Guest Vetting and Inquiries

You have a gorgeous vacation rental with all the furnishings, amenities, and a great listing.....but what now? Pretty soon, you will be receiving your first booking or inquiry regarding your rental. How to respond is a question a lot of owners may need the answer to. Generally, most travelers will have questions and you should have questions too! The first initial contact is a great time to provide a friendly introduction and set expectations. During this time you can also vet the traveler to ensure they're a good guest for your home.

QUESTIONS TRAVELERS MAY ASK
Often times the potential guest will ask questions about your home including the basics that you should be able to answer. Sometimes though, the questions may not be as easy to answer. People want to know if your property will be able to effectively accommodate their needs and these questions will always vary. Common questions owners receive are:

• Is your home suitable for people with disabilities or elderly people?
• Is the neighborhood in a safe location?
• Is it within walking distance of any shops, grocery stores, entertainment, etc?
• Is your home suitable for small children?

When people ask these questions they seem general but the traveler wants specifics. Is your home wheelchair accessible? Do you have child-proof outlets or child locks near pool access ways? You want to give specific answers to their questions so the guest has a great experience at your home. If someone asks you: "Is your home suitable for suitable for a disabled person?" A good way to respond would be "Our home does have wide entry ways that are wheelchair accessible. We do have a second floor that may difficult to navigate however, there is a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor that are wheelchair accessible. The bathroom has a shower/tub which could be difficult but it does have a safety bar."
This is giving specifics of your property to the guest. Be specific and be honest on how you are able to fulfill your guest's needs. If your property doesn't fulfill their needs, the traveler will appreciate your honesty.
Another VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION guests ask is: "Is the kitchen fully equipped for cooking?"
This is so important to answer honestly! Often times, people are traveling with their families and cooking at home is a great way for families to save money during their vacation and it also gives them the "at home" feel. Fully equipped would mean adequate cooking utensils: cooking spoons, whisks, spatula, pots, pans, baking dishes, etc. It may also include spices and oils. It is great to be specific about exactly what you have so your guest is prepared and doesn't showing expecting your kitchen to be cooking ready and it isn't. The rule is to not make promises you can't deliver.


KNOW YOUR AREA
Travelers want to know what is easily accessible in your area. What beaches are nearby, skiing, great restaurants, entertainment, shopping centers, etc. Even in the world where we can Google anything, travelers still want specifics from a local. Also have the answers to the following questions:

1. Is there a grocery store nearby?
2. Do you have a medical center or hospital close by?
3. How close a common destination is(amusement park, beach, attraction)?
4. Where are the nearest equipment rentals(jet skis, boats, snowmobile, kayaks, etc.)?
5. What is your distance from the airport, cruise port, train station?

Make sure you have exact answers for these questions as these can be deciding factors for travelers. Convenience is a big plus! We always recommend to also have this information in your house guide. Knowing the area and being able to recommend the best places for different ethnic foods, best desserts, and nightlife.

MAKING EXCEPTIONS
It is very common for travelers to ask for exceptions to the rules. It is okay to bend the rules at your discretion but you should know in advance what you are willing to compromise on. Common questions are:

1. Your listing says "No Parties" but we were wanting to host a small dinner party with 8-10 guests. It won't be loud, just a casual dinner. Is this okay?
2. Your property says you only have space for one car, but we have two, can we park the second car on the street?
3. Your maximum occupancy is 6 but we have an additional family member that was interested in staying a couple of the nights we are there, would this be okay?

It is entirely up to your discretion to make exceptions to the rules, but know in advance what you are willing to compromise. Don't feel pressured to compromise on situations you aren't comfortable with. You may be flexible with allowable amount of guests if the family has a small child, or being okay with dinner parties for older adults that you may personally feel more trusting of. At the end of the day, it's your discretion. If you don't want to make an exception don't feel obligated to.

THE D WORD
It isn't uncommon for people to seek out deals, but that's not the D word we are referring to. DISCOUNTS. It is very common for people to ask about discounts on the nightly rate. Being flexible with your rates is always a good idea. It may not be high season or it may be a last minute booking that would have otherwise been available. Know the lowest you are willing to go and don't go below that! If someone is disrespectful and says your property isn't worth the price, that may be someone you don't want to do business with as they may cause problems in the long run. It's best to extend discounts to travelers who appreciate the generosity.


HOW TO VET TRAVELERS
It may have happened to you or someone you know....travelers who wreck your home. We have heard a fair share of stories from owners who have had to deal with the aftermath of wild parties and with travelers who neglected their home. More often than not, you will have great guests who will treat your home kindly. However, there is a way to vet travelers to avoid any unforeseen issues. Look out for red flags! A few things to look for would be:

• A traveler who lives locally to your property
• Different names on the credit card than the person who is renting the property
• Travelers who say they have 2 or 3 travelers but are renting your 4 bedroom home
• Travelers asking if there is an age requirement
• A large number of adults with no small children

Don't be judgmental, but also be aware. There may be great explanations as to why these scenarios may occur. A spouse or relative could be paying for the rental as a gift. The number of guests may be entered in error. When in doubt, always ask questions. Go with your gut feeling and if you don't feel comfortable, don't rent. Asking questions about their trip and what brings them in town are completely acceptable and builds rapport with your travelers. The majority of your bookings will be great travelers, with over 2000 bookings, only a handful may not have been ideal.

At the end of the day, it's your home and your decision. If you need assistance with responding to inquiries, handling any communications, and the vetting process. Easy Air has the team to assist you! For more information on our services please contact us!

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