By the Luxury Lodging team · Published · Updated
How do I hire a vacation home property manager?
Decide what you want to hand over, pull 12 months of booking numbers, then get a property review and a written proposal from each manager you consider. Compare the fee and what it is calculated on, the expenses outside the fee, insurance, local license and tax handling, and how the handover works. At Luxury Lodging, vacation-home fees range from 10% to 20%, we carry $1 million in liability insurance, and qualified owners get a 25% revenue guarantee.
Step 1: Decide what you want to hand over
Some owners want everything handled. Others want help with pricing and guest messages and keep cleaning or maintenance themselves. Write down which tasks you want gone, because that sets the management package and the fee. Our guide to full vs. partial management walks through the choice.
Step 2: Pull 12 months of booking numbers
Export your last 12 months of gross bookings from Airbnb, Vrbo or whichever platform you use. A manager can then compare against your real results. We also use this history to check whether your home qualifies for our revenue guarantee.
Step 3: Get a property review
Ask each manager to look at your home, listing and market before they quote. Our free 30-minute property review covers your current setup, what needs work and which management scope fits.
Step 4: Read the written proposal
The proposal should state the fee percentage and what it is calculated on, the services included, which costs sit outside the fee and when you get paid. Our post on how management fees work explains each line. Luxury Lodging’s vacation-home fees range from 10% to 20%.
Step 5: Check insurance, licenses and taxes
Ask what insurance the manager carries. Luxury Lodging carries a $1 million liability insurance policy. In Florida, a short-term rental generally needs a state vacation rental license and must collect state sales tax and county tourist development tax. Our owner income guide covers the details.
Step 6: Plan the handover
Agree how property access, existing reservations, platform listings and reviews will move before you sign. Bookings and reviews do not always transfer on their own. See how switching managers works.
What does the Luxury Lodging revenue guarantee cover?
If your home’s gross bookings in your first 12 months with us, not counting the first month while the listing gets active and gathers reviews, do not come in at least 25% above your previous 12 months of gross bookings, we refund management fees to make up the difference, up to the full fee. To qualify, you provide 12 months of financials from your booking platform. The guarantee depends on our review of that documentation and the terms in your management agreement. Read the full FAQ.
Questions owners ask before hiring
How much does a vacation home property manager cost?
Luxury Lodging’s vacation-home management fees range from 10% to 20%, depending on the home and the management package. Your written proposal states the exact percentage and what it is calculated on. Ask which costs, such as cleaning, repairs and supplies, are billed outside the fee.
Does Luxury Lodging guarantee revenue?
Qualified vacation-home owners get a revenue guarantee. If your home’s gross bookings in your first 12 months with us, not counting the first month while the listing gets active and gathers reviews, do not come in at least 25% above your previous 12 months of gross bookings, we refund management fees to make up the difference, up to the full fee. To qualify, you provide 12 months of financials from your booking platform. The guarantee depends on our review of that documentation and the terms in your management agreement.
What should I have ready before I talk to a property manager?
Have 12 months of gross bookings from your booking platform, your current listing links, a list of the tasks you want to hand over and any upcoming reservations. The booking history lets a manager compare against real numbers, and it is also what we review for the revenue guarantee.
For more questions to ask, read questions to ask a vacation rental management company before you hire one.
Where we manage vacation homes
We manage homes in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Madeira Beach, Indian Shores, Bradenton, Chicago and Arizona. See all areas we serve.
Book a free property review · Call 813-303-1614 · Email admin@luxurylodgingpm.com
