Why Short Term Rentals?
You’ve made it this far because you’re interested in short term rental property management.
Nice!
Looking for help with your property means that you have a great rental property and you’re considering (or already have) a Short Term Rental (STR). It may also mean a few different things:
You’ve never done STR before
You’ve tried doing it yourself - it’s too much work, or you’re not making $$
You’ve hired someone else and you feel like you could do better
At HostWise, we talk to owners in these situations every day. We were once in your shoes! Let’s talk about why you’ve ended up here, what you want to accomplish with your property or properties, and see if our service is a good fit.
STRs can be a lot of work. From the “front end” - communication, needy guests, problem-solving, etc., to the “back end” - pricing optimization, listing optimization, cleaning, etc. - it’s not for everyone. But, they don’t have to be! If you can pull it off, the rewards are great! Well managed, optimized STR properties net 30-50% more money versus long term rentals.
Owning a Short Term Rental property CAN absolutely be less work and less stress than a full time rental, and here’s why:
Better money: this one is the no brainer - when you’re making more money with less work, you can afford to be happy!
No long term “nightmare” tenants: even with a needy guest, they will soon move on!
Less maintenance: because of reviews, guests treat your property like their home, and we keep it in great shape.
A few (of many) key HostWise differentiators
You own your listing. Don’t like us? Fire us and keep your listing(s) and your reviews! Compare that to the “other guys” - they create the listing under their name, forcing you to start from scratch if you want to leave their services.
We’re confident you’ll love us - we have never lost a client!
2. We’re a Brand, with standards and consistency similar to your favorite high end hotel chain. Some of the “other guys” will list anything and everything - it’s luck of the draw for guests on what they walk into, which creates zero loyalty and very few returning guests. Our systems, communication, linens, locks, consumables, even the scents we use are consistent from property to property. This removes one of the key anxiety points of travel - guests know what they’re getting when they book a HostWise property.
Oh yeah, we’re rated a 4.93 across over 6,500 reviews (and counting). We’re one of the highest rated hosts in the whole country!
Why not Short Term Rentals?
“Hospitality” vs. “Landlording”
The biggest difference between Long Term and Short Term rentals - STR is the hospitality industry. LTRs are managed by a strict set of rules & regulations as set by the government (we’ve all heard the term “slum lord,” unfortunately.) STRs have to be darn near perfect, because perfect properties get perfect reviews, which results in higher rates and higher occupancy.
What does that mean for you? Nothing different, hopefully! We get it - we help our guests when they’re unhappy, even if they’re being dramatic. Our goal is always a 5 star review (within reason). Sometimes we will provide a small gift, a slight discount, fix something, etc. While these activities do cost a small amount of money, it’s worth it to prevent a bad review, and in some cases, it’s simply the right thing to do. We handle these issues, and on a typical property, this is less than a few hundred dollars a year.
Communication is critical, and we have this mastered. We have automated keyless check in, automated check-in instructions, “follow up” communications, “check out” communications, and more, to keep the guest in the loop and answer questions BEFORE they’re asked. We also provide 24/7/365 concierge-like service, down to “Where can I get tacos at 12:15am?” We can even help guests arrange flowers, gifts, and surprises. Those extras go a long ways towards an exceptional guest experience.
Furnishings & Amenities
It takes money to make money, and the right furnishings & amenities are no exception.
To become a HostWise-managed property, it must have a defined set of amenities & expectations. People stay at their "favorite “chain” hotel because booking an Airbnb can be stressful! “How do I check in?” “Are the pillows nice?” “Will I have coffee in the morning?” “Will I have towels or do I need to bring my own?” “Will the place be clean?” We address all of these questions and then some in advance, resulting in guests booking your property, and HostWise properties, again and again. We have a 4.95 / 5 score on Airbnb, one of the highest in the industry!
Our goal is consistency - while every property is unique, it must meet our minimum standards. While we strive to not have “cookie cutter” properties, certain amenities are non-negotiable - high quality linens, whole bean coffee & burr grinders, tasteful décor, comfy couches, spotlessly clean interiors, meticulously maintenance, blackout shades, and great mattresses.