Vacation Rental Property Management > FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Increase your rental revenue and go hands-free with our full-service property management that includes advanced rental technology, expert in-house marketing, and 5-star customer service.

Why Should I Hire a Property Manager?

The reasons for hiring a property manager will vary from owner to owner. Some simply have no interest in hospitality while others no longer have the time to self-manage. Some important things to consider:

Ensuring your rental meets legal and safety standards.
Listing management and regular optimization.
Coordination of housekeeping, maintenance, and third-party vendors.
Collection and remittance of hotel taxes.
Optimization of pricing and accounting services.
Providing professional and timely customer support.
Handling late-night, weekend, and emergency calls.

A professional property management team will handle most, if not all, aspects of your vacation rental property – freeing up your time and resources.

It’s also worth noting that, while you may have time to self-manage, professional property management teams are often more efficient, earn better guest reviews, and have the ability to generate higher income. This is due, in part, to designations more easily earned and maintained by professional management teams (such as Airbnb’s “Superhost” and “Guest Favorite” badges or VRBO’s “Premier Partner” status). In addition to giving guests confidence in your listing, these designations also give a boost in your home’s search result position.

What Fees Can I Expect with GuestSpaces?

We’re proud to offer an extremely transparent fee structure for our both our guests and homeowners. All major expenses to consider are listed below:

Management Commission: A reasonable percentage of the Gross Nightly Revenue
VRBO Annual Subscription: $699
Credit Card Processing Fee (for Nightly Rent ONLY): 3.1%
Linen + Towel Package*: Variable (Based on Guest, Bed, and Bathroom Count)
In-House Maintenance Service**: $55/hour (2-hour minimum) + associated costs (replacement items, etc.)
Wear and Tear (Unintentional Damage): Variable

*Properties in Dripping Springs will not require our standard linen + towel package as laundry in this market is done onsite. These homeowners are welcome to purchase their own high-quality white linens + towels or purchase the standard sets offered through GuestSpaces.

**There is no labor charge for simple maintenance done during routine housekeeping or inspections (replacing lightbulbs, etc.). You’ll only be charged for the associated costs (replacement items, etc.).

Other costs such as the Cleaning Fee, Taxes, and Platform Service Fees are charged directly to the guest and passed through accordingly.

Please note: Homeowners are also responsible for covering all standard fees associated with ownership of the property (Utilities, Mortgage, HOA Fees, Landscaping, Pool Care, etc.) as well as the initial property set-up (furniture, decor, stocked items, etc. – full list sent via PDF prior to discovery call).

What Services Does the Management Commission Provide?

Our reasonable management commission provides full-service property management which includes:

A professional media shoot (scheduled at our cost – an investment of $1,000+ per home) including HDR photos and a 360º Virtual Tour.
Listing creation, management, and regular optimization.
A unique digital property guide including FAQs, House Rules, Local Recommendations, and more.
Calendar management.
Standard guest amenities such as: Paper Towels, Toilet Paper, Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Hand Soap, Laundry Detergent, Bleach, Dish Detergent, Sponges, All-Purpose Cleaner, Trash Bags, Coffee, Filters, Cream, & Sugar.
Access to in-house housekeeping and maintenance teams (which allows us to offer lower costs to both guests and homeowners).
Laundry service.
Regular inspections.
Pool + hot tub service vendor management.
Lawn service vendor management.
Dynamic pricing management and connection to our AI-powered pricing software.
Revenue management and accounting services (including monthly earning statements).
Marketing and search engine optimization (SEO).
24/7 guest communication management (via booking platform inboxes, email, text, and phone calls) with an average response time of under an hour (as noted by Airbnb under the Host section of our listings).

How Does GuestSpaces Handle Damage and Emergencies?

Our Property Inspectors routinely inspect your home for missing or damaged items and our in-house handymen handle all basic repairs. Homeowners are responsible for the cost of normal wear and tear (unintentional damage). You are also notified of major repairs needed and approve charges in excess of $500, unless there is an emergency or loss of rental revenue due to the repair.

Homeowners are required to maintain a Landlord’s Insurance policy (different from a standard Homeowner’s policy) that specifically covers the property as a short-term vacation rental. This will cover any unintentional damage that goes beyond normal wear and tear.

Additionally, guests pay both a security deposit (refundable) as well as an Accidental Damage Waiver fee (non-refundable) to provide coverage for intentional damage (caused by misuse or irresponsible behavior). The refundable security deposit covers damage up to the dollar-value set on the listing. The non-refundable Accidental Damage Waiver fee accumulates to provide additional coverage for intentional damage costs that exceed the security deposit.

All emergencies, regarding guest issues or maintenance, are handled by our team. When that first 2AM call inevitably comes, we’ll take and manage it for you!

Can GuestSpaces Help Me Set Up My Home as a Short Term Rental?

Absolutely! Our drafted listings are ready for your review within 48-72 hours of your media shoot – which can typically be scheduled the week your home is fully staged and guest-ready.

First, our team can assist with assessing the STR potential of your property or a home you’re interested in purchasing as a rental.

While GuestSpaces does not provide in-house design services, we’re happy to connect you with one of the many local interior designers who have partnered with our other homeowners to create successful vacation rental properties. We’ll also provide you our Preparing Your Home guide to make the initial stocking process as simple as possible.

Before scheduling the media shoot, we’ll make recommendations for “final touches” as needed to ensure your photos stand out from the competition.

We’re also happy to apply for your Short Term Rental License (as applicable) on your behalf if desired.

Which Markets Does GuestSpaces Vacation Rentals Serve?

GuestSpaces Vacation Rentals currently manages homes in Austin, West Austin / Bee Cave, Dripping Springs, Georgetown, Kingsland, Spicewood, and surrounding lake communities (on Lake Austin, Lake Travis, and Lake LBJ).

If you are interested in management services in another nearby market, please feel free to reach out! We’re open to expanding.

Why Trust Us?

Full-Service Management

We handle every aspect of your vacation rental propery from pricing, guest communication, housekeeping, and more.

Low Management Fee

We charge an industry-low monthly management fee and don’t make a dollar unless your property performs well.

Terminate Anytime

We offer a month-to-month contract, consistently earning your business with every booking. Should you move back in or sell, you’re free to terminate with just 30-days written notice.