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Sandcastle Escapes or other great rental management companies
- Thread starter cooleydog
- Start date
30ashopper
SoWal Insider
Based on research I've been doing, they appear to generate far more owner income than other major rental companies in the area. Of the three I've tracked (Ocean Reef, Sandcastles, and Beaches of South Walton) Ocean Reef has the highest occupancy rates but also the highest fees, BOSW has the lowest occupancy rates and the highest rental rates, while Sandcastle has reasonable rates with the lowest fees. Sandcastles matches OR in terms of internet coverage, while SC's web experience far surpases OR's. BOSW has a poor web experience, but higher rates, giving them second place in terms of owner revenue.
In terms of owner income, based on my research, they rate -
1) SC
2) BOSW
3) OR
SC is growing in popularity though so there's no telling how well they'll do down the road.
In terms of owner income, based on my research, they rate -
1) SC
2) BOSW
3) OR
SC is growing in popularity though so there's no telling how well they'll do down the road.
Beach Runner
beats on hood
I highly recommend Sandcastle Escapes/ Beach Seekers. They are interested in taking care of my house and charging renters for the damage they do. This is in direct contrast to our previous management company who would just throw up their hands when there was damage and say, "That's just the cost of doing business."
ransom
Beach Comber
Let me come out of lurk mode to comment from a renters point of view, having just rented through Beachseekers. While everything went well on our vacation, I felt violated when I received the first Beachseekers invoice that was more than 35% higher than the cost of the rental. Tax, "reservation fee," cleaning fee, insurance, "convenience fee" — all were added on and totaled, as I said, more than a 35% surcharge. As cottage owners, I'm sure you can argue the validity of all of those fees. However, as a customer, that was a nasty surprise.
My family and I have rented houses for the last dozen or so years in different parts of the country and have always found pricing to be much more upfront. Additionally, cleaning fees are usually included in the cost of the rental (except for excessive damage), a "reservation fee" is pure BS (it's the homeowner's choice to use a reservation service), and a "convenience fee" (which turns out to be a credit card surcharge) needs to be spelled out ahead of time giving the renter the option of paying using a check, money order or whatever.
Anyhow, as one of your potential customers, I'd ask that you make sure your management company presents the property and its costs in an honest, upfront way.
My family and I have rented houses for the last dozen or so years in different parts of the country and have always found pricing to be much more upfront. Additionally, cleaning fees are usually included in the cost of the rental (except for excessive damage), a "reservation fee" is pure BS (it's the homeowner's choice to use a reservation service), and a "convenience fee" (which turns out to be a credit card surcharge) needs to be spelled out ahead of time giving the renter the option of paying using a check, money order or whatever.
Anyhow, as one of your potential customers, I'd ask that you make sure your management company presents the property and its costs in an honest, upfront way.
30ashopper
SoWal Insider
Sounds like a reasonable expectation to me.
I haven't heard anything about all these fees they are charging, i'd be interested in knowing more as I think that might hurt them in the long run.
Kurt
Admin
From BeachSeekers website when booking:
This has been discussed before on this forum. It is much nicer for the renter to have everything, or most everything included when publishing rates, and easier when comparing rental rates from different companies or owners. Although, I have seen many companies do it the way Beachseekers does it.
This has been discussed before on this forum. It is much nicer for the renter to have everything, or most everything included when publishing rates, and easier when comparing rental rates from different companies or owners. Although, I have seen many companies do it the way Beachseekers does it.
Wastin Away
Beach Lover
You have to be carefully when looking at these variables because I know for a fact that in our neighborhood the homes that are listed with them are occupied but only because the owners have been filling the weeks not SC.
30ashopper
SoWal Insider
Yes I've noticed that as well. Though I have had a couple friends that switched from OR to SC "claim" better occupancy and income. I can't confirm that as I've not seen the numbers. In general most everyone I meet who works with them is quite happy with the service.
Wastin Away
Beach Lover
I am glad that you have ones that are happy. They need to get a hold of some of the owners in our neighborhood and speak to them. I guess it all depends. Have these owners been to their homes lately after rentals? They may be in for a shock!!!
ShallowsNole
Beach Fanatic
Two comments:
First - most property management companies in SoWal charge reservation fees and cleaning fees in addition to the amount stated for rent. Sandcastle is not alone in that respect. Lodging tax in SoWal is 11%, which while high, is comparable to most of Florida. And, tax is due on all charges which are not optional to the guest, so tax is charged on the fees, which makes the tax higher. Many companies are also now charging a damage waiver fee instead of a damage deposit. On top of all that, many companies recommend that you purchase travel insurance because they will not refund in case your vacation is interrupted by another event. So, a base rental rate is often just a starting point BUT this should be disclosed at the time of your reservation, and certainly when you make your final payment, as most of our companies require prepayment.
Second - Beaches of South Walton is the Walton County TDC, not a property management company. Were you perhaps thinking of a management company with a similar name?
I work with all of our rental management companies, and while I am not in a position to recommend one over the other, I can say that the fees you were charged are not unique to Sandcastle. It is basically an industry standard in these parts. Property management companies in Okaloosa County and Bay County are no different.
Renting directly from an owner is an alternative, but most still charge a cleaning fee, and they doggone well better be charging tax.
First - most property management companies in SoWal charge reservation fees and cleaning fees in addition to the amount stated for rent. Sandcastle is not alone in that respect. Lodging tax in SoWal is 11%, which while high, is comparable to most of Florida. And, tax is due on all charges which are not optional to the guest, so tax is charged on the fees, which makes the tax higher. Many companies are also now charging a damage waiver fee instead of a damage deposit. On top of all that, many companies recommend that you purchase travel insurance because they will not refund in case your vacation is interrupted by another event. So, a base rental rate is often just a starting point BUT this should be disclosed at the time of your reservation, and certainly when you make your final payment, as most of our companies require prepayment.
Second - Beaches of South Walton is the Walton County TDC, not a property management company. Were you perhaps thinking of a management company with a similar name?
I work with all of our rental management companies, and while I am not in a position to recommend one over the other, I can say that the fees you were charged are not unique to Sandcastle. It is basically an industry standard in these parts. Property management companies in Okaloosa County and Bay County are no different.
Renting directly from an owner is an alternative, but most still charge a cleaning fee, and they doggone well better be charging tax.