Getting started with a vacation rental

[Gary Dawson]

Hi there! 

Just about to buy my first vacation rental in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Sevierville area. Have been pouring over properties as well as monitoring prices/bookings on AirBNB and VRBO. Very excited but want to really make sure I cover all the bases I need to before I pull the trigger. Have some questions...

Besides AirBnb and VRBO, do you list with other local sites in the area?

How do you interface with housekeepers to keep up with check-ins and check-outs?

Since I am managing out of state, do housekeepers inspect for damage and stolen items? If so, do you create an inventory list for them to check each time?

How do you deal with supplies like tea, coffee, sugar, snacks, toilet paper?

If you want to leave items for visitors like a welcome basket, how do you coordinate that?

If buying a property that has a great history of reviews, can you keep that history going on the STR sites so you are not starting from scratch to get reviews?

Any other advice that anyone can give me as to what other things need to be dealt with before going on the market would be appreciated!!