Tag: vacation rental management

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Effortless Stay partners with BabyQuip

BabyQuip is the leading global baby gear rental for traveling families
Source – prnewswire.com article

Effortless Stay has taken a significant step forward in enhancing it’s vacation experience for families by partnering with BabyQuip. This collaboration provides Effortless Stay guests with a seamless and stress-free family travel experience and contributes to the advancement of the vacation rental industry as a whole.

Through this partnership, families can enjoy staying at an Effortless rental with all the comforts of home, as BabyQuip offers a wide range of high-quality baby and child gear that can be delivered directly to their rental property. From cribs to strollers and everything in between, this partnership ensures that families can travel with ease, knowing that their little ones will be well taken care of. Effortless Stay’s commitment to family-friendly accommodations, combined with BabyQuip’s exceptional service, is a game-changer in making vacations not just enjoyable but truly memorable for families. This collaboration sets a new standard for the vacation rental industry, offering a holistic solution for the evolving needs of modern travelers.

Read the entire article on prnewswire.com here!

Interested in learning more about Effortless Rental Group and our vacation rental management services?

Effortless Rental Group Logo

As Colorado’s most trusted vacation rental management company, we cut through the busy work to ensure our client’s properties achieve the highest rankings and maximum visibility. When you go with us, you’ll get more from your listing and the peace of mind that comes with being in good hands. From high-touch guest service to data-driven marketing, we’ll make gaining a return on your investment effortless.

Find out how we can help you get the most out of your short-term vacation rental property by getting a free property evaluation today!

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Guest Amenities Hosting Tips

An Effortless Vacation Rental Checklist

A young property owner navigates her vacation rental checklist.
A young property owner navigates her vacation rental checklist.

Regarding short-term vacation rental management, having even the slightest edge over your competitors can be the difference between meeting your goals and exceeding expectations. So, you may find yourself wondering, “What else can I do to set my business apart from the rest?” While upgrading your property and offering more amenities can go a long way, sometimes taking a step back and ensuring you cover all your bases are just as essential. That’s why Effortless Rental Group put together a quick and easy vacation rental checklist to guide you through the first steps of evaluating your amenities inventory. 

Creating Your Vacation Rental Checklist

A running checklist of your vacation rental items and amenities is an excellent way to stay organized. Not only does it help you keep track of what you have, but it can also give you ideas of what you want or need. The simplest way to break this down is by room.

Bathroom

It goes without saying that having a clean bathroom is critical to the guest experience. Besides cleanliness, you’ll want to include the following items on your vacation rental checklist.

  • Ample toilet paper
  • Tissues
  • Liquid handsoap
  • Face soap and body wash
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Small waste receptacles and trash bags
  • Towels

Dining Room

Meals are integral to the vacation experience, even if you’re dining in. Guests will appreciate feeling at home in their temporary space, and a positive experience is one they’ll remember. Here are some things to consider.

  • A large or expandable dinner table
  • Ample seating
  • Double the number of table settings
  • Tasteful decorations
  • Abundant light

Kitchen

Creating a kitchen checklist can feel overwhelming because there are so many items. Still, if you go take a look at guest reviews for vacation rental hosts, you’ll likely see several mentions of how well the kitchen was stocked. Your kitchen inventory should include the following.

  • Dishwashing soap, sponge, and washcloth
  • Paper towels and cleaning products
  • Large cutting boards
  • Containers for leftovers
  • Condiments and seasonings
  • Coffeemaker, coffee, and tea
  • Durable, dishwasher-safe plates
  • Glassware
  • Utensils
  • Kid-friendly kitchenware
  • Pots and pans
  • Garbage/recycling receptacles and ample trash bags

Living/Family Room

Although many guests will hopefully be out enjoying the nearby activities and attractions, ensuring they have a comfortable living space for lounging is still important. Plus, you never know; not all visitors plan to go out and about during their stay. Here are some living room essentials.

  • Clean, comfortable chairs and couches
  • Modern entertainment options (TV with remote, stereo, Bluray/DVD player)
  • Artwork
  • Table space
  • Lamps and overhead lighting
  • Fold-out couch/futon

Bedrooms

The bedrooms are arguably the most important rooms to ensure guests feel at home. Allowing your guests to have a good night’s sleep before and after each day is paramount. Read below to see what they’ll need.

  • High-quality linens and sheets
  • An assortment of high-quality blankets and pillows
  • Additional hangers
  • Alarm clocks
  • Effective sun-blocking curtains or blinds

Pet and Children’s Amenities

It’s relatively common for children and pets to join in on the fun. Although guests will usually have everything they need for their kids and furry friends, sometimes people forget! Adding these items to your vacation rental inventory will ensure everyone is covered.

  • Crib
  • High chair
  • Stroller
  • Childproof locks and outlet covers
  • Water and food dishes
  • Pet waste bags
  • Pet beds

Colorado’s Premier Vacation Rental Management Company

Effortless Rental Group Logo

Now that you’ve had a chance to compile your vacation rental inventory, you probably want to consider heading out and getting some things to fill the gaps. Next, you’ll want to find a trusted property management team to help bring your investment to the next level. Effortless Rental Group will show you the difference with various services ranging from stocking your property with essential items to using proven analytical marketing strategies to ensure no money is left on the table. Check out our site at Effortless Stay for a glimpse of the properties we manage.
To find out how much your property could earn, get started today with a data-driven evaluation today!

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Hosting Tips

3 Easy Ways to Improve Your Short-Term Rental Host Ranking

A young couple gleefully looks over a short-term rental host ranking while planning their next Colorado vacation.
A young couple gleefully looks over a short-term rental host ranking while planning their next Colorado vacation.

It’s no secret that higher host rankings for short-term rentals can positively affect your bottom line. After all, there is a reason why Airbnb and Vrbo respectively refer to top-ranked hosts as “Superhosts” and “Premier Hosts.” All you have to do to see for yourself is browse the listings in your favorite vacation spot, and the reviews speak for themselves. And based on what we know about the other industry trends, there is usually an actionable opportunity with every bit of information we extract from the Colorado short-term rental market. As such, Effortless Rental Group will highlight some of the things we can do to improve your short-term rental host ranking.

Simple Criteria for Improving Host Rankings

Before we lay out a few suggestions, it’s worth noting what criteria most vacation rental platforms use to determine host scores. Remember that most sites use sophisticated algorithms to assign rankings, but that doesn’t mean we can’t affect the data.

  • Number of bookings per night
  • Number of reviews—and it’s not just five-star ones
  • Acceptance and response rates
  • Average review rating
  • Host cancellation rates

The Effects of Host Responsiveness on Ranking

As a rule of thumb, short-term rental platforms allow hosts to respond within 24 hours of receiving a reservation request. Still, if you’re hoping for higher rankings, taking action as soon as possible is necessary. In an ideal world, you’ll respond to inquiries within only a few hours. And this doesn’t just apply to reservations. Typically, anyone with a profile can give a review and a score, so even those who don’t stay at your place can impact how potential guests perceive you.

Cleanliness

Quite simply, people visiting a vacation rental expect the place to be cleaner than their own homes. For all we know, that’s part of the reason some people stay at vacation rentals. Regardless of their motives, the primary takeaway is straightforward. No one wants to feel like someone else has been there, and they don’t want to clean up after someone else. Having an unkempt property is a surefire way to receive low host scores.

Hospitality Isn’t Only for Hotels & Dinner Parties

A keen attention to detail can massively impact reviews and rankings. Think about all the times you stayed at a hotel or vacation rental. We’re willing to bet the little things stood out the most. Useful directories, guestbooks, a list of local amenities, travel brochures, and a few complimentary items like specialty snacks or toiletries will make guests eager to leave a positive review.

Your Effortless Colorado Vacation Rental Management Partner

Effortless Rental Group logo.

As Colorado’s most trusted vacation rental management company, we cut through the busy work to ensure our client’s properties achieve the highest rankings and maximum visibility. When you go with us, you’ll get more from your listing and the peace of mind that comes with being in good hands. From high-touch guest service to data-driven marketing, we’ll make gaining a return on your investment effortless.
Find out how we can help you get the most out of your short-term vacation rental property by getting a free property evaluation today!

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Effortless Rental Group News Travel

3 Reasons to List Your Property with Effortless Rental Group

Vacation rental management from Effortless Rental Group.
Vacation rental management from Effortless Rental Group.

As Colorado’s most trusted vacation rental management company, Effortless Rental Group goes above and beyond to ensure a maximum return on your investment. But if you’re just starting to wade through the waters of becoming a short-term rental host, you may wonder what makes a reputable company. There are undoubtedly many factors that come into play when deciding who to trust with your property. Maybe you’ve been going at it alone for a while and are ready to “hand over the keys.” Or, perhaps you’ve worked with a vacation rental management company before and are looking for something different. Either way, we want to give you a few reasons to list with us!

In-Depth Property Analytics and High Visibility

Our ability to identify ideal price points is a significant factor allowing us to maximize your profits. We consider external variables such as vacation trends, hotel occupancy, and local events to determine nightly rates that make sense to travelers. And not only do we take the guesswork out of finding competitive yet profitable pricing, but we’ll also post your property on various booking platforms, including our official direct booking vacation rental website, Effortless Stay.

Genuine Turn-Key Service

Although almost all vacation rental management companies claim to offer “full service,” unfortunately, many fall short of their claims. That’s not to say they aren’t primarily good companies run by mostly good people, but let’s be honest. Providing the type of high-touch service that Effortless Rental Group can deliver is challenging. 

When we say we take care of everything, we mean it. You won’t have to lift a finger from digital toolsets that track cleanliness to proven marketing strategies and professional photography. So whether it’s managing guest correspondence, determining the best prices, or the most crucial aspects like cleaning, maintenance, and inventory, we’ll give you the peace of mind of knowing you can trust us to manage everything 24/7.

Unrivaled Guest Services and Concierge

Guest-ready interior designs, household essentials, and valuable local business partnerships are just a few things your guests will appreciate. Moreover, we offer priceless amenities like contactless check-ins, professional cleaning services, luxury bath products, and premier linens and towels. Needless to say, your guests will stay comfortably and leave happy.

Reinventing Vacation Rental Management

Our team of short-term rental experts is dedicated to giving you and your guests the best rental experience possible. Still, the only way for us to show you is for us to connect for an evaluation! Check out our FAQ page to learn more about what Effortless Rental Group can do for you and your vacation rental property, or give us a call at 720-475-1486 today! How much could your property earn?

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Hosting Tips

Booking Sites: How They Benefit Your Vacation Rental Property

vacation rental property
Woman search holiday apartments and rooms online with mobile phone. Vacation home rental website or application on smartphone screen. Traveler sitting next to suitcase, baggage or luggage.

Maximize your vacation rental property

A vacation rental property can be a great financial investment and can grow your wealth significantly. Like any business though, your profits will depend heavily on your ability to keep your rental property booked. Booking sites benefit your vacation rental property by allowing you to reach a larger audience and automating the booking process. You can have your property listed on every booking site online by listing your property with Effortless Rental Group. We harness the power of every booking site from Airbnb to Expedia to maximize your vacation rental property.

Put your property in front of millions of users.

The popularity of booking sites for short-term rentals has grown increasingly over the past few years. Sites like Expedia and Airbnb allow millions of hosts and guests connect now easier than ever. According to iPropertyManagement, there are over 150 million Airbnb users worldwide. VRBO/HomeAway boast 40 million monthly users, and Expedia boasts 37 million rewards members worldwide. Effortless Rental Group places your site on those and more to ensure that your property is seen.

Automate the renting process

Apart from advertising your property to millions of users, booking sites benefit your vacation rental property by automating the process of booking guests and receiving payments. The time you save by not having to micromanage your property allows you to spend time growing your business in other ways.

Booking sites have cornered the market on vacation rental properties. The return on investment from posting your property on booking sites exceeds the ROI from traditional listing sites like the local paper or Craigslist. Your listing reaches millions of users and automates many of the administrative processes. Anything that saves you time and money will benefit your vacation rental property. Effortless Rental Group can maximize your vacation rental property

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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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Entertainment Events Travel

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.