If you've bought a vacation home in Puerto Rico, you're sitting on a potentially lucrative investment. Since Puerto Rico is such a popular tourist destination, you can expect at least a few visitors at your vacation home.
But there's one problem: yours is not the only residence in town! How do you make your vacation property find the right guests?
The best option is to choose the right vacation rental platforms to promote your home.
Here's how to choose the right platform for a short-term rental:
1. Conflict Resolution
One of the most stressful aspects of being a vacation host is dealing with tenant issues. When looking for home-sharing platforms, choose one that assists with resolving disputes.
Let's take Airbnb as an example. If you have an issue with a guest, Airbnb can serve as a mediator.
For example, let's presume you need to charge a guest extra money for property damage. Airbnb will ensure that the guest makes the payment.
2. Cost of Listing
The next consideration is how much you'll pay to list your property. Many platforms won't charge you at all. Some platforms will charge a minimal one-time fee.
You should never pay an amount that'll cost more than 20% of your proposed rental price. The best platform will focus more on taking a commission rather than charging an upfront fee.
3. Popularity
You might feel disheartened when you see many other great vacation rentals in Puerto Rico. You'll wonder if you can stand out amongst the competition.
But this shouldn't tempt you to opt for a less popular platform. You should always choose the most popular platforms for your vacation property. Your main focus should be on marketing your listing effectively.
4. Messaging System
The best home-sharing platforms will have an in-built messaging system. This offers an ideal alternative rather than having to communicate with your tenants directly.
You'll have to communicate often with your tenants if you want to succeed as a vacation host. To avoid any scams or issues, it's always safer to use the platform's internal messaging system.
This way, you can reference your messages in case of a dispute.
5. Flexibility With Dates
The final feature to look out for is if the platform allows flexibility with dates. This means that you should be able to rent your vacation home for one week as well as one month.
You should have the freedom to decide how long you want your tenants to stay. Don't choose platforms that force you to lease your property for a fixed duration upfront.
Find the Right Vacation Rental Platforms
Now you know what factors make the ideal vacation rental platforms for your Puerto Rico home.
Start by choosing one that offers solutions for conflict resolution. You should also choose a platform that doesn't charge a high upfront fee.
It's also best to work with a platform that allows flexible booking, an in-built messaging system, and is popular among vacation hosts.
But before you rent out your property, you'll want a property manager to assist you. PMI Puerto Rico is your best bet!
