VRS179 – Vacation Rentals – A Risky Business

Whatever you do to protect your interests, there is risk in this business. It could be from potential overcrowding, noise, liability, general damage and use of amenities such as hot tubs or pools, or any number of other issues.

Mitigating those risks is an important element in your business plan and isn’t something that you just do at the start of the business. It should be revisited annually. Whether it’s updating an emergency plan, rewriting guest contracts or sourcing new products to make the process more efficient and effective, working on the plan is an ongoing task.

One of today’s guests talks about it as being like the advent of the Model T Ford. At the time of its production, there were few vehicles on the road, there were minimal safety measures, and no licensing for would-be drivers. Yet, over the years the industry changed dramatically and the function and design of vehicles had to change too, to meet the demands of rapidly advancing technology.

When I first started out in vacation rentals, it was all simple. A few lines in a classified ad would get some interested people on the phone to talk about their wants for a vacation. Now, online booking is wiping out the element of personal relationships and we have to trust that what we are being told on a profile is an accurate representation of the guests motivation to rent.

This can lead to the types of stories that both guests on this episode have to tell and why they were driven to find a solution to some of the problems they encountered. Amanda Mills from Party Squasher and David Krauss from Noise Aware have both developed products that can help in mitigating risk from overcrowding and neighbour issues when guests get rowdy and the noise gets out of hand.

Amanda and Dave talk about their respective journey’s to the development of Party Squasher and Noiseaware, and how these devices are a part responsible ownership.

Special Offer for Listeners of the Vacation Rental Success Podcast
Order on Party Squasher and get a 20% Discount off the published price.
Use code VRF17

Party Squasher

Noise Aware

About the author

Heather Bayer

  • Thank you Heather.

  • Great episode. I love learning more about the investing side of vacation rentals. I think with how fast the industry is going, its inevitable that professional minded business-people will start entering the market. Mike’s surfing business reminds me of a friend of mine who runs wavecation.com, a niche site that specializes in surfing destinations.

  • Wonderful info! Thank you for this.

  • Michael

    Your welcome and thanks for taking the time to listen in. I think we may have some more interesting topics and perspective in the future!

  • Michael

    Thanks Alex for the compliments. I have bumped into wavecation as well and I think its a great idea and business model. When we started initially we were considering something similar, we found our that our strengths were really in the real estate acquisition, operational efficiency, communication and creating an outstanding guest experience (and committing to constant improvement) so we decided to focus here.

    We differ from wavecation as we own and operate our properties and also or main clients are not solely folks looking to “surf.” Sure that is an attraction – surfing is sexy! We do get folks on family trips, in town for events and festivals, special personal events and even folks renting for off season holidays. We love to host everyone but surely there is a special connection and a bit more we can offer someone who surfs. Be careful if you pick up a surfboard – it may change your life!!

  • Michael

    Thanks for tuning Terry, would be happy to answer any questions.

  • Michael,

    I’d love to connect via email. Mine is alex@vacationtoolbox.com.

  • Hi Michael,

    Thank you for the offer. I will be in touch if I have any questions.

    Thank you,

    Terry
    http://www.absoluteannamaria.com
    http://www.thebeachsands.com
    http://www.theislandinthesun.com
    289-660-2331

  • Gregg Geraghty

    Great JOB Mike. I saw this on FB/Face Book but just listened to the interview in it’s entirety. GREAT content, really nice job let’s talk again soon.

  • Michael

    Will do now and you can see our personal website for Live Swell Beach Bungalows at http://www.live-swell.com

  • Michael

    Thanks Gregg. You were one of the first to help me get started and its not been easy but its been worth it.

  • Capt. Mike

    Great info Michael. Awesome that you were able to take your passions of travel and surfing and use them to help shape your business. It’s never work if you do what you love. From the interview it sounds like you are well on your way to a fun, exciting and profitable careeer in the vacation rental business.

  • Jeff Kluger

    Mike Hamilton is the “Real Deal”. I have been privileged to be Mike’s and Maria’s Realtor with their three purchases on the Outer Banks. Normally, I find myself having to educate my clients about the Real Estate buying process and rental market, but with Mike, I feel that I have learned just as much from him as he may have from me. In fact, my wife and I recently purchased our own Outer Banks rental property and I look forward to picking Mike’s brain to help me with what he has learned for my own property. Mike and Maria have Great system in place…..the properties they have purchased and renovations they have made on their homes are amazing and the rental income they have achieved shows that their system works. Looking forward to watching their business continue to grow and prosper on the OBX.

  • Kristin Silveira

    Another great episode Heather! My husband and I have looked at our purchases in a very similar way, it was great to hear the same principals from you Mike! Since we are growing and expanding here in RI, the discussion about systems was particularity interesting. I’m ordering a copy of the e-myth now. I would appreciate any other tips or suggestions!

  • Michael

    Cool feel free to connect mike@live-swell.com – would be happy to chat.

  • Zach McKinnis

    I’m privileged to have Mikey as a good friend of mine. After listening to this podcast I’m really excited and inspired about the opportunity within vacation rentals. I’m not surprised that Mikey has such high level success within his business. His dedication to ethics and integrity as well as his attention to being transparent and upfront with what his rentals provide make booking his rentals a no brainer! Looking forward to seeing your business grow Mikey!

  • Michael

    Thanks Michael for the kind words. We have always loved being by the beach and this was an opportunity to recreate the type of experience we love so much for guests. From your screen name my feeling is that you like the ocean and beach to! Heather and I just did a part 2 that is a bit more specific around the investing “mindset,” and technical. Its VRS178 which can be found on CottageBlogger or there is a link on my “Investor” page http://www.live-swell.com/investors and may provide some valuable insights.