a breakneck pace, new technologies and internet platforms have developed that enable homeowners to take complete control of their company. These technologies enable hosts to manage their vacation rental effectively even when they are not physically there. In several situations, it may even result in a reduction in workload.
Consider the following methods for remotely managing holiday rentals:
1. Invest in vacation rental management software
Managing a remote property management company may be fairly difficult. However, due to automation, you can be certain that your company is in good hands even if you are away from your premises.
With vacation rental management software such as Lodgable, you can monitor and manage your operations while still receiving reservations.
2. Check-in and automated check-out procedures
Automated check-in and check-out in vacation rentals is a long-standing notion that many hosts have adopted, even if they reside near their property. The simplicity is that you are not required to greet your visitors upon their arrival or departure. This is a significant benefit, particularly if visitors arrive late or are delayed.
There are various secure methods for visitors to check-in independently: wireless door locks, lockboxes, electronic locks, and smart locks. If you choose to go the conventional route, you may conduct a safe key drop in which you offer a secure location for key storage near the property. Similarly, you might hand the key to your rental house to your neighbors or acquaintances.
3. Automated Home Systems
Today’s market provides vacation rental entrepreneurs with an infinite number of options for managing their company without having to be physically there. Similar to automated check-ins, you may install home automation systems to monitor and regulate your air conditioning, smart thermostats, and smart lighting, among other things.
Concerning noise management on your property, software such as NoiseAware or Party Squasher will notify you if any of your visitors are throwing a party. If excessive noise is detected, you’ll get an alert on your mobile phone, allowing you to take action instantly and prevent any conflict with your neighbors.
Your new visitors will be greeted with a smile in an invitingly illuminated, pre-heated, or pre-cooled home. Additionally, you may convince yourself that everything is turned off once visitors go, saving you money on power and heating expenses.
Whether you want to save energy or create a welcoming environment for your visitors, these home automation options are incredibly beneficial.
4. Maintain a List of Reputable Contractors
Conduct research in the neighborhood where your rental is situated and establish contact with local maintenance personnel such as a plumber, electrician, or handyman.
Explain to them your position, that you have a rental but do not live nearby, and ask if they can serve as your point of contact if anything happens to your visitors while they are on the property. This way, they’ll be hands-on and capable of repairing things in an emergency (a leak, flood, power outage, etc.)
5. Employ the services of a reputable maid or cleaning service.
Along with contractors, it is critical, particularly during the post-COVID period, to employ a professional cleaning agency to handle everyday activities such as disinfection and cleaning and visitor turnover.
Nothing is more critical than presenting your properties in the best light possible, which begins with a clean house. Investing in quality cleaning is one of the finest expenditures you can make in your vacation rental company. Negative evaluations of a poorly kept and filthy home are very difficult to overcome.
Additionally, a cleaning service will guarantee that commonly ignored and difficult-to-reach areas are thoroughly cleaned to ensure your vacation property is pristine. Additionally, you may supply them with a customized vacation rental cleaning checklist to ensure they adhere to your cleaning practices.
6. Take into account the possibility of hiring a property manager
A property manager is a very frequent practice when it comes to long-distance rentals. This is the most common and convenient method. Each business provides a unique service. Certain property managers are responsible for cleaning and replenishing amenities, as well as serving as the emergency contact for visitors throughout their stay. Additionally, a property manager may be present during check-in and check-out changeover. Certain businesses even provide a concierge service.
They may account for between 10% and 20% of each booking, sometimes more, depending on the management or firm. While you may continue to handle marketing and bookings, a property manager will oversee all guest interactions and maintenance of the property.
7. Make a Welcome Book available
Because you will not be there at check-in, you may still provide a personal greeting to your visitors by offering a welcome book. By exerting some effort and ingenuity, you can create a favorable impression on your visitors.
Here are a few examples of what you may include:
Local activities (beautiful hiking trails, special beaches, viewpoints, cycle paths, points of interest, etc.)
Restaurant and café recommendations
Necessary neighborhood information (car parks, ATMs, supermarkets, pharmacies)
Information about public transit
Providing the appropriate services to your visitors from the time they enter your vacation rental may make a significant impact in terms of repeat guests.
Key Takeaways
Remotely managing your vacation rental may seem to be a big task at first, but after all the details are considered, it’s not quite as intimidating as it appears. Consider the number of individuals who own vacation homes overseas and rent them out when they are not using them.
When the precise location of your vacation rental is irrelevant, you may research to determine which regions would be the most profitable for you to invest in or which are the most popular with tourists and would generate the most revenue.
As you can see, you do not have to be there to ensure that visitors have a pleasant time at your vacation rental. Substitutes such as automatic check-in and emerging technology may help save effort while also enabling remote management of your vacation rental.
