Need STR marketing help please

[Annie Balagot]

Hi BP STR experts - I need some help. I've been self managing our STR in Davenport for the last 2 yrs and don't know how to drive more rentals. We have a great, themed, 7bd/5.5bth home in a resort community close to the parks. I have great reviews from guests (over 30) though do have the occassional 4 stars that brings it down even though they loved the stay. Any case, it's such a saturated market that rentals are going for $125-150/night if I'm lucky. I'm happy to deal with the day to day management but don't know what else to do to drive more bookings. Do I try to throw more money to up the decor even more? We don't have a spa so that makes it difficult but I don't think putting one in will make that significant a difference for the cost. Do I hire a property manager? Can I hire someone just to help with marketing? We were doing ok yr 1 but now insurance and taxes have both gone up and bookings are down and I'm looking at selling but inventory is high also... any suggestions?

[Trent Reeve]

I saw this before from another person, but as a guest, i wouldn't like being charged $50 to use the grill and having to provide my own propane. That's about $100 just to grill. add to that, no one grills enough to use the whole propane tank. And as mentioned, better theming for the rooms.