7 Questions to Ask a Vacation Rental Property Manager in Scottsdale

Choosing a property management company to handle your short-term vacation rental is a huge decision — they will be responsible for communicating with guests, marketing your property, and generating revenue from guest bookings.

Having some questions prepared when interviewing potential property management companies is an excellent way to ensure you are compatible with the property manager and they are capable of handling the demands of the job.

Here are some questions to ask a vacation rental property manager before hiring a company — and our thoughtful answers to these questions at Stay With Style Scottsdale.

1. Can I communicate directly with the management team?

Some property managers are highly communicative, and others make it more challenging to get in touch. If you want to work with a property management company that offers a direct line of communication, it is essential to ask about their communication style up front.

Stay With Style Scottsdale provides property owners with a direct line of communication between the company’s owners and team members. If you choose to work with us, we will only be a phone call away if you have questions or concerns about your property.

2. How will you handle the guest journey and experience?

Different property management companies offer varying levels of involvement to create the guest experience. Some companies are hands-on and take care of all the details — from online booking to guest check-out — while others leave some aspects of the guest experience up to you.

If you want a company that is hands-on with handling the guest experience, this is important to address in the initial interview before hiring a management company. At Stay With Style Scottsdale, we offer a hands-on approach to the guest experience by greeting the guest upon arrival and offering a 24/7 direct line of communication with our team should they need anything before or during their stay.

3. How familiar are you with the area?

Some property management companies operate in dozens of cities across the country (or even the world!). While there is nothing wrong with this business model, sometimes, it is helpful to have a dedicated local team committed to bettering the community where your property is located.

We actively build relationships with neighbors and involve ourselves in the communities where our properties are located. Not only can we help you understand the property owner rules and regulations in these neighborhoods, but we can advocate for responsible property owner rights within the local business community.

4. What are the direct booking rate and average booking length?

Before agreeing to work with a property management company, ensure you are making a sound financial decision by finding a company that will help you generate a return on your investment. A few reliable indicators of success are a high direct booking rate and lengthy average bookings.

At Stay With Style Scottsdale, we have a 65% direct booking rate to eliminate additional passthrough fees from online travel agencies — like Expedia, VRBO, and Booking.com. Plus, the average booking is five nights, resulting in higher overall revenue.

5. Can you respond quickly if guests need help during their stay?

Finding a property management company that is close by and able to intervene quickly if guests need help is of the utmost importance. For example, if the heating element of your heated swimming pool is broken and there is no one nearby to fix it — this minor, fixable issue may lead to a poor guest experience and a bad review that can negatively affect the success of your property.

Fortunately, when you work with Stay With Style Scottsdale, responding quickly to guests is something you will never have to worry about. Our owners and team live within three miles of all our properties, and our office is located nearby so that we can provide timely support to all properties and all guests. We will also visit your property multiple times per week to ensure it is in tip-top shape before renters arrive.

6. Do you handle cleaning and maintenance?

Chances are, you want to hire a property management company that handles all the nitty-gritty details, including security, maintenance, and trash removal.

At Stay With Style Scottsdale, we handle laundry, cleaning, pest control, security, maintenance, propane tank refills, and trash removal in-house to avoid extra charges (and hassles) for property owners.

7. Can I see ratings, reviews, and references?

The best way to see what it is actually like to work with a property management company is to talk with other owners currently using this company’s services. Ask the property manager for a few references, and call these owners to see if they are satisfied with their experience.

Additionally, read through the company’s ratings and reviews to see if renters are having a positive experience when staying at the properties. Stay With Style Scottsdale takes pride in our consistent five-star rating and glowing reviews on Google.

Work with Stay With Style Scottsdale for an Exceptional Property Management Experience

Stay With Style Scottsdale offers property owners in Scottsdale valuable benefits, like timely communication, maximized revenue, and a high satisfaction rate. If you would like to learn more about property management with Stay With Style Scottsdale, please visit our property management page and contact us when you are ready to get started.