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Hi Jimmy,
That's right. We only list properties available in Florida.
Z
We love seeing all the amazing places our users Rep the Rez, and now we’re making it even more exciting to share your OwnerRez pride!
It’s easy to get involved and show off your love for OwnerRez. Here’s how:
By participating, you'll be entered for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card in our bi-weekly raffle. Plus, you’ll be featured on our Reppin’ the Rez map and become part of our amazing OwnerRez community, sharing and celebrating all the incredible places you take us!
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Hi, everyone!
We'll see if we can get someone at Avanti Florida Villas to step into the blog to get your questions answered directly from the source. In the meantime, they do have a live chat feature on their website. Click the link below and you'll see the chat button in the bottom right corner of the screen!
https://www.avantifloridavillas.com/
"Avanti Florida Villas acts as the Merchant of Records (MOR). They work with whatever rates you set for your home, and you get paid according to those rates; in other words, there are no channel fees!"
Wow! Neither the host or guest gets charged a fee?
"work with" :). Great turn of phrase.
So, you're free or does Avanti add a fee between us and our guests while almost any vacationer from the EU has full access to most of us through our own sites, Google VR, VRBO and Airbnb, which are regretfully, other than our own sites are all black markets that don't verify legality? But that's another issue.
If not, what's the rate as our villas which have been online as long as the commercial internet has existed are priced fairly for both us and our guests with as limited price inflation as possible due.
What's your fee or is it what you feel the market might bear regardless of actual value?
I'm open, but inevitable skeptical due to past experiences.
Rob
PS "MOR, Merchant of Records" is another great phrase. Who knew? I always figures I was the MOR on my own product.
R
I dont see if there is a fee for the owner? The link you provided just looked like to register an agent. What, if any, cost is there as an owner to be listed?
Is Avanti Florida Villas only for rentals in Florida?
As a victim of the LA fires (with 2 properties lost) the Snooze feature is very welcome. I was trying to figure out how to manage (as of now I have disabled them in the Channels) and wanted to reduce my OR costs (as it will be 2-3 years) before they are rebuilt and back online but was hesitant to delete them. Is there a reason why the Snooze feature still incurs the same fees since the user is not getting any benefit/use out of it? I could see some nominal fee ($1-2/mo) for storage but even that cost is near zero now a days. I think it would be very well received by the Florida and California customers who are going through the hardships post disaster. Appreciate understanding your rationale for continuing to charge the natural disaster victims.
Hey Manel! The Snooze feature is intended for a temporary hold on bookings for a property while keeping the listing itself active. Since a snoozed property continues to be active and synced, it incurs the same fees.
If you fully disable the property in OwnerRez then it won't be billed -- that's the best solution for a case like this where you've disconnected the channels and don't want to do anything with it but keep the historical record until you later reactivate it.
Inbox I’m sent to on my iPhone from an email link has no links to the guest’s bookings and no templates. This requires me to take extra steps to get to the guest Conversation page in order to use templates and communicate intelligently with the guest.
Hey Scott! Are you looking for links to the guest booking and templates in the email or in the Unified Inbox? If it is in the latter, we recently released an update that addresses this. See the Unified Inbox support article Guest Information and Activity Timeline sections for more information, all of which will be included in our upcoming February Product Update blog post.
Inbox I’m sent to on my iPhone from an email link has no links to the guest’s bookings and no templates. This requires me to take extra steps to get to the guest Conversation page in order to use templates and communicate intelligently with the guest.
Great info!
As a victim of the LA fires (with 2 properties lost) the Snooze feature is very welcome. I was trying to figure out how to manage (as of now I have disabled them in the Channels) and wanted to reduce my OR costs (as it will be 2-3 years) before they are rebuilt and back online but was hesitant to delete them. Is there a reason why the Snooze feature still incurs the same fees since the user is not getting any benefit/use out of it? I could see some nominal fee ($1-2/mo) for storage but even that cost is near zero now a days. I think it would be very well received by the Florida and California customers who are going through the hardships post disaster. Appreciate understanding your rationale for continuing to charge the natural disaster victims.
Thank you, Alece! You are correct. I have updated both this blog and our accompanying support article: https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/payment-processing-gateways-lynnbrook-group#guest-id.
Happy Friday!
It’s been another action-packed week, and to wrap things up, we’ve gathered the latest industry updates worldwide. Let’s explore!
The global vacation rental market is experiencing steady growth. It is projected to increase from $90.2 billion in 2024 to $129.49 billion by 2034, with a 4.1% annual growth rate. This expansion is driven by a rising preference for personalized travel experiences, advancements in technology, and the growing trend of remote work-friendly accommodations, often referred to as "workations." The demand for luxury rentals, eco-friendly stays, and smart home-equipped properties is rising as guests seek more comfort and convenience during their travels.
Things are continually heating up in Hawaii this week. The Maui County Council planned to spend $300,000 on a study on the economic impact of banning specific short-term rentals. However, due to contract issues, they canceled the study. Council staff have decided to do their own research and await a report from the University of Hawai’i. The proposed ban would stop about 7,000 short-term rentals in apartment-zoned areas. The council must decide on the bill by June 18, 2025.
New York Rental by Owner, LLC has launched a regional listing platform for New York vacation rentals, giving property owners a local alternative to big national platforms. The site helps owners get more direct bookings and connects travelers with unique stays in a more personal way. The goal is to make vacation rentals easier and more community-focused. This new option comes at a time when the vacation rental market is changing, making it easier for both guests and owners to find the perfect fit.
Airbnb has filed a lawsuit against the City of New Orleans over new regulations that require short-term rental platforms to ensure all properties listed comply with city laws. The city implemented these rules to address issues like illegal rentals and housing shortages. Airbnb stated that it holds no responsibility for the actions of hosts on its platform, similar to how social media sites are protected from liability for user posts. Airbnb claims that hosting "strengthens local economies and contributes to the cultural richness" of cities like New Orleans, where a typical host earned an average of $16,000 in 2023.
The vacation rental brand DanCenter, owned by OYO, makes its debut in India. Founded in Denmark in 1957, DanCenter manages over 12,000 properties across Europe. The brand aims to offer premium vacation experiences in India, focusing on newly constructed properties to ensure high-quality standards and modern amenities. Aditya Sharma, head of luxury business at Oravel Stays, stated: “We are thrilled to introduce DanCenter’s distinctive vacation home experience to India, beginning with Goa—a location recognized for its leisure and luxury. The demand for high-end holiday home rentals in India is on the rise, making this an ideal moment to present the DanCenter experience to Indian travelers.”
Cocoa Beach officials have proposed substantial fee increases for short-term rental property owners to cover the costs of increased enforcement and address community concerns. The proposal includes raising the initial registration fee from $525 to $2,500 and increasing the annual renewal fee from $325 to $1,500. City Manager Wayne Carragino stated that the fee increases are intended to shift the cost of regulation from local taxpayers to rental property owners, many of whom do not reside in Cocoa Beach. The increased revenue would be used to expand the code enforcement division to better manage the approximately 1,500 vacation rental properties in the town. Some property owners have expressed frustration over the proposed fee increases, but many residents support stricter oversight to address issues like noise and disturbances. The city commission will vote on the proposal at a meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m., where residents and stakeholders can share their opinions.
That’s a wrap on this week’s Industry News! Be sure to check back next Friday for more updates!
March is set to be an exhilarating month for the short-term rental industry!
Whether you're a property owner, professional manager, or passionate industry advocate, these upcoming events present unparalleled opportunities to gain insights, expand your network, and accelerate your growth. OwnerRez will be there in person at all of these events, so don’t miss the chance to visit our booth, meet the team, and connect! Mark your calendars and get ready to engage with top industry professionals at these three must-attend gatherings:
Join the Poconos Association Of Vacation Rental Owners (Poconos VRO) in partnership with the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB) and the Pocono Mountains Association of Realtors (PMAR) for an insightful deep dive into the short-term rental landscape. This conference is designed to serve various groups, including:
Expect a day packed with educational sessions, panel discussions, roundtable gatherings, and invaluable networking opportunities. Plus, explore the exhibit area featuring vendors (OwnerRez!), local businesses, and national service providers catering to the STR industry.
When: March 6, 2025
Where: Kalahari Resort, PA
STRive to Thrive is back, bigger and better! This two-day event in Melbourne is the ultimate gathering for short-term rental owners and property managers in Australia. Get ready for an extraordinary experience filled with knowledge-sharing, industry innovations, and celebration.
What to expect:
When: March 19-20, 2025
Where: Melbourne, Australia
For the first time ever, New Zealand will host its very own STRive to Thrive event! This inaugural gathering is set to bring together short-term rental professionals from across the country for two days of unparalleled learning, networking, and industry insights.
Here’s what’s in store:
When: March 25-26, 2025
Where: Auckland, New Zealand
Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, expand your network, or stay ahead of industry trends, these events offer something for everyone in the STR space. Don’t miss out, secure your spot, and get ready to thrive in 2025! If you can't make it to these events, we'll be at more later this year, and you can find those on our events page here.
Hi Alisa, after much research, I'm using an AI messaging tool and have found it helpful, although there are some frustrations. They aren't nearly as good as OwnerRez when it comes to taking feedback/improving their product.
I realize the idea of having AI respond to guests can be a polarizing topic, but AI messaging tools have a lot of functions, even if PMs don't have it automatically responding to guests. Here are some of the benefits I've found:
This doesn't intend to be a comprehensive list, but I wanted to share some of my thoughts on AI messaging and the potential value it brings, even if you don't remove the human component to messaging.
p.s. We use dynamic pricing as well. If anyone is reading this and doesn't use dynamic pricing - you need to!
Hey Bill! 👋 It's good to finally put a face to the name. I've appreciated talking to you over the last few years and all the thoughtful feedback you've sent. I'm glad the team put this profile together, as I've never really looked into your operation before. Beautiful pictures!
Pacific View Lodging’s journey began nearly a decade ago, driven by a desire to create a getaway on the stunning Oregon Coast that would also serve as a thriving vacation rental business.
Pacific View Lodging was established about eight years ago as Lincoln City Beach Retreats. My wife Peggy, an Oregon native, and I have a deep connection to the Central Oregon Coast. Initially, we purchased two condominiums in Lincoln City as vacation rentals, intending to use them while generating income.
As our success grew, we sold the condos and invested in two boutique motels—one in Netarts and the other in Depoe Bay. We managed these properties remotely from Eastern Washington, using contracted teams for daily operations while handling reservations and guest communication.
When we decided to move to Oregon full-time, our real estate agent found us a motel with an owner’s residence in Depoe Bay, which allowed us to add 12 more units to our portfolio. We also began managing vacation rental homes after previous guests requested our services, and now we manage 12 homes for others.
As we began considering our eventual exit strategy, we concluded that vacation rental homes were our best option. Consequently, we have shifted our focus to reinvesting profits into vacation rental properties. We now directly own an additional three homes in Lincoln City. In total, we currently have 41 individual rental units, with one or two more expected to be added before the end of the year.
I have spent most of my career in the technology sector, working primarily in project management for two large software companies. My journey began with retail technology and IT management, focusing on lumber yards and hardware stores, before moving on to big box retail and large chains. I eventually retired from my tech career after managing software implementations in the restaurant and hospitality industries for a major multinational software company.
Peggy has dedicated her career to customer service. She started in the banking sector but concluded her 20-plus years of work at a manufacturing firm, where she served as the executive assistant in the sales office.
We fell into VR management out of a desire for a place to stay on the Oregon Coast, learning as we went. My experience as a business traveler helped shape our approach, as I knew what worked and what didn’t. With a tech background, we prioritized technology from the beginning, enabling us to manage our properties remotely without onsite staff. We implemented electronic door locks, online reservations, and messaging systems early on, which are now foundational to our operations. Guests can book, pay, receive instructions, and access properties without direct interaction, though we’re available for those who need assistance. Over the years, we’ve integrated more automation, expanding services to include guest insurance, housekeeping, guidebooks, and analytics as we grew.
We had a strong connection to the Oregon Coast. Although we lived in Eastern Washington, we often vacationed in Central and Southern Oregon. My family, who moved from Montana to Corvallis, enjoyed the scenic hour-long drive to the coast.
Peggy’s family lived near Drain, south of Eugene, giving us access to the southern coast. Together, we explored the beautiful coastline from Reedsport to Pacific City throughout our lives..
There is nothing quite like the Oregon Coast. It has to be one of the most picturesque areas in the country, with its rocky coastlines, sand dunes, long stretches of beach, massive rainforest trees, and beautiful waterfalls—it is simply spectacular! We were also very tired of the snow in Eastern Oregon, so we wanted to escape it for a while. My wife takes pictures of her blooming roses in December and sends them to friends in Washington just to have a little fun and show off.
We love our guests who come from unique places and backgrounds. In the hospitality industry, there's never a dull moment; something new always arises that requires creative problem-solving. This could range from city evacuations due to wildfires, where we need to accommodate evacuees, to receiving late-night calls from elderly guests who have fallen and cannot get up, but the property's doors are deadbolted and safety-chained, and we can’t get in.
Clogged toilets… I typically send the maintenance man instead of handling them myself. Over the years, I've learned a few tricks, but I still prefer to send our maintenance guy.
OwnerRez has been foundational for us. As a tech-savvy professional, I've conducted numerous software evaluations and cost-benefit analyses to ensure we make the best technology choices. After OwnerRez's last price increase, I revisited our analysis, confirming that OwnerRez remains the PMS we can grow with.
Previously, we used a software we loved, collaborating closely with its developer. However, as our property count increased, relying on third-party "bolt-on" services became unsustainable due to rising costs and accountability issues, particularly with OTAs. After experiencing disappearing and double bookings, we realized we needed a built-in channel manager with a responsive company on our side.
After evaluating multiple solutions, OwnerRez stood out for its cost-effectiveness, integration, and comprehensive features. Today, I still believe it's the best solution for us, offering the most value for our investment.
We utilize many features of OwnerRez, with direct integration with OTAs being the most valuable. We've reduced our reliance on OTAs, but a strong channel management feature remains essential for visibility and competitiveness.
The website is an improvement; I no longer have to manage a WordPress site. We also provide value for our owners by registering a domain for their properties, allowing them to promote on social media without navigating our main site.
Is OwnerRez perfect? No, there are features we’d like added, but it is the foundation of our business and our primary system of record. We do use bolt-ons for additional benefits, and while it would be great if they were integrated, they aren’t essential.
We love hearing how OwnerRez helps people manage their vacation rental businesses and wish Pacific View Lodging the best as they continue to grow and maintain their successful business.
Lynnbrook Group user here. Just a heads up that "Access to Lynnbrook Group's Guest ID program is automatic, so there is no need to activate anything." is incorrect as noted above. Users have to reach out to Lynnbrook to request that this feature be activated. Also, here are the details I've learned which may be useful to someone else as well: This feature is offered for free for direct bookings with check-in 7 days or less from their booked date. (AKA, only for last-minute direct bookings.) To apply the same protection features to bookings with arrivals 8+ days in the future, it will cost you $1/booking.
Happy Valentine’s Day! Today is the perfect day to reflect on love, connection, and all the unique ways people celebrate. But beyond the red roses and chocolate-covered strawberries, there’s quite a bit happening in the vacation rental world this week. So, let’s take a look.
Evermore Orlando Resort and Hilton Honors just made a perfect match! Hilton Honors members can now earn and redeem points at the beautiful Evermore Orlando Resort, which offers everything from cozy villas to massive vacation homes. This collaboration allows guests to book stays through Hilton’s channels, enhancing the flexibility and benefits for Hilton Honors members. This partnership is like a sweet romance between hotels and vacation rentals, creating the ultimate vacation experience for travel lovers. Guests will get the best of both worlds with hotel perks in a vacation rental atmosphere.
Airbnb is basking in the love of travelers, claiming to have gained market share over hotels in 2024. The company reported a net income of $461 million, a significant improvement from a $349 million loss during the same period the previous year. The company attributed this positive performance to strong travel demand and enhancements in its product offerings, attracting typical hotel users. CEO Brian Chesky has hinted at an exhilarating future for Airbnb, where the platform could expand to embrace a wide range of third-party services. This innovative move has the potential to revolutionize the travel experience, making it even more seamless and enjoyable for users.
The year-long love-hate saga over vacation rental regulations in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, will continue for the foreseeable future, with no clear resolution in sight. City commissioners have postponed a decisive vote on vacation rental restrictions, opting to conduct a workshop to discuss the matter further. Community members remain divided on the issue. Some residents are “falling out of love” with the noise and parking issues, while others believe short-term rentals are essential for tourism and property income. The date for the workshop is still undecided, but we can certainly hope that city commissioners will find a solution that creates unity in a divided community.
That’s all we have for today unless you’re curious to see eight vacation rentals with heart-shaped bathtubs. This California honeymoon suite is giving all the Valentine’s Day vibes.
(Hicksville Pines-The Honeymoon Suite)
Be sure to visit our blog every Friday for more Industry News!
Great Shawn, thanks!
Hi Scott - this is coming in a future update with some other Inbox additions we're working on.
Just like you now have a link to the booking of a text or channel chat, there needs to be links to the channel inquiry and quote.
Without these, I to click around on other OwnerRez pages to find the channel's profile of the inquirer, rendering the inbox a nuisance rather than a convenience.
Very happy to have the opt-in language added! It's necessary now with the new regulations
It would be helpful for the transactional SMS checkbox to be pre-checked and for us to have access to modify the copy that's visible to guests in that section. The way it's worded now is not very inviting and I can't imagine many people would check the box. As we rely on the transactional SMS triggers for a multitude of crucial communications with our guests, we'd want to convey that more clearly and warmly so as to garner their openness to receiving them. Without the ability to update the text or pre-select that box, this new feature remains unusable to us.
I want to clarify that guests who opt-out of Transactional SMS will not receive SMS triggers. The trigger may still fire, but the SMS message will show a failure explaining that the user has opt-ed out. We do not count failed SMS messages against credit usage.
We implemented it this way because Triggers should only be used for transactional messaging (e.g. messages about transactions the user has completed with you). Marketing SMS is not something we currently support.
Thanks for the amazing updates. I don't think I understand the SMS opt-in and how I can use it in my messaging. I thought I'd try to set up an automated trigger using this information, but I did not see the SMS opt-in as a "condition." If I had an automated transactional SMS, I figured I would only send it to people who hadn't opted out. Am I misunderstanding how this new opt-in feature is intended to be used? Thanks!
Chelsea,
The SMS Messaging Preferences are not part of any trigger conditions, so that's why you didn't find it there. When enabled by you in-app, those guest opt-ins are surfaced on your hosted website or booking widget during the guest booking process. If you want to reach out to your current or upcoming guests who have booked prior to this release, you can create a template with the same questions and then manually apply their responses to their associated bookings. Hope this helps!
Anne
Thanks for the amazing updates. I don't think I understand the SMS opt-in and how I can use it in my messaging. I thought I'd try to set up an automated trigger using this information, but I did not see the SMS opt-in as a "condition." If I had an automated transactional SMS, I figured I would only send it to people who hadn't opted out. Am I misunderstanding how this new opt-in feature is intended to be used? Thanks!
I did so over a year ago: https://www.ownerrez.com/forums/requests/add-safely-to-damage-protection-integrationsettings
Thank you for pointing that out. You're way ahead of me, Alece! 😁
I did so over a year ago: https://www.ownerrez.com/forums/requests/add-safely-to-damage-protection-integrationsettings
Thank you for these great updates!
It would be very beneficial if the native Damage Protection options could be applied to more than just Rental Guardian. As mentioned above, you have other integrated protection partners, one of which I utilize. However, you restrict all the built-in DP capabilities to only Rental Guardian. As long as we're with one of your integrated partners, we should be able to configure those capabilities to work with the protection vendor of our choice.
It's our pleasure, Alece! That's a great idea, and we encourage you to submit it as a Feature Request.
