Whistler home owner newsletter - owner direct vs property managed...From: vacation_rentals@yahoogroups.com ... enforcing a "BY OWNER ONLY" website would be next to impossible to do... when I started VRBO.COM back in 1995 never in my wildest dreams did I expect that property managers would want to join... that's why I named it "Vacation Rentals by Owner" <grin> Here's a couple scenarios... 1. Joe Property Manager actually owns 2 properties himself... since he is the owner of the properties, then his properties are technically "by owner" are they not? 2. Jill rents her house "by owner" and her neighbor asks her to help rent his home... she answers the inquiries... is this "by owner" or not? 3. VRBO.COM LLC actually owes one lone condo in Maui which we advertise on (surprise) VRBO.COM <grin> - when you email or call about this property, you are talking to one of our employees... she does not own the property herself... is this "by owner" or not? Since it's basically impossible to even define what a "by owner" vacation rental is... let alone regulate it, we decided years ago that we would had no choice but to allow property managers to advertise on VRBO.COM - we would rather they be upfront about it then to have some arbitrary rule that says "no property managers allowed" and force them to "go underground" and lie about it. ...Rather than complaining that you have to compete against property managers for the same business, I recommend you use it as a selling point. You as an individual property owner have many advantages over the property manger... How about making a point of telling prospective renters that when they rent your property, they are renting direct from the owners. Be proud and use that fact that you are "truly by owner" to make you property stand out. Add some comments to your listings to make sure that people know that you are not a property manager... This home is offered direct from the owner - we are NOT a property manger. The photos displayed on this ad are for the actual property you will stay in... Rent this second home direct from us when we are not using it... If property managers in your area are able to compete on price (many places they do not - but in some they do) then your job should be to point out why "renting by owner" is to the renters advantage. Your home probably has special features, is cleaner, has a better location, or has other features that most property manager managed homes do not have... you need to point this out to the renters in your listings. Most renters understand that there are advantages to "dealing direct" - you should play up those advantages. As President of the largest remaining independent vacation rental site, I want to make it clear that VRBO.COM is now more than ever committed to the rent by owner concept... All the best, |
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