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Can the demos be at a better time for AEDT, rather than 3 or 4am?
With spring right around the corner and a little luck in the air🍀, it’s the perfect time to embrace new beginnings and fresh ideas! We’re excited to announce our upcoming webinars for March.
This month, we are hosting weekly demos, live Q&As, and in-depth focus sessions on Hosted Website Setup & Customizations and Using the Rate Calendar. Check out the lineup below and register today to secure your spot! You can also catch up on previous sessions on our webinar page here.
Join us for a live demo of OwnerRez! Our client engagement team will give a high-level demonstration of how OwnerRez looks across all of its menus and features.
Join Adrielle from our Onboarding Team to learn about Hosted Website Setup & Customizations.
Join us for a live demo of OwnerRez! Our client engagement team will give a high-level demonstration of how OwnerRez looks across all of its menus and features.
Join us for a live Q&A Session with Steve from our Engagement Team.
Join us for a live demo of OwnerRez! Our client engagement team will give a high-level demonstration of how OwnerRez looks across all of its menus and features.
Join Adrielle from our Onboarding Team to learn about Using the Rate Calendar.
Join us for a live demo of OwnerRez! Our client engagement team will give a high-level demonstration of how OwnerRez looks across all of its menus and features.
Join us for a live Q&A Session with Steve from our Client Engagement Team!
Happy Friday!
We are launching back into action this Friday, fueled up and ready to deliver a fresh wave of industry news!
Before we begin, we want to ask: Are you Reppin’ the Rez? We love seeing you represent OwnerRez out in the wild, and now it's our turn to show some love back! Want to get featured and score some appreciation from us? Learn more here!
Let’s kick off this week’s Industry News with an interesting one! A Virgina short-term rental business, Highlight Homes, now accepts crypto payments for stays. Guests can now book using Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other leading cryptocurrencies. This move caters to the burgeoning community of digital nomads and tech-savvy travelers seeking seamless, secure, and swift transactions. Owner of Highlight Homes, Marshall Hays, says “Cryptocurrency is no longer just a financial tool–it’s a lifestyle. By accepting crypto payments, we’re meeting the demand of an increasingly digital traveler who wants to book a stay with ease and speed”. Cryptocurrency is here to stay, and this company is undoubtedly embracing the future.
Florence, Italy, is banning self check-in key boxes to combat the increasing prevalence of vacation rentals. This decision comes amid concerns that the rapid growth of short-term rentals is disrupting local communities and changing the character of historic neighborhoods. By restricting these key boxes, which allow guests to access their accommodations without direct interaction with hosts, city officials hope to promote a more regulated rental environment. This move aims to preserve the integrity of the city's cultural heritage while ensuring that residents can maintain a sense of community in the face of burgeoning tourism.
Cocoa Beach has now become the city with the highest vacation rental fees in Florida. The city raised its initial registration fee to $2,500, along with an annual renewal fee of $1,500. Airbnb stated to News 6, expressing concern that “significantly raising registration fees—potentially the highest in the state—could hinder residents' ability to open their homes to guests.” This substantial fee increase may pose a challenge for residents looking to share their homes and accommodate visitors. Cocoa Beach Mayor Keith Capizzi was the only commission member to vote against the significant fee increase.
Pinellas County commissioners have rejected proposed changes to the rules governing short-term rentals. These changes would have increased occupancy limits and decreased quiet hours. Residents expressed their opposition, raising concerns about noise, trash, and parking issues. Although Florida state law prevents the county from banning short-term rentals, officials plan to enhance enforcement measures and establish a registration system for these rentals.
A new study by AEG Policy Advisors suggests that regulating short-term rentals (STRs) in Colorado’s resort towns could do more economic harm than good by discouraging tourism, a key revenue source. The study recommends focusing on housing development rather than restrictive policies. However, the Colorado Association of Ski Towns (CAST) argues that while STRs benefit local economies, they also contribute to noise, parking issues, and a lack of affordable housing for local workers. The study also challenges the idea that STRs are the leading cause of rising housing costs, pointing instead to broader economic factors like interest rates and income levels. While STRs undeniably contribute to the economic vitality of Colorado's resort towns, the debate continues on effectively balancing these benefits with the need to maintain affordable housing and quality of life for residents.
Despite the challenges facing the short-term rental industry, plenty of innovation and progress is still on the horizon. One uplifting trend is the growing focus on accessible travel. Lorraine Woodward, a full-time wheelchair user, founded a listing service to address the scarcity of accessible short-term rentals. The platform, Becoming RentABLE, now lists nearly 1,200 properties, offering detailed filters for 43 adaptive features to ensure genuine accessibility. This initiative aims to simplify travel planning for individuals with disabilities, providing them with reliable accommodation options. While regulations and fees continue to reshape the vacation rental landscape, these efforts show that the heart of hospitality is still about welcoming everyone. The future of travel is not only about technology—it's about making sure every guest feels at home, no matter their journey.
That is all we have for this week! Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and be sure to check back next week for more Industry News. If you’re heading to the Poconos Short Term Rental Conference next week, stop by our booth and say hi!
Hi Rob,
Yes.
Yes, your mark up is a secret? Good to know.
Hi Rob,
Yes.
Thank you for the reply.
Is your add on a secret?
Hi James,
Thank you for your interest. We have had a lot of enquiries in the last day, and are still working through the messages.
Having said that, I cannot find any correspondence from you in your name. Could you please resend your email or share your connection ID (starts with "ora") if you have already connected with us.
Many thanks
Z
Hi Gerry,
I wouldn't say "a lot". It changes, also we have a lot of supply in Disney area and our customers tend to be price-conscious, which may mean no bookings to one, many to other PM.
We do not guarantee any number of bookings.
Z
I requested API Intergration 1 day ago. How long does it take to get connected?
Does Avanto do a lot of bookings in Orlando/Kissimmee (Disney area)?
Hi Rob,
You've guessed it. We add a fee between you and your guests.
Z
Hi Mark & Amanda,
Thank you for your interest. We do not charge home owners anything and there is no channel fee.
Z
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!
Want to start reppin' the rez in style? Attend one of our live weekly demos and score a free OwnerRez T-shirt just for showing up! It’s a perfect way to learn more about our powerful tools while adding some OwnerRez swag to your wardrobe.
Our community is at the heart of everything we do. Seeing you share your OwnerRez pride inspires us to keep delivering the best tools to power your vacation rental business. Whether you’re a long-time user or new to the platform, your support means the world to us.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your OwnerRez gear, strike a pose, and join the fun. We can’t wait to see where you take us next!
Submit Your Entry Now and start reppin' the rez today!
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.
