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No, that's considered to be essential. However, it's rare that it's empty at that stage in the process - most listing channels provide it with a booking, and, it's required for all credit card payments anyway.
Is there a way to not ask for a guest's physical address in the Renter Agreement tempate?
Thanks,
-Mimi
I'm a real estate Broker in California, as well as an STR manager/owner. I keep my Brokerage website separate from my vacation rental site. There are two main reasons for this, both around SEO. If you have STRs and sales it will "confuse" the search engines as to what you are and what your site's focus is. This will get even more confusing, especially for the consumer, if you have long-term rentals on there as well.
The second reason is, your site's "avatar" (aka who you're trying to get as a visitor). The person who is shopping for a traditional rental or to purchase a home is much different than the person looking for a two-night stay somewhere. When designing your site, they need to attract the right customer and your content needs to reflect that. Even if you had a subdomain like "purchase.mysite.com" it could still be dicey. The guidance I've read is to have these be unique sites and leave subdomains for specific silos of information, like "calif.aaa.com"
Evolve does have a sales page buried on their site, but when you click on the listing for the property it takes you to the rental page. In my view, that is not a good way to do it as it is confusing.
How I would do it is list the rental on your sales site with a link to the rental page/site in case people are interested in buying it as a rental. I'd also link from the STR site to the sales site with a generic "some of our rentals are up for sale, click here to see a listing" type of link. You don't want to list directly from the STR property page as that could hurt rentals (who wants to rent a place that may be sold out from under them).
Kind of like an old-school guestbook? No, we don't have that feature, but there are a great many plugins that do similar things, and most likely can be dropped onto your website.
Hi, our website is https://www.beehivevacationhomes.com and we just want to add a webform where people can leave comments, feature requests or guest lists or some kind of registration to promotional offers. We wanted to put it here in this part of the website:
I tried to put a form but can't figure out the "correct way" to do it. Is there an ownerrez feature to add a weform that blends into the website theme itself?
if not, any suggestion where I can get to put web forms that blend into the website? How did you do it? Please advise.
I'd like to add my vote for this - it's critical when more than one person is responding to inquiries. If a response comes from a potential guest to an email address monitored by multiple people, it's hard to monitor/know WHO has already responded.
What you're talking about is part of what is commonly referred to as a "unified inbox." At present, OwnerRez does not offer this, because it would require us to provide full email services - inbox, interface, client, etc. It is generally easier for clients to have email services provided by some other company that specializes in doing this, such as Google Workspace or most domain registrars.
We are investigating ways of adding this capability, or at least moving in this direction, and you will see additional features in this regard over time.
Hello everyone,
I am trying to utilize the Email Template feature to automate how I respond to customer inquiries. This feature works well but I was wondering if there was a way to capture the customer response in OR as well as via email?
For example, the email template goes to the customer with the "From" address being an OR generated email address with the inquiryspot.com domain. However, the reply-to address is {MYEMAIL}. So when the customer responds to my email template, it goes to my email address and the communication is not captured on OR. This makes it more difficult to use since I would like to be able to view all communications in one place (ideally in OR).
Does anyone know of a way to change the reply-to address to an OR address so that the response is captured in OR and forwarded to my email?
Thanks,
Mai
Hello all! My name is Fabian and I'm a host from Miami!
Last year I was managing around 20 rentals and honestly wasn't having a good time, so I decided to restructure my business and trim the properties that were not bringing enough revenue while also advising my current owners to sell their one bedrooms to buy two bedrooms instead which yield higher returns in my market.
I have now a few units under contract and will land around 12 nice vacation rentals, 10 being 2 or more bedrooms.
I have also been selling a lot of real estate, and honestly I am trying to solidify that aspect of my business; so I am thinking of redesigning my currently OwnerRez-Hosted website which can't be very customized and instead make bookings a part of my site in a "bookings" tab.
Ideally I would like to build something similar to https://www.carswellandassociates.com/
Does anyone have any experience in these types of integrations?
Thank you!
Hi,
I am trying to change the system default email template. I would like to remove the content like "Visit us online:" till I get the url setup. How can I remove this at system default template level so it get used everywhere.
Thanks
Kumar
Hi,
I am trying to change the system default email template. I would like to remove the content like "Visit us online:" till I get the url setup. How can I remove this at system default template level so it get used everywhere.
Thanks
Kumar
FIGURED IT OUT - NEVER MIND :)
We have several properties and send out a customized inquiry email for each that has information about the property and distances to various popular places in the area. Currently using both Porter and IGMS but trying to test out OR to see if it can be a single solution.
We currently have a specific template for inquiries on each property. I've setup an inquiry template in OR with all of the standard info that is similar and was hoping to use custom fields to merge in the info that is specific to each property. I need 6 different custom descriptions to be inserted into the template but can't figure out how to tell the system which one to use.
Can you assign a custom field to a specific property?
Help - this is hard!
If they want to purchase travel insurance, it needs to be a booking and they'll have to make the travel insurance on a credit card. They can still make the booking payment to you via check.
Convert the block to a booking and you'll be able to send them a travel insurance purchase link from the Insurance tab of the booking. If they end up not sending you the check and going through with the booking for whatever reason, then cancel the booking.
I'd recommend having them wait until they're sure they're going to book before purchasing the insurance policy. Once they purchase the policy they'd have to contact the insurance company to cancel it.
They pretty much can't:
https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/travel-insurance-common-issues-questions#no-card
I have a guest paying by check. They want to purchase travel insurance too.
*How do I make a template for that guest that has not yet converted to a booking until the check clears?
*Can they purchase the travel insurance now or must they wait until they are officially booked?
Our situation:
I have blocked the dates for a guest. The guest will be signing our DocuSign contract and sending us a check for the downpayment. Once the check is cleared I plan to revert the block to a booking.
Interesting take on the policy. Thanks for posting. How are you keeping track of the responses?
When we first started using OR I went down the road as I had with other software to "brand" our emails and each template had our logo and footer information embedded actually in the template. Then I found Themes (Settings -> Theming). Themes allow you to put something at the top and the bottom of emails, forms, legal agreements and statements. We now "stamp" all of our emails with a centered logo at the top and at the bottom we place the disclaimer text that "This is a transactional email from Pacific View Lodging generated by our property management software called OwnerRez. If you believe you have received this email in error please report this to us: postmaster@pacificviewlodging.com" We started doing the disclaimer a number of years ago.. the CAN SPAM Act required commercial emails to be identified if they were Advertisements and since all of these emails are transactional we wanted to identify them as such and give the recipient a way to contact us. We hoped it would help in keeping us from getting blacklisted. Not sure if it worked but it is a holdover we aren't ready to give up yet.
Here is an example of our Arrival Instructions. We generally send these 2 days prior to guest arrival. We utilize bold, underline, images (pictures of the door locks are included in the email), and custom fields: PXCITY PXCOUNTY PXUNITNUMBER PXWIFINETWORK PX WIFIPASSWORD, Property fields for Directions and Instructions are also used. (We could have use the Internet property tag as well but we prefer to keep them in separate fields so we can send just the password to guests in a text message. The idea here is to try to have just ONE Arrival Instruction template that is customized for each property using the
This looks so much better in an actual email than what you see below.
-----------------
{CFIRST}
This email contains important information you will need for your arrival at {PDISPNAME}. You may wish to print a hard copy of this or save it for easy retrieval in your email.
{PDISPNAME}
{PADDRM}
{PADDRUG}
Arriving: {BARR}
Departing: {BDEP} ({BNNGHTS} nights)
{PINSTDIR}
{PINSTCHECKIN}
--------------------
Check-In Time is {BCHECKINTIME} and Check-Out time is promptly at {BCHECKOUTTIME} At this time we do not have capability to grant early check-in or late check-out requests.
--------------------
Using the Electronic Door Lock
On the door you will find a lock that looks similar to one of these:
Tap the Yale to illuminate the keypad.
Enter your personal code of: {BDOORCODE} followed by ✓ checkmark or asterisk * key (The bottom row far left button on the keypad)
You will hear the lock mechanism move followed by 3 tones.
Once the tones finish you can press down on the door handle and enter the unit.
The locks will automatically relock after about 30 seconds.
If the code does not work, or the keypad starts "flashing" repeatedly at you please check the time. Your code will start working on {BARR} after {BCHECKINTIME}. If it continues to fail please give us a call at {MYPHONE}.
-------------------------
Here area some important items to highlight about your unit (may not apply to all):
1. The wifi password is {PXWIFIPASS}. Look for SSID: {PXWIFINET}
2. The thermostat to turn on the heaters may be on the wall or actually located on the heater themselves. Turn to the right to increase the temperature and left to lower. For heaters with a digital thermostat on the unit press the bottom left button until you see temperature and then the up or down arrow to adjust. (Please DO NOT place anything in front of the heating unit. They can get VERY hot and can melt plastics and scorch/burn fabric.)
3. Linens/Pillows for the sofa sleepers (if present) are stowed in the coffee tables, drawers in the bed pedestal, or ottomans in the living area. You will also find additional pillows and blankets in closets/dresser drawers.
4. If your TV has unique operational instructions they are generally posted on or near the TV. In particular some LG televisions require you to change to HDMI1 when they are turned on. This is done by pressing the left top button (TV INPUT) multiple times on the remote until HDMI1 is highlighted. Please do not reprogram remote controls and if you unplug cables please be sure to plug them back in where you disconnected them.
5. The pet area has waste disposal bags. Please pickup after your pets so we can keep the properties pet friendly.
Thank you for choosing {PDISPNAME} - enjoy your stay and if you need anything please do not hesitate to contact us.
{MYCO}
{MYEMAIL}
{MYPHONEI}
{MYURL}
------------
Our counties in Oregon require we inform guests about COVID. Our policy is such that if they can NOT acknowledge the contents of the email that we offer a full refund. We do not require proof and we have not found guests abusing the policy.
We added a number of property specific custom fields mostly with emails in mind. PXCITY PXCOUNTY PXUNITNUMBER PXWIFINETWORK PX WIFIPASSWORD we use CITY and COUNTY in this one. We also use Unordered Lists for each of the items and we do use bolding and underlining.
-----------------
{CFIRST}
Welcome to {PXCITY}, and more specifically, welcome to {PDISPNAME}.
First and foremost we thank you for booking with us. I'm sure you are probably tired of hearing that we are in unprecedented times, yet here is another communication brought to you compliments of the times we are in. In an effort to keep individuals safe - including our staff and our guests - we have been asked by {PXCOUNTY} county to provide some simple guidance to our guests and those who will be travelling with them and staying at our properties.
By completing this reservation and arriving on the property you are acknowledging and confirming:
That no person in your party has recently experienced any cold or flu symptoms.
That no person in your party has experienced a fever within the last 14 days.
That no person in your party has been exposed to or interacted with a person known to have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days.
That you and the members of your party will follow social distancing and face mask guidelines as directed for the duration of your stay.
You and your party also acknowledge the concerns of residents of {PXCOUNTY} county related to their increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 as tourism is allowed to open, and you and all members of your party will make every effort to be good citizens and respectful neighbors during your stay. This includes adhering to face mask and social distancing guidelines as well as observing property quiet time hours, and the various parking requirements as outlined in the city and county ordinances.
If you are NOT able to acknowledge and confirm the above, please contact us right away and we will issue you a full refund of any monies collected for your reservation. Our goal is to provide all of our guests, employees and contractors with a safe and healthy accommodation and work environment. You are just as much a part of this equation as we are and through our joint efforts we can keep the Oregon Coast open and safe for all citizens to enjoy.
{MYCO}
{MYEMAIL}
{MYPHONEI}
{MYURL}
This notice is being sent to all registered guests per lodging reopening requirements for {PXCOUNTY} county.
We send this on arrival day at 9am. Pasting here in the forum is not the best because formatting is important as well and that doesn't seem to carry forward...We link to the blog post for restaurants and we use an unordered list with bullet points for the each of the tidbits of information. Bold highlights important information.
We added a number of property specific custom fields mostly with emails in mind. PXCITY PXCOUNTY PXUNITNUMBER PXWIFINETWORK PX WIFIPASSWORD
Subject is Welcome to Depoe Bay...
-----------------------
{CFIRST},
Welcome to {PXCITY}, and more specifically, welcome to {PDISPNAME}.
If you have any questions or concerns with the unit please feel free to email or give us a call and we will address as quickly as possible. Our goal is your satisfaction and if there is something not quite right at the property that would keep you from giving us a 5 star review please give us an opportunity to make it right.
A couple of local tidbits of information:
You are in the Oregon Coast whale watching capital. In addition to the Winter/Spring migrations, there is a pod of Gray Whales that make Depoe Bay area their home so you can see whales almost year round.
Depoe Bay does not have a lot of beach. Perched on the rocks above the Pacific you get to experience the power of the ocean as the waves crash against the city seawall and rocks and send water in the air through the spouting horn. This can be quite dramatic in the winter during high tide and storms when the spouting horn will sometimes send water across highway 101.
The Whale Watching center is located right at the entrance to the harbor and is an easy walk from the property.
Depoe Bay is also home to the world's smallest navigable harbor at just over 6 acres. You can watch the boats navigate through the narrow inlet to the harbor on the south end of town.
If you want to be adventurous you can schedule some deep sea fishing or a whale watching excursion that launch right from the harbor.
Depoe Bay has a number of quaint shops along Highway 101. You will find everything from souvenirs and T-Shirts to jewelry and gallery art pieces. Spend a bit of time exploring the shops and don't forget to try the caramel corn, saltwater taffy and ice cream.
Depoe Bay also has a number of great dining options. Tidal Raves is located on the north end of Depoe Bay right on Hwy 101 (ocean side) It has one of the best views and a great menu to match. The Horn Public House on the south end of town at the harbor entrance features great bar type food including pizza and is home of Depoe Bay Brewing Company and for quintessential Oregon coast you can always visit Gracie's Sea Hag right on the main drag in Depoe Bay. (They do a pancake for breakfast that will overflow the plate.) On the south side of the bridge are two great ethnic dining choices - Bay View Thai offers some incredible Thai combinations including many with crab, shrimp and other seafood. Just across the street is Mazatlan Depoe Bay - great Mexican food with an unparalleled view. Our website blog has a listing of Restaurants in the area.
If we can be of any further assistance or you need anything during your stay please do not hesitate in contacting us.
{MYCO}
{MYEMAIL}
{MYPHONEI}
{MYURL}
Yep, there can be duplication but triggers are generally more flexible than system messages. Sometimes you'll start with the system message because it's easy and simple and then turn that off and use a trigger instead when you want complex send criteria or different configurations per property that can't be handled with merge fields.
Here's a bit of general info on system messages vs triggers: https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/system-messages-triggers
New to Owner Rez and working through system messages vs triggers. I set up several email triggers (I already them from my old PMS) but then I discovered all of the system messages. It seems like there is a bit of duplication and I'm trying to figure out if its more appropriate to use system messages or triggers for many of the booking-related messages. There seems to be more functionality with triggers so curious what others are doing. Would love to see / hear examples of when you may be using system messages over triggers and why.
Chris Hynes said:
We've got two standard suggestions for this:1) When possible, use a single email template for multiple properties and then use custom fields to change up the parts of the email that are different. Often 90% of an email like a pre-arrival email is the same and there's just a bit different for each property like the name, directions, door code, etc. Here's an article on that: https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/pre-arrival-email-templates-triggers-custom-fields
2) If you do need different templates, group similar ones together by a common prefix so that when alphabetically sorted they will show up together.
Anybody else have a good system they use for this?
I prefer starting all important email templates with a 3-character prefix:
- dot (period)
- letter (a, b, c, etc)
- digit (1,2,...)
This works because
a) a period is sorted before any letters, so your important templates are first
b) you can have .a1 and then .a2 and then .a3 so that multiple templates sent from the same trigger are sorted together
c) pretty easy to read at a glance
d) you can move templates around easily. Just change .a2 to .z1 and it's at the end of your list
I also use upper case ALERT in front of several of my templates that all naturally work together, so that's another approach for some templates, but the .a1 approach covers the majority of my active templates.
We've got two standard suggestions for this:
1) When possible, use a single email template for multiple properties and then use custom fields to change up the parts of the email that are different. Often 90% of an email like a pre-arrival email is the same and there's just a bit different for each property like the name, directions, door code, etc. Here's an article on that: https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/pre-arrival-email-templates-triggers-custom-fields
2) If you do need different templates, group similar ones together by a common prefix so that when alphabetically sorted they will show up together.
Anybody else have a good system they use for this?
I was wondering what conventions others use to name and organize templates. With multiple properties and some requiring very specific information necessitating separate templates, my library is growing. Before it gets much bigger, I would like to apply some "best practices" to it.
Ideas? Suggestions? Tip or hints?
http://2425creative.com did my website. Anne Marie - she is great. my site is www.discoverabiquiu.com.
If you go to the site in Settings > Hosted Websites, click on the site in that list, it'll take you to the main site management area.
There is a Create Page button there at the top of the page/menu list -- click that and choose the Custom Page option and it'll take you to an area where you can fill out the content for that page.
I had no clue we could create additional pages!!! Where in the forums can I find the steps of doing that?
Yep, that's usually a good way to get started -- do an OR website which is fast and easy and then later if you want to develop something more advanced or hire a developer to do so you can always switch over to a custom site using our widgets.
In terms of a banner, you could put images on the hero unit that scrolls across the top of the home page. But I'd recommend just creating a page called "Specials" -- folks usually see that first in the tabs up top and click it to see what you're offering.
Thank you for the information! I like the OR website but down the road I would like something a little more detailed. In the short term is there anyway to add a banner to the OR built website for my VR that would scroll specials or announcements across it?
