Community: Message List - Rental Discounts for multiple weeks

Re: Rental Discounts for multiple weeks

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:47:17 GMT

Thank you for your message. I am away from the office from today until August 7, 2011. I will continue to return my e-mails in the evenings.

If it is an issue that needs immediate attention please feel free to call me on my cell phone.

Thank you!

Theresa Light

(804) 241-2793

Re: Rental Discounts for multiple weeks

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:46:55 GMT

We offer a minimal discount for multiple weeks as we can easily rent individual weeks at our full rental price. We include the house cleaning in our rental rate. We do not charge any other fees; I think it's less confusing to build your fees into your rent. A list of fees often strikes me as confusing or excessive - when I travel I tend to rent properties that have an all inclusive rental - one figure, that's all. The only "fee" that I separate from the rental is the security deposit, which must be handled in a particular way by law.

To set rental rates and security deposits do some research on similar homes in your area. There is a great deal of information available on homeowner web sites, real estate and property manager web sites, and individual homeowner web sites. You'll get a good feel for where your home fits and likely get some ideas for improvements or changes to your rental property and procedures.

Good luck.

Re: Rental Discounts for multiple weeks

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:09:07 GMT

We offer a discount to those who book multiple weeks. Normally if it is a 2-3 week rental I will discount the rate by taking out the cleaning fee that is already built into my rates. However we do have someone who rents 3 months from us and they usually get a different discounted rate. All we charge is a deposit, tax and rental fee. At time of booking we ask for a signed contract and deposit to reserve the condo. Then they must pay the remaining balance 60 days before they arrive. If I book our condo less than 60 days from date of arrival all funds must be paid at time of booking.

Re: Rental Discounts for multiple weeks

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 20:28:57 GMT

We offer a weekly rate .. and if you stay 3 weeks, you get the 4th week free.

The 3-week rate is actually very similar to our monthly rate.

We ask for a $250 reservation deposit up front. This converts to a security deposit upon the guest's arrival. It is refunded via personal check in the mail or PayPal, after the guests' departure.

We have an Installment Plan for payments.

50% of the Total Bill amount is due 28 days prior to arrival.

The remaining 50% is due 14 days prior.

This allows time for the check to clear (if they paid by check), before their check-in.

We prefer payment by PayPal or personal check, since there are no fees for us.

We only offer our Payment Installment Plan for people paying with PayPal or personal check.

We accept credit card, too. However, for credit card payments, the full amount is due up front.

We find that demanding the full payment up front, for credit cards, really discourages people from using a credit card. We are very happy about that!

There is no reservation deposit for credit cards ... since they have already made the full amount of the payment. The security deposit is an "authorization" on their credit card, meaning the funds are set aside ... and a charge is only made if there were to be a problem / damages / etc.

The cancellation policy is no refunds if the cancellation is less than 30 days prior to arrival. We encourage our guests to buy travel insurance for protection in the event of cancellation.

Re: Rental Discounts for multiple weeks

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 06:37:17 GMT

Hi Newbie,

We use a monthly rent for long stays. We do not give further discounts than that. We had someone rent for almost two months in Dec/January and another party has just rented our place for 2 months in 2012. In both cases we just offered the monthly rate. We have gone the vacation rental route because it generates more revenue for us, but it also generates a lot more work on our side. So doing all the effort and then giving a huge discount for longer term renting would not make sense to us!

We do ask for deposit and the full amount to be paid 2 months in advance.

I believe the cleaning fee depends on the area. Here in Oahu most people charge it, but we don't because we feel it gives us an edge and most people tend to be more careful (there is a full discussion about cleaning fees elsewhere in this community:

http://community.homeaway.com/message/3398#3398).

Aloha,

~Eva

Re: Rental Discounts for multiple weeks

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:53:20 GMT

Hi Dava, I would be interested to see your rental agreement if you don't mind

sending it.

Thanks.

Re: Rental Discounts for multiple weeks

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:09:51 GMT

sure anytime is fine.

Check out our condo on the slopes of Northstar;

http://www.vrbo.com/152234

Simplify the management of your rental!

http://www.myvrms.com

Checkout my biz facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/myvrms

Dava Trusner

916-425-4858

Re: Rental Discounts for multiple weeks

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:38:38 GMT

Thanks Dava, I will definitely take you up on your experience. I am at work now but may call you later if wouldn't mind.

Re: Rental Discounts for multiple weeks

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:35:36 GMT

Good questions. I wouldnt only take 100% upfront if the requested stay is less

than 3 weeks away. You might want to do 30 days. That is typically standard for

industry. If the requested stay is 30+ days away I take 250.00 upfront. I would

definetly consider doing a monthly rental in your non-peak times. This may work

perfect for you. Its a great way to get it rented if thats what your seeing

people ask for. Thats how I gauge it by what people are requesting then provide

that based on demand. For monthly, I ask for the first month upfront, plus a

deposit. Then monthly is due prior to the first if the agreement is for a few

months. If its only for one month, take it all upfront. If its for two months,

require one month upfront, the second month due 15 days prior. Make sure you

have a rental agreement, specifying cancellation, responsibilities of utilities

etc. I can send you one I used if you'd like. We can chat off-line if want more

info. Id love to offer my experiences.

Check out our condo on the slopes of Northstar;

http://www.vrbo.com/152234

Simplify the management of your rental!

http://www.myvrms.com

Checkout my biz facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/myvrms

Dava Trusner

916-425-4858

Re: Rental Discounts for multiple weeks

community-no-reply@homeaway.com — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:26:40 GMT

Hi Dava, thanks for the response. Additional question for you: If renting for 3 weeks you get it all up front correct? and what about the month, do you do it monthly? I feel like an idiot. I have a home NEAR the beach but secluded and no pool in the development so I am at a disadvantage for rentors. Because I have not had much of a response for the summer I don't want to give it away by cheating myself. I know weekly is better for making the money but after season I figured monthly is better than nothing. I guess I don't have a renters confidence yet as I haven't had a taker yet.

Toni