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We are pleased to announce our latest integration with XenGuide, giving OwnerRez users a simple way to provide fast accurate support throughout each stay.
XenGuide is an AI-powered concierge platform that streamlines vacation rental operations by automating guest conversations across web and mobile chat. It learns from your listing details, photos, and host-created articles, so guests get instant, accurate answers, multilingual support, and helpful troubleshooting for common appliances and home systems.
The assistant securely shares booking-specific information like door codes and Wi-Fi when available, and it only answers when confident. Questions that need a human are routed to a mobile-friendly service desk for fast host follow-up.
Setup takes minutes. Once configured, XenGuide invites guests automatically and handles a large share of routine questions with very little manual effort. The assistant improves over time as your team resolves escalations.
XenGuide supports 1 free property as a free trial. After that, pricing is $8 per property per month. Learn more about their pricing here.
Get started with XenGuide by visiting here and checking out the OwnerRez support article for integrating OwnerRez with XenGuide.
We are super excited about the WhatsApp solution! It would mean a lot for the European market since it's very much a standard for a lot of people in that part of the world and they even seem to prefer that over SMS (probably due to fees when traveling). It will definitely improve our conversions and service! Keep at it!
HI,
We understand that you are searching for a new provider. We aren't sure why this should be a big issue. We send texts across the world, mostly for fee. Even ESims allow this for an odd cent or two. Please keep working on this as not everyone has WhatsApp! We have found, since the introduction of texting in North America was introduced, that guests respond better and read our messages, saving us a fair bit of time. We know you can't flip a switch overnight and you will be needing a supplier who can send hundreds if not thousands of texts, but this is a game changer. Thanks for keeping up the support for this. 👍
I assume (based on previous experiences) that this is a completely different situation since consumer products and corporate-level solutions are usually vastly different in both pricing and technical requirements. I can see why it might seem strange from the outside, but I’m sure it’s quite a pain for OwnerRez to navigate.
It makes me wonder if it could be worth looking outside the US for potential providers, if it hasn't been done already. Some global competitors—especially in places like Australia or Europe—might already be further ahead in developing scalable solutions, simply because their markets require cross-border capabilities to grow revenue.
HI,
We understand that you are searching for a new provider. We aren't sure why this should be a big issue. We send texts across the world, mostly for fee. Even ESims allow this for an odd cent or two. Please keep working on this as not everyone has WhatsApp! We have found, since the introduction of texting in North America was introduced, that guests respond better and read our messages, saving us a fair bit of time. We know you can't flip a switch overnight and you will be needing a supplier who can send hundreds if not thousands of texts, but this is a game changer. Thanks for keeping up the support for this. 👍
Jeff and Karin Gauvin founded Utah Escapes with a clear philosophy of underselling, over-delivering, and creating consistent experiences that earn 5-star reviews. With decades of hospitality experience and a passion for travel, they’ve built a thriving vacation rental business in the beautiful state of Utah.
I grew up in Rhode Island and first discovered Moab, Utah, while on a college spring break trip. I was instantly hooked; the landscapes, the red rocks, and the chance to mountain bike all day without seeing another person left a lasting impression.
My wife, Karin, is from Sweden, and together we’ve been in hospitality for more than 25 years. We met in 2001 while working aboard high-end cruise ships, where we learned firsthand the value of service, attention to detail, and consistency. From there, we managed a B&B in Aspen, Colorado, before purchasing our own B&B in Salt Lake City in 2006, an adventure that even landed us on HGTV’s House Hunters. Travel has always been our passion, and vacation rentals gave us the perfect way to combine hospitality with real estate. Karin brings a European perspective and a focus on quality, instilling our core philosophy of underselling, over-delivering, and ensuring consistency that results in 5-star reviews.
I officially entered the vacation rental space in 2012, running the reservations department for a luxury vacation rental provider in Park City. That experience solidified my interest in the industry. In 2019, after negotiating out of a non-compete, we launched Utah Escapes. By 2020, I became a licensed Realtor, which allowed us to merge property management with real estate services under one roof.
I’m originally from Rhode Island, while Karin grew up in Sweden. Utah wasn’t where we started, but it’s where we found our home. That first Moab trip hooked me; the open space, the scenery, and the sense of freedom. Over time, Karin and I both felt that Utah offered the right mix of natural beauty and hospitality-driven communities. Today, we operate across Moab, Park City, Kanab, and Salt Lake City, each with its own unique personality but the same commitment to quality.
We love that we get to serve two sets of customers: our guests and our owners. For guests, it’s about consistency, making sure every stay lives up to the 5-star promise. For owners, it’s about transparency, cost-efficiency, and results. We’ve built Utah Escapes around the belief that both sides should win: owners maximize revenue while guests enjoy memorable experiences.
The unpredictability can be a challenge. From last-minute cancellations to maintenance surprises, there’s always something. But we’ve learned that consistency and systems make the difference. Karin’s emphasis on quality and process keeps us grounded even when things get hectic.
OwnerRez is the hub of our operation. Its integrations allow us to automate repeatable processes, streamline communication, and keep everything centralized. We connect OwnerRez with third-party partners like Turno, AKIA, Jervis, and Accountable, which rounds out a powerful ecosystem. This setup frees us to focus on the human side of the business: guest experience and owner relationships.
For our owners, OwnerRez is especially important because it helps us run lean and efficient. By leveraging technology, we’ve been able to implement a very low commission structure, proving that you don’t need bloated overhead to deliver high-quality service.
It’s not just one feature, it’s the way everything comes together. Channel management keeps our calendars and rates synced across platforms, while professional owner statements ensure transparency. But the real magic is in how OwnerRez integrates with other tools, allowing us to automate without losing personal touch.
OwnerRez was instrumental in our initial scaling, giving us all the core services we needed at a reasonable, scalable cost structure. That foundation let us expand quickly while staying true to our philosophy: undersell, over-deliver, and deliver consistent 5-star results for both owners and guests.
With a passion for travel and a clear commitment to quality, Jeff and Karin continue to shape Utah Escapes while staying true to their core philosophy. Here at OwnerRez, we look forward to seeing their business grow as they continue to deliver 5-star experiences across Utah.
@Anne - Got it. Disappointing that the latest version of Surcharges is limited to the extent that CC processing fees cannot be set up correctly.
(And no, sadly, those instructions for configuring a CC processing fee are inadequate as it will apply the percentage only to rent -- which is unfortunately not how the CC processors charge their percentage!)
Hey Anne -- I'm struggling to get the credit card processing fee to apply to all the other surcharges and not just rent. I've created it as a custom surcharge so I can give it a position, but because all the new style Surcharges/Discounts have no positions set, they are being placed beneath it. It seems I too hastily redid all my surcharges to make use of your new system, because now the credit card processing fee (which should be a percentage of all rent and surcharges) is significantly lower than it should be. Is my only recourse to go back to my old Surcharges so I can give everything a position number??
Alece, Advanced Custom Surcharges allow you to select the Percent of the Subtotal and determine positions.
But yes, you are correct that the new Standard Surcharges don't offer a Percentage of the Subtotal or positions.
This doesn't appear to meet your needs, but check out our How do I configure a credit card processing fee? FAQ.
Hey Anne -- I'm struggling to get the credit card processing fee to apply to all the other surcharges and not just rent. I've created it as a custom surcharge so I can give it a position, but because all the new style Surcharges/Discounts have no positions set, they are being placed beneath it. It seems I too hastily redid all my surcharges to make use of your new system, because now the credit card processing fee (which should be a percentage of all rent and surcharges) is significantly lower than it should be. Is my only recourse to go back to my old Surcharges so I can give everything a position number??
Earlier this month, we announced that SMS messaging through OwnerRez had expanded to include additional +1 countries and territories. After going live, we discovered that this expansion cannot continue as planned.
To clarify: OwnerRez SMS has always been limited to phone numbers registered in the U.S. and Canada. That part has not changed. What we attempted to add was the ability to send SMS to guest numbers outside of the U.S. and Canada.
Before launching, we conducted research and negotiated directly with our telecom carrier for expanded coverage. We were assured that sending to other +1 regions would be included under our contracted rates. Unfortunately, once the expansion was live, we were hit with unexpected surcharges, charges that the carrier had explicitly told us would not apply.
In short, the carrier misrepresented the deal. We are very unhappy about this outcome and are actively evaluating new telecom partners that can provide fair, predictable international SMS pricing.
We know global communication is critical, and affordable messaging outside the U.S. and Canada remains a top priority. Beyond researching new SMS carriers, we’re also deep into the development of WhatsApp messaging. WhatsApp is widely used across the world and offers a reliable, low-cost alternative to SMS.
When WhatsApp launches in OwnerRez, it will work alongside SMS, so you can use both channels seamlessly, depending on what works best for you and your guests.
We know many users were excited about the expanded SMS coverage, and we share your frustration. Thank you for your patience as we work to deliver reliable, cost-effective ways to reach your guests worldwide.
We’re excited to introduce our latest integration with Avalara, giving OwnerRez users a hassle-free solution for managing short-term rental tax compliance. This integration streamlines tax filings, licenses, and payments, so you can focus on growing your business without worrying about government paperwork.
Avalara MyLodgeTax Pro takes the burden of short-term rental tax compliance off your plate - so you can focus on what matters most. Built for property managers, MyLodgeTax Pro manages the entire lodging tax process on your behalf. From obtaining and renewing licenses and permits to preparing and filing tax returns, submitting payments, and staying current with changing tax rules and marketplace agreements, our cloud-based platform and team of lodging tax experts ensure you stay compliant. MyLodgeTax Pro helps reduce risk, improve efficiency, and free up your team to focus on growth - not government paperwork.
Pricing may vary, contact Avalara here to learn more.
Check out the OwnerRez support article for integrating OwnerRez with Avalara.
This week’s roundup highlights Expedia Group’s latest platform updates, Airbnb’s continued shift towards hotels, a new vacation rental platform gaining traction, the IRS targeting short-term rental income, and trends shaping Greece’s rental market. Let’s dive in.
This week, Expedia Group unveiled a series of updates set to reshape the experience for both hosts and guests on its platforms. First, Expedia is expanding Vrbo property distribution through its B2B network, reaching 70,000 businesses and over 160,000 travel agents, with partners like Delta, Alaska Airlines, and Revolut among the first to distribute Vrbo listings. On the consumer side, Expedia has enhanced its search experience with a new tab-view filter, allowing users to easily toggle between hotels and vacation rentals. Looking ahead to early 2026, Vrbo will also introduce changes to its Premier Host program, aiming to drive more traffic to exceptional listings. The biggest shift will be moving recognition from the host level to individual listings. New qualifications for this listing-level recognition include a 99% acceptance rate, 0% cancellation rate, and a 4.6+ review rating. This change is aimed at highlighting top-performing properties and giving them increased visibility. Lastly, Expedia is rolling out a range of AI-powered features, including AI Guest Review Summary (Live Now) for quick, summarized guest feedback, AI Property Q&A (Beta) for instant answers, AI-Powered Property Highlights (Testing) to showcase unique features based on guest reviews, and Trust Through Real Photos (Testing) allowing guests to upload photos with their reviews.
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky says the company is now getting serious about hotels, with plans to launch a dedicated hotel interface inside the Airbnb app. After pausing hotel expansion during the pandemic, Chesky confirmed Airbnb will now focus on boutique and independent hotels, starting with a pilot in a few cities, including New York. The move builds on the company’s 2019 acquisition of HotelTonight and aims to keep guests from leaving the platform when they can’t find a suitable home. Chesky also noted that Airbnb’s recent shift to a single-fee pricing structure positions the company to better compete in these markets, where transparent, up-front pricing is already the standard.
Lake.com, a vacation rental platform specializing in lake houses and waterfront properties, has raised $2.6 million in pre-seed funding led by the Business Development Bank of Canada. The site currently features about 40,000 listings across 7,000 destinations in North America and Europe, with plans to handle over 100,000 bookings in the next 18 to 24 months. Lake.com aims to address frustrations with existing platforms by offering clear pricing without surprise fees, consistent cancellation policies, and AI-driven search tools designed to help guests find the perfect home. CEO David Ciccarelli describes the company as creating a new kind of travel agency built for families and the next generation of travelers. By the way, Lake.com is finalizing the OwnerRez integration now, and you'll be able to list your properties in the coming weeks!
The IRS announced this week that it will focus on vacation home rentals in 2025, urging homeowners who rent through platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo to report their rental income properly. In the announcement, they stressed the importance of distinguishing between personal and rental use, with the increased enforcement targeting properties rented beyond certain limits. With this being a key focus in 2025, it's crucial to double-check state and national tax laws to ensure everything is reported correctly.
Travel and Tour World released an article focusing on Greece’s short-term rental market, featuring key data from AirDNA. The report highlights a rise in rental prices across popular Greek destinations, despite a slight dip in occupancy rates. Experts suggest that higher rental prices may be contributing to the decline in occupancy, while still reflecting strong demand for vacation rentals in the region. The article emphasizes the importance of property owners staying on top of their pricing among shifting market trends as Greece continues to attract new travelers.
As the Expedia Group rolls out major updates and Airbnb moves into the hotel space, the vacation rental landscape is shifting in exciting new ways. Stay tuned for more on these developments and how the industry continues to evolve in the weeks ahead!
We’re excited to announce our new integration with InterCoastal Net Designs, giving OwnerRez users access to powerful digital marketing and website solutions to help drive direct bookings.
At ICND, they are hyper-focused on providing the best digital marketing and website solutions for the vacation rental industry. They are trusted industry veterans with over 25 years of experience in business; their proven conversion-focused approach is founded on the book direct philosophy. Test drive their newest platform, AXIS. As the preferred booking engine platform for vacation rental websites around the world, AXIS delivers cutting-edge website management tools, a powerful CRM, and integrates with OwnerRez.
Their digital marketing team is committed to providing direct strategies and techniques that maintain and improve your online presence, which drives qualified traffic to your website. Combining their industry expertise and superior customer support, they provide the ideal agency experience to gain exposure and maximize online reservations.
Reach out to InterCoastal Net Designs for a custom quote tailored to your specific needs and goals.
Get started with InterCoastal Net Designs by visiting here and checking out the OwnerRez support article for integrating OwnerRez with InterCoastal Net Designs.
This week’s roundup covers Gen Z travel trends, legal updates affecting short-term rentals in Montana and New Orleans, New York City’s ongoing affordability issue, and Airbnb’s AI development plans. Let’s dive in.
Airbnb reports Gen Z is driving a surge in fall 2025 travel, with searches up 26% compared to last year. Paris ranks as the top trending destination, with Osaka, Dubai, Miami, Porto, Cartagena, London, Munich, Mexico City, and Santiago also seeing strong demand from this demographic. The article shares a recent Focaldata survey, showing that affordability plays a role in the fall travel decisions of more than 80% of Gen Z travellers. In the U.S., Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, and Minnesota lead the reviews for fall foliage experiences. Gen Z is also showing a preference for quieter beach getaways this season, with Naha, Ipojuca, Ericeira, San Andrés, and Praia Grande emerging as popular choices. This report highlights the value of showcasing affordability in your listing to attract Gen Z travelers this fall.
The Montana Supreme Court ruled this week that subdivision covenants can restrict vacation rentals, siding with neighbors in a Flathead County subdivision near Whitefish. The case involved property owners who argued that the subdivision’s covenants, which prohibit any business, trade, or commercial activity, prevented short-term rental use. R&R Mountain Escapes, the rental operator, argued that they could operate the property because they had received a conditional use permit from Flathead County. The court upheld the covenants, stating that private subdivision rules can limit vacation rentals even when local government permits exist. Legal observers say the ruling could influence how communities across Montana choose to manage short-term rentals within subdivisions.
Two years after the historic ban on short-term rentals in New York City, the New York Post reports that "Local Law 18" failed to lower rents and increase housing availability. The article shares that the law had little to no effect on affordability or availability, but it coincided with a consistent boost in hotel occupancy, as travelers were forced to shift toward traditional lodging options. In a statement to The Post, Airbnb's director of public policy strategy for North America states, "Airbnb made up only a small share of units, and rents have actually risen faster in neighborhoods that once had the highest number of Airbnbs. The law has only made the affordability crisis worse." The New York City short-term rental ban continues to serve as an interesting test case for how cities approach long-term affordability and regulate short-term rentals.
Skift shares key takeaways from Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky’s talk at the 2025 Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference. Chesky said Airbnb will introduce AI search next year to help guests find rentals more efficiently. He also highlighted that AI will make adding listings easier for hosts, with property photos automatically updating to reflect the seasons. “I think everything is now back on the table,” Chesky said, emphasizing that with AI, Airbnb can more easily expand into new markets and businesses.
A federal judge has dismissed ten of the eleven claims made by Airbnb in their lawsuit challenging New Orleans’ short-term rental regulations. The court ruled that property owners do not have a fundamental right to rent their homes on a short-term basis and upheld the city’s authority to require platforms to verify that listings comply with local laws before collecting fees. Council President JP Morrell hailed the decision as a significant victory for residents, emphasizing the city’s commitment to preserving neighborhood integrity and holding short-term rental platforms accountable.
As we get ready for the fall rental season, expect more news on traveler trends, regulations, and technology shaping the vacation rental industry. Check back next week for more updates!
We’re excited to roll out our new integration with Authenticate, offering OwnerRez users a seamless way to handle guest screening.
Authenticate gives property managers unmatched peace of mind through meticulous guest screening, blocking bad actors from entering your property, and helping you combat chargebacks. Quickly screen guests against national and international databases and automatically verify their identities in under 30 seconds. Achieve the highest level of security without breaking the bank.
No setup fee. No minimum monthly commitments. No long-term contracts. Pay as you go. View additional pricing info here.
Free:
*Only available if the user is verified using Government ID Verification, Knowledge Based Authentication, or SSN Verification.
**Varies court to court. Refer to the tentative court fee list.
Get started with Authenticate by visiting here and checking out the OwnerRez support article for integrating OwnerRez with Authenticate.
I use houfy.com for my direct site. 3 different levels, very minimal charges, Free, $3/mo/listing, $5/mo/listing. No mind you they do not promote like Airbnb, VRBO, or Bookings. I do my own and seems to work for me.
My site is https://www.houfy.com/l/our-rentals
https://www.houfy.com/r/pauls
How do you do this Paul? Looks awesome
do you have this integrated on your website? If so can you share your site?
I've added all my properties but doesn't do comparison within my own website
I would gladly pay the $6/mo per property for this, but the $50 minimum per website is a non-starter. I have two STR properties that are in different states. As a result, each has its own direct booking website to optimize for organic traffic via localized content.
This should be natively support in OwnerRez, they already do a rate analyzer. Vote below!
https://www.ownerrez.com/forums/requests/rate-comparison-widget-for-direct-booking-sites
*Do not support this cash grab offering. $50 minimum spend a month.
I don't use this service because I already have that function with my direct booking site.
Hi Karen!
It looks like Vrbo started the upfront pricing earlier this year. When a guest goes to a Vrbo listing and inserts their dates of stay, it should show them the total amount up front (minus taxes). Once a guest starts their booking, the next page should show them a breakdown of the charges and display the taxes.
Please reach out to help@ownerrez.com if you have any questions!
Hi Donna,
The difference is that the price comparison tool lives on your own website and shows up on property page at the time the user is requesting a price quote.
Cheers,
Josh
I read $6/property but $50/month minimum.
$6 per month just to see that direct price is lower than airbnb/vrbo? am i missing something here (value)?
I have not used this service yet. I do use another that appears to be similar: HiChee.
In fact, I was an early subscriber to the system.
I would be interested in learning the similarities/differences between the two.
What is the customer-facing URL?
Hi Treasure,
Here are a few websites that uses our tools, big and small:
https://properties.bigfishrentals.com/
https://coastalrealtyvacations.com/
Cheers,
Josh
Would be interested to know if anyone uses this and their experience.
Hi Tom,
You’re absolutely right, it’s never acceptable for a service to be offline. Our systems faced an unusual spike in traffic that briefly affected availability for some users. The event was designed to overwhelm our platform, but our team acted quickly to stabilize performance. Importantly, no data was ever at risk, and we’re confident this won’t impact you again.
We apologize for the inconvenience and truly appreciate your patience as we continue to ensure Crewdogs remains secure and reliable for the military community. We’d love to partner and help you host the military community on Crewdogs.
I got to the link about the Crewdogs and Ownerez integration and get this:
I go to the Crewdogs main website page and get this:
So let me ask, when is it in today's digital world that it is okay for a service to be offline for "a few hours" for maintenance? Answer: Never.
We are happy to announce our partnership with AutoRank, which offers OwnerRez users a seamless way to improve their Airbnb search ranking.
AutoRank Concierge is a premium service that combines the power of advanced AI with expert human insight. The Concierge managers work closely with you, using the AutoRank solution to design high-performing listings tailored to your property and owners. AutoRank Concierge delivers not only weekly content updates but also seasonal picture optimization. So you get more views and bookings.
AutoRank is the only automated Listing Optimization solution for STRs that analyzes guest search trends and Airbnb’s ranking algorithm to optimize your listing, ranking and views on Airbnb.
After a one-time onboarding process, your dedicated Concierge Manager updates your listings every week. Real-time guest search data, local trends, and proven optimization strategies inform each update. Their process includes:
AutoRank Concierge delivers quantifiable results that directly impact your visibility and bookings. Property managers see up to:
For clients who want to go beyond visibility, AutoRank offers professional revenue management as an extended service.
Their in-house revenue management experts implement innovative, data-driven pricing strategies tailored to your portfolio, ensuring your listings are always aligned with guest demand, market shifts, and seasonal trends.
This team doesn't just adjust prices, they engineer demand. By combining advanced OTA optimization with strategic rate management, they help you maximize booking probability by pairing high rankings with optimal pricing. This premium service is designed to work seamlessly alongside AutoRank Concierge so your visibility improvements translate directly into higher earnings. Contact their sales team to learn more and request a personalized quote for adding revenue management to your Concierge plan.
AutoRank Concierge offers flexible, premium pricing designed for hands-on support:
Get started with AutoRank by visiting here and checking out the OwnerRez support article for integrating OwnerRez with AutoRank.
