If you have a vacant home in Corvallis, you may be wondering what to do with it. Selling is always an option. But sometimes you want to keep the home in the family, or you may plan to live in it in the future. Another option is to keep it and use it as a furnished rental through a platform like VRBO or Airbnb. This provides an ongoing annuity stream, but it is a lot of work if you go the “Do It Yourself” route. Working directly with a property manager saves time and headaches.
Fernwood Circle Property Management is Corvallis’ premier furnished property management company. We’ve been on the scene since 2013, so we know the ins and outs of managing short-stay and monthly extended-stay furnished rentals.
We offer a turnkey service, ensuring a fantastic experience for the guests while protecting your investment and your home.
Getting Started: Your Home as a Mid-term or Short-Term Vacation Rental
Sometimes people ask about the type of people who hire a property manager for their vacation rental. There isn’t one simple answer, here are a few of the situations we see:
- Someone who inherited a home from a parent or other loved one who wants to keep the home in the family but isn’t yet in a position to relocate to Corvallis.
- Parents who purchased a home for their college-aged children to live in while attending Oregon State University. They don’t want to sell the home since they may hope to relocate to Corvallis, have other children who may study at OSU, or they simply need an income stream for retirement.
- A long-term community member who is temporarily living outside of Corvallis for work, Oregon State University sabbatical, or traveling in their RV for an extended period of time.
- A community member with an elderly parent who needs to live in a care home and needs help covering the extra expenses.
- Someone with a second home who needs investment income or an annuity to help with retirement, a child’s education, or any other reason.
- Sometimes, when people think of short-term rentals, they forget that real community members have a variety of reasons they want or need to gain an income stream from a home where they don’t currently live.
At Fernwood Circle Property Management, we never lose sight of that. We value our clients, our guests, and the Corvallis community. We approach short-term rental management with all that in mind.
Should I Manage My Own Property or Hire a Vacation Rental Property Manager?
Many people believe that opening an Airbnb or VRBO account and managing their own vacation rental is easy. In fact, Fernwood Circle Guest Houses’ founder, Alexandra Eder, managed her own vacation rental this way. People who are not professional property managers usually overlook all the hidden tasks involved in maintaining an excellent guest house, marketing it, and maintaining positive neighborhood and community relationships. As the best property managers know, maintaining guest satisfaction, marketing, and community relations are all crucial.
If you don’t live in the community, the DIY approach poses extra challenges since you simply are not around if something goes wrong. Even if it’s smooth sailing, we provide top-notch housekeeping who thoroughly cleans and airs out each home between guests.
A professional property manager ensures a better experience for you and your guests. However, most standard property managers are set up for unfurnished rentals with year-long leases. Choose one that specializes in furnished rentals, vacation rentals, or Airbnb listings.
Attracting Guests Who Will Respect the Property and the Neighborhood
When you rent out your home, there is always a risk that the wrong tenants or guests may damage your property, lower its value, or cause conflict among your neighbors or the community at large.
We understand these issues since FCPM has been in business for over ten years. In addition, our founder, Alexandra Eder, lives, works, shops, and participates in the Corvallis community. Whenever possible, she uses local vendors or contractors.
Through her relationships and well-earned reputation, she is uniquely positioned to help with any challenges that arise and negotiate deals on any work or furniture you need to acquire.
Fernwood Circle Property Management employs a variety of strategies to target the right clientele for their properties:
- Professional Photography and Staging: We want to showcase your home at its best. Our guests expect quality, serenity, and a relaxing experience. We use professional photographers and videographers to create images that highlight that experience
- Targeted Marketing: We use a combination of online and offline marketing strategies to reach the right people. This includes listing properties on popular rental platforms, using SEO strategies to rank high in search results, and leveraging social media platforms.
- Customer Service: We strive to provide excellent customer service, which not only attracts high-quality renters but also encourages them to return and refer others.
- Our Reputation for Quality Properties: Fernwood Circle Guest Houses has a long-standing reputation for quality. We must maintain these high standards since our reputation naturally attracts a higher caliber of renter. Our quality standard extends beyond just the home to the furnishings, decorations, and even placement of the furniture.
- Local Relationships for More Referrals: Due to Alexandra’s relationships and reputation, people refer guests to her.
- Remember, the specifics can vary depending on the property and location.
What Makes Fernwood Circle Different from Other Property Management Companies?
Founder Alexandra Eder is an expert in guest experience as well as vacation rental property management. She has a deep-seated passion for creating memorable experiences for guests. This passion is not just a business strategy but a way of life that permeates everything we do.
Alexandra’s journey into the world of hospitality began with her first career in high tech, where she had the opportunity to travel extensively in Asia and Europe. During her travels, she stayed in some of the world’s most luxurious five-star hotels. She was inspired by the simplicity of the staging, the quality of the furniture, and the exceptional service she received.
These experiences sparked her desire to create a similar high-quality lodging experience back home. She paid close attention to the principles of Feng Shui used in many Asian hotels, which she now applies in our guest houses. The ‘less is more’ approach and the careful placement of mirrors and beds all contribute to our properties’ harmonious and inviting atmosphere.
When guests choose Fernwood Circle Guest Houses, they’re not just choosing a place to stay. They are choosing an experience crafted with care and attention to detail. It’s not just the guests who benefit, homeowners appreciate that we provide a complete turn-key service, including marketing and guest relations.
Managing a property can be daunting, especially when you have other commitments. That’s why we offer a turnkey service that takes the load off your shoulders. We handle everything so you can enjoy the benefits of rental income without the associated hassles.
So, whether you’re a homeowner looking to rent out your property or a guest looking for a comfortable and memorable stay, we’re here to make the process as smooth and enjoyable as possible. We’re not just a property management company; we’re in the business of hospitality, and we can’t wait to share that with you.
Are you ready to turn your vacant home into a source of supplemental income? Let’s talk! Contact Alexandra to learn more or to schedule a free consultation.
For more information, check out what does a vacation rental property manager do?
