I stay in vacation rental homes several times a year. I have favorites that I have booked multiple times and I make sure I reserve these early enough to have my dates available. Sometimes I make last minute travel decisions which necessitate finding new (to me) and different rentals.
My reservation routine is consistent. After I put in the location I want to visit, I add my dates and number of travelers followed by filters that are important to me for that stay. Filters such as beach front, heated pool, bed types, nearby activities and so on are useful for narrowing my choices and finding a good match.
Next, I scroll through the available properties and check the stars earned from guest reviews. I usually eliminate the ones that are less than 4.5 in ratings.
Why are guest reviews and stars important?
- Reviews build trust.
- I know there are scams, even on the top rated online travel agencies. Star ratings confirm the rental’s legitimacy and that others have stayed here.
- Reviews reflect satisfaction.
- 5 star ratings indicate the home, amenities, location and experience met or exceeded guests’ expectations. This is what vacation rentals are all about!
- Reviews speak to the details.
- Guests who have stayed at the property have the opportunity to highlight amenities and features they enjoyed as well as challenges they faced. Guests’ comments can convince me the rental is what I’m looking for, or not.
- Reviews support reliability.
- I check the dates of the reviews to ensure at least some of the 5 star ratings are from the past year’s reservations. Right or wrong, homes whose star ratings have dropped make me think the host has neglected maintaining the home, it has lost some of its sparkle, or upgrades are needed.
Do I believe all ratings and reviews? Of course not. I know there are guests who will only assign 3-4 stars to their guest experience because the weather was disappointing. Uncomfortable beds/pillows is another complaint which is tricky because defining comfortable is subjective. Rarely, there are guests who trash homes and then subtract stars because they anticipate penalties or poor comments on their own behaviors.
Most guests write honest reviews about the properties they stayed at. It’s a win-win for both potential guests and hosts. Guests are more confident in their vacation rental selection and are more likely to be happy with their choice. Homes with higher reviews get more exposure on vacation rental websites and secure more bookings. The feedback loop yields more reviews which in turn enhances the listing’s visibility and plausibility.
For all the above reasons, AZ Vacation Home Rentals strives for 5 star reviews. We encourage guests’ feedback both during and after their stay as a way to improve our properties and develop loyal clients. Happy guests drive 5 star reviews which convert to homes’ marketing power and higher income for hosts.
AZ Vacation Home Rentals
Save money, book with us.
Phone/Text: 480.470.7739
Reservation Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. MST
Want to try fishing in the greater Phoenix area?
- All residents and non-residents, 10 years and older, are required to have a fishing license. Licenses are good for one year from date of purchase and valid for all public waters in Arizona. There are 6 different licenses to choose from. The income from all licenses contributes to conservation efforts.
- The best times of year to fish here are April to May and late summer to early fall.
- The best hours to fish are early morning, evening and nights.
- Bodies of water for fishing include the Salt River, lakes, large reservoirs and ponds.
- Many communities have homes situated on ponds and lakes and these, as well as park lakes and the Salt River, are stocked spring, fall and winter to increase anglers’ chances of catching fish.
- Fishing rules and limits are usually posted near the entrance to the park or body of water.
- Use 10-14 pound test line for bass and crappie; use lighter line for trout.
- Preferred bait includes worms, corn, shrimp and dough for catfish; live minnows and nightcrawler for trout; stick baits, imitation crawfish and sunfish for bass.
- More information about fishing is at the Arizona Game and Fish Department website.*
Favorite fishing spots and opportunities in our area:
- The Salt River is stocked with trout and bass.
- Canyon Lake in the Superstition Mountains has Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Rainbow Trout and Flathead and Channel Catfish.
- Bartlett Lake, a 2,815-acre reservoir in Maricopa County, is known for year round fishing for bass, crappie, catfish and panfish.
- Saguaro Lake is a dammed reservoir on the Salt River with bass, carp, trout, crappie, sunfish, catfish, Walleye, and Tilapia.
- Lake Pleasant is north of Phoenix and a favorite for a variety of bass and crappie.
- Veterans Oasis Park is a 5 acre park in Chandler that has a stocked community fishing lake.
- Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert is stocked with trout for community fishing.
AZ Vacation Home Rentals has vacation homes on community lakes that are stocked and permit catch and release fishing:
- Val Vista Lakes are 3 lakes, 76 acres in size, with 6 miles of shoreline for catch and release fishing.
- Boating is permitted on Val Vista Lakes.
- Common Carp, Channel Catfish and Largemouth Bass are the most common fish caught.
- Our homes on Val Vista Lakes are Gilbert Lake Gem, Gilbert Lake Treasure, and Lake Magic.
- Fishing rods, gear and kayaks are stocked at these homes.
- Another home on a community lake that is stocked for catch and release fishing is Hidden Harbor on Desert Breeze Lake in Chandler.
- Desert Breeze Lake is four acres with an average depth of eight feet and a maximum depth of 12 feet.
- Common catch includes Rainbow Trout, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish and/or Largemouth Bass.
- We also have a home on Tempe Lake ( near Lakes Community) which is popular for catch and release fishing.
- Tempe Lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout monthly from November to February.
- Bass, Tilapia, Channel Catfish and Bluegill are also caught here.
- Fishing rods, gear and kayaks for guests’ use are at the home.
- Our home on Tempe Lake is Tempe Driftwood Lake View.
AZ Vacation Home Rentals
Save money, book with us.
Phone/Text: 480.470.7739
Reservation Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. MST
*By providing links to other sites, AVHR does not guarantee, approve, or endorse information or products available on these sites.
1. The vacation rental market is a local business and is best run by a local team, not managed by calling a distant location such as Austin or another country.
- Arizona Vacation Home Rentals (AVHR) is available 365 days to talk, text or email with owners and guests.
2. Teams of local people who live in the area have detailed knowledge of communities that are safe and HOAs that are friendly to owners and guests of short term rentals.
- AVHR has 14 years of experience and prepared hundreds of homes to be ready for the short term rental market. We can recommend locations and styles of homes that will maximize your returns. Prior to your purchase we will walk your home and provide you with a detailed list of exactly what you need to be ready for guests as well as a financial estimate of your costs.
3. Local teams understand the local market and will guide you with pricing and advertising to augment the profit on your home.
- AVHR has expertise in all areas of marketing a home. We also have a customized Owners Choice approach that gives owners a voice in all decisions. When you talk, we listen!
4. Local management teams provide 24/7 personalized support for owners and guests.
- AVHR has detailed knowledge of their rental properties and often problem solves over the phone for electrical, plumbing and pool control problems. This greatly speeds up the resolution process and saves money.
- Guests may request specific items at the last minute. AVHR delivers guests’ requests such as Pack ‘N Plays and unique kitchen gadgets 365 days. This makes for happy guests who are able to enjoy their vacation with little interruption.
5. Local teams have personal knowledge and experience with community maintenance and service companies and can best advise owners in terms of quality and price for reparations and remodels.
- The AVHR team members are home owners, have knowledge of local vendors and know how to get things fixed quickly and at the lowest cost.
6. Local teams provide wellness checks on homes.
- AVHR makes frequent in-person wellness and safety checks on all homes, occupied or empty, to safeguard your investment.
7. When alerted by security systems, local teams go to your home to handle emergencies or guest concerns.
- AVHR responds immediately and in person to all alerts from security cameras and safety monitors, as well as all emergencies.
8. Local teams are weather aware and advise guests on safety precautions or property care to prevent weather-related damage.
- AVHR sends emails and texts and makes phone calls to guests to warn of last minute storms or weather related hazards. We then check homes in person after storms or concerning weather events.
9. Local property management companies know regional laws and requirements.
- AVHR stays up-to-date on all state and local laws, restrictions and policies in the municipalities we cover. We help you adhere to the applicable restrictions and avoid the consequences of non-compliance.
10. Local teams have personal knowledge of nearby attractions, events and services to recommend when guests ask.
- AVHR team members and their families live in the area and use first hand experiences to answer guests’ questions.
Save money, book with us.
Phone/Text: 480.470.7739
Reservation Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. MST
If you rent vacation homes you have possibly wondered about the advantages to owning one or even several. You can easily transition from renter to owner and there are many convincing reasons for doing this. There’s also important information to know in advance of making the decision to convert your property or invest in a second home for this purpose.
Why It’s a Good Idea
- Possibly the number one reason for owning a dual purpose home is that you can spend your vacations here and rent to others to pay for the home’s cost and upkeep.
- Vacation rentals are not like time share units: you block off the weeks or months you want to be at the home and make it available to others the remaining weeks.
- If you rent it out more than 14 days each year you can write off your expenses for maintenance and repairs.
- Over time and with the right investment, your property can increase its value.
- It might be a way to pay for a future retirement home.
What You Need to Know Before Committing
- Location is critical!
- You will have an initial cost for converting a home to a rental property.
- Depending on the home, it can take a month or longer to get it ready for guests. AVHR does have a “fast listing” process that can get your home on-line in just one day.
- There will be marketing and maintenance costs as well as taxes and insurance plus unforeseen expenses.
- It can be a demanding experience unless you hire a manager to oversee marketing, cleaning, stocking, repairs, etc. Long distance landlords are not ideal when guests lock themselves out of the home or the hot water heater breaks. Local is best!
- There are off seasons and shifts in demand that affect how often the home is rented.
Getting Started
- Choose a general location.
- Shop houses with a projected income in mind. Location and amenities such as pool, hot tub, etc. will impact your potential earnings. AVHR has knowledge of the greater Phoenix area and can help you shop wisely.
- Be smart about HOA covenants as well as state and local ordinances that could affect your rental opportunities. Contact AVHR for information. We know our local communities and regulations.
- After purchasing the home (if not before) we highly recommend you hire a manager or consultant to help you complete the start-up process.
- Arizona Vacation Home Rentals is a full service, Five Star, local property management company that brings years of expertise to all areas of the vacation rental management business.
How Arizona Vacation Home Rentals (AVHR) Can Help You
- Our “Owners Choice” program gets you involved early and includes you in all steps of the rental process.
- We will provide you with a list of recommended items for all rooms in the house as well as a list of suggested improvements and amenities to increase the home’s appeal and rental fees.
- We will either help you with marketing or market the home for you. This includes but is not limited to professional eye-catching photos, written descriptions and optimized listings on the larger vacation rental platforms such as Vrbo, Airbnb, Expedia and more.
- We can manage your rentals from start to finish allowing you to be an absentee landlord by:
- Securing guests and replying to inquiries and questions.
- Handling collection of money including deposits, add on charges and refunds.
- Ensuring smooth check-ins, check-outs and pleasant stays.
- Providing 24/7 hour availability for emergencies and problems.
- Cleaning and restocking your home between each visit.
- Making minor repairs and overseeing maintenance.
- Requesting feedback and replying to guest reviews.
Arizona Vacation Home Rentals is a full spectrum property management company that specializes in vacation rental start-up projects, marketing and owner/guest liaison services for vacation rental properties in the greater Phoenix and Payson areas. We have more than 18 years of experience marketing all levels of vacation rental properties. We have helped over 200 owners transform their home into a vacation rental.
If you have questions or would like to discuss converting a home or purchasing a vacation rental property please contact us.
Save money, book with us.
Phone/Text: 480.470.7739
Reservation Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. MST
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.
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Your property is listed on the top vacation and travel sites where everyone looks to book.
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This includes VRBO, Airbnb, HomeToGo, BnBFinder and Expedia.
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Guests can easily search our properties and book online.
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Our exceptional guest reviews earn us Premiere Host status with Vrbo and Superhost standing with Airbnb.
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We’ve earned these rankings by meeting and exceeding guests’ expectations.
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These standings assure guests they are renting quality homes with proven hosts.
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Because of our rankings, our listings appear early in a search.
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Calendars and rates are synced across all travel sites.
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We also market your home on our website Arizona Vacation Home Rentals.
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Guests can book directly at discounted prices and save owners the fees charged by other travel sites.
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Our website reaches thousands of guests every day.
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We create an optimized and detail-oriented listing of your property that is consistent across the online travel platforms.
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Our listings highlight a home’s amenities, identify room locations and explain features.
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Descriptions alert potential guests to unique characteristics to help them choose the ideal match for their travel needs.
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Listings are written with key words in mind to increase online visibility.
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A professional photographer stages and photographs your home both inside and out to include in the listing.
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Captions are added to the high resolution photos to help guests identify rooms and focus on salient features.
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Guests often tell us our photographs are accurate depictions of our homes and there were no surprises.
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Visit Arizona Vacation Home Rentals to see our top quality photos. You’ll be impressed!
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We are a LOCAL team within the greater Phoenix area and our listings focus on the local experience.
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Property descriptions identify local attractions and events.
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We include mileage to high interest destinations along with other tips.
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Our response time to inquiries is immediate and impressive.
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The AVHR team works 365 days each year.
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Our reservation team is available 8 am to 9 pm daily to communicate with potential guests.
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Our professional and friendly staff is devoted to personalized guest care to entice repeat guests and bookings.
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We personally talk to all potential guests before a reservation is confirmed to reduce misunderstandings.
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We maintain communication with guests before, during and after their stay to promote loyalty to our brand.
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Save money, book with us.
Phone/Text: 480.470.7739
Reservation Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. MST
♥♥♥♥♥
“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:
- We start with attractive homes and develop honest, accurate listings that include the details guests need and want to know.
- Our photos are professional and highlight our homes’ appealing amenities without including misleading information.
- Our communication is friendly, clear and effective. We answer questions honestly and in advance of booking we alert guests to features that may be a concern to some.
- We own and manage homes that are amenity-rich: heated pools, hot tubs, fire pits, putting greens and magnificent views are common to many of our properties. ALL homes have washers, dryers and free parking; some have garage space available.
- We send everything guests need to know and expect in advance of their arrival to ensure a seamless check-in and experience from start to end.
- ALL homes are welcoming, immaculate and well maintained with a focus on safety and comfort. Neighborhoods are family friendly and safe.
- Well stocked properties are a priority. Kitchens have everything guests need to prep and serve meals. Quality linens and towels are stocked; beds are made in advance of guests’ arrival. Highchairs and Pack ’N Plays are available to rent.
- We are a local company with a quick response time and support for questions or problems that may arise. We give our guests both email and phone numbers where we can be reached 24 x 7 and encourage guests to contact us for any reason.
- We stay in touch with guests throughout their stay and send weather and power outage alerts and a reminder with check-out instructions.
- We encourage reviews and feedback to maintain our 5 star experiences. We make reviews easy to submit by sending reminders and links after guests have departed the home.
Save money, book with us.
Phone/Text: 480.470.7739
Reservation Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. MST
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:
- A bottle of wine
- Snacks and treats
- Microwaveable popcorn
- Local coffee
- Postcards
- Pens
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Small tablets
- Maps
Owners also voice concerns with using welcome baskets:
- The cost to keep baskets stocked can add up with short stays.
- Accounting for individual preferences and needs is difficult.
- Concerns about the logistics – will the cleaning crew restock and make the basket look the way you prefer?
- Items that are inappropriate for some guests such as food with nuts for those with nut allergies or wine for recovering alcoholics.
- Baskets may work better for hosts who maintain their own properties between guests.
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:
- Online reviews have replaced guest books and give future guests the opportunity to learn about the property in advance of booking.
- Guest books add nothing to a guest’s stay or experience. Owners should focus on more important aspects of hosting.
- Guest books may be more appropriate for local hosts who maintain their own properties instead of hiring a cleaning crew or property manager.
- Some guests may think they only need to write in the guest book and skip writing an online review.
- The information in the book may be outdated for new guests.
- Guests (such as teens) sometimes leave inappropriate comments.
- Keeping the book clean can be a challenge: over time they look dingy or dirty.
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, book with us.
Phone/Text: 480.470.7739
Reservation Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. MST
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:
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Hot tub
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Fire pit
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Putting green with golf clubs
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Corn hole game
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Smart music speaker/sound system
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Bar with mini fridge
Favorite recreational amenities:
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Bicycles (mountain bikes if you’re near trails)
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Kayaks
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Fishing gear
Appealing indoor activities:
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Pool table
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Pingpong table
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Foosball
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Air hockey
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Video games
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Board games
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Books
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Smart music speaker/sound system
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Exercise equipment
In-home conveniences:
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King beds
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Ceiling fans
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Portable fans
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Dedicated work space
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Desk with chair
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TVs in ALL bedrooms
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Safe
Family friendly amenities:
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Highchair
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Travel crib or Pack ‘N Play
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Children’s dishes and utensils
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Kitchen table booster seat
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Children’s books
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Children’s toys and games
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, book with us.
Phone/Text: 480.470.7739
Reservation Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. MST
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, book with us.
Phone/Text: 480.470.7739
Reservation Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. MST
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?
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Guidance with choosing a home and location that will appeal to vacation and business travelers.
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An assessment of currently owned property for earning potential as STR.
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A list of furniture and items to stock so guests have everything they need to be comfortable, enjoy their stay and post 5 STAR reviews.
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Recommendations for amenities or upgrades that would increase bookings.
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A professionally written and descriptive listing with professional and eye catching photos.
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Property marketing on multiple channels and websites such as Arizona Vacation Home Rentals and Vrbo to make a property highly visible and appealing to guests.
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Management of reservations which includes receiving and processing reservations, guest screening, cancellations and special requests.
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Oversight of the reservation calendar to avoid double booking.
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Ongoing communication with guests before and after they arrive to ensure reservation processes are smooth, questions are answered and emergencies/issues are addressed quickly.
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Check-in of guests using a contactless form of entry and making certain guests are able to access the property and all is well.
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Monitoring of noise and guest behaviors to avoid community or legal issues.
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Check-out of guests and post check-out procedures.
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Coordination of cleaning practices: linens and dishes are washed and put away, home is restocked, repairs are made and requests are addressed.
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Management of guest reviews and replies to guests’ reviews.
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Frequent security checks to protect your investment.
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Recommendations for local services and supervision of maintenance, repairs and upgrades, e.g. pool cleaning and landscaping.
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Revenue analysis to maximize profits.
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Using a dynamic pricing approach to increase bookings and revenue.
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Administration of owner payment.
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Record keeping that supports taxes and other payments.
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:
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We know the local area and market.
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We are nearby to quickly address emergencies and problems.
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To maintain security, we frequently check on our properties.
For additional information on why local is best read Top Ten Reasons for Choosing A Local Property Management Company.
Save money, book with us.
Phone/Text: 480.470.7739
Reservation Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. MST