Tools

Pricelabs

A dynamic pricing tool that helps you maximize revenue for your vacation rental.

The main reasons I love, use and recommend it are:

Utilizes search demand on the OTAs to increase/ decrease pricing based on demand in order to stay in range for going market rate
Dynamic pricing helps with search rankings on the OTAs
It is more than just a pricing tools with settings such as “orphan day” and “far out bookings” that are all customizable
Compared to other pricing tools, they do not take a % of revenue, there is flat, monthly pricing.

Use code 3796r0 to receive $10 off your first month.

OwnerRez

A property management system and channel manager all-in-one.

The main reasons I love, use and recommend it are:

Incredibly easy to use and setup/ switch from an existing software
Loaded with functionality to help streamline the processes of managing rentals on multiple platforms.
Reliable connections via API plus channel bridge option for non- API connectors.
A flat price with NO onboard fee and flat monthly pricing with NO commission.
Amazing QuickBooks integration.
Customer service is top notch.
Ok, I could go on, but I’ll stop there for now…

OpenPhone

I highly recommend having a separate business phone number that allows you to separate calls and texts from guests from your personal phone.

The main reasons I love, use and recommend it are:

AUTOMATION! You can setup auto messages during certain business hours, save snippets for quick responses, schedule texts & more.
Through Zapier integrations with OwnerRez and OpenPhone, guests phone numbers and contact details are saved automatically so when a guest calls or texts, I am able to identify who it is and when and where they’re staying!

Airbnb

Airbnb is an an online listing site that connects hosts to guests.

The main reasons I love, use and recommend it are:

It attracts many US-based guests.
The system is user-friendly and easy to use.
We get fabulous guests and fill mid-week bookings

HomeAway/ Vrbo

Expedia Group owns HomeAway and Vrbo. It is an an online listing site that connects hosts to guests.

The main reasons I love, use and recommend it are:

It attracts many US-based guests.
Bookings tend to be longer stays.
More families with children guests.
We get fabulous guests.

Booking.com

Many people know Airbnb and Vrbo, but did you know booking.com is the most trafficked vacation rental site globally? We now have all of our homes listed on booking.com and we’ve had some great reservations and guests come through. If you use the link above, you (and I) will get 5 commission-free bookings.

The main reasons I love, use and recommend it are:

It attracts international guests.
A variety of custom settings to ensure it works with your processes and comfortable level.
Absolutely amazing customer support.
Set commission structure so you know exactly how to adjust your rates for the platform!

Amazon Credit Card for Rental Purchases

Having a separate card for purchases related to your rental is important for keeping your books straight. Since I purchase A LOT on Amazon and have a Prime Business account,

The main reasons I love, use and recommend it are:

If you have a Prime Business account, you earn 5% back on all Amazon purchases!
You earn 1% on purchases off of Amazon.
You can standard AMEX card holder perks.

Use the link provided to receive a $100-$125 gift card when you sign up!

stayfi

StayFi is a system that requires all staying guests at your property to follow a small series of prompts to join your WiFi network, allowing you to collect their email addresses.

The main reasons I love, use and recommend it are:

Instead of collecting JUST the booking guests’ email, you are able to collect the emails of all guests. This exponentially increases your email database.
It integrates directly with Mailchimp so when someone signs up, they’re automatically added. The great customer service team at StayFi even helped me set it up so they’re coded by property which helps me segment my email list.
It is easy with great customer services! Easy to setup for owners and easy for guests to use. I have had a few instances where I needed to some assistance from the team there, though and they were quick to step in and help!

Touchstay – Use Code MMC10 to save 10% on your first year subscription

Touchstay refers themselves as a digital welcome book for guests. To me, they’re a welcome book, guidebook and house manual all wrapped into one!

The main reasons I love, use and recommend it are:

Though they have a baseline template you can start from, it is fully customizable. That means you can create your own sections, structure and outline that works for you and your guests instead of trying to make some templated version work.
It allows me to be proactive with guest questions and direct them to the guidebook instead. At first, I was worried this “automation” of question answering would make it feel less personal but it’s really done the opposite. Most guests mention how much they love it in their reviews and it enables them to see my personality and hosting style in the book.
It saves time! I cannot tell you how much back and forth with guests this has cut down on since I started using it. Of course, you still get folks who don’t read but they’ve become fewer and far between since implementing the guidebook.

Proper Insurance

Proper Insurance is a short term rental insurance (one policy that covers home owners, liability and also acts as a commercial policy).

The main reasons I love, use and recommend it are:

Unfortunately we’ve had some bad luck with our homes (a leak from the unit above us at one of our studios – THREE TIMES and our one home got hit by a passing car. Yes, for real). Other policies *may* cover repairs to your home but with the commercial portion of the policy, Proper also covers lost income during the time your home is not able to be rented – and not just based on what bookings you had, but what the average is for that season. This is big for me because my smaller properties only book 2-4 weeks out.

Speaking of lost revenue… you set the amount. I personally have chosen to set my lost revenue maximum amount at 1 year’s worth of lost revenue. Because, well our luck. But if you want lower, you can.

It comes with liability AND bed bug coverage. Things no one ever wants to think about. Fortunately, these have yet to happen to me (knock on wood) but I personally know people that have had the unfortunate luck of dealing with them. Knowing I have this coverage helps me sleep better at night!

Airdna

Airdna is a great tool to analyze and get indicators when researching new properties and to help compare stats for existing properties.

The main reasons I love, use and recommend it are:

When researching a new property, you can plug in an address to see ranges of occupancy and revenue.
For existing properties, you can sync your Airbnb listings to see performance and compare to other properties

NOTE: their data is heavily reliant on Airbnb and while they have a recent integration with HomeAway (vrbo), I do no think it tells the full picture and potential. However, there aren’t other tools available that do and this is the best for what is available in my opinion.

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