General Help and Questions

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lease agreement / difficulty with getting the correct one 2 replies

Cathleen C
May 7, 2019 7:17 PM
Joined Aug, 2018 23 posts

Hi; I send the rental contract after the booking based on where the booking came from. I have templates set up. When a booking comes in, I go to the specific template, edit and insert names, arrival/departure, # in party (old school). I save. I go to the booking, legal, select the specific lease, preview it, send.
Yesterday, I did this at 6:15 p.m. I got notice it was signed. Checked today. It shows correct. However, the guest contacted me and said her contract is incorrect. It's showing the information on a contract I sent out today at 9:00 a.m. The property is correct. What is happening?

This happened last week to a few contracts I sent out. The property was correct, however reservation information was incorrect. First, I thought it was user error and I carefully looked at other reservations and noticed a few others in error. Ive been previewing all contracts I send. I'm starting to feel like a idiot. Please advise.

Receivable report 1 reply

Jom and Monica
May 7, 2019 10:57 AM
Joined Mar, 2018 11 posts

We would like to be able to see a report of payments that are due by property by month. Does anyone have a way to get this information?

hosted websites - How Do I? 1 reply

JTVRs
May 6, 2019 9:22 PM
Joined Jun, 2018 385 posts

If I bought a theme/template, it comes with sample pages.

How would I set up things like the following without hand hammering every piece (font, layout, color, etc. etc.)?

About Us
FAQs
Links Page (such as our tours, services, partners...)
Forum (someday)
etc

guests emails not pulling over from VRBO 1 reply

Tracy R
May 6, 2019 9:10 AM
Joined Mar, 2019 7 posts

I am having to copy and paste the guest emails from VRBO. Is this typical or is there a bridge step I have missed doing?
Thanks
Tracy

Amenities 5 replies

JTVRs
May 5, 2019 9:39 PM
Joined Jun, 2018 385 posts

what the heck is a Raclette?

Do people really offer a lobster pot that much worldwide?

Why the above two and not a Pots and Pans field?

Why is refrigerator and freezer separate? All my freezers are part of the refrigerator as probably 95% of the world is. Why does someone staying 3 days need a separate freezer? Why not combine as Refrigerator/Freezer (I know, that is probably how the OTAs do it...)

Why is there no Fire Pit?

Amenities 5 replies

JTVRs
May 5, 2019 9:33 PM
Joined Jun, 2018 385 posts

Also odd - strange choices/wording for sports.

tennis - checkbox
golf - walkable
skiing - nonexistent (but snow sports gear is there)
hunting - nonexistent
Boat available
kayak/canoe - didnt we just say boat above?
Lawn sports - nonexistent (volleyball, badminton, croquet, etc)
trampoline - an insurance nightmare

Amenities 5 replies

JTVRs
May 5, 2019 1:42 PM
Joined Jun, 2018 385 posts

This is strange:

"Deck/Patio (uncovered)"

"Lanai/Gazebo (covered)"

Where the heck is porch - (covered)?? 80% of the older homes in Pennsylvania seem to have this! As in that thing with a roof you pass through via the front or back entrance? That either is open or may have screens/windows? I certainly don't call it a Lanai or Gazebo!!!

OK - below. No one here calls is a veranda. Can you at least do "Veranda/Porch (covered)"? Not sure why it is deemphasized. A lot more people have a porch than a gazebo!

Getting "double title" effect in hosted website 5 replies

JTVRs
May 4, 2019 7:44 PM
Joined Jun, 2018 385 posts

Getting "double title" effect in hosted website

I get the large title, then a smaller grey one next to it. I have tried to delete a couple things to get rid of it, but not sure what is causing it

For example, top of this page: https://www.jimthorpevacationrentals.com/asa-packer-suite--luxe-3-br

booking .com - your property is not bookable beyond X date 3 replies

BlueMtnCabins
May 4, 2019 6:18 PM
Joined Jun, 2016 1155 posts

yes I increased in to 120 after the message. It is shown when i log in to their dashboard and they also sent me an email. "here is email " Dear Partner,
Currently, your last available date is 2 June, and after this your property will no longer appear on Booking.com.
To change this, simply update your calendar so that you're still visible to the millions of guests who like to book their accommodation early.
You can update your calendar via your channel manager, OwnerRez.
Kind regards,
The Booking.com Team

booking .com - your property is not bookable beyond X date 3 replies

Chris Hynes
May 4, 2019 6:05 PM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2012 1403 posts

Can you send a screenshot of the rates & availability section in booking.com? Is it actually showing unavailable there or just in the message.

The channel is set from 3 to 120 days so I'm wondering if it's seeing that initial 3 days of unavailability or general unavailability off bookings and showing the message erroneously.

How to delete obsolete listing site? 1 reply

Chris Hynes
May 4, 2019 6:03 PM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2012 1403 posts

Right now there's no way to delete those because they're usually used historically on bookings -- so even if it's not applicable to new ones you still want to keep it for the old ones.

Rates 2 replies

Chris Hynes
May 4, 2019 6:02 PM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2012 1403 posts

Yep, that's the way to do it! You don't even need to set the priority -- shorter seasons take priority over longer so it will automatically be the least priority.

booking .com - your property is not bookable beyond X date 3 replies

BlueMtnCabins
May 4, 2019 10:25 AM
Joined Jun, 2016 1155 posts

I have booking. com channel set to be bookable 90 days put. yet on booking portal it says:

" Your property isn't bookable beyond 08 May 2019 . Add availability up to October 2020 so you don't miss out on reservations."
90 days from today is not May 8th. What is happening?

How to delete obsolete listing site? 1 reply

BlueMtnCabins
May 3, 2019 3:50 PM
Joined Jun, 2016 1155 posts

I have custom listing site under Channels that became obsolete. How can I delete? there is no delete button. TIA

Calling all Smoky Mountains TN OR users - mutual referral . 9 replies

BlueMtnCabins
May 3, 2019 3:49 PM
Joined Jun, 2016 1155 posts

I do not use hosted site, so...

Rates 2 replies

BlueMtnCabins
May 3, 2019 3:39 PM
Joined Jun, 2016 1155 posts

yes there is . I usually define it as recurring rate that is valid from jan 1 thru Dec 31, and give it lowest priority, like 1. I give mine the name "standard". So all other seasons you have defined with higher priorities will take precedence over default rate for their respective date periods. if there is not specific season defined for given period, it will use default "standard" rates. That way you do not have to define rates in gaps between seasons and also do not have to define it every year.

Rates 2 replies

Emily O
May 3, 2019 9:42 AM
Joined Mar, 2019 4 posts

Is there an option to set a base rate? Can't seem to find it.
Also, what is a Spot rate?

I am hoping that I can set a base rate to $XX/night and then add my seasonal rates. Any inquiry will quote my base rate unless those dates fall into a seasonal period. Is this how it's programmed?

Google direct booking 13 replies

JTVRs
May 2, 2019 7:43 PM
Joined Jun, 2018 385 posts

Well,, my VRs are going to be managed by under an LLC with an address, so " Sales or leasing offices, however, are eligible for verification." seems to fit the bill

Also, with them now showing vacation rentals prominently, this seems a strange limitation...

Google direct booking 13 replies

Paul W
May 2, 2019 4:43 PM
OR Team Member Joined Jun, 2009 863 posts

JTVRs said:

Didn't know that VRs not supposed to be in Google like that. Where did you read that?

It's buried in one of the back support areas. If you go here:

https://support.google.com/business/answer/3038177?hl=en

And click on Ineligble Businesses, it says:

The following businesses aren’t eligible for a business listing:

* Rental or for-sale properties such as vacation homes, model homes, or vacant apartments. Sales or leasing offices, however, are eligible for verification.

* An ongoing service, class, or meeting at a location that you don't own or have the authority to represent.

Google direct booking 13 replies

Paul W
May 2, 2019 4:39 PM
OR Team Member Joined Jun, 2009 863 posts

BlueMtnCabins said:

what is SERP?

Search Engine Result Page. It's what a search engine shows when you type in a word or phrase. Google "Place" results (which are a mix of GMB and other things) are returned in that content with high relevance and special presentation.

Calling all Smoky Mountains TN OR users - mutual referral . 9 replies

JTVRs
May 2, 2019 3:19 PM
Joined Jun, 2018 385 posts

I would like to see ownerres create a listing site, where owner res owners could put their hosted or personal website as inventory there. It may also help us get some pagerank value.

Any little thing to get more direct bookings

Marriot is getting into the home rental space! 2 replies

JTVRs
May 2, 2019 3:17 PM
Joined Jun, 2018 385 posts

True. They tested in Europe has several hundred vacation rentals, and it looks like they will be doing about 2,000 homes in the United States. Really a very minor play but it is always nice to have someone competing with the OTAs.

I would love for eBay and Amazon to jump aboard in a major way with perhaps a lot lower commissions for hosts/guests. And a lot less control over the hosts

Google direct booking 13 replies

JTVRs
May 2, 2019 3:12 PM
Joined Jun, 2018 385 posts

Didn't know that VRs not supposed to be in Google like that. Where did you read that?

Anyway as I said before, vacation rentals cannot be on TripAdvisor cost-per-click, so I position my unit as a hotel apartments or suites. Perhaps Google my business will allow that. So maybe I can do both with one strategy like this.

Google direct booking 13 replies

BlueMtnCabins
May 2, 2019 10:17 AM
Joined Jun, 2016 1155 posts

what is SERP?

Tripz.com 11 replies

BlueMtnCabins
May 2, 2019 9:42 AM
Joined Jun, 2016 1155 posts

i like houfy esp since it allows to upload ownerrez rates spreadsheet. a lot of owner support and enthusiasm behind it. i am more passive lister as i chose to dedicate my efforts to my own site/marketing. but folks who do not have or wish to build their own website see, to be very avid users and use houfy listing in place of their website.

Marriot is getting into the home rental space! 2 replies

Paul W
May 2, 2019 9:34 AM
OR Team Member Joined Jun, 2009 863 posts

Not surprising. Everyone in travel is licking their chops for vacation rentals. Only a few like Booking.com have managed to make it work. It takes a lot of time and capital, and I don't think they realize just how much. They say it as just "adding VRs like hotel rooms" to their current model. VRs are not hotels and take different options, presentation, payment structures and management.

Travel insurance - at least 30 days prior 6 replies

Paul W
May 2, 2019 9:32 AM
OR Team Member Joined Jun, 2009 863 posts

Yes that's correct - up to the day of their final payment. Here's what we check before passing the request across to Travel Guard for processing:

- We validate that the booking is in USD currency

- We validate that the property address exists (some OR users have no address entered)

- We validate that the property address is in the US.

- We validate that it's either the day of booking or before the final payment date or 30 days before arrival (whichever comes later)

Beyond that, we let Travel Guard kick back an approval or decline.

sent guest email / guest responded / responded email not showing up in OwnerRez 2 replies

Paul W
May 2, 2019 9:25 AM
OR Team Member Joined Jun, 2009 863 posts

Yes, this is normal. When we send emails out of OwnerRez (to the guest on your behalf) we use your email address as the REPLY-TO header. When the guest replies, their reply goes back to you directly, not to OwnerRez. We do this on purpose to keep the communication between you and the guest. We have designed and worked on some "Unified Inbox" stuff but it's been back burner'd several times. It's a major undertaking and not necessary for a lot of users. It's something that needs a lot of work to really get right and be useful, otherwise it just gets in the way.

PS. You can have your email address be set the FROM header too, but you have to join our Verified Sender program to do that (which is free but requires setting some DNS records with your domain registrar).

Third Party Alerts 6 replies

Paul W
May 2, 2019 9:22 AM
OR Team Member Joined Jun, 2009 863 posts

Thanks, BlueMtn! That's exactly it. You can also add a lot more customization by creating a custom template and a trigger to send it. But the easy option is what BlueMtn said.

Default email templates 2 replies

Paul W
May 2, 2019 9:21 AM
OR Team Member Joined Jun, 2009 863 posts

There is no way (currently) to disable the system hard-coded ones but you can create a template with your own message. We are actively working on fixing this area to be much clearer and, as part of that, allow you to "do not send" the system hard-coded one. Probably 20%+ of our support tickets are about this issue alone. 😜 They don't all go out automatically. Many of them only go out when you phsycially do something or request something.