Parade Magazine - Lodging Newsletter July 31, 2022

By Wm, May
Published: 07/31/22 Topics: Lodging Newsletter Comments: 0

Parade Magazine, a newsprint tabloid, stuffed as a supplement into over 700 Sunday newspapers, has been published since 1941.

Over the years, the number of pages has continually shrunk to where it now is just 12 to 16 pages, mostly filled with ads and repetitive fluff.

Once a year, they publish a non-scientific survey of "What people earn" trending heavily toward celebrities, thinking readers want to know that Ben Affleck makes $55 million while new wife Jennifer Lopez pulls in a paltry $40 million.

Mixed into the article and photos are "Regular people", such as an "Intimacy Coordinator", "Doula and Lacation Consultant", and "Travel Nurses" - all of which serve to remind us all there is honor in all work.

Annual compensations range from $11,000 "Virtual Assistant" to $150,000 for a "TikTok Wood Chopper" (whatever that is), but the rewards are seldom commensurate to the skill, knowledge, hours or labor involved.

Without explanation, the articles never clarify if a person's income is gross for their business or net after expenses. The real question should be "What do they take home?"

Over the decades, "Get Rich Quick" schemes are innocently promoted by journalists anxious for a new "Story line" who are always "Late for a deadline."

That doesn't make their story thesis invalid, but it does mean "If it sounds too good to be true it probably is."

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This month's newsletter is about why you should buy a vacation home. And maybe why not. That decision is not based on the home, nor the vacation rental industry. It is determined by you, the buyer. Are your goals reasonable, based on reality, or just fired up by emotion?

LICK YOUR LIPS: Does the $327,297 annual income the Boise Idaho AriBnB host makes on four homes entice you? Does it sound like you can just rake in money after buying a house of your choice, with a modest down payment?

Maybe. But the article fails to disclose the unavoidable costs of ownership - mortgage payments, property insurance, utilities, housekeepers, preventative maintenance, and guest supplies. Did you know that AirBnB, VRBO and other websites will charge you a huge percentage commission?

SUCKERED: Those pesky websites have stealthily offloaded most of the rental duties to unwary hosts, requiring them to answer texts, emails and online questions every hour of the day, every day of the year, schedule cleaning, and in general give up your life to "be in business."

And for all that labor, you the owner get no salary. A VRBO survey said do-it-yourself managers spent "only" 500 hours a year. That means you work for free. While some homes produce a full cash-on-cash operating profit per year, not all do. And not after valuing your own home.

NO RISK: Smart owners hire professional managers to do those duties, because they can do the work more efficiently, operate nearby, handle the incessant guest services, reduce the risks, and will increase rental income in an amount that exceeds the fee they charge.

So, the problem isn't buying a vacation home, but it is necessary to understand exactly why you are doing so before you get started.

Although vacation rentals are a popular hot topic in consumer publications and websites, our advice to home owners has not waivered in the decades we have been managing properties.

BEST REASON: The best goal is to buy a home in the destination you love, where you want to spend vacations and holidays, where you can bring your family and friends, that you can outfit as you see fit (Think hot tub!) and get first pick of all the choice dates.

Then hire a "Full stack" vacation rental management company, to produce the highest possible net income, do all the work, and send you money every month - all without you lifting a finger.

HOBBY: This newsletter may sound self serving from we managers, but it is not. Just like our accountant and attorney, our obligation is to help every client do what is best for them.

When folks who have been self-managing walk in and demand our services, they mention many reasons, but the underlying problem is the same. They say something like, "It sounded like a hobby, but the non-stop needs of hosting is a real job."

To which we must say, yes this industry is a lot like a job - an all consuming position that will eat your time and pay you nothing in return.

There are no get rich quick schemes. But if you choose the right manager, follow their advice, and let them do all the work, you will have purchased a vacation home for all the right reasons.

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Author: Wm, May, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0913 – 07/31/22

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com

Technology Rules - Lodging Newsletter June 30, 2022

By Wm, May
Published: 06/30/22 Topics: Lodging Newsletter Comments: 0

Do you yearn for the "old days" when life was slower, more peaceful and serene?

It isn’t necessary to go all the way back to caveman day to realize how much lives have changed. Just a few comparisons are enough.

It was not long ago that telephones had dials, but it cost a dollar a minute to call from Seattle to New York. Cars had no seat belts and deaths in auto wrecks were far higher. Homes used far less electricity, but summers sweltered without air conditioning.

We were not interrupted with texting and emails and internet browsing, but the only way to find out most anything was to buy a book or visit a library for days on end. We are now better informed.

You may think that technical changes to the Vacation Rental industry are something new. You may not even have known of early changes that no one would abide by today.

There was a time when guests had to stop at an office and pickup towels and linens to make their own beds. There were cabins deep in the woods, where the toilet was in a smelly old outhouse. Some homes had no electricity, but, if you were lucky, there was a gas stove for cooking. Maybe you even had to pump water out of a well.

Long ago, vacation rental cabins were just a step or two up from camping. Nothing wrong with sleeping in a tent in the great outdoors, but today's travelers want far more.

This newsletter covers some of the changes we have been testing, installing and proving.

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The Vacation Rental Industry is no stranger to technical changes, but the pace of technology has accelerated. Avoiding new ideas risks fewer bookings, lower rates, and increased management time. Here is what is coming to a home near you.

DISTRIBUTION: It s not new now, but we were innovators in Advanced Programming Interfaces (APIs) that connect our properties to hundreds of websites, including the giants of AirBnB, VRBO, Expedia and others. It takes constant testing, oversight, fiddling, tweaking and alteration to give clients maximum advertising exposure. And all to generate higher income.

ELOCKS - Handing out keys or using keysafes has worked well. But elocks provide more flexibility and control. Owners, housekeepers and managers can have their own codes. Each guest can get a code good only for their stay. Unapproved early check-ins are avoided, because codes are scheduled to become functional at a certain time. Lock usage can be monitored and controlled remotely.

SECURITY: Owners may be tempted to put in cameras, microphones or even intrusive door bell cameras as they mistakenly think those will provide security. But as public spaces, courts have ruled that guests have a "Reasonable Expectation of Privacy" and landlords must not infringe on it.

SURVEILLANCE: Territorial surveillance cameras, such as those mounted high that point at driveways or streets, are acceptable. Any closer and guests (and their invitees) will rebel, demand a cancellation with refund, claim invasion of privacy, post belligerent online reviews, or even press criminal charges.

GUEST MONITORS: So how to maintain good guest behavior and avoid over occupancy? We are now recommending new legal devices that report calculated sound levels (a bit like decibels) inside and around homes. They also count the number of mobile phones and devices at the property, which can reveal excess occupants. All this is transmitted to managers, so they can intervene or even evict guests who misbehave.

WIFI - Offering Internet is no longer a luxury, but as necessary as water and electricity. But as guests bring more devices, they devour more bandwidth. So we are recommending a technology that "withholds" Wi-Fi modem passwords and instead requires guests to register for accounts. Not just the registered guest, but all invitees, too.

DASHBOARDS: All of the above tools can be displayed on dashboards monitored by managers. Should noise exceed reasonable levels, especially at night, should there be excess occupants, or if other rules are violated, bookings can be canceled and guests evicted.

Prior to the technical revolution, rule breakers were few, but we aim to make them non-existent. Better yet, when guests know of monitoring, compliance should be even better. The costs are low and the pay-back is fast.

LEGALITY: With the onslaught of ever changing permits, laws, rules and regulations from cities, counties and even home owner associations, we employ a dedicated attorney who follows the iterations, advises on application processes and even lobbies a bit.

By combining that oversight with technology, every house can be a good neighbor and all because we use technology to improve service further.

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Author: Wm, May, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0912 – 06/30/22

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com

Time To Reflect - Lodging Newsletter May 31, 2022

By Wm, May
Published: 05/31/22 Topics: Lodging Newsletter Comments: 0

Most vacation rental newsletters, like newsletters in most industries, are all about self-promotion and selling something to someone.

And yes, we are guilty of that, too, but we are allowed to be proud of the incredible work people here do for clients and guests 365 days a year. But today might be a good day for some reflection. Not just from the Covid cacophony, but because this, I am happy to say, is the 75th issue of our monthly diatribe.

It started with a short list but, the number of readers has grown. (I should say recipients because goodness knows if anyone reads them!) Some of you are subjected to it unwillingly, but I hope not regretfully. From others, I appreciate the comments, compliments and even the criticism.

I must ask however, please no more reminders that my use of the Oxford comma is sometimes a little sloppy or, as one reader claimed, a lot sloppy . . . . . . . .

Over 25,000 of these letters have been mailed and they haven’t gotten any returned with nasty remarks, so you must like them a little bit or find them good fireplace starter kindling.

I have been asked why do we send the letters by snail mail, when the rest of the world has gone completely paperless, blasting out email after email blaring about one topic or another. The answer is that writing the letter requires just a bit more time and thought. At least, I think so.

For you non-Luddites out there, we are going to start emailing copies of the newsletter, too, because mailing everyone is pricey. And with the price of inflation, we can save a few cents here and there. Plus, it will be easier for you to 'Unsubscribe" this letter out of your mind.

Speaking of records, we have now surpassed over 500,000 guests, which is not too bad considering we are a small band of the dedicated out there cleaning toilets, polishing windows and working hard to make guests love every property we work with.

So, enough self congratulations for now. On with the show.

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It was an absent-minded remark when, in April of 2020, someone opined "Since Covid, we have all truly learned the definition of the word "unpredictable". But who could have predicted that unpredictability would continue for over two years now? So, this letter is full of this and that.

Summer - Have you noticed that Summer is finally here? Guests are flocking to rentals and our staff are moving fast. The pundits say 2022 won't equal 2020 or 2021 in rental income. But let's remind everyone that it will still greatly exceed 2019, which was a pretty great year.

AirBnB - Has released its latest upgrade with a few backward steps. They now write the headlines for listings using strangely generic things like "House in Jonesville." Well, gee, don’t they understand that guests search by geographic area and already presume they are looking for homes in Jonesville?

Is Big Better - Although giant companies dominate the business press, the world has been built on smaller, more innovative and more flexible companies all doing great work. That is what we aspire to.

Acquisitions - Giant Corporations continue to buy up small vacation rental management companies. But small management firms still dominate 98% of the vacation rental management industry. While some people try the remote "Do It Yourself" route, managed clients make more money by working with professional managers.

Public - Several public vacation rental companies have seen their stock plummet this year, along with companies in other industries that want to promote themselves as tech firms. In lodging the key word is, and always will be, "Hospitality" not "Algorithm".

Inflation - Wasn't it just recently that no one remembered the dreaded Inflation word? Did the further refinements in Yield Management Dynamic Rates contribute? Was it gas shortages? OR has Covid made us all greedy?

Gas Prices - All the research shows that Americans' quest for travel has slowed, especially to "Drive to Destinations." Yes, we feel it, but there are still legions of travelers anxious to get out and about. Time will tell.

War - Not to reveal the age of some antiquarians working here, but some remember Edwin Starr's Vietnam song "War, what is it good for - absolutely nothing." We are all rooting for our Ukrainian brothers and sisters.

MountRainier.com - Our new central reservations service for travelers all around the mountain is up and running. It will be easier than ever for them to find great lodging. Just in time for the glorious summer sun.

Light Reading - If you missed any issue of our famous (or not) newsletter, remember you can read them online simply by registering free on our websites and logging in.

One Good Man - Allow me a short farewell to Fred Crowell. For 50 years he pumped joy in the 300,000 kids who attended his amazing basketball camp. After penning his inspirational book "Words of Hope", he passed last summer and a service was held in a packed auditorium over this Memorial Day weekend. Good Bye, Coach. We love you.

P.S. If you would like a copy "Words of Hope", ask and I would be honored to send you one.

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Author: Wm, May, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0911 – 05/31/22

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com

61,320 Hours - Lodging Newsletter April 30, 2022

By Wm, May
Published: 04/30/22 Topics: Lodging Newsletter Comments: 0

We must say that managing Vacation Rentals is fun and profitable. But I have some news - it is also a whale of a lot of work.

For example, our guest services "Help Desk" is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a week. For guest inquiries, owner assistance and unplanned property repairs.

If you do that math, that works out to a whopping 61,240 hours a year. I have been wandering around the industry for 22 years, so that adds up to 1,347,280 hours in total.

Of course, our first office started in 1964, so, let's do some more math. Looks like 3,551,920 hours. But think of it as 213,115,200 minutes. Or 12,786,912,000 seconds. (Did I do that math correctly?)

But there is good news - it will only take you five minutes to read this newsletter to get a glimpse into what it really takes to manage a vacation rental home 24-7-365.

So, how do you survive and thrive in that world? This week's newsletter tells how we came to be reliable for every second of every minute of every hour of every day.

Some do-it-yourself property owners try to cover all of that time themselves. But why would they when they can have professionals like ours take care of everything?

Oh, and we do that with no effective cost to the owner. Don't believe it? Call today and we'll show you how.

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We spend a lot of time polishing, perfecting and pursuing maximum rental income for clients. But we spend even more time taking care of properties to avoid late night issues.

ADVERTISING: On websites that we operate and on advertising website like VRBO, AirBnB and hundreds of others - guests are sold on every house's great features, but also told the rules and regulations.

CONTRACT: Guests may telephone to make bookings or submit orders online, but each is required to acknowledge the rules before their booking is accepted.

CONTACT: If they book on an advertising website, we contact the guest directly to answer their every question and to ask they accept the legal rules for the property.

ELECTRONIC: As the first lodging company to utilize online electronic signatures, we figure guests who rent your expensive home should sign a formal agreement to behave well and be responsible for any damage they cause - even if it's not intentional.

INSTRUCTION: Guests receive explicit instructions on how to find the property, how to enter, and how to treat the home with respect. They can call us 24-7-365 hours for just about anything.

NOTICES: Prominently displayed in the home are printed framed notices, reminding guests that there are rules and requiring them to adhere to those rules.

MONITORS: We now offer (Legal) devices that monitor noise and occupancy in every home. The system instantly notifies us if guests exceed either of those.

NEIGHBORS: When starting up a new rental, with the owner's permission, we contact neighbors, inviting them to call anytime they have an issue. (We may also send reminder letters every few months with our phone number (to keep that handy).

OWNERS: When properties need help, it tends to be needed quickly. We ask owners to contact the office rather than field personnel to ensure that every request gets acted on quickly.

HELP DESK: With the kind of preparation above, issues and problems are few. But our phones are open every moment of every day of every year.

DISPATCH: And what if the water heater stops heating.? The stove top stops heating or the frig freeze up? The help desk will dispatch a real live human to the home to diagnose and start solving the problem.

ENFORCEMENT: If a guest misbehaves, allows too many people, or brings unauthorized pets? The answer is, as skilled managers, we require guests to depart to keep neighbors happy. Few managers and almost no individual managers know to do this in the very unlikely chance it becomes necessary.

No one is perfect, but customers today demand polish and quality. They want easy access to a nearby manager, and they want repairs, or maintenance, or other kind of help - and they want it fast. If your manager can't provide it - you have the wrong manager.

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Author: Wm, May, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0910 – 04/30/22

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com

Summer Songs at Hi-Tide Resort

By Wm. May
Published: 04/01/22 Topics: Hi-Tide Resort, Moclips Beach WA, Music, Ocean Shores WA, Radio Comments: 1

Thinking of the beach brings up memories of the surf, sand, wildlife and, of course, the summer sun that bathes Moonstone Beach at Hi-Tide Resort in Moclips, Washington State. State.

Guests have been visiting our "directly on the beach" condos for many years, most returning year after year. Of course, we could tell you all about our comfy furniture, fully outfitted kitchens, private decks and views North, South and West (far west).

But maybe if we conjure up a few songs, you’ll get the idea. The songs we play over and over again during all the fun times we have here.(Click on any song to listen.)

Surfin’ USA - The Beach Boys

This tune was all over the radio in 1963 and ranked as the top song in Billboard rankings. It is the most recognized recording ever written by Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, although band member Mike Love says he co-wrote it.

Fifteen surfing hot spots are mentioned, most in California, with a nod to Australia’s Narrabeen and, of course, to the grand daddy of them all - Hawaii’s Waimea Bay.

Our Moonstone Beach at Moclips is not known for surfing, but that’s OK because we get to keep the place to ourselves.

Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy - George Gershwin

In 1934, Gershwin wrote this steamy song for his American opera, Porgy and Bess, with lyrics help from Dubose Heyward, the author of the novel on which the opera was based.

First recorded by Billie Holiday, who was to become an icon in musical history, Summertime has been recorded over 68,591 times, then a world record for cover tunes.

We don’t suffer from the stifling 100 degree heat and 100 percent humidity that this song evokes, but we do find the living easy all summer at Hi-Tide. Warm breezes, warm sun, warm sand make it a comfortable place to hang out in the summer.

Hot Time Summer in the City - The Loving Spoonful

Written by John Sebastian, Mark Sebastian and Steve Boone, this summer at Hi-Tide you may be glad you are enjoying the pleasant hot sunshine on Moclips Beach and not the sizzling city. The waves are friendly as you sit back and watch the sun sink into the ocean directly west from our condos

You might even seen the famous, green flash, just as the last bit of the sun disappears over the horizon.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

If you have never heard this "Iz" song, you are one of the few. Where have you been? With over one BILLION views/listens on YouTube, this medley of Over the Rainbow and What a Wonderful World make Bruddah Iz the top selling artist of all times on the world music charts.

Nothing could be better as you drift off to sleep in one of our Hi-Tide condos than to listen to the gentle ukulele strum and the stunning voice of Bruddah Iz, the hero of Hawaii.

And why Hawaii, when we are here on the coast of Washington State? Every ocean brings the same enchantment, the same relaxation and the same love of the world, including here on Moonstone Beach.

When you visit this summer, you just might hear other guests humming contently one of these songs as they settle into beach life. But don’t wait long or we’ll be full and then you would have to sing a sad song. And, of course, we wouldn’t want that.

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Author: Wm. May – Summer Song Singer, Hi-Tide Resort
Blog #: 0866 – 04/01/22

Sponsor: Hi-Tide Resort – You can't get any closer to the beach than this. comfy, cozy, modern condos at Hi-Tide-Resort on Moclips Beach WA State. – Hi-Tide-Resort.com

Rate Affecters, Mish Mash - Lodging Newsletter March 31, 2022

By Wm, May
Published: 03/31/22 Topics: Lodging Newsletter Comments: 0

Summer may not actually be here, but with advance bookings, changes in the marketplace, and better weather, your handy vacation rental managers are deep into summer already. It will be fun.

In April 2020, I concluded that maybe for the first time ever, the world began to truly understand the definition of the word "Unpredictable." First, Covid plunged travel, but then travel unexpectedly surged.

Prior to Covid, perhaps 40% of the traveling public had ever stayed at a vacation rental home. We then began to notice what was later proven by industry statistics that the number surged to over 60%. Doing that math, it’s a 50% increase in market size.

But be warned - there are management companies promoting that owning a vacation rental home is a "Get Rich Scheme." Of course, they don’t say that and, in many cases, it can be true.

But with real estate prices jumping, with bidding on homes driving up prices, and with so many people buying vacation homes, will supply outstrip demand? So far, the answer is no.

But profiting handsomely with a vacation rental should never be a home buyer’s primary goal. For many decades, families have sought a second home to love it, enjoy it, outfit it as they want, get first pick of dates, vacation where they most want. And then - and only then - yes, they can get guests to help pay for some or all of the costs.

With our kind of comprehensive management, many owners make an actual profit on the cash it takes to buy the home. Unfortunately, we hear from do-it-yourself owners and even owners from other companies who bought into the market recently with homes that are underperforming.

In short, vacation rentals are not a get-rich-scheme, unless hundreds of big and small things are done well every day. Those include selecting the right home, outfitting it fully, managing it tightly, providing 24-7-365 guest services, and then advertising it far and wide. And then, the financial outcome will be the outcome.

In other words, no one can promise you profit. But picking a manager who outlines and then performs as promised is the only way to be a vacation rental owner.

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On January of 2020, our ace programming staff completed version 3.0 of our technology-driven Strategic Seasonal, Dynamic and Distributed (S2D2) yield management software that revises rates every day, looking forward up to 15 months.

We receive new telemetry about local, regional, national and global supply and demand overnight every day and the technology has been proven in two very different ways. (1) In February and March of 2020 every morning the computers were screaming "Where the hell did the guests go?" (Those days seem like a dream or nightmare.) (2) But by April, the software’s artificial intelligence (AI) began to raise rates, which it did over and over through Summer of 2020.

We let the suggested prices "ride" and that resulted in far higher income for houses in almost every jurisdiction (except those affected by airline shutdowns, border closing and catastrophes).

Competitors who relied on seat-of-the pants for rates, lost massive income for owners. Competitors with technology similar to ours, laid off 90% of the staff. With no one at the wheel to oversee the business, their rates stagnated and their sales plummeted.

As we approach summer of 2022, the question on everyone’s mind is, will the industry growth be maintained? Will guests continue to flock to private home rentals? What other factors may cause income to grow or shrink?

Yes, the Covid factors that exploded income, may indeed soften or reverse. And ups and downs will again be affected by things that have always affected income, such as:

Weather - At the home locations or at the guest’s primary home. When it rains in Seattle, guests presume the weather is crappy at the beach, even if it’s not. In winter, a big snowfall means giant crowds at the ski resorts. Low snow means a ghost town.

Events - Now that fairs, conferences and celebrations are returning, is your destination ramping up? Guests love to have a reason to visit.

On the coast of Washington, out-of-staters are perplexed to learn that a "Razor Clam" digging season on a weekend can double visitorship, or more.

Competition - If the number of rental homes continues to grow, will supply exceed demand?

Rate Panic - DIY owners always price their rentals too low, desperate for any bookings. They work twice as hard with half as much income. Will plummeting rates keep up if demand slows?

Booking Service - If guests book with us because you have a great house, we are all happy. If they book with us because we are the only managers answering the phone that is fine, too. (Of course!)

Big News - Wars, pestilence, protests - even if far away - cause people to pause their planning and travel can decrease.

We think of these variables every day. But the only solution is to love dynamic rates, react quickly, advertise massively, answer phones, emails and texts religiously and work like hell.

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Author: Wm, May – Contributor, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0909 – 03/31/22

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com

Things Break - Lodging Newsletter February 28, 2022

By Wm, May
Published: 02/28/22 Topics: Lodging Newsletter Comments: 0

The surge of people purchasing second homes for their families continues and many are counting on vacation rental income they can earn. But becoming a Vacation Rental landlord is not for everyone.

Our methods of qualifying, educating, contracting, monitoring and serving guests go far in controlling the behavior of guests.

In the industry, the incidence of extensive damage in homes is rare and the occurrence of theft is virtually unheard of.

On the other hand, having people live in a home - whether the owner's family as full time residents, or renting to tenants long term (perhaps on an annual basis), or allowing guests to stay on a short-term basis (what are now called vacation rentals) - does subject the home to usual wear and tear.

Even with the most well-behaved, conscientious guests, homes may incur scuffs on the wall, broken glasses, lost flatware and other issues. So techniques are used to offset those costs.

When Visa/MasterCard objected to damages (or corresponding deposits) being charged on credit cards, the industry invented the "Accidental Damage Protection" (ADP) that pools small fees charged to guests to offset minor costs. Some advertising websites also offer such coverage.

Should significant damage take place, homes should have property insurance designed for short-term renting. That will kick in to restore the home for damages greater than the ADP.

Even with the cost of damage removed, however, there are other conditions every property owner should consider when becoming a vacation rental landlord. This newsletter discusses some of them.

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Issues that arise with vacation rental homes are rare, but they can be upsetting to new owners unaware of them when they begin. Here are a few to think about:

Wear and Tear - Even if you lived in the home full-time, scuffs will appear on walls. Hardwood floors can get scratched, light bulbs wear out, and dishes get broken.

Replaceables - Things break and not necessarily by guests. Be prepared for replacing kitchen and tableware pieces, towels and linens. Even when still serviceable, allowing amenities to age results in negative reviews and lost income. Be prepared to replace them regularly.

Upgrades - Sorry, but towels, linens, mattresses, sofas, chairs and even electronics do not last forever. Depending on age, be prepared to upgrade and improve furniture and furnishings to maintain guest satisfaction and, therefore, maximum income.

Cleanliness - Housekeepers are diligent but all homes differ, have "eccentricities", and some are very large. Out-cleans are thorough and done within a limited time frame, because new guests are likely arriving soon. Should something be missed, call us quick to fix.

Deep Cleans - While out-cleans cover guest cleaning, even your primary home needs a thorough deep clean twice a year. Be prepared for that cost and enjoy having a home that is well maintained.

Pet Friendly - Allowing dogs (never any other animal type) will increase income significantly. If you bring your own dog, it would be unwise to advertise the home as not dog-friendly.

Vendors - Whether for gardening, snow removal or other services, some vendors may make mistakes, fail to show up, or raise costs. Be prepared to have that reflect on your property.

Neighbors - No matter how well guests behave, be prepared for neighbors anxious to peg you as a out-of-towner capitalist. They will manufacture complaints and scream to regulators.

Regulators - When city or county officials in your area begin to add regulations or even prohibitions, be prepared to invest time and money to defend your property rights. You will need to attend hearings and lobby representatives.

Online Reviews - Now that every person is a "reporter", expect that most guests will love your well-outfitted, nicely-maintained and professionally-managed home. However, don't be surprised if a guest invents a complaint to extort a free stay.

Weather - Most rental homes are in recreational areas where snow, rain, flooding, wind and other events can cause cancellations and even delay housekeeping and maintenance. Be prepared for that.

Management - When issues arise, it may seem convenient to blame someone. But keep in mind, managers are also negatively impacted by the need to maintain homes in good condition. Working calmly and collaboratively retains the motivated people you need available 24-7-365.

Most owners seldom have issues, and when they do, those should be small. In the end, being a landlord is the only way to enjoy vacation renting and profiting from it. Expect the best, but be prepared for anything.

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Author: Wm, May, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0907 – 02/28/22

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com

Adobe 18 phone calls - Lodging Newsletter January 31, 2022

By Wm, May
Published: 01/31/22 Topics: Lodging Newsletter Comments: 0

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In his 1960s TV skit show, comedian Flip Wilson, playing his drag character "Geraldine," when confronted with "her" behavior, would exclaim, "The devil made me do it, honey."

It was stupid then and is stupid now. But it became a popular phrase because, well, because, any damn fool can blame the devil. And now any damn fool can now blame Covid.

Have you noticed that during the 104 weeks of the bug so far, seldom is a small business owner heard blaming their situation on Covid? They talk about it, and they struggle with it. They change their plans and their product. And they worry but seldom do they blame.

Small businesses simply buckle down and get back to work, as they have always had to do. They must adapt to change, solve problems, zig and zag - just to stay in business. The cavalry is not going to come to save them.

In the 1980s, Harley Davidson motorcycle company was failing financially, as their product deteriorated and their reputation plummeted. Finally, the company jettisoned. Bloated overhead redundant middle management and instead put the power for quality back in the hands of the mechanics who actually made the motorcycles.

The turnaround was spectacular, and today Harley is revered by their customers and contemporary culture. So, a famous consultant studied the turnaround by walking the factory floor. One day, a very husky man with very long hair, covered with large tattoos, came walking his way. The worker looked like a Harley biker, and he was fuming.

When the consultant asked why, the biker growled, "I'm going to phone the company that makes this part. It is crap, and I am going to tell him to quit making excuses and start making good parts."

"What if that doesn't work?" asked the consultant. "Then I will get on my bike, ride over and have a friendly little talk with them. They’ll fix it if they know what's good for them."

So, that was the conclusion about Harley. They stopped making excuses, stopped blaming, and just started making extraordinary motorcycles again.

As I sat on those 12 phone calls for hours, it dawned on me not once have I heard anyone at our business blame Covid. Nor have they blamed it on the devil, the weather, or politics. They all went to work every day, and they all strived to do a job that many others would avoid, at a time that was - to say the least - unpleasant.

All businesses have reasons why sometimes things do not go as planned. Or mistakes are made. Or something is not noticed. But during this Covid thing, not one of us has ever said we blame anything on Covid.

As I sat on those 12 phone calls with Adobe software for hours on end, I realized those big guys could learn a lot from us. We could teach them to stop blaming something they can't do anything about. And that it is time to get back to work to make things better.

I won't hold my breath waiting for them to forget about Covid, start making better products, and provide better service. Because I am sure they'll blame it on some other lame excuse. Maybe the devil made them lousy.

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Author: Wm, May, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0906 – 01/31/22

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com

2021 In Review - Lodging Newsletter December 31, 2021

By Wm, May
Published: 12/31/21 Topics: Lodging Newsletter Comments: 0

Only a couple of us were here when our first office opened in 1964, but now some of us have been at this vacation rental challenge for a couple of decades.

To say the industry has changed over that time would be the understatement of the year. So how about for this last report of the year, we round up the big changes, the improvements and the growth that our group of experts has accomplished. And the extraordinary results achieved, along with the challenges that remain ahead.

First, we must back up two years.

Does it seem possible that old man Covid burst into our lives only 100 weeks ago? On one hand, it only seems like yesterday when the seemingly innocent news of a virus was a barely noticeable topic.

And then - pow - in nothing flat the pandemic became topic du jour, and then topic de l'année (a year).

And then top de deux ans (two years). And let's hope it does not end up as a topic pour Toujours (forever).

Last year about this time, we quoted (tongue in cheek) a famous comic who proclaimed 2020 was the greatest year ever. This year our hearts still go out to all those harmed by this bug and other events.

But in the vacation rental industry, is it OK if we celebrate the good things that have taken place in 2021?

===================================================

We have been crafting, calculating, tweaking and perfecting our systems for decades. Call today to get a copy of our "How to Score Vacation Rental Managers" checklist to see how. We call it step-by-step-by-step.

Prospera - For long-term rentals, our new Prospera.vip program offers more attention than conventional property managers. Homes are rented fast, and innovative oversight leads to better tenants.

Betwixt - Covid increased demand for longer stays, so we launched our "Betwixt and Between" rental services in partnership with Prospera. Now owners can win with vacation rentals even in cities, counties and homeowner associations which require bookings be at least 30 days long.

Scheduling - Moving staff from house to house efficiently takes coordination, so we honed our tape scheduling to instantly see slowdowns or early completions. That impresses guests by finding space for early check-ins and late check-outs.

Websites - We launched dozens of new websites this year, reeling in even more inquiries, producing more bookings, securing ever-higher rates. Only we have the tools to do this efficiently.

Listings Ads - Although on hundreds of websites, we start new advertising as it comes around. Google's new vacation rental listings are great. But there are other new sources, like GlampingHub.com, Plum Guide, Hipcamp.com, HomeToGo, Whimstay, Top Villas and many, many more.

Synchronization - Our engineering team synchs rates and dates with all those websites to maximize bookings and avoid double bookings. By building what the software industry calls our "Tech stack", we can capitalize on new ideas faster than stogy software firms.

Mark Ups - To offset the cost of listing websites, our HelpBook.me technology may be the only software that sends marked-up rates to each website, avoiding the cost for property owners.

E-signatures - Almost 10 years ago, we were said to be the first lodging company to build instant electronic signatures into guest contracts. Faster for guests. More protection for owners.

Registration - When some ad websites hide guest identities, we customized guest registration to comply with their terms. We never want to usurp their fees, but must keep properties safe, too.

Yield Management - When our telemetry provider amped up market data reports, our technology anticipated and quickly dovetailed it into our system, so our in-house rate guru could visualize tiny changes and use them to fine-tune rates. It’s a little like a video game and a whole lot like an NFL game plan.

Local Knowledge - Supplemented with data secured from local tourism websites that only we have because we build them, our rate-setting capabilities are more accurate than others.

Internet - Keeping access safe can be unpredictable, so our new use of "Mesh" Wi-Fi is keeping guests connected, but also requiring guest identification. Noise and occupancy limits can be enforced through non-obtrusive technology. You heard it first here.

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Author: Wm, May, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0860 – 12/31/21

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com

It Took Him 30 Years to Become a Professor

By Wm. May
Published: 12/01/21 Topics: Comments: 0

Just out of College I got a job at KJR Radio (Also known as the mother giant radio station), my dream job. But there was another story also. It was 49 years ago. Maybe I blocked it out.

I also got a few other job inquiries as I was getting ready to graduate but then one I remember was this

"Kraft Smith" was the biggest advertising agency in Seattle, very prestigious and our famous professor - Ed Bannister - loved advertising agencies because he had run a very large one in New York where he became rich.

He left that behind at age 48 because he had always wanted to be a professor. He quit, got an Masters degree from UCLA, but the only place that would hire him was this funky school in the wilderness - Washington State University.

In Pullman he lived in the "House that advertising built". In today's world it would be over 2 million and, if he decided a student was "Kicking ass" (his words), they got to have dinner at his house. I did.

Ed was irreverent and absolutely pragmatic. What counted for advertising was getting sales results. What counted for him as a professor was getting kids jobs. That was not normal for professors.

He was a linear thinker. Connect the dots push push push and maybe you'll get what you want. But going for the Gold is the fun part.

P.S. One of his passions was that he was an official at several Olympic games- line judge, time keeper, something like that. He told the stories repeatedly. He also wrote limericks about his cat.

Ed took great delight that he, a 52 year old "assistant" professor, soon dominated the entire School of Communications.

Within a few years. half of all students were majoring in Advertising (compared to the old guard of broadcasting, journalism and public relations). He smirked when he said, "the full professors are unhappy with my success, so screw em. ha ha ha."

He played it to the hilt, with tweed coasts, leather elbows and carried a pipe he seldom smoked. His shoes were always shined. and he had the coolest winter overcoats. (Well, he had lived in New York!).

One day in class, Ed announced that the sales manager at KJR radio, the top top 40 rock station, would be coming to Pullman to interview a few candidates. The KJR guy named 3 guys but did not pick me.

As a rock and roll player and life-long listener I was in a funk.

So I wrote him a letter saying, "If you are going to drive all the way over to WSU, you might as well interview the best student"

While waiting for a response, I got a few other job nibbles, one from a giant advertising Agency. So I drove to Seattle and interviewed with "Hugh Smith" a very old guy with none of Ed Bannister's glamour.

He was in a giant corner office that reeked money. I remember him as sanctimonious, had stupid questions and finally said, "Well young man, I am not going to offer you a job because I think you will never make it in the advertising agency business."

With an ad agency job at the top of my wish list I was devastated, but I was also peeved. When I told Ed. He said, "Screw 'em .Keep going. Eventually you will get what you want."

When I asked "When" he said, 'Doesn't matter, took me 30 years but here I am. Screw the doubters."

Later KJR called and I was thrilled to go to work in Radio where I was exposed to fast moving, hard drinking, get it done, push push push people. Everyone of them were far more fascinating than Hugh Smith ever hoped to be.

18 months later I quit KJR and opened my own agency. I never did steal away any of the big Kraft Smith clients, but I did get a few who had interviewed them and picked me.

Revenge is best served cold.

P.S. After I started the agency he was very proud and said, "You were one of my best students." So I asked, "So why did you give me B''s sometimes when I thought my work was better than the others."

"Because you were lazy and my way of motivating was to kick your ass." It worked.

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Author: Wm. May
Blog #: 0897 – 12/01/21

Problem Solving - Lodging Newsletter November 30, 2021

By Wm, May
Published: 11/30/21 Topics: Housekeeping, Lodging Newsletter Comments: 0

Please be warned.

As the year marches on, it is high time to expose some unusual events and hidden secrets of the smallest kind. They are invisible behaviors that only a very few people know and even less would ever discover.

These are actions that are kept hidden away, not admitted, not promoted, not recognized with accolades, and not even known to our clients.

So, here is the secret:

We have a team of incredible, reliable and conscientious people.

And have had for decades.

These are the folks who have worked together long and hard, who have marched forward for decades every day of the year, and who did exactly the same thing even as Mr. Covid barged into their lives intent on making their always difficult jobs far more so.

Small competitors failed. Big competitors tripped up. But our business accelerated because our people did.

We are so lucky to employ these wonderful folks who have never waivered during these odd times. So it is time to expose just a few of their super secrets.

================================================================

These are secrets of the not very rich and not very famous who deserve to be both rich and famous. Here then we tell everyone a few of the scenarios that have taken place while everyone else cowered down.

Careless Contractor - An owner with a newly built home was understandably unhappy with her contractor when severe winter storms blew water sideways into and around every improperly sealed door. In the middle of the maelstrom, one of our resourceful maintenance pros caulked every possible crevice. That avoided thousands of dollars in damage.

Lost Every Key - When a guest managed to lock every key they were given inside the house at 2AM, a chipper staff member jumped out of bed, drove 20 miles, and provided yet another key. A simple thing that other managers shirk, but we do not.

Surprise Visit - When Covid came unannounced, every field staff member double-checked every step in our hospitality clean service, and continued to clean and host guests from far and wide. No one got sick. Now, two years later the caution has never lessened.

Rate Riding - During Covid, big managers had major layoffs, but our rate experts manned the fort and were well ahead in the game as business resumed. Others sold out at half price. We sold out at double price. All because team members never waived.

Double Up - Owners loved that occupancy and rates went up so fast, but accounting, the guest services and after hours help also doubled. No staffer complained because it simply had to be done.

Stepping Up - Covid caused housekeepers for many rent-by-owners to jump ship, leaving those owners with bookings and no help. Even though they were not yet clients, our team helped all they could and on short notice. Just the neighborly thing to do.

Lost in Space - A mother feared she had lost her baby's favorite stuffed animal, until staff found it, cherished it, and rushed to her by overnight shipping. It made Mom as happy as it made us.

Early Bird - When the guest arrived a full day early to a home vacated that very morning, our team of professionals rushed to the house to ready it yet again, with no notice. Sure, they were ready to go home, but more ready to help a guest with no place to go.

Over and Over - At the height of the pandemic, when one home's bookings cancelled and rebooked seven times, reservation staff retained their cheerful helpful voices and even produced ever higher rates. More work, but more income for the owner.

Government Grab - As cities and counties adopt silly time-consuming regulations one of our leaders burned the midnight oil to provide mounds of documents and did it with heaps of happy attention to detail.

Simply Service - Guests could not decipher the TV remote controls at 1AM and demanded help. Not only did the manager drive to the house to help, she made the guests believe she was enjoying the experience. Because she did, and always does.

If you guess this newsletter was not really written for property owners, you are correct. It fact it is a salute to the amazing people who work here. Thanks to all of them.

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Author: Wm, May, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0853 – 11/30/21

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com

Hi-Tide Resort One Million Visitors

By Wm. May
Published: 11/01/21 Topics: Fishing, Goldener Inns, Hi-Tide Resort, Moclips Beach WA, Ocean Shores WA Comments: 1

Photo credit: Dan Ayres/WDFW

For decades, tens of thousands of people have enjoyed staying at Hi-Tide Resort on Moclips Beach on the Coast of Washington State.

They come from everywhere around the Northwest, from across the United States, and even from foreign countries.

Visitors love the clean, crisp air, the natural dunes, the river that wraps around the property, and walking the beach for mile after mile.

Families return year after year, settling into their favorite condo where they can watch the sunset, cook on the resort grills, play horseshoes, jump in the surf, and even cast a line to catch perch and other delicacies.

Little do people know that millions of other visitors seem to find the destination just as intriguing. They are native to the area and seem to be flourishing because, well, they are frisky, shall we say.

If you have never eaten one, know this - Razor clams are an eating delicacy that grows only in certain places in the world, and they are especially prolific there.

Razors live in intertidal and subtidal zones and are filter feeders with short siphons, so they live just beneath the surface to feed, like right here, just below the surface of Moclips Beach.

When low tides expose the bottom, the clams dig and burrow deeper into the sand with their strong muscular feet.

The clams are plentiful because females have 6-10 million eggs, of which less than 5% will survive. When ocean temperature reaches 55+ degrees, the clams release their sperm and eggs into the water.

Larvae that develop from the eggs are free-floating and called "veligers," carried by the current.

Over the course of 5-16 weeks (depending on water temperature), they develop a shell and settle to the seafloor as juveniles, but of those, 95% die of natural causes.

Razor Clams that survive burrow deeper and become harvestable when they reach 3.5 inches in one year and 4.5 inches in two. They can then begin to reproduce.

Dan Ayres, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife coastal shellfish manager, says reports on Monday show more than 9,256 differs in the Moclips area took 160,896 clams, with 10,193 Copalis area diggers taking 193,327 clams.

On Long Beach alone, diggers went home with 428,861 clams. That means that together, over one million of our favorite bi-vales went home with visitors to be fried, canned, dumped into chowder, or made into sushi.

But don’t worry about diminishing the population. Razor clams propagate at an astonishing rate.

Shellfish harvest licenses are required in order to dig clams. These are available at any sporting goods store.

Law requires that clammers keep the first clams they dig (no putting back small clams). In most years, the limit is 15 clams, but through the end of 2021, it was increased to 20 when recent surveys who healthy populations.

Razor clams are very fragile and easily broken: each year thousands of clams are wasted when diggers return small or damaged clams to the sand.

The next time you are sitting on our condo deck at Hi-Tide Resort gazing out over the sand and sea, think of those millions of razor clams enjoying the ocean just as much as you are.

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Author: Wm. May – Clam Lover, Hi Tide Resort
Blog #: 0828 – 11/01/21

Sponsor: Hi-Tide Resort – You can't get any closer to the beach than this. comfy, cozy, modern condos at Hi-Tide-Resort on Moclips Beach WA State. – Hi-Tide-Resort.com

Dirty Little Secret - Lodging Newsletter October 31, 2021

By Wm, May
Published: 10/31/21 Topics: Lodging Newsletter Comments: 0

Whether they say it aloud or not, every vacation rental guests worries that the home they rent won't be clean or clean enough. So providing high hospitality grade housekeeping isn't just a good idea. It is absolutely essential.

Recently a new vacation home owner carped, "Why does it cost so much?" She figured that cheap cleaning would increase bookings and maybe even rates. But guests actually fear cheap housekeeping. They are reassured by paying for the level of clean they expect.

Then she wanted to compare what she pays to have her full time residence cleaned each week to cleaning a vacation home. But that is like comparing college football to the pros. Vacation rentals are no place for amateurs.

Does her housekeeper do the laundry for 8, 10 or 12 people; sometimes washing them twice to eliminate unspeakable stains and liquids? Do they do windows, scrape ovens, and spot clean carpets? Do they get down on their knees to scrub hard surfaces? Does she leave stacks of dishes, pots and pans with caked on food? Does her housekeeper work weekends on an irregular schedule, often on short notice?

She refused to accept that managers must pay payroll taxes, mileage and benefits. (It is illegal to pay people under the table.) Is her home in a rural place that requires long distance commuting?

Some guests make cleaning easy and others - not so much. Some leave late, causing staff to wait and wait. Some practically force their way in hours before their scheduled arrival. That can make cleaning time uncomfortably short between bookings.

All of this caused me to wonder why residential housekeeping companies never take on vacation rental cleaning. So I took a close look at their websites and there it was - the answer.

Although they all brag about the quality of their work, they have an absurdly long list of tasks they refuse to do. Every one of which are absolutely required for vacation rental cleaning. See the next page for that list.

It is no wonder vacation rental cleaning requires far more work and why we are so thankful to all the wonderful folks who help us keep homes clean and ready for the next family to arrive.

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Tasks that regular housekeeping companies REFUSE to do.

No laundry ever. No towels, linens, bath mats, etc.

No barbecue cleaning. No tank swapping.

No bodily fluids cleanup (vomit, poop, semen, etc.)

No carpet or rug cleaning (Other than vacuuming).

No carpet stain removal or touchup. No hardwood floor scrubbing.

No ceiling or track light cleaning.

No minor repairs such as due to damage or wear.

No clutter rearranging or clutter pick up.

No cupboard cleaning or lining.

No deck or patio cleaning. No cement cleaning.

No defrosting or cleaning freezers.

No degreasing stove top hood.

No dishes, pots or pan cleaning.

No dishwasher cleaning. No dishwasher emptying.

No fireplace cleaning. No ash removal.

No fire or water damage restoration.

No furniture touch up.

No garbage can sanitizing or garbage removal.

No handyman repairs.

No hardwood refinishing. No hardwood repair.

No Hot Tub & no Pool cleaning. No chemicals or water exchanges.

No ice maker cleaning.

No irrigation management (Sprinklers).

No knick knack cleaning.

No oven auto cleaners.

No painting, not even touch up.

No grounds patrol. No pet feces pickup. No pet stains cleaning.

No porch or patio cleaning.

No shower curtain cleaning.

No sink trap cleaning.

No roof or gutter cleaning.

No small appliances cleaning or repair.

No tile grout cleaning.

No unclogging drains and pipes.

No duct or vent cover cleaning.

No water faucet descaling.

No window washing. No patio door track cleaning.

No wood scratch or damage repair.

No yard and walk cleaning. No cigarette pick up.

And a dozen more . . .

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Author: Wm, May, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0852 – 10/31/21

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com

Uncommon Lessons from a Billionaire - Lodging Newsletter September 30, 2021

By Wm, May
Published: 09/30/21 Topics: Lodging Newsletter Comments: 0

A few months ago, this newsletter claimed that Bill Gates was responsible for making the world ever so complicated. More specifically, that his contribution to the personal computer and its henchman, the personal printer, has made it too easy to spew out words and gum up good thinking.

But maybe the real culprit is Gate's original partner in the founding of Microsoft in 1975, a fellow by the name of Paul Allen.

With Bill Gates as frontman, Paul Allen stayed quietly in the background. He was older than Gates, and based on accepted accounts, far less flamboyant and definitely far less confrontational.

After receiving a Hodgkins Lymphoma diagnosis in 1983 and leaving Microsoft, he went on to found dozens of businesses - like Vulcan Real Estate, Stratolaunch Systems, Ticketmaster, Charer Communications, and the Allen Brain Institute. He funded the Institute for Artificial Intelligence, as well as Ebola research. His other interests included the Museum of Pop Culture, the Flying Heritage Collection and the Seattle Art Fair.

But it was in sports that Allen was most visible to the public and where we in the lodging industry might learn our biggest lessons. Allen died in 2018 of that dreaded disease, but there is still much to be appreciated about him.

After all, if we can’t learn from a guy who amassed 20 billion dollars and gave away (so far) 2 billion, who can we learn from?

===================================================

Was Paul Allen a genius because he took up the study of computers early in his life or because he studied people and how to get things done?

Among all his projects, a single thread is visible if you look. He founded and funded many things. He set the goals and mission, then hired the very best staff and leaders he could find. (So far so good.)

And then he did the uncommon thing - he got out of the way - and let the leaders lead.

He bought the Portland Trailblazers professional basketball team, hired away Seattle's genius general manager and installed a coach. But he never choose the players, never consulted the coach on strategy, and never screamed at referees. But he could have.

As an investor in the Seattle Sounders Football Club (Soccer), he hired staff. Players were recruited and coaches picked. He had never played soccer, did not direct the practices, nor raise hell when they lost. But he could have.

After industry leaders, government officials and hundreds of thousands of fans urged him to buy the Seattle Seahawks professional football team, so it would not move out of the region, he relented, shelled out 194 million dollars. He inherited then coach Mike Holmgren and kept his hands off the team.

Current coach Pete Carroll said, never "in a million years" would he have left USC had it not been for the Seattle Seahawks owner's pitch, saying things Carroll hadn't heard from any other NFL owner. He wanted to hire Pete and then leave Pete alone. The result was winning the 2014 Super Bowl.

So what can we in the hospitality industry glean from how Paul Allen did things?

In lodging management, like other service industries, some property owners just can't keep their thumbs out of the soup, even though none of them have any experience, expertise or leadership in dealing with consumers as guests.

They have stayed in vacation rental homes, so surely they know everything there is to know. These are the same folks who want to open a restaurant because they dine out often.

There are no easy industries. Every job is far harder than it looks. Careers require thousands of hours of study and intensity to master. Lodging management does. Properties can be cantankerous. Guests can be mischievous and working every day of the year can be taxing. There are a thousands tips, techniques and tricks to making every property successful.

That is why property owners who pick proven managers and then let them manage get extra attention, the most money and the very best results.

Paul Allen fell in love with the guitar at the age of 16, after hearing Jimi Hendrix on the radio. In an interview with Vulture Magazine, Quincy Jones commented that Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen can sing and play guitar "just like" rock legend Jimi Hendrix.

A musician friend who occasionally played in a local band with Paul Allen, when asked "How good is Paul as a guitarist?" laughed and said, "He plays guitar like a good computer programmer. But it's always a fun gig because he plays great and lets everyone else shine." Smart guy, eh?

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Author: Wm, May, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0842 – 09/30/21

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com

10 years in 18 months - Lodging Newsletter August 31, 2021

By Wm, May
Published: 08/31/21 Topics: Lodging Newsletter, Vacation Rental Management Comments: 0

Do you feel like you have lived 10 years in the last 18 months?

We certainly do. When rentals plummeted in February 2020, who knew that by early summer, travelers would figure out what many others have always known - staying in a vacation rental home is safe, secure, roomy and private. Especially in drive-to destinations.

For our tireless team, that has meant double the work, shorter deadlines, more visitors per home, more cleaning, cancellations and rebookings, and hundreds of phone hours, answering questions from those folks new to vacation renting. (Lovingly called "Newbies.")

It is wonderful to introduce new people to a lodging option our guests have loved for decades.

A recent meeting of leading vacation rental managers from across the country, showed that the Newbie trend was happening in most areas. A representive from a giant vacation rental advertising website, said their research showed the guest market size has now grown as much as 50%.

For two decades, we have noticed that once guests experience a vacation rental, they rent them repeatedly. That is good news for anyone owning a vacation rental, providing, of course, that they have a manager who knows how to reach all those people.

We, on the other hand, are not complaining about all that extra work, because it shows owners we were prepared, both for the downturn and, more importantly, for the upswing. Those folks have been smiling with the extra money we are sending their way.

===============================================================

In addition to thousands of hours every month taking care of properties and guests, we spend many more hours answering comments from owners and guests. So we like to turn them into questions for clear response.

Q: When did your company start? Who owns the company.

A: Our first office opened in 1964. All key managers are partners.

Q: How long have your people been working there?

A: All key partners average 10 to 40 years in business.

Q: Who are your competitors?

A: Local managers who may do a decent job cleaning homes. Or out-of-town corporate managers who have technical advertising and pricing.

Q: So why hire you?

A: We are a hybrid manager - locally owned with a network that does Dynamic pricing and more advertising than the giant guys.

Q: What commission do you charge?

A: Depends on the house, location, amenities and services you choose. One size does not fit all.

Q: What kind of income can I expect?

A: Show us the house and we'll estimate your income and quote a fee.

Q: What factors influence income?

A: How tub, quality furniture & furnishings, Cable TV & Internet, etc. We can help outfit the home.

Q: Tell me about housekeeping and maintenance?

A: We achieve high hospitality cleaning and instant maintenance. We do all the work.

Q: Who pays for housekeeping?

A: Out-cleans are charged to the guests. We recommend deep cleans twice a year, which you can do or we will.

Q: How is maintenance done?

A: Our staff can handle many tasks. Larger jobs may require a licensed electrician, plumber, etc. There is no markup on such costs.

Q: What amenities do you provide for guests?

A: Guests are given a starter supply of toiletries and sundries. Owners may buy this stock or we deliver at cost.

Q: Who takes care of guest requests or issues? What happens if guests misbehave?

A: We do and are available 24-7-365. Guests who disobey rules are required to depart.

Q: Is there any limit on my use of my home?

A: No, we only ask that if you block it, you use it.

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Author: Wm, May, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0829 – 08/31/21

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com

Hi-Tide Guests Say the Nicest Things

By Chris Butcher
Published: 08/31/21 Topics: Goldener Inns, Hi-Tide Resort, Moclips Beach WA, Ocean Shores WA Comments: 0

Whether they're a first-timer or a repeat guest, those who decide to book a stay at the Hi-Tide resort while visiting Moclips leave feeling like they've found a home-away-from-home.

Don't believe us? Here are a few of the verdicts from guests who had a wonderful stay.

New guests

"Thank you so much - We absolutely enjoyed our stay (This will be a yearly trip now!!!) Thank you, the room was very clean!" - Stayed in unit #9

"We had a Wonderful Stay. It FELT LIKE HOME." - Stayed in unit #12

"The room, BBQ grill, patio, parking, all home-like features! Thank You for making our Honeymoon enjoyable!" - Stayed in unit #21

Had a comfortable bed, a clean shower and a wonderful fireplace with complimentary logs, great!!! All the comforts of home!! - Stayed in unit #36

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Author: Chris Butcher – Web Content Admin, Hi Tide Resort
Blog #: 0827 – 08/31/21

Sponsor: Hi-Tide Resort – You can't get any closer to the beach than this. comfy, cozy, modern condos at Hi-Tide-Resort on Moclips Beach WA State. – Hi-Tide-Resort.com

Bill Gates Fault - Lodging Newsletter July 31, 2021

By Wm, May
Published: 07/31/21 Topics: AirBnB, Branding, Channel Management, Lodging Newsletter, Vacation Rental Management, Vacation Rentals Comments: 0

I am sure we can blame the current situation on Microsoft founder, Bill Gates.  And, no, I don’t mean his recent personal situation. Ahem.

The blame is for making the world far too complex, none of which could have happened without the invention of computers, in general, and personal computers, in particular. Before that people had to write things by hand or punch ideas on slow, archaic typewriters.  People, being lazy, kept things short.

But we humans have always been happy to enslave our neighbors in one way or another. Now we do it by haranguing others with ideas for how things should work and how everyone else should live their lives. And we do it with veeeeeeeeeeery long documents, all the better to hide our true goals.

And get their humans to whine and snivel and beg for more meetings and hearings, so they can spout their bigoted ideas in hopes that throwing something (anything) on the wall will stick.

Officials then turn around and hold never-ending hearings and meetings, that allow the "Not In My Backyard" (NIMBY’s) folks to spout off their selfish ideas.

Weary officials succumb by writing ever more complex rules, regulations and requirements. That is what is happening to vacation rentals.

Bill Gates at Microsoft, Steve Jobs at Apple and even Vinton Cerf and Bob Kahn, credited with inventing the Internet and its communication protocols we use today, must take the blame.

The Declaration of Independence has 1,320 words. Really good words, too, with ideas that have held up now for 240 years and counting. If they had been able to slice, dice, edit and expand with a handy word processor, surely it would have been hundreds of pages long. But it would not be any more accurate and would be far less understandable.

At 4,543 words, the U.S. Constitution is longer, but still shorter than your average vacation rental ordinance. But maybe 4,543 is too much for officials to remember, which may explain why so many have forgotten about all the rights of Americans codified by that 222 years ago.

In the past few years, cities and counties have been on a rampage to strip away rights from real estate owners.  Last summer, commissioners in Pacific County, Washington State, home of ever popular Long Beach, decided to cut vacation rentals and take away jobs in one of the poorest counties in the state.

One owner was recently denied a vacation rental permit because his septic pipes are too low in the ground? It’s okay to live there. It’s okay to rent the home long-term. But it’s a convenient way for the county to stop vacation rentals, by treating the goose different than the gander. That, my friends, is called "bureaucracy".

Fifteen years ago, Chelan County, Washington, did an extensive review of how vacation rentals operate there. Understanding that rentals had become a preferred lodging option for travelers, and being smart enough to not chop off good jobs with bad politics, commissioners voted unanimously to allow vacation rentals.

Philip K. Howard’s book "The Death of Common Sense" explains that the citizenry’s ability to adhere to laws is inversely proportional to their length. That means, when you make the law, rule, or regulation too long, nobody knows what the law really is.

And yet, well-meaning and poorly educated officials, after being beaten around the ears by the ever-present NIMBY bigots, still persist in drafting ever more complex regulations. (With the help of their fast and furious personal computers.)

Chelan County just passed a new vacation rental ordinance that has 42 pages and 16,000 words. A mish-mash of non-linear, disjointed and utterly unworkable dictates. The NIMBYs biggest goal? To convert vacation rentals into "Affordable Housing", which only works by ignoring reality.

• People buy second homes to use them personally.
• They rent them out when not there, but
• Owners won’t rent them to full-time tenants,
• Because that would mean no personal use.

The City of Ocean Shores has prohibited vacation rentals in most zones for 25 years. But no second home owners rent their homes as affordable housing. No one. Nada. Zip. Because (duh) doing so would mean no use by the owner.

So to you NIMBY’s and Officials, if you want to convert someone’s home into affordable housing, to you we say, "You first".

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Author: Wm, May, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0823 – 07/31/21

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com

Walking from Moclips Beach to Ocean Shores

By Jerry Tuerk
Published: 07/25/21 Topics: Goldener Inns, Hi-Tide Resort, Moclips Beach WA, Ocean Shores WA, Things To Do Comments: 0

Walking the beach is an age-old way to disconnect from the world. To walk and think and marvel at the power of the waves. But where to walk is the question.

Everyone who visits Moclips Beach on the coast of Washington State wants to know how far they can walk down the beach. The answer is all the way.

That means all the way to the Jetty in Ocean Shores and, believe it or not, that is a whopping 24 miles. But more realistically, a walk from Hi-Tide Resort South to Pacific Beach is a tidy 2.7 miles.

Along the way, you’ll see the wide-open expanse sand, and surf and hopefully the sun too, especially in summer. Stay close to the water and the sand is firm and an easy stroll.

Gander at the marvelous beach houses and listen to the never-ending waves and seabirds. There won’t be any crowds or hubbub. But there will be beauty, clean air, peace, and quiet.

Naturally, you can walk the whole round trip or just double back.

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Author: Jerry Tuerk – General Manager, Hi Tide Resort
Blog #: 0821 – 07/25/21

Sponsor: Hi-Tide Resort – You can't get any closer to the beach than this. comfy, cozy, modern condos at Hi-Tide-Resort on Moclips Beach WA State. – Hi-Tide-Resort.com

T'was he Night Before 4th of July

By Wm. May
Published: 07/03/21 Topics: Fishing, Goldener Inns, Hi-Tide Resort, Holidays, Moclips Beach WA, Ocean Shores WA Comments: 0

It is late night July 3rd and all through the area, not a creature is stirring. Every pillow at Hi-Tide Resort has a head on it.

Children do not have visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads. They are dreaming of the shells they collected, the waves they jumped and the games they played today.

At dinner, every picnic table was filled with families devouring hamburgers and hot dogs hot from the barbecue, dollops of potato salad, and later followed by ‘s’mores stuffed with chocolate and mashed melted marsh mellows.

For moms and dads, grandparents and friends, beer was preferred. For some, it was fine wine. Cocktails for others. Children gulped fresh-squeezed lemonade as their libation of choice.

Kids and adults alike stayed up late ‘round the campfire spinning yarns and trying jokes. Campfire songs were sung, although no one knew all the words laughter erupted for no good reason. Smiles were everywhere.

Now it is late and every person here is dreaming of another dreamy day on Moclips Beach, or wading through the Moclips River, or playing horseshoes or just strolling through the dunes.

We can’t claim that jolly old Saint Nicholas will soon be here, but maybe Robert Gray, the namesake for our area, will appear for just a moment to proclaim "And to all a good night."

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Author: Wm. May, Hi Tide Resort
Blog #: 0819 – 07/03/21

Sponsor: Hi-Tide Resort – You can't get any closer to the beach than this. comfy, cozy, modern condos at Hi-Tide-Resort on Moclips Beach WA State. – Hi-Tide-Resort.com

Are we lucky - Lodging Newsletter June 30, 2021

By Wm, May
Published: 06/30/21 Topics: AirBnB, Branding, Channel Management, Lodging Newsletter, Vacation Rental Management, Vacation Rentals Comments: 0

Are we just lucky?

By now you have all heard that vacation rentals and other specialty lodging boomed after the initial effects of Covid ironed out a bit. In fact, the income to our client owners jumped dramatically last summer and the trend has continued.

The travel industry is calling it "Travel Revenge", meaning consumers feel they were cheated out of enjoyment and are determined to get their revenge by traveling now and traveling more. There has been much conjecture about why demand surged:

Fly-to destinations were off limits, but most of our drive-to destinations were open for guests.

After spending no travel budget, people had money in the bank to blow.

Guests were frightened to stay in hotels and properties with shared amenities.

Visitors were able to social distance in a home with just their families and feel safe.

They did not have to interface with or, even, meet rental staff.

Vacation Rentals have always required greater cleaning and sanitation.

Guests could work from home and study from home, but using your home.

Customers who had never rented a vacation rental (Newbies) did so.

The entire industry has jumped up in size, almost overnight.

No one else cites this next motivation - but I think many people decided to "Live for today, because tomorrow may never come". Society has decided to enjoy life now, to spend time with family now and, yes, to travel now. No one wants to worry so much about the future because - well, who knew (and who knows) the future.

With the stellar numbers our staff have been producing for clients, was it just luck? This months' newsletter answers that question resoundingly.

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The quote "Hope is not a plan" is attributed to many people, but our plan it is what enabled us to produce stellar results during Covid, while others plunged. We didn’t just hope to be ready for the unexpected, we had a plan ready to launch for anything and that plan has never waivered:

Hire committed, compassionate, hyperactive people.

Make partners of all responsible staff.

Commit to continuous training, education, growth.

Be leaders in our industry, study more than everyone else.

Pay people well and treat them with respect.

Another quote, "A rising tide lifts all boats" is attributed to President John F. Kennedy. In lodging, that means everyone in our industry should be doing well at this time. Supply has grown, but demand has outstripped supply quicker than ever before.

The feeling of euphoria that every lodging owner feels may be misplaced. They are just going along for the ride. But just securing many bookings does not mean your property has generated maximum profit. If your manager is not using every possible technique to help your property, you are losing out.

The next quote is "All good things must come to an end" is a proverb dating back to Chaucer in about 1374. For lodging that may mean several things:

The jump in lodging could end overnight, but probably not.

The arrival of newbies just means the market is bigger.

And is likely to stay bigger than it was.

But maybe not as big as currently.

Owners can celebrate their recent gains, but sock away some of their windfall profits and, most importantly, use a management company that pushes to adopt every proven technique and tool that comes along to help properties succeed.

We think and plan months and, even, years in advance. That is what made us ready for the unknown (Covid) and which makes us ready to serve our clients well into the future. We are investing more in technology, advertising, staff training, yield management and creative communications. Even the giant out of town managers can’t match our competence and speed.

Is your manager doing all of those things? Are they studying every possible idea that will keep your property on top? Do they live and breathe this industry, like we do? Or are they just taking a cut of rents without investing it back into themselves to help you do better.

John Wooden is the winningest basketball coach in college history. Some say, the best coach of any sport in any time. He has been my hero for as long as I can remember and he said. "Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."

That is what we did and will continue to do. Come on Covid, take your best shot. We double dare you.

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Author: Wm, May, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0822 – 06/30/21

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com