Success Renting Using VRBO or Airbnb?

[JohnB]

Attended a sales presentation yesterday at which rep, who did a nice job, referenced that he has owners who are successfully using VRBO. I did a search on this forum and did not see much affection for VRBO. Are there any owners out there who have recently rented their units, whether owned weeks or destination point reservations, and been pleased with VRBO?

Because of replies with Airbnb info, I added Airbnb to title of thread.

 

[deniseh]

I made one attempt with VRBO. I had zero responses. It wasn't a big deal for me as I canceled the reservation and am using the points another way. I just wanted to try it. Salespeople always make it sound so easy. I am sure that some people are successful but perhaps it is overstated on the saleman's part.

 

[WVBaker]

VRBO and Homeaway are now one company. Your listing will show up on both sites.

VRBO/Homeaway is not my favorite however, they do have an easy site to navigate and prepare your listing. You will get good exposure through them.

Airbnb is the site I prefer. Again, easy to navigate and help with your listing. Better exposure than VRBO/Homeaway I've found.

 

[MOXJO7282]

VRBO and Homeaway are now one company. Your listing will show up on both sites.

VRBO/Homeaway is not my favorite however, they do have an easy site to navigate and prepare your listing. You will get good exposure through them.

Airbnb is the site I prefer. Again, easy to navigate and help with your listing. Better exposure than VRBO/Homeaway I've found.

I just got my first rental via Airbnb and its at a good price but I am concerned about the cancellation that guarantees me 50% but client can cancel 7 days prior to check-in to avoid 50% final payment if by chance they do need to cancel. I know it's not likely but just the chance is a risk. I'm going to check Homeaway. I did try VRBO in the past and didn't get much traction but that was some time ago so might look at that as well.

Redweek is still the best but they have their own rental program which concerns me. Also post my HHI weeks on Craiglist.

 

[SteelerGal]

I listed our SDO on VRBO and zero traction. It’s just too clunky in my opinion. Haven’t tried AirBnN yet but I don’t rent often. So far have rented via RedWeek and it works.

 

[Robert D]

I use Airbnb extensively and get half my rentals from it. I was contacted by a rep from VRBO over a year ago and looked at their offering but they charge twice the 3% that Airbnb charges and have a much smaller audience, so it made no sense for me. When I first went on Airbnb I used the super strict 60 cancelation policy which costs 5% instead of 3% and had no problem with cancellations so I changed to the strict policy which has a 50% refund if they cancel a least 7 days before check-in. I'm renting high demand weeks and have never had a situation where someone canceled and I couldn't get more than 50% for the condo. Airbnb gives my rentals worldwide exposure to people who know nothing about timeshare rental websites and who I'd never be able to reach.

 

[TXTortoise]

FWIW, if you are willing to list through VacationCandy.com, they have an option to extend your listing to VRBO/Homeaway and other sites, but it does add another 5% to the commission you pay. I usually don't opt-in to that until I'm down to the wire as VRBO will list the lowest price listing first, before any others...so pretty much as race to the bottom.

 

[CPNY]

Attended a sales presentation yesterday at which rep, who did a nice job, referenced that he has owners who are successfully using VRBO. I did a search on this forum and did not see much affection for VRBO. Are there any owners out there who have recently rented their units, whether owned weeks or destination point reservations, and been pleased with VRBO?

Because of replies with Airbnb info, I added Airbnb to title of thread.

I made one attempt with airbnb and blocked out every week except for the week I had and put a 7 night minimum. Got nothing, didn’t realize it resets and the following year someone booked nights I never had. I had to cancel and almost got charged by airbnb. I deleted the whole post and never again lol

 

[bazzap]

Please note that there may be regional restrictions on options for Renting out MVC weeks.
The following is now included with all Phuket Beach Club reservation confirmation emails

Prohibition on Owners Listing or Renting Overnight or Weekly Stays at Marriott Vacation Club properties in Thailand via Airbnb or similar arrangements.

We want Owners to know that a recent Thai court ruling has confirmed that listing or renting by hosts of overnight or weekly stays in a condominium on Airbnb is illegal. Violations of local law may result in prosecution by local authorities as well as immediate cancellation of Ownership. Please kindly note that use of your Vacation Club Points for participation in Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway or other similar types of overnight or weekly arrangement stays at any Marriott Vacation Club property in Thailand would be a violation of local law.

Additionally, Owners are reminded that the general terms and conditions of the Ownership state that purchased Ownership are solely for personal use and enjoyment of future vacation experiences and not for resale or private commercial use.

 

[MOXJO7282]

Just went through the effort to list some weeks on VRBO/Homeaway. Please easy to set up. $499 a year for unlimited listings plus 3% payment fee, otherwise the per rental fee is 8%. You don't pay a fee unless you rent so although it is much more than RW with the right pricing it can be worth it if it works. I did the per rental fee structure but if by chance it does work the subscription model might in fact work. VRBO does have better payment model where you get the payment in 7-10 days upon client payment instead of after check-in with AirBnb. VBRO also allows you to set no cancellation allowed so that is better than Airbnb as well..

 

[Robert D]

Why would anyone pay $499 a year to rent timeshares? Seems like that model is for someone with a wholly owned condo who rents it out most weeks of the year. Also don't understand why you would pay 8% to VRBO when Airbnb charges at total of 3% and has a much larger customer base than VRBO. It's free to list on Airbnb and you pay nothing unless it rents. Maybe I'm missing something here.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Why would anyone pay $499 a year to rent timeshares? Seems like that model is for someone with a wholly owned condo who rents it out most weeks of the year. Also don't understand why you would pay 8% to VRBO when Airbnb charges at total of 3% and has a much larger customer base than VRBO. It's free to list on Airbnb and you pay nothing unless it rents. Maybe I'm missing something here.

Many property Managers, owners, and landlords will use whatever methods available in order to keep their units at 100% occupancy.......



.

 

[WVBaker]

VRBO/Homeaway, a "subscription" costs $499 and allows for unlimited booking, but VRBO/Homeaway will charge a 3% credit card/eCheck processing fee per transaction.

Pay-per-booking comes with no annual fee, but VRBO/Homeaway charges a 5% commission per booking on top of a 3% credit card/eCheck processing fee.

Only use the "subscription" if you’re going to rent your timeshare property for more than six weeks a year. I've never rented out a property for more than six weeks a year.

 

[Robert D]

Why pay VRBO 8% when Airbnb is 3% and has a much larger audience. Another alternative I've used is Trip Advisor / Flipkey. They charge the same 3% as Airbnb and I get a couple rentals each year but nothing like Airbnb.

 

[Ski-Dad]

I am very familiar with bit the VRBO/Homeway and AirBnB. We have a beach house that we have been renting for 18 years through VRBO/Homeaway and it has worked rather well in generating business for us ($25-30K per year in a 16 week season). Don't get me wrong, I also have alot of issues with VRBO, but if you have a vacation rental property, it and AirBnB are your best avenues for generating business.

More recently, I have listed a few SDO weeks that I am not able to use this year. I was able to rent five nights of one of the weeks through VRBO for approximately 150% of my MF for that week. The week that rented was a peak mid-March week. My New Years and early Feb did not go so I deposited them to II.

 

[WVBaker]

While I list on all three, Airbnb is my top choice. I have never had any luck listing on Trip Advisor.

Airbnb costs less for the host and has 80 million monthly visitors. VRBO/Homeaway combined has 40 million monthly visitors.

 

[jme]

I just got my first rental via Airbnb and its at a good price but I am concerned about the cancellation that guarantees me 50% but client can cancel 7 days prior to check-in to avoid 50% final payment if by chance they do need to cancel. I know it's not likely but just the chance is a risk. I'm going to check Homeaway. I did try VRBO in the past and didn't get much traction but that was some time ago so might look at that as well.

Redweek is still the best but they have their own rental program which concerns me. Also post my HHI weeks on Craiglist.

You can opt out of Redweek's "rental program" by checking the appropriate boxes when initiating the listing.
You simply check "do your own contract agreement" (or whatever the equivalent wording is),
and you check your own "payment options" (Paypal, Credit Card, check) ---plus give your own timetable for payment.
I don't want anyone else doing my agreement or my payment policy but me.
They allow for refunds, and I do not, as is typical for most Redweek listings (I'm assuming from past experiences).

 

[SteelerGal]

I have used RedWeek primarily; the mid level and full service. Haven’t seen much traction on the full service but will try for one of my higher end properties. I will check out AirBnb this year again.
Zero luck w/ Vacation Candy. They really need to do a % or tiered fees. $500 for every property prices the rental on the higher end.

 

[MOXJO7282]

Why would anyone pay $499 a year to rent timeshares? Seems like that model is for someone with a wholly owned condo who rents it out most weeks of the year. Also don't understand why you would pay 8% to VRBO when Airbnb charges at total of 3% and has a much larger customer base than VRBO. It's free to list on Airbnb and you pay nothing unless it rents. Maybe I'm missing something here.

It is about getting as much exposure as possible. I would only do the $499 plus 3% if it turned out to get me a really good premium because with 28 prime weeks where I rent 20+ a year it could be a better deal overall but I don't expect that and will go with the per rental pricing for now. When I list my weeks on any of these I have a bottom line I want my profit margin to be so whatever the fee is I adjust the list pricing accordingly to still get the right profit margin. My major reservation with Airbnb is the cancellation policy and the timing of the payment. I can live with the timing if I know I'm getting it at some point but the possible cancellation 7 days prior is a big risk to take. I could easily work with 30 days because I'm guaranteed 50% and with a little time could probably get the rest within 30 days with low price offer but 7 days is a real gamble. I've done quite a lot with Vacation Candy over the years but that was always them finding me on Redweek and nothing recently for some reason so again its about getting maximum exposure.

One not mentioned is eBay. eBay used to be a really good resource back in the day but their fees are now ridiculous and comes with no guarantee of renting so that is useless which is a shame because that could be great exposure but eBay is greedy with the fees.

 

[chaparrusa]

1st , someone mentioned airbnb only charges 3% , that is not accurate to start with it does charges way more specially in cheaper rentals as there is a $3.50 minimun service fee , so if your cut is $35 per night they actually get 10% BUT it also charges the guest , so , this may sound like it will not affect you but it does reflect on the final rate which can be final when it comes to rent or not to rent . adding taxes depending on your location it could mean that the actual rate that someone pays could be $45 , as the rate goes higher the percentage diminishes but it doesnt get to 3% , i have had more than 200 reservations thru them (not of timeshare units) i can speak by experience . the main factor on airbnb is their horrible cancellation policy ,as there is oversupply on the hosts side ,they will always take the side of the guest , if you take the strict cancellation policy ,theorically is a 100% cancelation fee 14 days to the reservation
but i had cancellations happening the same day and airbnb still refunded 50% , that i would say it would be the real bad thing about risking with your timeshare .VRBO has a 30 day cancellation policy but i havent had an incident with them , however i didnt use it that much ,so i only had 20 reservations with them as i didnt listed much , but if i would go back into the short term rental i would give a try to both and see what happens . BE AWARE you dont get the best people thru this platforms , i had all kind of issues , it is favorite for those that cant check in to a hotel like people with no credit card or minors , it is use by people booking for someone else a good 10% of the times and if you denied them airbnb will refund all the money which is crap , this is not Uber as when someone order a ride for their kids . i had a guest that wouldnt leave and airbnb did absolutely nothing meantime i had a guest coming in and airbnb cancel me and refunded all the money so i lost money because their guest wouldnt leave and they legally can do nothing . they also erase bad reviews that you give to guest so they become loyal customers of airbnb . it was ok money at first but the market is saturated and is too much headache , i would say it would be an option only if you have to , like if you are not going and are too late to exchange , be careful as the resorts can refuse your guest , my friend had a guest that approached the front desk and showed them the airbnb app and they told him they wouldnt honor his reservation , he lost the money got penalized by airbnb and got a warning from his timeshare company .
good luck

 

[MOXJO7282]

1st , someone mentioned airbnb only charges 3% , that is not accurate to start with it does charges way more specially in cheaper rentals as there is a $3.50 minimun service fee , so if your cut is $35 per night they actually get 10% BUT it also charges the guest , so , this may sound like it will not affect you but it does reflect on the final rate which can be final when it comes to rent or not to rent . adding taxes depending on your location it could mean that the actual rate that someone pays could be $45 , as the rate goes higher the percentage diminishes but it doesnt get to 3% , i have had more than 200 reservations thru them (not of timeshare units) i can speak by experience . the main factor on airbnb is their horrible cancellation policy ,as there is oversupply on the hosts side ,they will always take the side of the guest , if you take the strict cancellation policy ,theorically is a 100% cancelation fee 14 days to the reservation
but i had cancellations happening the same day and airbnb still refunded 50% , that i would say it would be the real bad thing about risking with your timeshare .VRBO has a 30 day cancellation policy but i havent had an incident with them , however i didnt use it that much ,so i only had 20 reservations with them as i didnt listed much , but if i would go back into the short term rental i would give a try to both and see what happens . BE AWARE you dont get the best people thru this platforms , i had all kind of issues , it is favorite for those that cant check in to a hotel like people with no credit card or minors , it is use by people booking for someone else a good 10% of the times and if you denied them airbnb will refund all the money which is crap , this is not Uber as when someone order a ride for their kids . i had a guest that wouldnt leave and airbnb did absolutely nothing meantime i had a guest coming in and airbnb cancel me and refunded all the money so i lost money because their guest wouldnt leave and they legally can do nothing . they also erase bad reviews that you give to guest so they become loyal customers of airbnb . it was ok money at first but the market is saturated and is too much headache , i would say it would be an option only if you have to , like if you are not going and are too late to exchange , be careful as the resorts can refuse your guest , my friend had a guest that approached the front desk and showed them the airbnb app and they told him they wouldnt honor his reservation , he lost the money got penalized by airbnb and got a warning from his timeshare company .
good luck

I list high-end Marriott TSs so they would be giving up $2000+ if they do cancel so I doubt someone would except under extreme situations but it could happen. Also someone that can afford that isn't usually a college student and they need a credit card so it is somewhat different than what sounds like your clientele. I do see the risk so not sure if I will continue to use but if it becomes a good resource it may dictate i do take the risk. We'll see. So far the one week I listed on Airbnb rented after renting 11 other Maui units all with Reedweek . For 2021 I'll have 10 Maui weeks to rent so I'll have to see how it goes with Redweek and then determine if I need/want to use Airbnb. Overall i do think Homeaway offers better specs but if there is no traffic then it doesn't really matter.

 

[ljmiii]

From our 'what it's worth' department I would never use Airbnb. After my second bad experience with a host cancelling on me and Airbnb's completely lack of concern with the issue it became apparent that their 'customers' are the owners of properties not the renters. So I rent through Homeaway/VRBO exclusively at this point (though I would rent through Redweek if I wanted a week long MVC stay).