Tropical Beach Getaways began in 2016 when a husband-and-wife team bought their first condo in Panama City Beach, FL. Their success in managing rentals led to a growing business, now overseeing 13 properties. With backgrounds in business and accounting, they enjoy the flexibility of vacation rentals while creating great guest experiences.

Can you tell us a little bit about your history? 

Tropical Beach Getaways was founded in 2018. My wife and I purchased our first condo in Panama City in 2016 and realized we could manage our own property for vacation rentals. Encouraged by this success, we bought a second condo in the same complex in 2018. After successfully renting out our condo through OwnerRez and word of mouth, other owners began asking us to manage their units as well. Today, we manage 13 vacation rental properties in Panama City Beach, FL.

What is your background? 

My wife and I are traditional business owners. I am the founder and president of a local insurance group in Covington, Georgia. My wife has a background in accounting but is now enjoying life as a stay-at-home wife. She manages our condos and helps out with the grandkids.

Were you always in VR or property management, or is this a 2nd/3rd career?

Over the years, we have consistently managed various types of rental properties to supplement our income. As time went on and we purchased condos in Panama City Beach, we sold our long-term rental homes in our hometown and transitioned to starting a short-term rental management business. We have always had experience in rental management, though not specifically in short-term vacation rentals. Therefore, I would consider this our second long-term career plan for retirement.

Are you from that geographical area, or did you move there later?

We currently reside in Covington, Georgia, and have always lived there. We vacation in Panama City Beach, FL, monthly to check on our condos for ourselves and the owners we manage for.

If later, is there something that drew you to that area?

Panama City Beach, FL, is an excellent vacation destination for families in our area. As a young family, we often took our daughter there to enjoy the beach, and we believe it’s a wonderful place for others to have memorable family vacations as well.

What do you love the most about the VR business?

We appreciate the flexibility it provides and the joy of giving others a wonderful vacation or experience, whether that is once a year or twice a year when they book with us.

What do you dislike the most about it?

One disadvantage of vacation rentals is that they can be quite demanding during peak months. In the summer, we often have numerous check-ins and check-outs throughout the week, which can make it stressful to ensure that each unit is cleaned and ready for the next guest. Communication is essential in vacation rentals, especially when you are not on the property every day.

How do you use OwnerRez to manage your business?

We use OwnerRez to effectively manage our business in various ways. It allows us to handle property bookings, manage cleaners, send guest emails, and control door codes. Overall, it has significantly simplified our rental management operations.

What is the most useful feature OwnerRez offers?

One of the standout features of OwnerRez is its seamless integration with a variety of external applications, enhancing operational efficiency for property management. This functionality allows users to easily connect with smart door lock systems, ensuring that guests can enter their accommodations with ease and convenience. Additionally, OwnerRez can coordinate with cleaning services, streamlining the scheduling process and ensuring that properties are cleaned and prepared between guest stays. This level of automation not only saves time but also reduces the potential for miscommunications, ultimately elevating the guest experience and allowing property owners to focus on other important aspects of their business.

Tropical Beach Getaways has built a thriving business by combining experience, passion, and a commitment to great hospitality. Wishing them continued success in their vacation rental journey!