|
| |
Vacation Rental and Property
Management in Costa Rica
From a property management vacation rental firm, you'll want service and
professionalism
and up-to-date technology to help maximize the return on your big investment.
For peace of mind, you will want to partner with a firm where business is
conducted with integrity.
Here are a number of questions you will want to ask as you evaluate companies to
manage your property in Costa Rica.
1. Excellent Customer Service
Are the management firm's employees empowered to solve problems? Do they exhibit
a genuine sense of caring; a desire to resolve the issue? When problems
arise-and they inevitably will -how efficiently and effectively will they be
handled? Do live people answer the phone 24/7 (not just for an emergency, but
for any reason, including to book a reservation or to answer casual inquiries)?
Is a welcome packet provided. with helpful information about the property, local
attractions, hospital and medical clinics, airlines and taxi service, places of
worship? Do the office location and its furnishings reflect the desired total
guest experience? Are the firm's owners active and hands-on?
Excellent service should extend to you, the property owner, as well. Can
property owner's log on to the web site to book their own dates, view dates for
existing reservations, see status of maintenance and repairs, check expenditures
from deposits to the owner's reserve account?
2. Cleaning Management
Renters at vacation properties expect daily maid service, just as they would
find at a hotel or even at a modest motel in Costa Rica. A firm must provide
reliable and thorough cleaning that meets or exceeds the standards of
international travellers. Do supervisors inspect after cleaning? How has the
staff been trained? In Costa Rica's tropical climate, regular cleaning is
required-even during periods of vacancy! Is this provided?
3. Key Holding, Inventory, and Detailed Necessities
As with any home, there are many details that must be attended to. Renters
expect everything to be in proper order. For them, it's understandably about
their vacation. It's not acceptable that the coffee maker will be replaced next
week. They will be back to work then, recounting their experiences to others.
Therefore, the property service should be entrusted with these tasks. Some
necessities include key holding, insurance, property taxes, bank account
management, utility set up and payment.
Another area of importance is inventory. Every spoon, every placemat, every
piece of furniture and all other valuables in your rental must be kept on an
inventory list and checked physically each time guests depart. Does the firm
conduct such an inventory?
4. Maintenance and Repairs
How often do they check the property during periods of vacancy? What is the
schedule for routine maintenance? How quickly do they respond in an emergency?
5. Promoting your Vacation Rental
Have they identified the nice markets-the various types of renters (family
vacationers, sports fishermen, adventure travellers, surfers, wedding parties)
and tailored marketing to reach the targets? Do they run ads in foreign print
publications? Is their web site attractive, easy to navigate and fully
functional? Can a renter complete the reservation online, including making the
rental deposit by credit card on a secured page?
Carefully considering which Costa Rican property management firm is right for
you and the best fit for your property can assure that your investment is not
only protected, but produces the maximum return. What is more, your guests and
renters will have a memorable experience for all the right reasons!
|
