At Stony Brook Cabins, we think there are 7 important questions you should be asking to help you decide on the right property management company. These are our suggestions:
1. How much experience does the Property Management Company Have?
It’s always best to go with a company who has a long-standing history of success in the property management industry. The years of experience will enable them to provide you with the best chance for success. We enjoy the travel and tourism industry and have dedicated ourselves to making sure each of our rental properties succeeds in the Smoky Mountain market. Stony Brook Cabins has been managing rental properties for over 25 years.
2. What kind of reputation does the company have?
Over 80% of travelers look at reviews before making a reservation. Positive reviews are critical to ensure repeat guests, so find out what guests are saying about the company. You might also consider asking for references from a few of their current homeowners. At Stony Brook Cabins, 86.27% of our guests say they would come back and stay with us again. Most of our homeowners have volunteered to serve as a reference.
3. Is the company up to date on marketing trends?
When you’re looking for a property management company, you definitely want a company who keeps up with the latest trends in marketing so your rental receives the maximum exposure possible. Ask about their marketing agency. At Stony Brook Cabins, we understand it is extremely important to stay on top of the changing industry. For this reason, we spend tens of thousands of dollars on marketing each year. We work closely with a large agency who specializes in vacation rental marketing, including Google search results, to ensure each of our units has the highest occupancy all year long.
4. How does the company manage maintenance?
One aspect of having a vacation rental is being sure the minor maintenance issues that arise are taken care of in a timely manner. One benefit of having a property management company is you don’t have to live nearby and you don’t have to handle maintenance issues. You also don’t have to manage any of the phone calls or emails about minor maintenance issues that are reported by the guests. The average self-managed property owner spends over 12 weeks per year managing their vacation rental, dealing with guests and booking reservations. Our goal is to manage your property so well that you don’t even have to think about it. We guarantee your rental is well-taken care of throughout the year and all issues are handled immediately.
5. How does the property management company structure their fees?
It is important to understand the fee structure of your property management company, and you should choose a company who is up front and open about their fees. At Stony Brook Cabins, we are 100% transparent with each of our property owners and guests. Typically, we charge fewer fees to our owners than most companies in the area. We were founded as a vacation rental company, not a maintenance company. We are here to make money on reservations; we don’t use the maintenance on your rental as a profit center. And we are always glad to provide you with copies of bills if needed.
6. Is there a local owner involved in the management of the company?
Would you like to be able to call and get quickly to the “boss” to resolve an issue or request special attention? Are you frustrated leaving messages and waiting for “someone” to return your calls? Our owners are very hands on and in the office on a daily basis. They are always available to return a call within a few hours. Your questions will be answered by the one person who is able to get it done and get it done quickly.
7. Are there solid accounting services available?
Wouldn’t it be nice to work with a property management group who handles all of the accounting paperwork for you, especially when tax time rolls around? With reliable accounting service, you can relax knowing all of your accounting information will be provided for you in a timely manner and without any confusion. At Stony Brook Cabins, your account is always available to you. We don’t hide any charges from our property owners.
If you’re looking for more information to help you choose the right property management company for your vacation rental, give us a call today. One of our owners will be more than happy to help you and answer any questions you may have.[/upme_private]