I often get asked what tools I use for managing our vacation rentals.
Commonly referred to as a “tech stack.”
Instead of answering “what do you use for dynamic pricing” or “what do you use for property management software,” I’m just going to throw the kitchen sink at you.
We use all of these.
They help automate, optimize, and maximize returns.
The Top 5 Tools for Managing Our Properties
1. Pricelabs
Pricelabs is our dynamic pricing tool of choice. We’ve used it since day one, and it’s paid dividends.
Here’s why……
When we started, we said we’d be to the moon if we got $500 a night. Pricelabs started us off at $1,000 per night, and we got it!
The following year it set the price at $1,650, and we got that too!
We would have never imagined we could get that much.
Get a 30-day free trial.
2. RankBreeze
Why do I love this tool?
Because in my former life, SEO was my jam.
RankBreeze is the only SEO-type tool for Airbnb that I know of.
Monitor your search results in Airbnb and make tweaks until you move up the pages.
Just like Google, nobody goes to page 6.
Objective: be in the top 5 results on page 1.
Get a 7-day trial
3. Hospitable
Time is money, and this will save you both.
Hospitable is the most powerful automated guest communication software in the industry.
Automatically send your guest their check-in instructions and door codes.
Touch base with your guest to see how their stay is going.
Send checkout instructions…..
All without you having to do anything after the initial setup.
I love the design and user-friendliness of the software too!
Get a 14-day free trial.
4. OwnerReservations
OwnerRez may be overkill if you only have one property.
At a certain point, trying to manage multiples without one becomes a nightmare, as noted in the LinkedIn conversation below.
If you only have one or two properties, you can get by using only Hospitable.
After that, consider OwnerRez.
Why did we go with this one?
Because Bill Faeth recommends it and in a group poll OwnerRez won the majority votes…….
And it wasn’t even close.
We switched away from IGMS if that helps.
Try OwnerRez for 14 days.
5. FB Groups
One of the best ways to learn tips and tricks is to be in a community of other hosts.
I’ve been part of several groups since the beginning.
One of my favorites?
The FB group Build Short-Term Rental Wealth.
In addition to that, I’ll be very active inside the Michigan Vacation Rentals Facebook group.
It’s the largest Michigan-specific vacation rental Facebook group.
A great place to learn and get direct bookings.
I’d be honored to have you join the group.
In some instances, by following the links above, we may receive a small affiliate commission. We wouldn’t recommend them if we weren’t using them.
Michigan Home That Does $100k Plus in Revenue
Meet “Grass Lake Lodge,” a 5,000 sq ft private retreat.
I talked to the owner on the phone and they are crushing it with repeat guests…..
I can see why! 🤩
What I love about this place:
👉 Privacy! We look for multiple acres but this takes it to a new level with 65 acres.
👉 Your own private lake stocked with fish 😍
👉 Amenities: Ping pong, pool table, darts, hot tub, etc.
If you are looking to get away for a family or friends retreat, this would be the one. One day you’re hiking and the next day you’re having a fishing tournament.
The possibilities are endless!
Check it out on VRBO.
Checkout the Latest Podcast Episode
Scaling Short-Term Rentals in Record Time with Jamie Karbel & Jason Snider
Why you don’t want to miss this episode:
- Learn how Jamie & Jason quickly scaled their long-term rentals to 140 doors.
- Learn how they “dipped their toes” into the short-term rental market with 12 doors in less than a year.
- Learn about a market I would have never considered for short-term rentals, and they did over $3,000 in half a month.
Listen on Spotify.
Listen on Apple Podcast.
Thanks to Daniel La Roche from Cost Segregation Services for sponsoring the pod! It’s not too late to get a cost segregation to reduce your taxable income for your 2022 taxes. Call or text Daniel at 616-840-6916.
Join the Group
As mentioned above, we have a new addition to the family, the Michigan Vacation Rentals Facebook group.
Join the 6,300 other vacation rental owners and travelers to get the most out of your vacation rental journey.
Three ways I can help you:
1. I can be your realtor for your short-term rental. Reach out to me on LinkedIn.
2. I can manage your short-term rentals. Visit our vacation rental property management site.
3. Work with me 1:1 to find and set up your first vacation rental.
Have a good week!