All Forum Posts by: Dave Savard

1) When it comes to cancelations - and most other things in life - "I" find the right thing to do is typically the hard thing to do. I simply look at the situation - "how I would want to be treated" and manage it from there.

2) In the 10 years I have owned STR's, I can't remember keeping funds for ANY cancellation. I am probably too trusting - but I am confident the above mantra has helped us - more than hurt us. I lay awake at night wondering about many things - but never second-guessing myself about giving a guest their money back for a cancellation. Then again, I don't (and never did get) a lot of cancellation requests.

3) Note: Our guests stay an average of 3.5 nights - and not typically more than a week. Therefore, if I lose a last-minute booking (and can't re-book) it is not a huge dent. I also don't act like I am going to be a pushover on my cancellation policy when they inquire.  There have been a dozen or so times that people have not booked one of my properties because of my cancelation policy. 

4.) Covid-19: Due to this new virus I have received at least 6 cancellations (100% refund) in the two condo's I now own/manage on the East coast of Florida.  Oddly enough, I have rebooked most of those canceled dates.  I know more cancellations are coming - and I am not looking forward to them.  However, I am confident I will keep treating people how I would want to be treated.  

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL DURING THIS TIME OF UNCERTAINTY. 

@Mike R. , I just saw your post so I am probably late to providing any assistance.  However, I had the same questions - so just in case you have not figured it all out I will inform you what I did.

I have 4 vacation rental properties in Breckenridge, CO..  I selected a URL specific to Breckenridge. (I figured if I invested outside Breck, I would just make another website).

I picked a URL that I thought people might want to search on.  In my case LuxuryInBreckenridge.com.  Since my url is a popular search term, I get a lot of hits due to organic search engine traffic.  I call this naming method a "search phrase URL".  (Note: My day job is in marketing ;-) 

It is also, helpful if you add more information on your site about the surrounding area, etc...  (another SEO trick). 

If I were you, I would just set up a free website through Weebly (.com).  Easier than MS Word.

Just as an FYI, you probably won't see a mass number of people hit your site everyday.  I average between 30 and 60.

As it turns out, I have now turned my properties over to a profession rental management company.  They are doing so well with them that I am making the income I need - without all the work.  How

Good luck!

Dave Savard

Hi BP community. I have been reading for a while - but time to get in action ;-)

I currently own and rent 3 very active vacation rentals in Breckenridge, CO. I am now looking to invest in some real estate that is not so "booking" intensive.

My desire it to buy 3 small distressed single family homes (with cash), fix them up and rent them - by August 2013.

The fixing up part is where I need help.

Are there crews in the DFW area that specialize just in this type of rehabs?

Thanks in advance!!