October 2011
Ask Christine # 93: Protecting and Monitoring Your Vacation Home with Security Cameras (10/24/11)
Today’s question comes from Mike, he asks: I want to protect what is important to me. Our house, although close to attractions, is in an extremely isolated area and I view this as an asset. I am thinking about remote surveillance cameras. Not inside the house but to monitor outdoor activity. First, I would love to see people going in and out of the house(specifically how many people). Second, to check up on my housekeeper. Third, to make sure guests follow our rules with our hot tub. You know, over-crowding , no small children, no glass, etc. So Christine, What do you think about the cameras? And do I legally have to inform the guests that there are cameras
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Vacation Home HOA: Why you should Vote and Attend HOA Meetings. (10/17/11)
Christine speaks with Eva Pickens, Homeowners Association Manager for Newman Daily Resort Properties. They discuss the duties and responsibilities of HOA officers and board members. They also discuss the importance of your vote in your vacation home HOA.
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Ask Christine # 92: Secrets to Booking Last-Minute Openings (10/10/11)
Today’s question comes from Cory, she asks, I have a last-minute opening in my vacation rental. Are there any secrets you have to getting it booked?
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Ask Christine #91: All Work and No Play (10/03/11)
Today’s question comes from Margarita. She writes: When we bought our vacation home, we intended on using mainly as our second home. We decided to rent it out to off-set some of the costs of ownership. We’ve been renting it for just about 5 years now and the rentals are going very well. But our problem is our vacation home seems as if it has become “all work and no play”. Whenever we visit, we spend most of our time doing maintenance, cleaning, supplying etc. Will I ever get to enjoy my vacation home again?
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September 2011
One-on-one with Brian Sharples, CEO of HomeAway Inc. Part II (09/26/11)
Today’s podcast is the continuation of Christine's conversation with Brian Sharples, CEO of HomeAway Inc., (HomeAway.com, VRBO.com, VacationRentals.com, etc.). Christine talks with Brian about the IPO, the many changes with the company and ultimately what this means for the owners and property manager who list their homes on the company’s websites. This is part two of a two part interview with Brian Sharples.
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One-on-one with Brian Sharples, CEO of HomeAway Inc. Part I (09/19/11)
Today’s guest is Brian Sharples, CEO of HomeAway Inc., (HomeAway.com, VRBO.com, VacationRentals.com, etc.). Christine talks with Brian the IPO, the many changes with the company and ultimately what this means for the owners and property manager who list their homes on the company’s websites. This is part one of a two part interview with Brian Sharples. Tune in next week for the continuation of their conversation.
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Are Your Rates Scaring Guests Away Instead of Drawing Them In? (09/12/11)
Today’s question comes from Joseph, he asks, Christine, I have lowered my rates for my 3 bedroom cabin from $160/night all the way down to $99 per night and I’m giving free cleaning fee and free pet stays. With all of this I still cannot seem to get any bookings! Do you have any suggestions for me?
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One-on-One with a Frequent Vacation Rental Traveler (09/05/11)
Christine speaks with frequent vacation rental traveler Julie. She’s been renting vacation homes three to five times per year for more than ten years. Feedback from guests can often give you important feedback for you or your home. Julie shares her recent experience in renting a vacation home and offers suggestions from a traveler’s perspective
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August 2011
Ask Christine # 89: One Night'ers: To Book or Not to Book; That is the Question. (08/29/11)
Today’s question comes from Susan, she asks, I often get inquiries for one-night bookings. I would love to hear your opinion on one-night stays, do you accept them at all?
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The Advantages of Joining your Local Chamber of Commerce (08/22/11)
Christine Speaks with Trina Savage-Christian, director of CITA (Cayman Island Tourism Association). Trina shares the advantages and benefits of joining your local Tourism Assn., Chamber of Commerce or Visitor and Convention Bureau. In many areas the tourism boards are free (or inexpensive) to join; if you don’t register your vacation rental business, it could be a missed-opportunity for you.
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Ask Christine #88: The 411 on Taking Security Deposits via Credit Card (08/15/11)
Today’s question comes from Andrew. He asks, if I take credit cards for my vacation rental, how should I handle the security deposit? Do I take it via credit card or should I require a check. And if I take it via credit card, how do I avoid the fees associated with charging then refunding their security deposit?
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The Skinny on Advertising your Vacation Rental through Social Coupon Services. (08/06/11)
Christine speaks with Mary Song of Yuupon.com about advertising vacation rental properties through social coupon websites. Mary gives tactics for filling your last-minute dates and slower season using coupon websites services such as Yuupon.com, Groupon.com, LivingSocial.com, etc
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Ask Christine #87: Help! My Friends Want to Stay for Free. How do I say No?(08/02/11)
Christine answers todays question from Gina. She asks, I always have friends who call and ask me to stay “rent” or should I say stay for free at my vacation rental. How do you handle this?
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July 2011
Feeling Charitable with your Vacation Rental? (07/25/11)
How many times has a charity asked you to donate a week of your vacation rental for a charity’s silent auction? Before you do, you should listen to this podcast. Christine talks with Michal McFadden of VacationHomesforCharity.org. Michael tells listeners many things to consider about donating your home to a charity.
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Ask Christine #86: How do I handle far in advance bookings? (07/18/11)
Today’s question comes from Angelo. He asks, "I just got a reservation request for 19 months from today. What’s the best way to handle the payment schedule for a booking so far in advance?"
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Sales Taxes 101 --Collecting and Remitting Sales Tax (07/11/11)
Christine speaks with Rob Stephens, co-owner of HotSpotTax.com about collecting and remitting sales taxes for vacation rentals. Whoops—you didn’t know you had to pay sales tax? No worries, Rob explains how you can come clean.
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Ask Christine #85: Competing with Property Managers on VRBO.com (07/05/11)
Today’s question comes from George, he asks: I have noticed in my area, that property managers upload large blocks of properties onto VRBO which in turn buries the single homeowner. So how does the single homeowner differentiate ourselves on VRBO?
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June 2011
Decorating on a Dime (06/27/11)
Christine interviews homeowner, Amy Greener of http://www.bluemistcabins.com. Amy shares some of her secrets to decorating vacation rentals on a tight budget.
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Ask Christine #84: My Renters Lost The Keys To Our Vacation Rental (06/20/11)
Today’s question comes from Arlene, she writes: Christine, last week I had a very close call with my renters. They went to the beach and lost the key to our home. What do you do if your guests get locked out?
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Not All Professional Photographers are Created Equal (06/13/11)
Christine talks with professional Real Estate Photographer, Michael James of http://www.digitalcoastimage.com about the ins and outs of hiring a professional photographer for vacation rental advertisements. Michael offers valuable insights into the specialized field of real estate photography.
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Ask Christine #84: Staging Photos (06/07/11)
Today’s question comes from Beth. She asks, I am just about done with a major refurbish of my vacation rental. As soon as I am done I plan on hiring a photographer to take photos. Can you sum up the most important thing I should consider when staging my photos?
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May 2011
Financing a new vacation home but hitting roadblocks? (05/31/11)
Are you in the market to purchase a new vacation rental but running into roadblocks with the financing? Then you are not alone! Mortgaging in today’s financial market can be extremely challenging. Christine talks with author, columnist, and second home financing expert, Tom Kelly who gives innovative options for financing a vacation home.
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Ask Christine #83: What steps should I take if I want to start managing other owner's properties? (05/23/11)
Successful vacation rental owner Louis asks today’s question: I am doing really well with my vacation rental business and over the years I have had a lot of people ask me if I would rent their homes for them. I was thinking about taking on some other people’s home to become a small property manager. What are some steps I should take?
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Another Segment to Market your Vacation Rental: Corporate Executive Rentals (05/17/11)
Christine talks with Janice Mercieri, a new vacation rental owner who found marketing her vacation home to corporate executives even more lucrative than renting to travelers. Listen to some of the innovative marketing strategies Janice employs to get her home booked.
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Ask Christine #82: The 411 on Reservation Deposits vs. Security Deposits (05/09/11)
Getting the nomenclature correct for security deposits and reservation deposit is imperative especially if a guest cancels a booking. Christine explains why it is important to get it right.
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Expectations for Housekeeping (05/03/11)
Housekeepers are our lifeline for our rentals. Get the inside scoop from Linette Simper, a housekeeper who services vacation rental properties.
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April 2011
Ask Christine #81: Am I losing bookings without even realizing it? (04/25/11)
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New Owner Buys in an Uncoventional Manner (04/19/11)
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Ask Christine #80: Renting a Main House and a Guest House (04/12/11)
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One in a Million: Winning a Vacation Home (04/05/11)
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March 2011
Ask Christine #79: The 411 on Toilet Paper and Other Essentials (03/30/11)
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What to Expect in the First Year of Renting (03/22/11)
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Ask Christine #78: Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck (03/15/11)
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BP vs. The World: Tony Buzbee on Representing Oil Spill Victims (03/07/11)
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February 2011
Ask Christine #77: Strict HOA's No Lockbox Policy (02/21/11)
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Under 25ers: The Renters You Shouldn't Ignore (02/07/11)
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January 2011
Ask Christine #76: Defining Weekly Rentals (01/11/11)
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When Less is More: Preparing Your Vacation Property for Renters (01/04/11)
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