Massive events significantly impact short-term rental owners in an age when many consumers value experiences over possessions. Conventions, sports championships, and even natural phenomena like meteor showers and the northern lights are a huge draw for those hoping to witness something unforgettable. As such, it’s not a bad idea to pause to reflect on some of the things we need to consider when playing host to various enthusiasts.
Uphold Your Standards
Over the last decade, short-term rental owners and management teams have become highly professional. No longer are the days of posting a property online to lure would-be guests. With this newfound respectability, guests expect a higher standard—as they should.
Maintaining a high level of quality and high-touch service is critical for every aspect of the guest experience, from bedding to amenities. Just because we allow people to hold gatherings doesn’t mean we’re providing a party house.
Set Firm Rules
Setting firm boundaries goes hand in hand with upholding high standards. Still, if you aren’t making those rules apparent, you’ll be sharing the blame for anything that may go wrong. Communicating the house rules is imperative for your property’s and guests’ safety. Make sure everyone reads and understands the regulations before stepping into the home.
Love Thy Neighbor
Rules and standards aren’t just for your benefit but also your neighbors. Large-ish gatherings can lead to elevated noise; understandably, the neighbors might be opposed to such an environment. Depending on your situation, providing your contact information for those living directly adjacent to the property might be beneficial.
Let your neighbors know what you have in place to prevent an adverse situation and how you’ll take care of one if it arises. A noise monitor can help prevent things from escalating to a call from the neighbor.
Short-Term Rental Management by Effortless Rental Group
Being assertive about the standards of your property doesn’t mean you’re a killjoy. After all, a positive guest experience is paramount to our success. Still, protecting your business and your guests from an unnecessary mishap is an effective way to ensure the desired outcome for everyone.
When you entrust your property with Effortless Rental Group, we’ll reinforce your standards and take the busy work out of ownership. Our hands-on approach is second to none, and we pride ourselves on delivering excellence to guests and owners alike.
Sustainability is no longer a buzzword. Not only is eco-friendliness a sound business model, but it also appeals to consumers. According to Booking.com’s 2022 Sustainable Travel Report, approximately 70% of global travelers prefer sustainable travel and accommodations. With a growing trend towards environmental stewardship, this concept is integral to exponential growth, and short-term rental management is no exception. Eco-conscience travelers are becoming more prevalent by the day, so attracting their attention is imperative. Overhauling a business is never easy, but with a few small, budget-friendly steps, you’ll be well on your way to making a positive impact on the world and your bottom line.
5 Eco-Friendly Practices for Short-Term Rental Management
Understandably, the thought of sustainable business models can sometimes be overwhelming. Still, you may be surprised at how easy they are to implement and the savings you’ll actualize while attracting more guests. From simple recycling bins to solar panel installations, here are a few ideas that can pay for themselves over the long haul.
Recycling
What may be a no-brainer to many, adding recycling bins to your rentals is an easy, cost-effective step towards sustainability. Environmentally-conscience renters likely recycle at home, so having the option will appeal to them. Even if your properties already have recycling bins, making that amenity visible on your listing could entice more guests.
Change the Lightbulbs
Another cheap way to achieve sustainable short-term rental management is ensuring all lights are LED. Although they require a higher initial investment than incandescent lights, LEDs are the standard in home design for a good reason. They use about 70% less energy and last longer-–it’s that easy.
Save Water
Over the last few decades, the need for clean, accessible water has never been more apparent. And although you never feel the effects of drought and contamination firsthand, hydrology experts warn that two-thirds of the Earth’s people could be met with water shortages during this decade. Installing water-saving fixtures and low-flow toilets are significant conservation measures. Some builders have even started incorporating rainwater-capturing devices into their plumbing systems.
Intelligent Heating and Cooling
Smart thermostats take the guesswork out of achieving energy-efficient heating and cooling. These innovative home devices help save energy by monitoring occupancy and adjusting individual room temperatures. That means the energy used to condition a vacant living room area will go elsewhere. Moreover, many smart thermostats can be managed via voice commands and mobile apps, making them easier to implement on the go.
Solar Energy
The initial cost of installing solar energy systems can seem staggering, but it’s arguably the best way to become energy-independent. The best part is that once your energy consumption reaches zero, you can literally watch your electricity meter rotate backward. And if you’re connected to the grid, you can expect a monthly check from the power company.
Vacation Rental Services in Colorado
As one of the nation’s leading sustainable travel destinations, Colorado’s eco-friendly homes and businesses play an integral role in attracting visitors and residents. As Effortless Rental Group strives to be part of the solution, we’re always looking for innovative ways to contribute, and that extends to our partnerships. Together, we can create a cleaner, more inhabitable world, one property at a time.
First impressions go a long way, and vacation rental properties are no exception. Having your property in top form is an effective avenue to success with a relatively low investment. Captivating online imagery is the primary way to catch the attention of would-be renters, but what seems like an easy endeavor can become a mind-boggling experience in home design. No matter how good your camera is, you may come away with lackluster results if you’re not putting a valiant effort into staging your home. We want all of our partners to get the most out of their properties, so here are a few practical things to consider as get you started!
How Do We Define “Staging?”
Much like a five-star restaurant or world-class theatrical performance, aesthetics play an integral role in creating an emotional response to your vacation rental listing. Still, you may wonder what staging is and how it can maximize your revenue. Simply put, staging is the physical presentation of your home that gives renters a sense of what it’s like to live there. And although your guests won’t be staying permanently, you want them to imagine their personal experiences. After all, the first part of booking is grabbing your audience’s attention, in this case, vacationers.
3 Staging Tips
Almost everyone in the vacation rental space understands the importance of staging, but that doesn’t mean we all know how to do it. There are many different things to consider when presenting your home, and, understandably, you may have some questions. Browsing popular listings is one way to get your creative juices flowing, but one of your goals should be to set your property or properties apart from the rest. Here are practical tips that will bring life to your listing.
Create Space
One of the first things travelers look for when choosing a place to stay is ample space. Thankfully, there are a few things to facilitate those desires without tearing down walls. Neutral colors with simple designs can make rooms appear much more prominent. Mirrors can also add the illusion of space by reflecting what’s already there.
Shed Some Light on the Situation
Adequate lighting will maximize your interior design and make your property more appealing to discerning guests. Unfortunately, overhead lighting can only do so much and sometimes create unwanted shadows. Opt for warm lighting positioned in various spots around each room. Floor lamps, Edison bulbs, and hanging fixtures will help evenly distribute light without making your interior look like a doctor’s office.
Remove Unnecessary Decorations and Personal Items
It’s easy to go overboard with making your vacation rental feel like your home. While some guests may appreciate your 80s vintage toy collection or sports memorabilia, presenting a generalized theme is a better way to attract renters. A few knick-knacks related to the area won’t hurt, but too many decorations can become distracting, especially from an online perspective.
Short-Term Rental Management in Colorado
Finding the best ways to stage your short-term rental property doesn’t have to be an arduous process. And if it’s something you don’t want to take on yourself, many services specialize in maximizing your property’s online appeal. To find out how Effortless Rental Group can help you get a sizeable return on your investment and learn how much your property can earn, get started today by visiting us online.
Vacation rentals in Lower Highlands (LoHi) Denver that provide fine bath products & consumables to enhance guest stays.
Intentional. Informational. Impactful.
These are just a few commonalities Effortless Rental Group shares with our partners at Le Labo and Public Goods.
Here at Effortless, we are constantly working to level up the guest experience. Every opportunity is met with an abundance of consideration and a thorough assessment to determine if it will do just that.
When today’s partnerships were yesterday’s prospects, the same due diligence was put forth; yet, the decision to join forces with both was a no-brainer.
There is a worldwide emphasis on sustainability in today’s consumer culture. A 2021 study revealed over one-third of global consumers were willing to pay more for sustainable products. This demand has many companies scrambling to catch up with companies that know sustainability is not trendy, but timeless – companies like Le Labo and Public Goods.
Often described as “intoxicating,” Le Labo’s collection of pure, clean fragrances lend themselves to artful irony and the joy of being pleasantly surprised.
When our guests are greeted with Le Labo’s sensorial bath products, they know Effortless Stay & Espadín LoHi put their wellness above all. Plant-based, genderless, claimless, cruelty-free products that make you feel good and smell amazing.
Sustainability is achieved in each stage of the supply chain. Production highlights include bottles made from sugarcane, biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastic, and tree-free paper products. For every order placed, a tree is planted, making every shipment carbon offset.
Products are made with ingredients that any guest can use. All products are designed to enhance the space they are in, not detract from it. The wide array of essential products that are already available is expected to get even more comprehensive.
Effortless understands the modern-day traveler’s sacrifice of leaving pieces of home behind and alleviates it by placing Public Goods products in every property. You’ll never feel like you’re living without at an Effortless Stay at Espadin LoHi – you may even find a new favorite essential to introduce to your home.
A couple years ago, my partner and I found ourselves with new job opportunities and the possibility of a new life adventure in Denver. After more than half a decade in the mountains, we were ready to make the move from Breckenridge, except for one sticking point – our home. We had purchased our A-frame a few years back, and maybe it wasn’t quite our dream home yet, but the last thing we wanted was to sell our one and only real estate investment. Still, we weren’t going to be able to pay Denver rent, let alone buy a home in Denver someday, without selling. Right?
Wrong. This is where the idea of Airbnb started to come into focus in a whole new way. Sure it was on our radar as slowly but surely over the years, Airbnbs had become our preferred way to travel, and we knew some local friends who had tried hosting with varying degrees of success. But could we become hosts ourselves? Could inviting guests into our own home seriously generate enough short-term rental income that we could pay our mortgage and hold onto our home? All while renting, living and working in another city? We decided it was worth a chance, why not find out. Let’s do this!
But wait, who was going to want to stay in our space? Now it had been working fine for us, but it was far from guest-ready. The thought of re-thinking the space so it was dreamy and desirable was, quite frankly, paralyzing. Where would I start? We had been living on hand-me-down furniture. It needed a fresh coat of paint and a deep clean. The kitchen needed to be updated and so did the bathrooms. The dollar signs started to flash before my eyes and I couldn’t imagine transforming our home into a self-sustaining business on my own. In a near panic, we brought in our friend Erin Deeley, founder of Hydaway, to take a look at the space. As a career creative director and stylist, she’s intuitive and thoughtful, but also a hard-hitter and we knew she would give it to us straight. We braced ourselves for her assessment and what she came back with was shocking. Yes, we needed to clean and paint, but with new furnishings and some creative styling, she thought we could be a competitive, standout short-term rental, in a matter of months. The construction and full remodel projects could wait (thankfully!); pragmatic staging, intentional styling and thoughtfully shot photography would be the solution.
Truthfully, we didn’t have the money saved to make this upfront investment in furnishing our whole house. But as a proud homeowner and strategic business woman, I know that sometimes it takes money to make money. And in an increasingly crowded, competitive Airbnb marketplace, I wanted to give my new business the best chance at sustainable profitability and long-term success.
So Erin got to work. She was super sensitive to our tight budget and timeline, bringing in a mix of high and low-end furnishings, old and new. Erin worked to make sure the home had optimal flow and function for guests, while still reflecting our tastes and who we are. She artfully highlighted the best attributes of our space, while quietly drawing attention away from what wasn’t so great – no reno work or major construction needed. She transformed our tired, hand-me-down interior into this playful mix of clean modern lines, cozy bohemian touches and a hint of nostalgia that nods to the 1960’s architecture. She also worked with us to professionally photograph the space, another crucial piece of the puzzle as these photos are literally the first impression we make on every potential guest. She helped me start to think about this home as not only a potentially profitable business, but a potentially powerful brand that I’d get to share with the world.
And I’m happy to report back, this was 100% the right move. We made our money back in less than six months, and that initial investment continues to pay dividends in every way. We engaged with Effortless Rental Group to manage the property, keep it sparkling clean, well maintained, occupied and priced right – and we’ve never looked back. Almost two years later, @TheFoxAFrame is a successful business and brand with occupancy rates and annual revenue that have consistently exceeded our expectations. And back in Denver, we’re in the process of purchasing our second home, a dream that would have never been possible without the success of this short-term rental. Oh, and I think it goes without saying, but I’m a total interior design convert. This value add in my life is an appreciating asset I’m holding onto.
My Takeaways
The Financial When your space has that Instagrammable, share-worthy style, your listing will stand out, it will get you noticed. Period. It will generate more impressions, more interest and more clicks. That equals guests in the door and ultimately higher occupancy, nightly rates and total revenue. Invest in interior design and photography. In a matter of months, you can see the return on your financial investment. When you invest in your space, your guests will too.
The Emotional This is the one I never saw coming. But I have to tell you, when I’m able to spend time at my house, it is a completely transformed space. The design changes the energy of the space, how you feel and how you live in it. Now it’s this magical escape that’s our very own. The fact that we get to share that feeling with guests, day after day, makes our investment totally worth it. And not to make it financial again, but honestly the value of that emotional connection regularly surfaces in better reviews, higher ratings, recommendations and even repeat stays. When you care about your space, your guests will too.
Build a Brand, Not Just a Business. The modern guest audience in today’s connected world is looking for more than just a place to stay. Attention to the experience and brand you’re creating might take a little more time and effort, but it will inevitably translate to better engagement, overall guest satisfaction, customer trust and affinity. This is all crucial to lifting customer lifetime value and creating sustainable When you believe in your space, your guests will too.
The Fox A-Frame – Property Performance (May 2020 – May 2021)
Named one of Colorado’s best Airbnbs in 2020 by Conde Nast Traveler, The Fox is a charming retreat nestled in the mountains of Breckenridge, Colorado – a breath of fresh air, a world away. Ready to book your stay?
Hydaway offers interior styling and brand marketing services to help the aspiring short-term rental owner build a profitable business, powerful brand and lasting success for their new or existing Airbnb. Ready to transform your space?
Providing homeowners in Colorado with the most trusted, comprehensive set of property management services while maximizing revenue. Stop stressing over managing a short-term rental by yourself. Get the services, resources, and support you need to succeed in this constantly changing world of short-term rentals.
Interested in a FREE property evaluation? CLICK HERE to fill out an inquiry form or call sales directly at 720.297.5905.
Effortless Rental Group’s very own Dana Lubner was recently featured on STR Success Stories where she had a virtual chat with Julian Sage (of Short Term Sage) about her personal story and how she joined her family to help grow Effortless to what it is today. Dana also discusses how she was involved in not only growing the business but how to scale at a healthy level while also keeping the quality of the service they wanted to offer for their clients and guests. She talks about how she was able to help Effortless speed past the growing competition in Denver & what it takes to market and brand your short term management company. Dana shares what it is like working in an advocacy group hired by companies like Airbnb & VRBO and their efforts to drive initiatives forward with local regulators.
Check out the full podcast episode with Dana HERE!
Don’t forget to follow Julian and his entire podcast series Short-Term Sage HERE!
As concerns grow about environmental sustainability in our communities, many of our travelers are now searching for more eco-friendly travel options. We’ve heard our guests loud and clear: Effortless Rental Group is going green at all of our vacation rental properties in Colorado! Effortless Rental Group believes in reducing our carbon footprint which is why we are excited to announce our partnership with Public Goods. Public Goods will be providing our properties with high quality items such as cooking seasonings, salt & pepper, olive oil, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soaps, paper towels, toilet paper and coffee. All of which are sustainable, non-GMO, organic, eco-friendly, non-animal tested, free of harsh chemicals – and so much more!
We also plan on implementing a reduction in single-use items in all of our properties, focusing on reusable or recycled items as much as possible. We believe quality is more important than quantity, which is why we’ll be advocating our owners to invest in products for their homes that are sustainable, eco-friendly while also providing an excellent experience for all of our guests.
Chemical cleaning products can be harmful to wildlife and human life, and we’d like to make a difference anywhere we can. We’ll be shifting to biodegradable and eco-friendly cleaning products with Public Goods that are effective, while also following all CDC guidelines for disinfecting. This will decrease the range of harmful chemicals our guests are exposed to and lessen the amount washed into the environment during use.
Here are some easy ways you can make your vacation rental green:
Help your guests reduce their plastic use by providing reusable options such as shopping bags
Provide filtered water for guests so that they can refill their own reusable bottles
Make it easy for your guests to recycle. If recycling is an option for your home, make sure to be clear about what is recyclable and what is not.
Vehicles are the leading cause of air pollution in climate change. Help your guests make better choices by recommending public transportation, rideshare programs or walkable attractions in your neighborhood.
Return on Rentals (ROR) is a virtual event with property managers speaking on technology and trends – putting you in the know and position you to win even in this uncertain time.
Meet property managers facing many of the same challenges you are and learn about products and systems they are using to keep their profits at their peak.
ROR is for you if…
You want to maximize your properties profits
You’re ready to be inspired
You miss connecting at conferences
You want to learn about new products, talk directly to the vendors, and hear the real story from PMs that have seen how they work
ROR is all about Return on Rentals.
The Return on Rentals event will showcase a variety of notable speakers covering a wide range of topics.
Dana Lubner and Matt Landau have been strong voices & leaders in the short-term rental industry. Both have been seeking more immediate ways to address current advocacy challenges in the space and drive forward some of the standards showcased in last year’s Good Neighbor Summit; a collaborative event that brought together Denver’s local vacation rental hosts and focused on ways to shape positive reform of unfair short-term rental regulation.
We’re extremely proud that our own Dana Lubner is joining forces with Matt Landau (VRMB) to “shift the narrative” and showcase the good side of the local hosting community. The new podcast will feature vocal participants: from public affairs and policy experts to leading vacation rental managers, as well as neighborhood advocates. The topics covered will be game-changing for the short-term rental industry!
For more information check out Short Term Rentalz post here.
Effortless Rental Group is Colorado’s most trusted hospitality provider, specializing in short-term rental and boutique hotel management. Helping investors locate new real estate opportunities in short-term rental markets, using analytical data, and industry knowledge.
It’s no secret that short-term rentals have been a hot topic whether promoted, maligned, or somewhere in between. This alternative style of accommodation has evolved into an industry disrupter and is fast becoming the preferred choice of travelers young and old.
Airbnb and Vrbo rentals across the United States have increased by 105% over the past three years propelled by a new wave of travelers looking for more unique and affordable hotel alternatives. Between July 2018 and May 2019, Airbnb added more than 1 million listings. For comparison, Marriott added 46,101 new rooms between July 2018 and March 2019. Seeing the outsized returns that short-term rentals generate, U.S. real estate investors both big and small have jumped into this new asset class purchasing 1.8 million properties with the intent to earn short-term rental revenue in 2018 alone.*(AirDNA)
On March 13th, the travel sector was gutted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Effortless Rental Group saw 87% of reservations cancel in a matter of hours as travel came to a standstill. Shortly after this new reality set in, we noticed a change in booking behavior, with guests reaching out for longer than the average 3-day stays. This may be due to the fact that short-term rentals are perceived, and proven, as safer than hotels during this pandemic. A new breed of traveler has been born; one that includes frontline workers, those looking for cozy quarantine spots, and most importantly, travelers who want to avoid a crowded hotel lobby at all costs.
After stay-at-home orders were lifted and businesses began reopening, there was a big uptick in demand. Weekend getaways are now turning into week-long getaways, guests are even deciding to book for a month or two, now that “work from home” opens the opportunity to work from anywhere. Travelers are wanting to escape city life to visit a nearby drive-to destination. This type of travel is expected to continue through 2021.
Since the pandemic began, the percentage of bookings on Airbnb within 200 miles has grown from a third in February to more than 50% in May. Travel in a post-COVID world is shifting “from airplane to car, big city to small location, hotel to home,” Chesky said in an article from the LA Times. Airbnb’s newest marketing strategy is “Getaway, without going far. A journey close to home is just the break you need”. We’ve observed this within our own booking data as a majority of guests reside in state.
Traveler needs are changing and that is nothing new to the short-term rental industry. Although COVID-19 has created extraordinary circumstances, we’ve always demonstrated our ability to adapt and meet guest expectations. Proactive communication of cleaning procedures reassures guests and helps demonstrate the full value of the services provided to them.
Shifting travel expectations and behaviors present an opportunity for investors. When stacked up against hotels, professionally managed short-term rentals often win out in cost, size, amenities and quality. These advantages are historically amplified during economic downturns, making short-term rentals the most attractive option over the next year and beyond.
