How to find renters for vacation rental?

[Jeffrey Cervi]

Looking for guidance on marketing our vacation rental in Naples, FL. We have been very successful in getting seasonal rentals in past. Broker has now dropped us due to requirement for broker to be responsible for 10% sales and tourist tax payment. Trying to determine best way to market our unit going forward.

1.) Can we list the unit ourselves on the MLS? How much would it cost?

2.) Is VRBO or Homeaway a cost effective option? Our development has approximately 75 different vacation rentals advertised, and we are concerned about getting lost in the mix.

3.) What about developing our own website? Can we get high enough on the search engines to make it worthwhile?

4.) Our current broker was charging 10% which is under market. Other realtors are looking for 15-20%.

5.) We have a property manager who can help us with showing the unit, and dealing with tenant issues.

6.) Looking for guidance from others who have come up with creative solutions....