General Help and Questions

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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).

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.

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.

And FYI - it's a great thing to do if you can get validated and set it up. Google My Business listings show photos, reviews, etc right in the middle of SERPs bypassing the major listing sites. It can be a great source of business and a way to show off your reputation. You can also link to the "write a review" page on your GMB "place" page.

Technically, vacation rentals are not supposed to be on Google My Business - it's one of their listed "does not qualify" biz types. However, like all things Google, it's all automated on their side and nobody knows the difference. The only real validation they do is sending a physical post card in the mail to your address with a PIN # on it for you to enter as validation that you own the property (or that you're a creep hanging out in the bushes nearby, checking their mailbox? 😉)

I wanted to add my two cents... I've seen rentals on Tripz now for many years that have yet to get a single lead from it. Of course, the leads could have happened without realizing it (because there's not a good way to measure that click traffic). Houfy is the same way. HomeEscape as well. However, we like the Houfy and HomeEscape teams a lot because they're the last major independent old-school listing sites out there and both teams have spent a *lot* lot time building out their systems. We've asked Houfy to do a direct API integration and will commit resources to it if/when they are able. They've agreed to do it but we haven't been able to get it off the ground yet. On your side, press on Houfy and HomeEscape to do an API integration with OR and then your content/rate/rules will be a lot easier to manage. ECBYO is in planning stages as well.

Great shout-out, BlueMtn. FYI - later in 2019, we'd like to build out a "resources" area of the site where users can share renter agreements, email templates, triggers, website content etc. As part of that, we'd like to start creating "regions" as well so that OR users in the same areas can do exactly what you're looking for - get to know each other and do mutual linking. At some point, OR meetups...? 🤪🏋

Do you want to participate? having a mutual referral page scores high on google search./ here is sample.
https://www.smoky-mountains-cabin.com/rentals-by-owner

General Qualifications to be included in Ownerrez common widgets:

1. Must have Ownerrez set up to be bookable, rates, etc
2. Must have populated SHORT property description ( no more than 440 characters please) using Helvetica 10pt font.
Sample:
True Appalachian style log cabin in the vicinity of Arts and Crafts, between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Classic "cabin in the woods" set on several acres with a peaceful wooded view, privacy and seclusion of nature surroundings. Outdoor covered decks, hot tub and ample back yard with firepit will make you feel like you are camping without leaving the comforts of upscale home. All wood interior is a blend of warm cozy charm with all the modern conveniences and amenities. No indoor smoking. No pets/animals.

3. Ensure that your property(s) set up in OR has:
a) number of people and bedrooms
b) rates (or min and max rate)
c) configure your website URL ( we recommend NOT the HOME page but individual property’s page on website if you have more than one property; the page should be where your inquiry/book widget for given property is located)
5. Ensure you have a property PHOTO configured in Ownerrez.
6. Notify me when done (mybluemountainlodge@yahoo.com) and provide your Ownerrez property number (ORP number). I will ask OR owner Chris to add your property(s) to the widget.

If you are Smoky Mountains TN cabin/property owner and fully set up on OR and wish to participate, pls let me know. Happy booking!

Yea, I definitely plan being on houfy. I want at least to be on one significant listing site that supports direct booking.

I am one of them, I already have that . each cabin has GMB listing and I have been collecting Google reviews. ex: https://goo.gl/maps/HGL6bf9UtdCKeZ478

I don't know precisely what it is, but this site might illuminate it from a different angle.

Many people in things related to this are claiming their Google MyBusiness profile, seeking to get Google reviews, a post card will be sent to verify your address (I did this for my upcoming tour business already), and I assume "card" related to the image part way down in the following URL:

https://www.blizzardinternet.com/news/industry-news/ready-bookable-vacation-rentals-google/

Not all.

Go Under Properties, Select a property, on the left side pane there is 3rd Party Alerts. Add the email of the person you want alerted.

I can't figure out how to set up a third party alert. I need every new booking to be sent to our property manager and HOA.
Thanks

Is there any way to disable the default email templates? I'm assuming they all go out, and I don't want them to.

is there more info about Google cards? to they mean schema.org markup? only markup i found (and embedded) was for 'lodging business" and 'product".

houfy has quite a bit of owner involvement/push behind it. Tripz was created (sounds like) by some offshore company just trying to get listings. when they failed to have ppl to subscribe at $299, $199, $99 , they sometimes gave listings for free. Houfy is free from getgo and can be a decent replacement for those who are unable to unwilling to create their own bookable site.

I think this is normal.

but the responded email is showing in caszattcondos@gmail.com What am I missing? I've refreshed, looked in emails, clicked on emails, etc. I want to keep all communication through OwnerRez. Thanks.

Travel Guard says that guest can purchase the insurance up to the day they make their final payment. It doesn't appear the OR system supports that part tho. Can you clarify?

Marriot is getting into the home rental space! But I couldn't determine whether that is open to other owners or only property managers or only houses that Marriot itself will buy and offer:

https://www.fastcompany.com/90341340/report-marriott-is-getting-into-the-home-rental-gig-to-take-on-airbnb

They are all mapped automatically assuming the channel supports it. HomeAway supports almost everything in OwnerRez (and we support everything you can put on HomeAway). TA and Air have a much smaller taxonomy of amenities, but we match in what we can.

For direct booking, everything will be captured in OwnerRez automatically on the booking -- no sync or extra signature process after the booking is received because it handles all of that in the quote reservation process.

I'd recommend creating a test quote and booking with yourself as a guest -- that way you'll see the entire process.

It only requires the signing party, but you can add custom fields to capture more info about other guests: https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/capture-additional-fields-on-checkout-quote-acceptance

email to sms would basically be a service that converts email to text messages and sends them out. You'd put an email address into OR and the gateway would receive the email, pull out the relevant details and send it to the desired phone # via sms text.

I doubt OR is building a universal text option that would work with all systems, I don't think such a thing is even possible with so many proprietary messaging apps. I am pretty sure it will be a standard SMS based text that works based on typical cell phone text messaging.

Email to sms gateway, not sure what that is

I am assuming that it will be designed to universally designed to work on any chat app... What's App, Messenger, etc. Not an expert on that.

I am not aware of how amenities on owner res (per property) are mapped to amenities on Airbnb, TripAdvisor, HomeAway family, Etc.

When I define amenities on owner res, are they all mapped over to the OTAs automatically, or do I have to do a lot of redefining of amenities there to make them fit ?

Ok for those of us planning (soon) to use hosted websites for direct booking, how does all the information for guests get collected? Is it in the same format and methods as if it were from an OTA? Or some differences in behavior and method?

I mean the responsible party, the booking record, the agreement signing, the payment schedule, deposit, travel insurance, communication with guests, Etc?

"Normally folks only require the responsible/booking individual to sign, but you can send multiple links if you want."

Okay, thanks. I am still a few weeks away from actually being in the market. I know a lot, but it is still theoretical.

I have not actually LOOKED at how exactly it is appears when sent to guest. I assume it requests the full name of all adults, at least...

Nope, you only need one of the two. We provide both channel types in case you can only log in to one of the addresses, or have different listing numbers on different sites.