Elevate Your Stay provides comprehensive short-term rental property management services at a flat rate of 20%. Our all-inclusive restocking of hotel-like amenities and preventative monthly maintenance are just a few things that set us apart and guarantees your success. Get in touch to book a consultation and discover how we can help you generate a passive income stream!
414-315-9713
tyler@elevateyourstay.online
Servicing: Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Townsend, Kodak, Cosby
Comprehensive Management Excellence- Elevate Vacation Rentals is your full-service partner, offering a turnkey solution that covers every aspect of managing your short-term rental property. From listing creation/marketing and booking management to coordinating cleaning, turn-key restocking and maintenance services, we've got it all covered!
Pricing Optimization for Maximum Returns- Elevate your income with our pricing optimization strategies. We analyze market trends every week and adjust your rates dynamically to ensure you're always maximizing your rental income.
1st Layer of Insurance - We have a first layer of insurance for you that is implemented automatically for every reservation and is crucial for owners as it provides a safety net against unexpected risks such as property damage, liability claims, or guest injuries. With this policy, owners can have peace of mind knowing their investment is protected, allowing them to focus on providing exceptional guest experiences without the worry of unforeseen financial setbacks.
Hassle-Free Ownership Experience- Say goodbye to the headaches of property management. With Elevate Your Stay, property owners can enjoy a hassle-free ownership experience, leaving the time-consuming tasks to us while maximizing rental income.
Strategic SEO Optimization-
We will do whatever we can to boost your Airbnb and VRBO listings in the search algorithm! We will focus on prioritizing high-quality photos showcasing your property's unique features, ensuring a visually appealing profile. Optimize your listing title and description with relevant keywords to enhance search visibility and attract your target audience. Regularly update your calendar, respond promptly to inquiries, and maintain positive guest reviews to demonstrate reliability and improve your overall ranking in Airbnb's search algorithm.
Preventative Maintenance done monthly (detailed checklist below)-
Routine Checklist for-every month/every other month depending on property:
Any issues or suggestions for property should be put in report and property owner can tell if they want these things done, minor things should be fixed during inspection.
Main goal- is to be sure property owners know what is going on with their property and be **preemptive** on maintenance VS **reactive.** Peace of mind for absent owners to rest assured their property is being looked after.
Protect your bottom line: Regular maintenance can prevent small problems from becoming larger, more expensive issues. By staying on top of maintenance, you can save money in the long run. Pictures should be sent each inspection to assure accuracy and integrity of job.
**30 minutes to 1 hour time frame all things needed done:
- Kitchen:
- Check functioning of faucets
- Check all drains to confirm no clogs no leaks and stoppers work if applicable
- Kitchen sprayer confirm it works and doesn’t need cleaned
- Check Fridge/Freezer Temps, sometimes guests crank out temps and can either be too hot or freeze
- Turn on oven and burners to confirm work
- Cabinet doors and handles: confirm they all close and not loose
- Bathrooms:
- Toilets: check the seat and of the handle is tight, floor bolts are tight and flushes well, also check toilet ring to see no leaking
- Check functioning of faucets
- Check all drains to confirm no clogs
- Check for any mold or leaks in showers
- General Inside:
- Check under beds and rugs for mess and vacuum all mess
- Check water heater for leaks and properly working
- Check for pest or insect infestations and note if needed
- Check laundry vents clean if needed, empty lint for dryer
- Check all bulbs on property, lamps, porches, outside, oven microwave, HAVE PERSON BRING LIGHT BULBS EACH TIME FOR REPLACEMENT
- Check all fans confirm work and clean/dust them if dirty
- TVs: check all TVs to confirm they work and if remotes need batteries, check to see if they are connected to internet
- Check and replace furnace filters if needed, replace every 3 months recommended
- Check all windows for cracks, caulk, cleanliness and confirm they are locked
- Check all smoke detectors and fire extinguishers to see if expired and working
- Fireplace: confirm they work: pilot and lit, in off season turn off
- General Outside:
- Before winter—— clean gutters
- Inspect roof every 6 months
- Check outside trees and lawn——take notes if there are pressing issues or if lawn care team is not doing good job
- Hot tub: check for filter issues, confirm in ST mode and heating, inspect cover for damages and issues, inspect jets for dirt and damage
- Check for inside and outside structural damages including: rotten boards anywhere including decks, guest graffiti,
- NOTE to property manager where the shut off water location and gas are
- NOTE to property manager where the breaker box is
- Maintenance costs are pass through
-Lawn-care costs are pass through
- Pest control
- Photography
- Licensing and permitting
- Utility costs
- Deep clean costs
As a standard practice, we recommend conducting a thorough cleaning of the cabins at least once a year. For cabins with higher usage, larger spaces, or those accommodating pets, a biannual deep cleaning is advised. These deep cleans typically incur a cost approximately three times that of a regular cleaning session and involve meticulous attention to detail.
During a deep clean, appliances are moved to clean underneath, all furniture is shifted for a thorough cleaning, blinds, fans, and ledges are dusted, and walls and ceilings are inspected for cobwebs and treated for wood maintenance. Hot tubs and jacuzzi tubs are flushed and cleaned to ensure optimal hygiene.
While regular cleans focus on essentials like fresh linens, sanitized surfaces, and addressing obvious issues, they may not cover every nook and cranny, such as grout in showers, bathroom iron stains, or dust accumulation in less visible areas. Deep cleaning serves as a comprehensive reset, preventing cleaning-related complaints.
To facilitate a deep clean, it may be necessary to block the cabin for one or two days. Scheduling this during the week or between guest stays minimizes downtime, ensuring minimal disruption to the booking schedule. This meticulous approach helps manage guest expectations and contributes to positive reviews by addressing both routine maintenance and hidden cleanliness concerns.
As you embark on your journey into the short-term rental market, gearing up for success involves incorporating updates that align with market expectations. While a comprehensive guide could be crafted on this topic, let me simplify it into friendly bullet points.
1. Cover the Basics with a Smile: Ensure that the essentials are in top-notch condition. This means all appliances are running smoothly, the BBQ grill is ready for action, the fireplace is cozy, the hot tub is inviting, and the driveway is easily navigable. Throw in some live TV for sports enthusiasts to seal the deal!
2. Embrace Mountain Magic: Guests seek a mountain getaway for a unique experience they can't replicate at home. Transform your cabin into a real wood haven with extra touches. Whether it's an expansive game room, playful bunk beds, a personalized man cave, an indoor pool, a thrilling zip line, or a captivating fire pit – stand out and watch your revenues climb.
3. Picture-Perfect Updates: Crafting an enticing listing is crucial, and captivating photos are your best allies. Beyond us hiring a our skilled photographer, give them something visually stunning to work with. Take cues from other cabins but add your personal twist. Think chunky, fuzzy blankets, eye-catching neon signs, a mini putt-putt course, built-in bunk beds, or a one-of-a-kind fire pit. Unleash your creativity, and you'll find guests willing to pay higher nightly rates for a truly memorable stay!
Naturally, a contract is a prerequisite before we commence managing your cabin, and our agreement is refreshingly straightforward. We request a 60 day notice if you are wanting to exit the partnership.
Days 1-2: Information collecting, learning about the home
Days 3-4: Inspection of property, onboarding, deep clean
Days 5-6: photography, listing creation
Days 7-?: Pricing strategy, SEO optimization strategies, finalization of listing
As you embark on your cabin adventure, it's important to note that there are initial expenses you should be mindful of. These costs may lead to minimal or negative profits in the first month or two, so it's advisable to plan accordingly. Established owners typically encounter fewer startup costs compared to new owners.
Nearly every inspection results in a comprehensive list of potential issues that may require attention. If you've conducted a walkthrough, there might be additional cosmetic concerns to include in the list for resolution. Simply prioritize the necessary tasks, highlighting any critical items, and we can assist in guiding the resolution process.
Bear can?
You know how it goes – guests chow down, swap gifts, and somehow end up with a pile of trash. To make sure our visitors have a hassle-free stay, we really suggest grabbing a bear can. It's like a metal fortress that fits 2 to 4 big trash cans. Without one, the critters around here tend to raid the trash left outside by guests. But with a bear can, the garbage stays locked up until our cleanup crew whisks it away. Easy peasy!
We will facilitate photography for you but that will be a pass-through cost!
We require a $250 initiation fee.
We require renters to be 25+ as well as have their identity verified on that booking platform.
We never allow 1 night stays.
You can do what you want regarding pets! Generally we say $50 or $100 per dog per stay is reasonable. It is best to mention in the listing that we only allow dogs 50 pounds of under as anything past that I have seen more probems of damage and hair.
We advocate for an annual septic tank pumping to eliminate accumulated waste that couldn't be absorbed by the septic field. This includes various debris like wet wipes and plastic toys inadvertently flushed by guests during their stay.
The cost of septic tank pumping typically ranges from $350 to $400 per session. Prices may vary based on the pumped material volume and any excavation required to reach the tank.
When a septic tank reaches its capacity, signs such as slow drainage in toilets and showers emerge. This indicates an urgent need for attention. Unfortunately, we don't always receive this warning, and without regular pumping, toilets may stop flushing, and showers can back up with debris. Needless to say, this leads to unhappy guests.
If you're uncertain about the last time your tank was pumped, we recommend scheduling a service to begin anew. Subsequently, we propose establishing a yearly pumping routine. For tanks lacking a riser, we also suggest a one-time expense of approximately $150 to install one. This addition facilitates easier and more cost-effective access for future pumpings.
This highly sought-after amenity is a top priority for guests, so it's crucial to handle it with care. As part of our standard procedure, we empty, clean, and refill the hot tub after each guest's use. Following each guest, the hot tub undergoes treatment with bromine, offering similar sanitation benefits as chlorine but without the strong odor. Additionally, the hot tub filters undergo thorough cleaning after every use. It's advisable to budget around $50 a couple of times annually for filter replacements, especially if the water supply quality is suboptimal.
Included in the cleaning fee, our cleaning team will handle the disposal of any trash left by guests, ensuring you don't need to cover additional garbage service costs. It's important to note that oversized items, such as boxes or old furniture left behind, may necessitate a separate arrangement or special trip for removal.
Roaches and Ants: We can work to conduct quarterly extermination with Arrow Exterminators. We can also continue with your company if you have one in place.
Millipedes and Ladybugs: Once a year, numerous cabins experience a brief invasion by these critters, lasting only a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, there's limited action we can take during these transient infestations.
Carpenter Bees: These bees are attracted to cabins, creating small burrows in fascia and log siding for their larvae. To mitigate the issue, we typically administer treatment twice a year, costing approximately $150-$200 per session. This helps minimize the presence of bees and reduces the likelihood of woodpeckers causing damage while feasting on the larvae.
Rodents: Given our woodland location, occasional visits from rodents are common. When detected, we deploy traps as an initial measure. If unsuccessful, professional exterminators are called in to address the issue effectively.
When launching your listing initially, our strategy is akin to building momentum, much like a snowball rolling down a hill. We commence with aggressive pricing to enhance our 'look-to-book' ratio, catching the attention of listing sites and securing a more prominent display. This increased visibility leads to more views and bookings. After each booking, we incrementally adjust our base pricing upward, optimizing earnings. This iterative process continues for 2 to 3 months until we refine and establish your ideal pricing strategy.
Setting the initial price too high can hinder this positive cycle, preventing the snowball effect from taking off without resorting to drastic rate cuts for the first few months, an approach generally undesirable. Notably, major listing sites often allow a 20% discount for the first 3 booking guests, and we incorporate this into our pricing strategy to expedite the process.
Depending on the timing of your cabin launch or cutover, there may be 'last-minute' bookings within the next 30 days. These bookings, by nature, may be 20-30% below our standard rates, so there's no cause for alarm. It's essential to factor this into your budget, considering that the initial month or two may entail lower earnings and some startup expenses, as previously discussed.
Your payment will be set for direct deposit on or before the 10th of each month, encompassing all bookings from the prior month. The payment will reflect the total earnings from your bookings in the past month, with deductions for the Elevate fee and any completed repairs or maintenance.
Payments are contingent on the amounts and dates when our bank receives deposits from platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, etc. For instance, if a booking commences on January 30th, it's possible that the payment may not be received until February 1st. In such cases, the payment for that specific booking will be incorporated into the subsequent month's payment cycle.
“Tyler goes above and beyond with hidden gems as well. Forgot your toothbrush? Don’t worry, he’s got you covered. Don’t want to stop at the store before checking in? No worries, Tyler has some snacks and popcorn for ya. I come down to Pigeon Forge multiple times a year and I have never stayed in a cabin that adds these extra touches. Between these and Tyler’s continuous effort to check on us, I would highly recommend this property! Oh, and I can’t forget the amazing, fenced in backyard! My dog was in pure heaven, running around the spacious yard. Everything was amazing and I would highly recommend Tyler”
“Tyler and I talked a lot and he was there 24/7 for my wife and I. This was our anniversary and had a sweet card and bottle of wine. Awesome guy!!”
“Our stay was great! They have everything you need and more. They have toothbrushes, soap, razor, shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry soap, dish soap, and dishwasher detergent to get you started on your vacation. All the dishes you would need. Extra blankets and pillows were nice. The living room was so comfortable. The game room is great for rainy days. The place was clean and comfortable. It is close to everything, yet away from everything and peaceful. Tyler checked on us to make sure we had everything we needed and made sure we didn’t have any concerns. We enjoyed our trip and would stay here again.”
"Tyler was so easy and kind to rent from! We arrived to a perfectly clean and true to description cabin. Stocked with some extra special touches to make us feel at home!! The creek that runs along the front was a huge hit with our kids but shallow enough to not have to go we over them the whole time. Super quiet spot close everything. We saw turkeys and bears during our stay too!"
"Tyler was an incredible host who has great check-in flexibility and the cabin was really cozy and made my family and I feel right at home. Upon arrival we were welcomed with a snack basket. All the rooms were cleaned as well as the bathroom. My brothers loved the Nintendo switch that was available to use."
"The cabin was beautiful and Tyler went above and beyond to make sure everything was good. The cabin was clean, had everything we needed. He put a lot of thought into making sure his guests felt at home. He had supplies such as soap, paper towels etc that a lot of places don’t supply. He even had sample bottles of shampoo and conditioner with razor, toothbrush and toothpaste! I have never seen that in any home rental, only in hotels! He also had a basket full of snacks sitting in the kitchen. The area is quiet, yet close enough to all attractions. There is a back way to get into the park and you avoid a lot of the traffic. We brought our dog and the area is perfect for walks, and a fenced in yard. Unfortunately, the previous people didn't clean up after their dog so we avoided that area. If we come back to this area, I would definitely stay here again. I highly recommend Tyler and his rentals."
"The cabin was exactly how Tyler listed it and it was a great location for privacy yet only a few minute drive to everything you would need. Tyler kept in touch with us during our stay and accommodated any need/question we had. He is super responsive! We have already recommended his place to friends for future rentals…one of the best experiences we had as a family…to include our dogs. We will likely be returning in the fall or next year…5 stars!"