The Insider’s Guide to Short-Term Rentals
Whether you own a home, invest in rentals, or advise clients who do, this is where we share the insider knowledge behind successful short-term rentals in Sonoma and Mendocino Coast, freely and without the fluff.
How much does cleaning cost for luxury vacation rentals in Sonoma County?
February 28, 2025
A lot of attention gets paid to nightly rates when it comes to luxury vacation rentals. But savvy property owners—and guests—know the nightly rate is just one part of the total bi…
How should luxury vacation rental pricing be in Sonoma County?
February 27, 2025
Many owners struggle to pinpoint the right price for their luxury vacation rental. In a region like Sonoma—where owning a high-end home is costly—it’s natural to worry about unde…
How much do vacation rental managers structure their fees Wine Country?
February 26, 2025
How Much Do Vacation Rental Managers Structure their Fees in Wine Country?
When it comes to vacation rental management in Sonoma and Napa, one thing is certain: never make assumpt…
What kind of results should I expect from a vacation rental manager?
February 25, 2025
To answer this question, it’s important to first clarify your starting point—what challenges you’re facing—and your ultimate goals.
Ask yourself: which of the following most close…
How can I maximize occupancy for my Sonoma luxury vacation rental property?
February 24, 2025
This is one of the most common questions asked by property managers. It’s a natural instinct. A full calendar feels like success. But when it comes to vacation rental performance…
If I generate bookings myself, will I still pay a commission to the property manager?
February 23, 2025
Do You Still Pay Commission on Bookings You Generate Yourself?
Many Wine Country homeowners wonder: If I find a guest myself, do I still owe my property manager a commission?
The…
Will I pay property management fees on top of Airbnb or VRBO fees?
February 22, 2025
Will I Pay Property Management Fees and Airbnb or VRBO Fees?
This is a most common some property owners ask. So let’s break it down clearly.
First, it’s essential to understand th…
How much time does it take to work with a short-term rental manager?
February 21, 2025
If you’re paying a property manager to provide full-service support—handling day-to-day operations, guest communication, pricing, marketing, and listing management—then you should…
What is the process to get started with a property manager? How quickly would we start generating new bookings?
February 20, 2025
What’s the Process to Get Started with a Property Manager? And How Soon Will You See New Bookings?
If you’re thinking about hiring a short-term rental property manager, you’re pro…
Are short-term rentals still profitable in today’s market?
February 19, 2025
Yes – but let’s be clear. Gone are the days when you could just throw any property on the market and make money.
The good news is that overall demand for short-term rentals is ac…
I don’t think I can afford to a vacation rental manager – I’m barely covering expenses now.
February 18, 2025
I Don’t Think I Can Afford a Vacation Rental Manager — I’m Barely Covering Expenses Now
This is a common concern among property owners—you’re far from alone if you feel this way a…
How much is actually left for me after accounting for all the costs and fees associated with running a short term rental with a property manager?
February 17, 2025
This is a great question—and for no particularly good reason, it’s often far too opaque for property owners to see where all the cash is going and what’s ultimately left for them…
How do the best-performing vacation rentals get marketed in Sonoma County?
February 16, 2025
How the Best-Performing Vacation Rentals Are Marketed in Sonoma County
The top-performing vacation rentals in Sonoma County don’t succeed by accident. They stand out because they’…
How can I be sure a property manager can respond quickly to issues in a large area like Sonoma County?
February 15, 2025
How Can I Be Sure a Property Manager Will Respond Quickly in a Large Area Like Sonoma County?
One of the biggest concerns for any vacation rental owner—especially in a spread-out…
How do property managers ensure each home gets personalized attention?
February 14, 2025
Not every property manager gives each home the personalized attention it truly deserves—and it all comes down to incentives and structure.
Some managers—especially the big nationa…
How do luxury property managers ensure quality control with cleaners?
February 13, 2025
How Luxury Property Managers Ensure Quality Control With Cleaners
This is a big one—because in our view, cleaning is at the very core of any successful vacation rental operation…
What makes one vacation rental manager stand out from the rest?
February 12, 2025
If you’re comparing vacation rental managers, you’ll quickly notice that they’re not all created equal. Here are a few practical signs that separate the truly exceptional managers…
Can a property manager really help increase my rental income?
February 11, 2025
That’s a fair—and important—question. The short answer? It depends.
Whether a property manager can help you boost your rental income hinges on three things: where your revenue is…
How do short-term rental managers protect my home from bad guests?
February 10, 2025
One of the biggest concerns for any vacation rental owner is what happens when the wrong guest books your home. The reality is, while pricing should always be dynamic—adjusting to…
What services are typically included in full-service vacation rental management?
February 9, 2025
To answer this question, you would need to hear directly from the vacation rental manager what is in their scope of capabilities. To help provide a reference point, I have listed…
What happens to my current vendor ecosystem if I bring on a property manager?
February 8, 2025
This is a common question—and a smart one to ask. The short answer? It depends on the vacation rental manager you choose and the types of vendors you’re talking about. Let’s break…
Where are vacation rentals typically listed to maximize exposure?
February 7, 2025
When it comes to getting your vacation rental in front of as many eyes as possible, you have more options today than ever before. But not all platforms are created equal—and under…
What happens when something goes wrong with guests or the property?
February 6, 2025
Things don’t always go according to plan in the world of vacation rentals—and that’s exactly why having a clear escalation plan matters. What actually happens when an issue pops u…
How to encourage repeat bookings from past guests?
February 5, 2025
For vacation rental owners, having a strong repeat booking strategy isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. It stabilizes your income, makes your revenue more predictable, and r…
Can a Property Manager Handle Only Part of My Vacation Rental?
February 4, 2025
It’s a fair question — and one we hear often. Many vacation rental owners genuinely enjoy being involved in certain aspects of managing their property. Maybe you love fine-tuning…
What portion of bookings should be coming from direct websites versus listing sites like Airbnb?
February 3, 2025
How Much of Your Vacation Rental Bookings Should Come Direct vs. Airbnb?
This is a great question—one we hear often from owners who want to maximize their income and reduce their…
Do vacation rental managers provide insurance for homeowners?
February 2, 2025
Vacation rental managers will typically carry their own commercial general liability insurance. This protects them in the event of an incident occurring on the premises of a home…
Can I set a minimum nightly rate with a property manager?
January 30, 2025
Should You Set a Minimum Nightly Stay for Your Vacation Rental?
One of the more common questions we get from homeowners is whether they can set a minimum number of nights guests m…
What amenities or upgrades can help drive more bookings?
January 29, 2025
What Amenities Can Help Drive More Bookings?
If you’re wondering which amenities actually move the needle for vacation rental performance, here’s the simple truth: pools have the…
Is allowing pets worth it given the damage they can cause?
January 28, 2025
Should You Allow Pets in Your Vacation Rental? Here’s What to Consider
Allowing pets in a vacation rental is one of those decisions that owners often wrestle with. On one hand, pe…
Will I lose my Airbnb or VRBO reviews if I switch managers?
January 27, 2025
Will I Lose My Reviews If I Switch Property Managers?
It really depends on how your new property manager plans to handle your existing listing—especially when it comes to Airbnb…
How many properties should my luxury vacation rental manager handle before it affects quality?
January 26, 2025
How many properties should a luxury manager handle before it affects quality?
We actually looked into this ourselves because we were curious. We did an analysis of every short-ter…
Should I sell or rent out my second home in Sonoma County?
January 25, 2025
Should I Sell or Rent Out My Vacation Rental in Wine Country?
This is one of the most common questions we hear—and for good reason. Sonoma County and its surrounding areas are spe…
Would I lose my active manager status and therefore lose out on tax savings?
January 24, 2025
Will I Lose My Active Manager Status—and Tax Savings—If I Hire a Vacation Rental Manager?
One of the biggest concerns owners have when considering professional vacation rental man…