A Homeowner’s Guide to Managing Rentals in Breckenridge
It’s no secret that Breckenridge, CO, is one of the nation’s top destinations for skiers and vacationers. As a result, it has also become a desirable location for real estate investors.
When you own property in Breckenridge, there are two benefits. First, you can rest assured you always have a place to stay when you visit here. Second, you can rent your vacation home out when you’re away, creating the opportunity for passive income.
If you’re interested in taking this next step, learning as much as possible about managing rentals in Breckenridge is important. Today, we’re sharing some of the most important parts of this process to help you get started.
Understand the Rules
Before renting out your Breckenridge property, there are a few administrative aspects to consider.
In February 2023, Summit County legislators released new laws and regulations affecting Breckenridge’s short-term rental market. These guidelines put parameters around the market with protocols that affect the following:
- Short-term rental license caps
- Booking limits
- Neighborhood-specific occupancy limits
Designed primarily for remote property owners, the updates include protections for full-time Summit County residents.
One of the most important terms involves requisite licensure. If you want to rent your Breckenridge house for fewer than 30 days, you’ll need a short-term rental license. If your application isn’t approved and/or you don’t pay regulatory fees and taxes, you will need to opt for a long-term rental model.
Invest in Home Security
Once you have the required licensure, it’s time to consider how you’ll secure your vacation home.
Home security is a vacation rental must for the safety of your guests and your property. This becomes especially important when your property is vacant between rentals.
Some options to consider include exterior motion detectors, cameras, and burglar alarms. Today, you can purchase home security systems that stay connected to your phone even when you’re hundreds of miles away. You’ll receive immediate alerts if there’s any suspicious activity, allowing you to call the authorities immediately.
In addition to exterior components, you may also consider securing the interior of your property. If you decide to install security cameras inside your home, make sure your guests are aware of their presence. In addition, the cameras should be turned off when the home is occupied to ensure their privacy.
Keep Local Contractors On Call
Maintenance and upkeep are crucial to keep your vacation rental booked. Breckenridge offers visitors plenty of places to stay, and the quality of your property will go a long way toward keeping it competitive.
In addition to scheduling preventative and regular maintenance, you’ll also need to know who to call if a guest contacts you about an emergency maintenance issue, such as a leak or power failure.
Finally, don’t forget about hiring a cleaning crew, even if you’re able to clean your vacation rental yourself between bookings. Professional cleaners will thoroughly clean and sanitize your property before guests arrive.
Optimize Guest Communication
The key to keeping short-term renters happy is to strike a balance between giving them space and staying communicative. For instance, many renters won’t mind if you aren’t present when they check-in. However, they’ll still need to know how to get in touch with you if they have any questions, issues, or concerns.
Good guest communication starts with your listing. Whether you use a popular listing website or build your own, make sure the listing thoroughly and accurately describes the property and pricing. In addition, remember to mention key details such as whether the property has on-site laundry, the number of available beds (and their sizes), and additional fees guests can expect to pay.
You should also be prepared to keep an open line of communication before, during, and after your guests’ reservations. Whether they need to know the WiFi password or discuss their final bill, a quick and patient response will help to secure good reviews and future bookings.
Offer Amenities
There is plenty to do in Breckenridge, and those attractions fuel the tourism industry in Summit County. If all you provide is a clean, comfortable, and safe place to stay, you’ve done your job as a vacation rental owner. Yet, what if you want to go above and beyond?
Offering amenities can enrich your renters’ experiences in your home. This can be as simple as providing complimentary beverages and snacks. Or, you can take a more elaborate approach and offer on-site perks such as hot tubs, Bluetooth-enabled speakers, smart televisions, and even discount codes for local eateries.
As mentioned, Breckenridge has a competitive vacation rental market. Great amenities are one way to make sure your home stays at the top of the local list.
Hire Alpine Edge Property Management
Whether you live in Breckenridge or halfway around the world, you may find that managing a short-term or long-term rental is more work than you’re looking to take on. This is especially the case if you reside elsewhere for most of the year.
When you hire a Alpine Edge property management, you can rest assured that your home away from home is expert, experienced hands. A team like ours will take care of everything from marketing to maintenance, so you can enjoy all of the benefits of owning a vacation rental without any of the stress.
At Alpine Edge, we cater our property management services to clients’ expectations and needs. No service is too big or small, and we go above and beyond to ensure every guest is happy.
Need Help Managing Rentals in Breckenridge?
Whether you’ve owned property in Breckenridge for years or are new to real estate investing, we’re glad you’re here. Now, it’s time to manage your new home! From obtaining the proper licensure to fine-tuning your listing, there are a few important steps that homeowners can’t afford to miss.
The good news? You don’t have to do it alone. Our team at Alpine Edge is here to help you keep your property in great shape and provide a positive renter experience every time.
Ready to sign up for Alpine Edge property management? We provide both short-term and long-term services designed to meet your needs. Contact us today, and let’s get started.
