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Questions? Our friendly staff is available 7 days a week. Call or text us at 480.626.4072 or e-mail info@AZVacationHomeRentals.com

                  ♥♥♥♥♥

“Pictures don’t do this place justice. It is really beautiful. Neighborhood was peaceful. Highly recommended, I’d stay here again.”

 

Go to Arizona Vacation Home Rentals and look at all the 5 STAR reviews guests have submitted praising our homes and service!

Here’s why:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Save money and support local business by booking directly through
Arizona Vacation Home Rentals
Phone/Text: 480.626.4072

Owners often ask us about adding welcome baskets and guest books to their vacation rental homes to enrich their guests’ experience. While there is not one right answer, below are things to consider before making the decision to start either or both practices.

 

Welcome Baskets

A vacation rental basket is an array of gifts that welcome your guests to your home. The gifts may be necessities such as bottled water and toothpaste or snacks such as popcorn and cheese crackers. Welcome items are usually nonperishable and can stay on the counter until they are enjoyed. Branded materials such as pens or coasters with your house name or the property manager’s logo are other possibilities.
Some owners who put out welcome baskets state they receive favorable feedback from guests in online reviews. Recommended items for baskets or trays include:

Owners also voice concerns with using welcome baskets:

All of the homes Arizona Vacation Home Rentals own and manage have fully stocked kitchens and enough soap, toilet paper, paper towels, dish and laundry detergent to get guests through the first few days of their stay. Owners may choose not to have welcome baskets since so many other items are supplied.

 

 

Guest Books

In this context we are referring to guest books that are journal-like and for guests to sign and add personal facts, feedback or recommendations. This is not about books with directions for caring for the home, use of products in the home or local information.
Many owners like having an ongoing history of their home’s guests (or at least the ones that sign the book). They say guests who write in guest books are the ones who usually write online reviews of their experiences in the vacation home.
Other owners share reasons why they do not use guest books:

 

Conclusion

We hope the points addressed in this blog answer questions or concerns owners have about using baskets or guest books. Keep in mind that Arizona Vacation Home Rentals values online reviews and we encourage most guests to write them. There is no mention of either welcome baskets or guest books in any of our communication with guests.

 

Please feel free to contact the team at AVHR for additional help as needed.

 

 

Save money and support local business by booking directly through
Arizona Vacation Home Rentals
Phone/Text: 480.626.4072

 

 

By providing links to other sites, AVHR does not guarantee, approve, or endorse information or products available on these sites.

 

Mesa is the place to be if you’re looking for adventures and activities for the whole family. Check out the Mesa Parks Spring 2025 Activity Guide, Jump In, for classes, activities and special events: Spring ’25 PLAYBOOK

Registration is required for some activities and classes. Most are open to both residents and visitors.

 

Need a comfortable place to stay? Arizona Vacation Home Rentals has a variety of family friendly homes in the greater Phoenix area which includes Mesa.

 

 

Save money and support local business by booking directly through 

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals

Phone/Text:  480.626.4072

 

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals (AVHR) is aware of owner’s concerns about squatters occupying their short term rental properties. Vigilance and prevention are key and AVHR actively works to avoid squatter problems at all of the properties we manage.
A squatter, by definition in Arizona, is someone who occupies a property without permission. Squatting is a form of trespassing. Squatters are not the same as “holdover tenants” who are living illegally in a property because their lease has expired.
Adverse or hostile possession by squatters is recognized in Arizona but it is a more complex process than in many states. For starters, unless there are no existing structures, squatters must continuously and openly occupy the property for 10 years or longer. Also, the burden of proof of property ownership falls upon the squatter: they must show documentation of paying taxes and maintaining or making improvements. In most cases they must hire an attorney to assume adverse possession.

 

 AVHR takes numerous measures to prevent squatter problems:
Notes of Interest
Save money and support local business by booking directly through

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals

Phone/Text: 480.626.4072

 

 

By studying guest browsing data and feedback we can determine the amenities guests desire most in short term rentals. We know pools are the #1 amenity in the greater Phoenix area. Most of our homes have private pools or access to a community pool. The few without have limited outdoor space or are governed by HOA rules that prevent adding a backyard pool.

 

The good news is that in addition to pools, there are many other amenities you can add to boost your bookings. The ideas below will show up under your home’s Amenities on the popular booking platforms.

 

Top guest choices for your backyard:

 

Favorite recreational amenities:

 

Appealing indoor activities:

 

In-home conveniences:

 

Family friendly amenities:

 

 

We ask our owners to check with the Arizona Vacation Home Rentals management team before adding larger amenities that use floor or outdoor space such as a pool table, desk or putting green. Homes overcrowded with furniture or large games will not be popular with guests.

 

We are happy to help you make choices that improve the overall appeal of your vacation property. Also we can recommend features that will hold up over time and in our climate. AVHR asks that current owners who add amenities inform us so we can add the new amenities to your home’s listing.

 

 

 

Save money and support local business by booking directly through

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals

Phone/Text: 480.626.4072

Read how Arizona Vacation Home Rentals and other companies get their vacation rental properties ready for spring:

A Vacation Rental Deep Cleaning Checklist for the Spring

 

 

Save money and support local business by booking directly through

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals

Phone/Text: 480.626.4072

High quality guest experiences in a vacation or short term rental (STR) property are critical to maximizing an owner’s earnings. At the least, properties need to be safe, well-maintained, appealing and compliant with local regulations and laws.
Self management is both extensive and time-consuming. A better choice may be to choose a local and professional full service management team such as Arizona Vacation Home Rentals to ensure your STR is all around high performing.

 

 

What services does Arizona Vacation Home Rentals, a full service property management company, provide?

 

 

 

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals manages STRs in the greater Phoenix area and mountains to the north. There is great advantage to choosing a local company:

 

For additional information on why local is best read Top Ten Reasons for Choosing A Local Property Management Company.

 

 

 

Save money and support local business by booking directly through

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals

Phone/Text: 480.626.4072

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t let the jargon overwhelm you! Use our glossary to support your understanding of short term rentals (STR).
Questions or clarification are welcome 24/7 at Arizona Vacation Home Rentals, a full service property management company that serves the greater Phoenix area and mountains to the north.

 

 

Amenities – property specific features or services available to guests such as walking trails, swimming pool, hot tub or club membership

 

Amenity Fee – added charge for a service or optional amenity such as pool heating

 

Arrival Date – date guests with a reservation are arriving at property

 

Availability – dates a property is available for renting and not blocked by owner

 

Availability Calendar – website or channel calendar that shows the dates a property is available to rent

 

Back to Back Bookings – guests checking out and new guests arriving on the same day

 

Black Out Dates/Owner Holds dates chosen by the owner to not rent their property; may be for personal use or property repairs and upgrades

 

Book – to make a reservation

 

Booking – a reservation

 

Booking Confirmation – guest’s reservation has been confirmed by property management

 

Booking Fee – fees guests are charged for booking through a channel or website such as Vrbo or Airbnb

 

Booking Policy – procedures guests follow to book a property and receive confirmation

 

Booking Request – guests have requested to rent a property with available dates

 

Booking Window – the time between the date a guest reserves a property and their actual arrival date

 

Cancellation Fee – the fee guests must pay if they cancel their reservation after a certain date

 

Cancellation Policy – procedures followed when a guest cancels a reservation; may include a cancellation fee or no refund after a specific date

 

Channel Fee – the commission charged by channels such as Airbnb and Vrbo for listing your vacation rental property on their website

 

Channel Manager – member of the property management team who syncs a property’s availability calendar on different channels and websites to avoid double bookings

 

Check-In – time and date guest has access to vacation rental property as specified in rental contract

 

Check-Out – time and date guests have agreed to depart the rental property as specified in rental contract

 

Cleaning Fee – a one time fee paid by guests to cover the cost of cleaning after they have departed their rental property

 

Contactless/Self Check-In – guests receive information that allows them to check into a rental property without in-person contact with property management team or owner

 

Conversion Rate – this is the percentage of people who booked a property compared to the number of people who viewed it online (example: a 3% conversion rate means 100 people viewed the property online and 3 of them booked it)

 

 

Damage Waiver – a nonrefundable fee guests pay to cover damages that may occur during their stay

 

Daytime Visitors – number of visitors permitted to visit but not stay overnight at a property

 

Departure Date – date guests check out of a vacation rental property

 

Digital Marketing – using digital channels such as emails, social marketing, search engines and websites to advertise and promote bookings at a rental property

 

Direct Booking – guests reserve a property at Arizona Vacation Home Rentals (AVHR) instead of Vrbo, Airbnb or other third-party channels; rates are better and homeowner avoids a booking fee

 

Double Booking – 2 or more reservations for the same night(s) at the same property; this is avoided with an experienced property management team such as AVHR

 

Full Service Property Management – a comprehensive service covering all aspects of vacation rental property ownership including guest screening, bookings, advertising, collections, communication, 24/7 guest issues or emergencies, cleaning services, home security, local compliance and more

 

Guest Screening – digital guest screening process with extensive evaluations of potential guests before a reservation is confirmed; the process is designed to mitigate risks associated with illegal activities, non-payment, property damage and more

 

High/Peak Season – the time of year demand for vacation rentals is highest in a specific location

 

House Rules – applies to policies and rules guests are required to follow at a rental property such as no pets, no smoking, no parties, quiet hours, etc.

 

Instant Booking – a booking that is accepted immediately without requiring approval from property management team or owner

 

Keyless Entry – a key is not required to access a vacation home; usually a smart lock with remote control permits guest entry

 

Listing –  advertises a vacation rental property on a website or channel and includes house name, detailed description of the property, professional photos, pricing and availability calendar

 

Lockbox – box at home’s entrance that contains key(s) to access; requires a code to open

 

Low Season/Off Season – the time of year when demand for vacation rentals in a specific area is usually lower

 

Minimum Stay – minimum number of days/nights required of a reservation

 

 

Noise Alert System – measures and alerts management team to excessive noise levels inside and out at a property without recording conversations or any sounds

 

Owner Holds/Black Out Dates dates chosen by the owner to not rent their property; may be for personal use or property repairs and upgrades

 

Peak/High Season – the time of year demand for vacation rentals is highest in a specific location

 

Property Description – explains in details what a property offers and highlights features and amenities that are especially appealing to guests

 

Quiet Hours – the specific hours, governed by local law, guests must reduce and minimize noise at a rental property; time is usually 10 pm – 8 am

 

Rental Agreement – a legally binding contract guests sign agreeing to uphold all house rules, reservation policies and other expectations outlined in the contract

 

Reviews – feedback from guests about their experience at a property which may be posted on a channel or website; 5 STARS is always the goal

 

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – a property listing is created around key and high interest words which give it higher rankings in search engines like Google and increase visibility

 

Security Deposit – this is a refundable fee guests pay to help cover any damages that occur during their stay; no damages, fee is refunded

 

Self Check-In/Contactless -guests receive information that allows them to check into a rental property without in-person contact with property management team or owner

 

Short-Term/Vacation Rentals – accommodations that travelers book as an alternative to hotels for a business trip, vacation or local event; advantages include more privacy, more space, fully stocked kitchen and exciting and private amenities such as pools and hot tubs

 

Smart Lock – device that allows guest to access home without a key; code is controlled remotely to allow contactless check-in

 

Standard Occupancy – the number of guests permitted to stay overnight at a home; exceptions must be in writing in advance of the reservation

 

Travel Insurance – Trip protection for cancellations, medical emergencies and other hardships that may interfere with a guest’s reservation; guests arrange through an insurance company of their choice

 

Vacation/Short-Term Rentals – accommodations that travelers book as an alternative to hotels for a business trip, vacation or local event; advantages include more privacy, more space, fully stocked kitchen and exciting and private amenities such as pools and hot tubs

 

 

Save money and support local business by booking directly through

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals

Phone/Text: 480.626.4072

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals (AVHR) markets your vacation home with one ultimate goal in mind: to maximize your rental income. To make this happen we use digital marketing strategies that attract guests, drive bookings and encourage loyalty to our brand.

 

The AVHR team focuses on the following marketing strategies to enhance visibility and promote reservations with both new and repeat guests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Save money and support local business by booking directly through
Arizona Vacation Home Rentals
Phone/Text: 480.626.4072

 

 

Why choose Arizona Vacation Home Rentals (AVHR)?

 

 

 

Why is a local property management company best?

 

 

 

What is the property management fee?

 

 

 

How do I get started with AVHR?

 

 

 

What are the steps to a seamless start?

 

 

 

What cities does AVHR cover?

 

We manage homes in the greater Phoenix area as well as in the mountains near Payson. The cities we cover include: 

 

 

Where do we advertise your home?

 

 

 

How do we advertise your home?

 

 

 

How do I get my home guest ready?

 

The goal is to create a home that make guests feel like they never want to leave.  As part of your action plan we provide:

 

For detailed information about getting your home guest ready read Creating the Ideal Short Term Rental Space.

 

 

Who manages the reservations at my home?

 

Once your home is guest ready and listed on 200+ websites, we take care of all aspects of guest booking. 

 

 

How do we protect your home?

 

 

 

What is the service period if you choose AVHR?

 

 

 

How often can you use your home?

 

 

 

How do we keep you informed?

 

You can stay up to date on your vacation home using our owner portal. It’s easy to use and you can access it from your phone or desktop. 
The portal allows you to:

 

 

 

 

Save money and support local business by booking directly through

Arizona Vacation Home Rentals

Phone/Text: 480.626.4072