Marketing and Maintaining Your Whistler Properties: Owner Assisted Direct-Rentals


by Devon O'Malley - Date: 2006-12-06 - Word Count: 580 Share This!

You've been to Whistler for three incredible ski vacations. You've browsed real estate websites and chatted with agents. You've toured multiple condos, chalets and townhouses. Finally, you've found your dream Whistler vacation home and you've written a big, fat cheque.

But wait - how exactly will you pay for this dream?

Breathe deeply into a paper bag and try not to fret. Every year, hundred of owners rent out their properties with the help of in-resort contacts and small property management companies. In our third and final article about Whistler property management techniques, we'll assess how owners get help from small rental management companies and share the workload - without sacrificing too much of their rental revenue.

How to Share the Workload to Rent and Maintain Your Whistler Property

Luckily, there are Whistler companies who realize owners might want to handle their own marketing and calendar management, but need a way to manage logistics like cleaning and unique touches like welcome baskets. But they also realize owners might want to play a small part in the business venture, and don't want to relinquish all control to a full-blown property management company. With owner-assisted rentals, Whistler property owners obtain the reservations and collect payment, and their concierge service or small rental management company handles the rest.

Most often, companies like Whistler Front Desk, who cater to owner-direct rentals, will let you pick a bundle of services, for a commissioned price. Together, you can come up with an arrangement that works, and only forfeit about 20% of your rental income. A sample of these services includes:

Cleaning

Personal meet and greet

Key pick up and drop off

Welcome baskets

Information booklets

Minor maintenance

Guest services

Laundry of dirty linens

Arrangement for transfers, grocery delivery and baby equipment

24 hour in-resort contact

The Pros of Owner-Assisted Direct Rentals in Whistler

Maintain control: Because owner assisted rentals don't replace the owner in the areas of advertising or payment collection, the owner is still in full control of their Whistler property. Owners won't be paying for services they aren't using - without reservations, there's nothing to clean!

Proximity: Owner assisted rentals allow Whistler property owners from outside the country, or even the immediate area, to exert control without signing their life away with a rental management company. They can easily combine their efforts on websites like AlluraDirect.com or Vacation Rentals by Owner with the services offered by businesses like Whistler Front Desk.

The Cons of Owner-Assisted Direct Rentals in Whistler

Unnecessary services: It might be tempting to opt-in for services Whistler owners don't actually need when renting owner-direct. Meet and greet and/or check-in services aren't absolutely necessary for guests - many owners just use a coded lock or a lockbox for keys. Guests can easily and self-sufficiently access properties without the presence of an owner, so why pay for the service? Mints on pillows and complimentary bottles of wine are nice touches, but are they really important in the overall scheme of renting out your property?

Money, money and more money: While small rental management companies and concierge services don't take a commission as hefty as other companies, it is still a cut into the rental revenue. This is something all Whistler owners of vacation properties should consider. Money might bring you ease and peace of mind, but stall the anticipated rise in your bank account.

Whistler Vacation Rentals and You: A Fun and Exciting Balancing Act

As with many endeavors, deciding how to handle the renting of your Whistler vacation property is often an overwhelming task. Owner-assisted rentals exist as the halfway point between going at it alone, or


Related Tags: vacation, whistler, rentals, whistler bc

Devon O' Malley is a staff writer for AlluraDirect.com, a vacation home rental website offering powerful search and instant booking features for owners and guests alike. On your next Silver Star ski vacation, check out their Silver Star Resort accommodation directory and save money by booking your Silver Star Ski Resort accommodation directly with homeowners.

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