Community: Message List

Do you feel having a game room is profitable?

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:25:37 GMT

Our house is very close to a casino and we are considering converting some garage space, but I don't know if it's worth it. Would appreciate hearing others' experiences.

Are you getting invitations to advertise with Stop, Sleep, Stay? Interested to hear your thoughts and comments about working with them.

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:56:58 GMT

I have recently been invited to check out this start-up from RentalPeople.com. Who are they? Are they legit? Do others have experiences with them?

Re: Facebook Marketing?

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 03:23:11 GMT

May I ask a very elementary question? What advantage is there to accumulating "likes" for your Facebook page? Obviously a popularity thing, but beyond that?

Re: A subject i don 't see much is damage. What can you charge for and what not?

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 01:02:04 GMT

HI Evan:

I never charge for things I consider wear and tear. Dishes break, telescopes break, dining room chairs break. If it looks like there is malicious damage, or excessive cleaning, then I charge. Generally we get very respectful and appreciative guests. The few who have not been so, have helped me to hone my intuition, reword some of my listing information and increase my damage deposit. I've kept damage deposits for the following:

-fireworks shot off on the deck and burned the wood

-a hot tub control panel that had a hole poked in it and destroyed (I charged half for that, the hot tub was old and panel hard to read.)

-broken glass-top burner (charged replacement value only)

- excessive cleaning (obviously a party. sticky stuff all over floor, counters, in freezer and on sofa, vomit in the bedding, furniture moved)

the one who got away - the people who brought their dog to our non-pet home and washed it in the hot tub!

Re: VR Owners who do not charge sales tax

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 00:07:11 GMT

Not all states levy sales taxes. Oregon is one of them. We do, however have city and county taxes. Our vacation rentals are in the county;we are required to pay 1% occupancy tax. When and if we are annexed, we will be required to conform to city regulations. I see homeowners in our area that do not charge any taxes. Others charge the required 1%. What I don't understand is that some charge a 10 or 11% tax. Isn't that fraud? If the 'taxes' are not being submitted to the government body that does not require them ....

Obviously not all states are the same, and if homeaway or any other group required an across the board tax, special adjustments would have to be made for states and areas like ours.

Re: Foreign Inquiries from Bali? Complete with websites and details unusual in scams.

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 16:54:46 GMT

ATC:

I've noticed that the scam letters are changing again. They are targeted to VRBO listings and I can't tell the initial inquiry from others. However, when the confirmation of desire to purchase comes, all my instructions are ignored. I am REQUESTED to supply certain information for payment by money order. The first time or two I sent back an email that I would only accept credit cards through PayPal for foreign exchange and subsequently never heard from them again. Now I generally recognize the tone and don't go beyond the second email exchange. Be alert!

Debi

As a property owner/manager, how do you go on vacation?

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:39:23 GMT

My husband and I are in our 5th year of renting our 3 vacation properties. We have been very selective about taking vacations ourselves, with the intent to be as available as possible while we are traveling. I find it is becoming tiring and limiting in where we can go and what we can do. I would like to know how other property owners take vacations? I'm considering closing all the houses for a month during the low season so that we can travel comfortably. If you close your rentals, how do you handle the email traffic that is year-round?

Homeaway and Priceline?

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 00:43:20 GMT

Have you seen this article about Homeaway and Priceline partnering up? I would love to hear reactions to this news and explore pros and cons for us owners.

http://http://www.travelnewsnotes.com/2012/07/homeaway-and-priceline-partner-up/?sf5223855=1&goback=%2Egde_1832223_member_138111371

Debi

Re: Has anyone advertised a home rental on AirB&B?

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Thu, 26 May 2011 20:49:54 GMT

I've had a number of bookings through Airbnb. It took me a little while to figure it out, and not being able to interact directly with the guest was a pain. However, I understand why they keep it that way... and they release phone numbers and emails after they get their money from the guest. We are able to interact through airbnb's email website and while cumbersome, it does work. I have raised my rates slightly to cover variations in cleaning fees, and now I see they have added that category of pricing. I advise the clients that if my property is available, a security deposit and occupancy tax must also be levied, and that this is something that we will do outside the airbnb jurisdiction. I tell them what it is, and that they may pay me separately through Paypal. I especially like using Paypal for security deposits because I can refund directly into the guest's account and Paypal keeps none of their fee... thus making that part of the service free to me.

My biggest issue with Airbnb was that it was necessary to update the calendar periodically and I was already keeping more calendars than I wanted. Now, they have also added a change that allows a link to the vrbo calendar saving me tons of time. It's a free site. The cost is great. I love the Craigslist feature and use it. If they bring me any business at all it's more exposure and more business than I had previously, and I appreciate that as well. I've also found they pay me promptly. It's all a matter of learning a new system and being patient with it. And now I'm going to go find out about this professional photo offer!

Foreign Inquiries from Bali? Complete with websites and details unusual in scams.

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:23:39 GMT

Hi All:

I have received a most interesting inquiry from what looks like a legit travel agancy in Bali. I want to establish the "scam-factor" of this exchange, and am not sure how to do it. The websites given seem to be valid. Any suggestions? Is it possible to check an IATA number? I would appreciate feedback, I'm stumped and can usually spot a scam pretty easily ... following is a portion of the last email: -Debi

Yes, we are running an authorized and the most trustworthy travel &

guide agent at Denpasar, Bali Island, ID. Before I do the reservation

arrangements. Please answer our questions below;

- Do you have space availability for that dates? If not, please notify

that our clients vacation dates availability are flexible.

- For most Internet simply reservation may our clients provide you their

credit cards for the method of payment?

- Do I get a commission as referral fees for this guests information

from you? If yes, we propose you a little higher 12,5% commission on the

total amount of their stay.

- Reason of visit is pleasure, tourism and do social activities.

- Can maid, cleaning and catering service be booked with you as

additional services?

- If you could serve limousine airport-pick up service. Please let me

know the additional cost but it is fine when you could not serve

limousine airport-pick up service. Do you have a good advice for renting

a car?

- May I ask for references from your past renters I will forward to my

clients? This is just an optional request.

And our company always suggest our clients to pay 100% deposit in

advance (full payment) to any properties we are looking for, not just

30-50% payment in advance. So there's no need to balance the remainder

upon their arrival. We also explained them this would be

non-refundable funds when they'll make any cancellation for doing 100%

payment in advance.

I also have read an American traveling article and they gave me a good

advice like state below so I'm always informing this good advice to

all of our clients.

"Travel Tip: Be smart when you pay. Pay with credit cards when

possible. Cash, checks, PayPal and bank wire transfers are much more

difficult to recover. NEVER wire monies via Western Union, MoneyGram

or instant wire transfer services."

By the way, I always have bad phone connection when I tried to reach

you so I assumed electronic mail is best, fastest and cheap way to

make all communication around the world. In addition, we would like to

show you a travel itinerary provided by the airline, that our guest is

confirmed to travel on the dates requested.

So please recalculate the total payment with your best price include

tax, damage/security deposit & cleaning service also our 12,5%

commission will be. I hope you understand our integrity mission and

appreciate our intentions to do honorable and ethical business. Peace

be with you and your preciousness underlings.

Kindest Regards,

Ms. XXXXX

PT. Sekar Acala Jagadhita

Ting South East Asian Network Tours & Travel Agency

Asia Transpacific Journeys

Jl. Bintang Buana 12

Bhaktiseraga Barat Singaraja

Bali - Indonesia

Phone: +62-81804-255770

Website: www.asita.org

www.asiatranspacific.com

IATA - International Air Transport Association No. 021 5921.

ASITA - Association of Indonesia Tours & Travel Agencies No.

07/XI/DPP/82.

-Vacation Rentals Community Members

-Better Business Bureau Gold Star Award Members

-Travel Agency specializing in vacation rentals and villa

-Association of Vacation Home Rental Managers-Travel Agent (VRMA)

"Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes

on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." -- Miriam Beard