All Forum Posts by: Lisa Graesser

Also, after my VRBO guests have departed, I always follow up with a message that they can contact me directly if they would prefer to book that way in the furture.

If you want some great information for marketing on social media, check out Jodi Tidwell Bourne on facebook, Vacation Renatal Rescue.  

Also, are there any local rental sites in your area that you can put your listing on? 

Check out Houfy.com , its a free site to put your listing on and it is growing. 

I get alot of inquiries and bookings through Zillow/Hot pads/Trulia, they changed there platform in a few states. Now in Florida you only get one free listing and then you have to pay $9.99/week for additonal listings( It is not meant for short term rentals and there is an issue with the site updating current information) but that is where I received most of my inquiries. I now only have one of my listings on there. I do have a facebook page, instagram and twitter but have never gotten a reservation through them. Good Luck!

Well...you are amusing at times!

We did get our 3rd conventional Mortgage for our 3rd STR. It is considered an investment. Only the 1st STR was considered a second home. The Bank did consider our rental income to qualify and we were required to have the 20% down. The bank took into consideration our potential rental income to qualify for the mortgage. We were also dealing with a bank that is owned and run by the community that we were purchasing in, so the process was fast and easy, only because they were well aware of rental potential. You would probably have the best chance with qualiying, with a local bank that knows the local market. My first 2 mortgages were with a national bank and the second mortgage was a nightmare. 1 week before closing, they all of a sudden informed me that they wouldn't fund an investment property in a retirement community. Only because I contacted the right people was our Mortgage approved, I would never deal with them again.

A nice clean, comfortable house that supplies all the comforts of home. No gifts, just good communication and a well maintained home.

I always offer early check in or check out when it is possible. It is just nice not to be on such a regimented schedule when you are vacationing. Your schedule is mostly likely determined by what time your flight arrives or departs. I know I would prefer to be able to enter or depart based on what time I have to be at the airport and not worry about how I was going to fill up that time. 

I don't know about you, but I don't travel in my hiking apparel, so I would love if possible to be able drop off my stuff and change if I wanted to go for a hike when I arrived.

It's just a nice gesture if someone else is not occupying the house and the house is ready for a couple of hours before or after the reservation when possible.

I don't have a property in Miami, but I have heard good things about Proper Insurance https://www.proper.insure/ They specialize in short term rental insurance. They may be more expensive than others, but I would check them out and compare with the quotes you have recieved.

Nice of you to return her funds.  This is a tough call depending on your location. You don't want to put anyone in harms way, but you also don't know if you will. My houses are in central Florida so likely the most we will get is rain and wind.

I have a no refund policy, but state in my agreement that if I am unable to offer them the house due to such things as storm damage, then I would refund them in full.  You can't control the weather, it has been raining alot in Florida and I am sure it has been disappointing for my guests, but no one has asked for a refund due to the weather. Guests can also obtain insurance, but I don't know if the insurance would cover the fact that a storm is coming, unless there were evacuation requirements or your house could not be offered for use.

I hope you gave them a 5 star review and privately told them the things you would have liked, so they can improve future experiences. Leaving over the counter meds for guests to use...is not a good idea.

I use the Hoover steam vac, never heard of using fabulosa. Is it specifically for carpet cleaners or just the general cleaning solution? I use it for carpets and tile. My main stains are traffic patterns and occasional pet accident. I love my steam vac, wouldn't live without it.