Types of vacation rental management

If you do choose to rent out your second home as a vacation rental, there are a few different ways you can choose to take care of it (and your guests).

Self-management

If you have a flexible schedule, enjoy doing handy work, and live fairly close to your property, then self-management may work out for you. Keep in mind, however, that while it may seem like you can save some money if you take care of everything yourself, there’s a considerable expense in time, energy, and late-night phone calls when a guest can’t figure out how to connect to the WiFi.

Here’s what you’ll be responsible for when you’re self-managing your vacation home:

• Marketing and advertising
• Photography
• Writing descriptions
• Responding to reviews
• Website listing fees and subscription costs
• Staging and interior decorating
• Housekeeping, including stocking cleaning products, laundry, and guest amenities
• Indoor and outdoor maintenance (everything from repairs to landscaping)
• Handling reservations, inquiries, and check-ins
• Processing payments
• Issuing refunds
• Communicating with concerned or unhappy guests
• Rate setting and optimization
• Filing lodging taxes
• Securing permits and licenses
• Keeping up-to-date on HOA policies and other community regulations
• Managing vendors and payments for miscellaneous services (such as hot tub or pool maintenance and cleaning, snow removal, etc.)

Vacation rental booking and marketing services

There are some companies who provide an option between full-service vacation rental management and self-management. They will usually take care of advertising your home, processing payments, and potentially answering online inquiries.

However, the on-the-ground tasks like housekeeping, maintenance, and most guest support will still fall to you (or contractors you hire and manage on your own).

Full-service vacation rental management

If you live far away from your second home, or don’t have the time to worry about all the details, then a full-service vacation rental management company like ours is your best bet. We’ll take care of all the details for one comprehensive fee—everything from marketing to maintenance to on-the-ground guest support—without you needing to lift a finger.

Elevated vacation rental management: the Vacasa difference

When you’re ready to purchase a second home, we’re here for you from start to finish.

We have a network of preferred real estate agents who specialize in vacation rentals. They can help identify homes that will deliver above-average financial performance, and work with our local representatives to navigate the local regulations and taxes you’ll need to consider before you buy.

When you’ve chosen your perfect vacation home, our local team will take care of all the permitting, photography, and other details you need to get your new home set up as a successful rental.

Of course, you’ll still be able to enjoy your own vacations whenever you want—we don’t put any limits on how you use your home, and we don’t lock you into any long-term contracts. And when you come to visit, our local team will have your home sparkling clean and ready for your own vacation.

Learn more about Vacasa's property management services.