Vacation Renatls Advertising platforms

[Betsey Thompson]

Hi, brand new here.  I have 2 Cape Cod vacation rentals.  One sleeps 20 in Chatham, and the other sleeps 18 in Harwich Port.  

In the past we used VRBO and HomeAway for the Chatham property  when they were advertising platforms. Now they’re booking platforms, which is costing us a lot in payment processing fees. We’re consolidating to just one listing now that they are owned by the same company. We are charged 3% for every payment, plus $499/year subscription fee.  The Chatham House rents for a hefty amount because it’s on the water, has 8 bedrooms and is great for family reunions.  My complaint is that charging as a percent of the rental is disadvantageous to us.  VRBO doesn’t work any harder to process our payments, but they are getting a lot more money than they are from less expensive rentals.  

A challenge for us is that the Chatham House is in a quiet area that requires us to vet renters carefully.  Both VRBO and HomeAway require you to accept bookings within 24 hours.  Sometimes renters want to go and tour our house, and we also need to make sure that we are getting people who understand that it cannot be “the party house”.  We can’t accomplish that in 24 hours. 

We also use weneedavacation.com which is advertising only.  We love it but it doesn’t generate the same traffic.  It advertises properties on the Cape, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. 

Can anyone recommend a more cost effective way to promote the property? Information about other platforms and why you like them would be appreciated. 

Thanks!!!

[John Underwood]

So my question is, is HA/VRBO keeping your calendar full and making you money? If so it is like saying I don't like paying tax,  well if your paying tax it is because you are making money.

Now if your not getting bookings and making money then I can see why you would complain about subscriptions and fees. Ultimately the renters are paying all these fees it is built into your rental price.