Marketing and Maintaining Your Whistler Properties: Owner Assisted Direct-Rentals

By: Devon OMalley | Posted: 30th November 2006

You’ve been to Whistler for three incredible ski vacations. You’ve browsed real estate websites and chatted with agents. You’ve toured multiple condos, chalets and townhouses. Finally, you’ve found your dream Whistler vacation home and you’ve written a big, fat cheque.

But wait – how exactly will you pay for this dream?

Breathe deeply into a paper bag and try not to fret. Every year, hundred of owners rent out their properties with the help of in-resort contacts and small property management companies. In our third and final article about Whistler property management techniques, we’ll assess how owners get help from small rental management companies and share the workload – without sacrificing too much of their rental revenue.

How to Share the Workload to Rent and Maintain Your Whistler Property

Luckily, there are Whistler companies who realize owners might want to handle their own marketing and calendar management, but need a way to manage logistics like cleaning and unique touches like welcome baskets. But they also realize owners might want to play a small part in the business venture, and don’t want to relinquish all control to a full-blown property management company. With owner-assisted rentals, Whistler property owners obtain the reservations and collect payment, and their concierge service or small rental management company handles the rest.

Most often, companies like Whistler Front Desk, who cater to owner-direct rentals, will let you pick a bundle of services, for a commissioned price. Together, you can come up with an arrangement that works, and only forfeit about 20% of your rental income. A sample of these services includes:



The Pros of Owner-Assisted Direct Rentals in Whistler

Maintain control: Because owner assisted rentals don’t replace the owner in the areas of advertising or payment collection, the owner is still in full control of their Whistler property. Owners won’t be paying for services they aren’t using – without reservations, there’s nothing to clean!

Proximity: Owner assisted rentals allow Whistler property owners from outside the country, or even the immediate area, to exert control without signing their life away with a rental management company. They can easily combine their efforts on websites like AlluraDirect.com or Vacation Rentals by Owner with the services offered by businesses like Whistler Front Desk.


The Cons of Owner-Assisted Direct Rentals in Whistler

Unnecessary services: It might be tempting to opt-in for services Whistler owners don’t actually need when renting owner-direct. Meet and greet and/or check-in services aren’t absolutely necessary for guests – many owners just use a coded lock or a lockbox for keys. Guests can easily and self-sufficiently access properties without the presence of an owner, so why pay for the service? Mints on pillows and complimentary bottles of wine are nice touches, but are they really important in the overall scheme of renting out your property?

Money, money and more money: While small rental management companies and concierge services don’t take a commission as hefty as other companies, it is still a cut into the rental revenue. This is something all Whistler owners of vacation properties should consider. Money might bring you ease and peace of mind, but stall the anticipated rise in your bank account.


Whistler Vacation Rentals and You: A Fun and Exciting Balancing Act

As with many endeavors, deciding how to handle the renting of your Whistler vacation property is often an overwhelming task. Owner-assisted rentals exist as the halfway point between going at it alone, or

Devon O'Malley is a staff writer with AlluraDirect.com, a vacation-rentals website offering powerful search results and instant booking features for guests and property owners. If you’re a Whistler homeowner, check out our Whistler property management resources and our all-inclusive Whistler vacation rental program.
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Tags: workload, business venture, own marketing, vacation home, townhouses, property owners, front desk, property management company, management techniques, property management companies, concierge service, ski vacations