Category: Travel

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Senate & House Pass CARES Act

Tight shot of the United States Capitol Dome in Washington DC, USA. Study of the architecture detail.

The CARES Act passed the Senate and House last week providing relief to businesses across the U.S. This bill has provisions specifically targeting affected businesses in the tourism industry. These provisions will be available through grants at the state and local level. Advocating on behalf of the Short-Term Rental Industry is extremely important during this economic crisis.

This legislation provides direct cash payments of as much as $1,200 for individual taxpayers, and $500 per child, phased out when incomes exceed $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples filing jointly. This also dramatically expands unemployment insurance benefits and provides an additional $600 per week for those receiving unemployment benefits. The bill provides $349 billion dollars in much-needed, low-interest, small business loans that could be partially forgiven to help businesses maintain payroll and avoid laying off workers. It also directs billions of dollars toward hospitals and other health care providers on the frontlines of this pandemic, in part to help them purchase additional life-saving protective equipment.

VRMA has provided a high-level overview and breakdown of this bill, which you can read here.

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Denver Ranked Top Destination in United States

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Guests Hosting Tips Travel

Is Airbnb or VRBO better for vacation properties?

Airbnb, VRBO, and Homeaway, oh my! What’s the difference, and why be on all of them?

The last decade has really seen a boom in the “share” community with companies that really facilitate the way that homeowners can rent out their spare bedroom or home to potential guests. Companies like Airbnb and VRBO/HomeAway have made it easier than ever to take your getaway to the next level of comfort. You can literally stay in a Home Away From Home! It’s also made keeping your investment properties and spare bedrooms booked easier than ever because there are over a hundred million users worldwide.  But what’s the difference? Is Airbnb or VRBO better for vacation properties? What about for guests? Well, when you list your short-term rental property with Effortless Rental Group your properties automatically gets listed to to both Airbnb and VRBO/HomeAway as well as on every single one of our partners which include some of the largest booking sites in the world like Expedia and Booking.com, but let’s break them down.

Airbnb

Since their inception in 2008, Airbnb has become a household name for both travelers and hosts seeking to make a profit by providing that “home away from home” experience. Airbnb generally charges a Host fee of 3% of the subtotal. This depends on how strict your cancelation policy is or if you live in Italy. Airbnb charges guests anywhere between 0% and 20% depending on the subtotal, cleaning fees, and length of the stay.

Airbnb has an extensive network of users all around the world and has really sought to create the entire end-to-end travel experience in a single, easy to use app. Airbnb acquired HotelTonight in April which signals that they are interested in growing and have the means to do so. In addition to booking everything from shared rooms to entire mansions and everything in between, Airbnb provides guests with option to book experiences such as classes, workshops, and dinners all from the app. Through partnerships they even put on some once-in-a-lifetime experiences like letting guests stay the night in the Louvre.

VRBO/HomeAway

VRBO has been around longer than Airbnb, created in 1995, and was acquired by HomeAway in 2006. The HomeAway network is also extensive and this is good for Hosts because their properties are shown to millions of potential guests. One of the main differences between VRBO and Airbnb is that VRBO doesn’t rent out the smaller listings (shared bedrooms, spare bedrooms, home’s where the host resides, etc.). Instead, VRBO focuses on larger properties entire homes, condos, and apartments. It makes for a more conventional stay. While there can be a certain charm to trips where you can crash with strangers like a Hostel, it is really nice to have privacy when you vacation.

The fees on VRBO are a little different than Airbnb in that there are two packages for hosts to choose from: a $499 fee paid annually (recommended for hosts who rent year-round) or a 5% booking fee. Guests can expect to pay between 5% and 15%.

So which should you choose to list your property on? Trick question, the answer is both and then some! With Effortless Rental Group, we show your rental property on Airbnb, VRBO, and a slew of other booking sites. We’ve even harnessed the power of Booking.com, Expedia, Kayak, Obitz, TripAdvisor, and many more to ensure that you you’re getting the most out of your short-term rental property.

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Maximize Your Rental Property In May 2019

Maximize Your Vacation Rental Property In May 2019

Wake up and smell the flowers AND Maximize Your Rental Property In May 2019! As the weather warms up and the school year comes to a close, May signals the unofficial start of Summer and the official start of Summer Vacation. Families everywhere will start to look outward, away from the busy bustle of the cities and look to get away to the serene and ever-so-scenic vacation destinations that Colorado has to offer. These upcoming May events are sure to attract a large number of visitors from all over! Effortless Rental Group can make keeping your rental property booked out all May long feel… effortless! Make sure you’re not caught sleeping when the snow starts to melt!

81st Annual Cañon City Music and Blossom Festival

When: May 1st – May 5th

Where: Cañon City

About: This all-around festival features music, parades, and more including: high-school bands, orchestras, and choirs from all over the country. This festival also includes Colorado’s longest running Rodeo: the Royal Gorge Rodeo.

147th Annual Royal gorge Rodeo

When: May 3rd and 4th

Where: Cañon City

About: As part of the Music and Blossom Festival, this rodeo is the longest continuous rodeo in Colorado. This rodeo features: wild horse racing, bull riding, barrel racing, bronc riding and more.

Denver Bacon and Beer Classic

When: May 11th

Where: Denver

About: Held in Broncos stadium at Mile High, this will feature a ton of craft beers and over 100 different bacon dishes!

Upslope Get Down

When: May 11th

Where: Boulder

About: This 3-stage music festival is hosted by Upslope Brewing Company and features activities for the whole family.

Spread The Word Music Fest

When: May 17th – May 19th

Where: Downtown Denver

About: With over 60 bands and 10 stages, this is awesome music festival showcases local Colorado talent over three days.

Chicken Fight Fest

When: May 23rd

About: This Everything Fried Chicken & Craft Cocktail festival features 40+ restaurants competing to see who really have the best dish!

CKS PaddleFest

When: May 24th – May 27

Where: Buena Vista

About: Kick off the paddling season with PaddleFest and help raise money for The River Fund at Chaffee County Community Foundation. This features a ton of educational activities for paddlers of all ages.

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Maximize Your Rental Property During These March Events.

Effortless Rental Group: Maximize Your Rental Property During These March Events.

As February comes to a close, Colorado prepares to host these March events that are sure to bring in large crowds of tourists, athletes, and lovers of the arts, winter sports, and more. Make sure that your are maximizing your short-term and long-term rental properties throughout this exciting month by trusting your properties to our rental management team.

 

Effortless Rental Group will not only save you the time and hassle of listing your properties, we work to ensure that your rental properties stay booked and visible across all major platforms. Check out our  services as well as these upcoming events for the month of March:

 

37TH ANNUAL BURTON US OPEN SNOWBOARDING CHAMPIONSHIPS

  • February 25-March 2, 2019
  • Golden Peak, Vail, CO
  • The 37th installment of the Men’s and Women’s Snowboarding Championship

 

2019 Rocky Mountain Horse Expo

  • March 1-3, 2019
  • Denver, CO
  • More than 300 vendors will fill the trade show floor with the most innovative and exciting equine-related products and services

 

Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race

  • March 2, 2019
  • Aspen, CO
  • Ski mountaineering race over all four of Aspen’s famed mountains. You’ll climb (or watch others climb) 11,500 feet of vertical over 25 miles, including the epic Highlands Bowl.

 

Colorado Special Olympics Winter Games

  • March 2 – 3, 2019
  • Copper Mountain, CO
  • Copper is the official winter training site for all Colorado-based winter Special Olympics athletes, as well as the official host resort for the Winter Games.

 

Mardi Gras

  • March 5, 2019
  • Breckenridge, CO
  • Each year Mardi Gras lovers take over Breckenridge with masks, beads, music and entertainment to commemorate the carnival season.

 

7TH Annual ReFrame Film Festival

  • March 8, 2019
  • Fort Collins, CO
  • A film festival that features short-films with the intention of ReFraming disability in order to promote disability awareness.

 

Monte Vista Crane Festival

  • Fri-Sun, March 8-10, 2019
  • Monte Vista, CO
  • 36th annual Crane Fest, celebrates the annual migration of cranes that has been going on for years

 

Frozen Dead Guy Days

  • Fri-Sun, March 8-10, 2019
  • Nederland, CO
  • In its 18th year with contests, competitions, live music, great food, parades and parties.

 

Fiesta For All: Hispanic and Latin Music and Dance

  • March 15th and 16th, 2019.
  • Denver, CO
  • A Concert series that showcases and celebrates Hispanic and Latin dance music. This concert series aims to Build Community Through Music.

 

USASA National Championships

  • March 29-April 3, 2019
  • Copper Mountain, CO
  • Snowboard athletes compete in halfpipe, slopestyle, boardercross and alpine disciplines across 33 divisions.

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Maximize Your Vacation Rental In April 2019

This is a view of the rock formation called the Devils thumb that is located in the foothills on the west side of Boulder, Colorado.

Maximize Your Vacation Rental In April 2019

As the snow begins to melt and we say our goodbyes to all of Denver’s exciting winter festivities and attractions, we can now look forward to spring and warmer weather that will surely bring in the summer crowds. As always, this is a great opportunity to maximize your vacation rental in April 2019 and keep your rental property booked out. An easy way to ensure that you are getting the most out of your short-term or vacation rental property is to have a company that does short-term rental management look after the property for you.

Effortless Rental Group will not only save you the time and hassle of listing your properties, we work to ensure that your rental properties stay booked and visible across all major platforms. Make sure that your are maximizing your short-term and long-term rental properties throughout this exciting month by trusting your properties to our rental management team.

Check out our services as well as these exciting events that are coming to Denver in April 2019:

 

Taste Of Vail

Bud Light Rocks the Boat

  • On April 6th and 13th, 2019
  • Steamboat Springs, CO
  • A free concert series now in its 20th season, featuring a variety of music genres including performances by The Commonheart and Magic Giant.  

Aspen Film Shortsfest

  • April 2-7, 2019
  • Aspen, CO
  • In its 28th year celebrating one of the best short film festivals and Oscar-qualifying showcase.

The Cardboard Classic

  • April 13, 2019
  • Steamboat Springs, CO
  • This hilarious race down Headwall consists of nothing except for homemade sleds made of only cardboard. The Cardboard classic is in its 39th year.

Pondskim Closing Day Celebration

  • April 14, 2019
  • ​Steamboat Springs, CO
  • This event features hilariously costumed skiers and riders that attempt to cross a pond at the base of the mountain. Followed by the Bud Light Rocks the Boat concert series.  

Durango Bluegrass Meltdown

  • April 12-14, 2019
  • Durango, CO
  • A three-day long bluegrass music festival showcasing bands from around the country.

5Point Film Festival

  • April 25-28, 2019​
  • Carbondale, CO
  • A film festival geared towards outdoor action and adventure. The 5Point Film kicks off its Flagship Festival in Carbondale every spring.
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Maximize Your Vacation Rental During These Upcoming Colorado Events

Colorado is one of the premier winter destinations in the world and February is an exciting month that you surely won’t want to miss out on! These Colorado Winter Festivals are sure to attract large crowds and this is a great opportunity to keep your rental property booked out. An easy way to ensure that you are getting the most out of your short-term or vacation rental property is to have a company that does short-term rental management look after the property for you. The services provided through a rental-management company will save you time and money, while ensuring that you are getting the most out of your rental property. This February Colorado will host:

Aspen Winter X-Games

  • Date: Sat-Mon, January 25th-January 28, 2019
  • City: Aspen (Snowmass), Colorado
  • Winter extreme sports competition, music, food, nightlife activities

SIA Outdoor Retailer

  • Date: Wed-Fri, January 30th-February 1st, 2019
  • City: Denver
  • Outdoor industry product showcase

41st Annual Snowdown

  • Date: Wed-Sun, January 30-February 3, 2019
  • City: Durango
  • Parade, follies, and more

17th Annual CSCCI Chinese New Year Festival

  • Date: Sat, February 9, 2019
  • City: Colorado Springs
  • Cultural demonstrations, authentic food and music

Lake City Ice Climbing Festival

  • Date: Sat, February 10, 2019
  • City: Lake City Ice Park
  • Featuring men’s and women’s top-roped and lead speed competitions

Winter Warrior 10K Snow Traction Race

  • Date: February 10, 2019
  • Address: Silverton, Co (change of location from Durango, CO)
  • Snowshoe race includes a kids dash, 5K and 10K through the San Juan forest

106th Steamboat Winter Carnival

  • Date: Wed-Sun, February 6-10, 2019
  • City: Downtown Steamboat Springs
  • Ski races, ski jumping, ice sculptures, fireworks, a shovel race, street events, and more

12th Annual Cripple Creek Ice Fest

  • Date: Fri-Sun, February 8-17, 2019
  • City: Downtown Cripple Creek
  • Features ice sculptures in casino-friendly Wild West Cripple Creek

Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament

  • Date: Fri-Sun, February 15-17, 2019
  • City: Lake Dillon, Silverthorne
  • An ice hockey tournament sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon, with over $10,000 in cash prizes. It’s followed by the Apres Ice Party.

WinterWonderGrass

  • Date: Fri-Sun, February 22-24, 2019
  • Address: Steamboat
  • About: 12th annual festival showcasing national, regional and local bluegrass and acoustic roots music.

Denver Family Fest

  • Date: February 23, 2019
  • City: Denver
  • An indoor festival with a family friendly focus featuring kid-friendly activities, stages, and more.

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The Ultimate Effortless Colorado Ski Resort Guide

The weather’s starting to warm up, but there’s still plenty of time for a magnificent mountain getaway. We’ve gathered up the top events and restaurants in some of the best winter resorts in the country. Whether you’re looking for great nightlife after a day on the slopes or a tranquil retreat away from the noise of the city, your stay in one of our favorite mountain houses is certain to be unforgettable.

Breckenridge

March in Breck means the annual Spring Fever Festival, full of live music, ski competitions, beer, and the famous Breck Plunge—the perfect way to end the season. Breckenridge is known for having some of the best runs in Colorado, spread over five peaks and connected by the highest chairlift in the country. Year-round, the cozy mountain town offers a thriving arts scene and great food, with delicious spots like Relish and Briar Rose Chophouse & Saloon.

Luxe Home in the Heart of Downtown

Guests: 13
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 4

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Copper Mountain Getaway

Guests: 20
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 4.5

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Stunning Home on Main Street

Guests: 12
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3.5

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Gorgeous Mountain Getaway

Guests: 10
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 3

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Vail

Vail hosts almost two million visitors each year, and after a few hours here, you’ll see why. With incredible powder, a renowned Ski School for both kids and adults, and upscale Vail Village bursting with shops and restaurants, it’s no wonder that Vail tops the resort list. Check out the Jazz Winter Series through April and dine at Bistro Fourteen or Game Creek for a tasty dinner with a side of stunning mountain views.

Modern Vail Home

Guests: 12
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 4

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Vail Racquet Club Getaway

Guests: 6
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2

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Beaver Creek

Where else can you expect free freshly-baked cookies handed out at 3:00 every afternoon? Cookie Time and is just one of the traditions that make Beaver Creek one of the friendliest resorts in Colorado, an ideal destination for families. And its flawless corduroy brings skiers and snowboarders back year after year. For the unique flavor of Beaver Creek, visit Allie’s Cabin or Black Diamond Bistro.

Ski-In, Ski-Out Condo

Guests: 8
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2

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Luxury Condo- Walk to Gondola!

Guests: 7
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2

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Carbondale

With quick access to Aspen, Sunlight Mountain, and Spring Gulch, Carbondale’s location offers skiers and snowboarders plenty of options. Carbondale is also known for its rafting and kayaking, featuring swirling rapids and natural hot springs along the majestic Colorado River. After your outdoor adventure, grab a bite at Newell House or Quatro’s Deep Pan Pizza.

Mountain Chalet with Views of Sopris

Guests: 6
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2

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Lake Tahoe

It’s impossible to be bored in Tahoe—summertime swimming and hiking leads to amazing skiing in the winter for year-round entertainment. Lake Tahoe is also home to the Spring Loaded Festival, packed with live music, happy hour specials, and snow races. For the best food on the Lake, stop in to Café Fiore or Base Camp Pizza Co.

Brand New Tahoe Donner Home in Truckee

Guests: 16
Bedrooms: 6
 Bathrooms: 6

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Indian Hills

Close to Mt. Falcon, Mt. Lindo, Lone Peak, and Bear Mountain, Indian Hills is the premier destination for your peaceful mountain vacation. Keep an eye out for deer, bears, and elk on your trip, and don’t miss a walk through Mirada Fine Art Gallery or a bite at Twin Forks Tavern in neighboring Morrison.

Indian Hills Estate with Panoramic Views

Guests: 24
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 9

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Short-Term Management Strategies: Considering Your Options

Managing a short-term rental property is a lot of work to do on your own. From booking to cleaning to troubleshooting issues with guests, it’s nice to have some help along the way. Many homeowners are now deciding to partner with a rental management company.

But the decisions don’t end there—when choosing between rental companies, you have a lot of options. It’s important to look at each company’s strategy and consider what that means for you, your property, and your guests. We’ve outlined the three main rental management strategies below.

 

FIXED

Best for: homeowners who want consistent monthly income.

The fixed strategy allows the rental company to promise the homeowner a certain amount of revenue per month, no matter the number of bookings that month. The rental company pays you this set amount, then takes the rest. This means that you’ll make the same amount in the slower off-season as you will during more popular months. Overall, homeowners don’t maximize their monthly revenue with this strategy because they don’t receive the benefits of major spikes during the on-season. The scope of services provided by rental companies using the fixed strategy varies, but in general it is not comprehensive. The homeowner is often required to take care of services like guest correspondence and solving problems during a guest’s stay.

COMMISSION

Best for: homeowners who want their monthly revenue to reflect booking trends.

The commission-based strategy involves the rental company taking a certain percentage of every booking. This amount depends on the company and location, but typically falls between 20-50%. Using this strategy, the rental company and the homeowner experience highs and lows as a team. When there are more bookings for a certain month, everyone benefits. If you decide to go with a rental company that utilizes this strategy, it’s likely that a greater range of services will be covered than with the fixed strategy. However, you may still be expected to coordinate services such as cleaning, maintenance, and restocking the property between bookings.

TURNKEY

Best for: homeowners who want to maximize their revenue and minimize their workload.

The turnkey strategy is for homeowners who want their rental company to handle all of the tasks that come with maintaining a short-term rental property. Sometimes used in conjunction with the commission-based strategy, the turnkey approach covers all aspects of a booking, from answering initial inquiries to check-in to troubleshooting to turnover. Many homeowners who live out of state or frequently travel abroad choose this method while they’re away. Others live down the street and want a more hands-off approach to hosting. Although this strategy can be more expensive, the additional monthly revenue gained and the peace of mind that everything is covered makes it well worth it.


We handle every detail of your rental so you don’t have to. Click here to see the full list of services offered by Effortless Rental Group.

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How to Make Your Listing Stand Out and Earn More 5-Star Reviews

The short-term rental industry is booming worldwide, and Colorado homeowners are enjoying the profits. Airbnb hosts in Colorado made $183 million in 2017 alone, a 68% increase from the year before, according to The Denver Post’s recent article.

More properties are listed on Airbnb and other popular rental sites like HomeAway and VRBO every day. But with more properties comes more competition, which makes it crucial that your home stands out. Take a look at our list of amenities to add to your home to make your listing shine and enhance your guests’ experience—meaning more 5-star reviews for you.

 

1. Recreational items appropriate to your area

If you live across the street from a park, include some Frisbees or a croquet set in your home. If you’re close to a river, kayaks or inner tubes are great additions. Guests will choose your property over others because of nearby sites and attractions, and will appreciate that they don’t have to buy or rent equipment to enjoy these areas.

2. Modes of transportation (or information about how to get around)

Many of your guests will arrive without a car, especially if your home is in an urban area. Having bikes on hand will allow your guests to easily roam. Cheap bikes from Walmart or Target will do the job. If you can’t buy bikes, at least provide some details about how to get around in your area. Check out our article on exploring Denver without a car for some ideas.

3. A stocked kitchen

This goes beyond simply having dishes and utensils. Make sure that your kitchen is stocked with other essentials like olive oil, spices, and balsamic vinegar. Add a box of pasta and your guests will have everything to make a quick meal—especially useful for those who arrive late at night. If there’s a food item that’s local to your area, it’s a nice touch to include that, as well.

4. Ways to access attractions nearby

To go above and beyond, leave some tickets or passes that allow your guests to visit spots in your area for free. This could simply be a library card for renting books and DVDs, or something a bit more extravagant like free tickets to a museum or an access card for a rec center. This is a great way to use the free guest passes that come with many monthly memberships.

 

If you have any of the above amenities in your rental property, be sure to list them in your property listing. These items will not only attract prospective guests, but will also make their stay in your home the best it can be (great for them) and inspire them to write you a 5-star review (great for you). You’ll have that Superhost rating in no time.