I believe it's instant, but don't quote me on that.2) Yes - they have a website builder (which I don't use) and also a widget that you can embed into a website (I use this on my wordpress site). 

We already have a domain and email and I’ve worked with Word Press in the past so I may just build one myself with that platform or pay someone to build a nice site for us if we think it would be worth it.

Since the link has changed and there's not a redirect, I'm no longer sure how to submit without the Wordpress Dashboard. 

If you wanted to get complicated, create a merchant website on WordPress and have them pay by credit card.You could look into Zapier as well to help with certain automations to make the process easier for your friend.

@Andrew Neal  I personally create one for each of my STRs using Wordpress but I'm also in technology so it's pretty easy for me to do that. 

Just do a search on Bigger Pockets... there is plenty of information to get you started.https://www.biggerpockets.com/search/wordpress?

Or you could set yourself up with a cheap wordpress site and buy this plugin: https://motopress.com/products... which manages rental bookings.

So currently, for each property, I use a word press plugin ("WP-Property") that allows me to build property pages. 

On the other hand, if you build your own site you have complete freedom: including getting an https as opposed to http, and word press plugins.Although I haven't done a side by side dual test sites, my conversation rates have been off the charts on Google Adwords once everything was properly set-up 10 to 20% depending on the time periods (averaging around 15%).

He is offering free templates and video walkthrus for creating a VR WordPress site.