In a very short time friends, businesses and travelers from around the world have “friended up” with us to post deals, discounts, insight and offers on our little page on facebook known as “Vacation Rentals.”

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ReserveMyHome, a branded hybrid vacation rentals and cabin website, reported today that the company looks to at least double its bookings vs. the fourth quarter of 2009 in its Lake Tahoe test market. Throughout 2010 the company added over 350 new homes, cabins and condos in the Lake Tahoe region, making it the largest local vacation rentals company in all of Lake Tahoe in just 18 months of operation. 300 new rentals were added in Maui, Hawaii during the same time period. Projections show that 100,000 rentals will be added nationally through several strategic agreements in 2011.

Local property managers that have been in business for many years are lining up to have their properties included on the website as a way to increase their bookings without any added expense to their bottom line. ReserveMyHome processes reservations through its large network of marketing channels which allows a renter to search, find and book verified vacation rentals faster than other rent-by-owner websites. After selecting a rental home, cabin or condo on the site, a renter can book it and go in minutes.

For renters, this eliminates the painstaking task of trying to reach an owner who in many cases will not respond to inquiries for hours and sometimes days. Vacation rental owners have day jobs and have little time in the evenings to answer calls and emails from renters. The logistics also take time to process back and forth between the renter and owner. ReserveMyHome’s automated software processes everything in real time down to the driving directions and entry information for access to the vacation property.

The overall state of the economy has second home real estate owners looking for ways to increase their income by converting their second homes into vacation rentals. More travelers are staying closer to home and making road trips to local destination travel hot spots. Low interest rates, are helping owners generate personal revenue and lodging tax for the local communities. ReserveMyHome now has approximately 670 vacation rentals just in the Lake Tahoe located on the North and South shores of the lake.

The company is now seeing repeat renters from last year booking on average 45 days in advance. Most bookings are for families and groups with five or more people with an average stay of 4 nights.

About ReserveMyHome
ReserveMyHome, LLC based in Incline Village, NV is the largest reservation and booking portal for professionally managed verified vacation rentals including homes, condos, cabins, villas and rooms in the USA, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. ReserveMyHome offers a safe, fast, and easier way to find and book the perfect rental accommodations for travelers through the integration of the ReserveMyHome website and booking software.

There is simply no substitute for due diligence when it comes to booking Lake Tahoe vacation rentals and cabins. The elements of trust, patience and local knowledge should always be close at hand when browsing through thousands of rental listings on the thousands of websites for your next family vacation for three main reasons:

1. Trust: Many of the Lake Tahoe cabin rental advertising sites for travel accommodations do not verify their listings. In most cases you are dealing directly with owners you have never met before. Remember trust should always be your main concern prior to sending a property manager five hundred to several thousand dollars in rental fees at the time you make the booking. More

The logic behind renter’s insurance is that a property manager may get more bookings by offering a less expensive total booking cost to the renter (a non-refundable $50 fee compared to a refundable $400 at the time of booking). The property manager may also make a little bit of money on each insurance plan it sells to a renter, but is it really a benefit for the property manager?

To answer this question, ask yourself three more questions:

1. How much money did the PM make in a year from sales of the insurance plans? It’s easy to calculate how much money you made from the commission off the insurance plans.
2. How many more bookings did the PM receive due to the lesser cost of the bookings? How can you know for sure that the lower overall booking cost associated with renter’s insurance was the only reason you got more bookings? Was there more snow that year? Did more renters enter the market? Did your promotions work better that year?
3. Have damage reports gone up or down (in size and/or frequency) with the new security deposit insurance? It’s relatively easy to compare this year over year to make the comparison.

The hardest question to answer is “How much more careful will a renter be if they have some skin in the game?”

Certainly, there is a percentage of renters who will leave the vacation rental in shambles knowing they have insurance that will cover it. Which means that the PM must spend more time inspecting and potentially repairing damage from these folks, not to mention they may have to move subsequent renters around to different properties.

I can’t help but believe that collecting a $300-$500 security deposit up front would lead more renters to be a little more cautious and respectful during their stay in order to get their large deposit back.

In the end, I really wonder if the additional bookings and extra revenue created by security deposit insurance really outweighs the potential extra time, effort, costs, and headaches that they may also be causing…

ReserveMyHome Is Professionally Managed Vacation Rentals.

Now, a traveler can get a much better feel for where the vacation rental is located and use this mapping tool to plan for the amount of time it will take to drive to the rental or from their rental accommodations to the local supermarket, ski resort, beach or the nearest Italian restaurant.

Zoe Avery cofounder of ReserveMyHome said, “Many travelers have questions around the physical location of the vacation rental they are interested in since they either have not been to the area or a new activity or attraction has been put in place. We are always looking for ways to help travelers that are looking for travel accommodations find and book their perfect rental. Google maps fits with our verified rentals theme and will provide travelers with more information to make a more informed decision 24/7 365 days per year.”

The company is based in Incline Village, Nevada where locally it has grown quickly to become one of the leaders in all of Lake Tahoe for vacation home accommodations.

Demo the search click here.

About ReserveMyHome, LLC
The ReserveMyHome, LLC website portal connects verified vacation rental homeowners and property managers with travelers and renters who seek fast and easy streamlined bookings for private vacation rentals, homes, cabins, condos, beach houses and cottages in the USA, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Are Vacation Rentals Under Pressure?

Over the past year or so the vacation rental industry has come under pressure from some local governments.

Why is this? I believe for two reasons.

1.) Nuisance. A group renters will show up to the local rental located in a nice quiet neighborhood and turn the area upside down. Perhaps it is the loud music, loud noise, cars parked on the streets can easily put normally friendly neighbors in the position where they need to call the police. Perhaps they have kids who need to get to sleep or for whatever reason the group has created a nuisance which has triggered a complaint to the local police department.

The police then respond to the vacation rental. The response usually involves two officers that have to be paid to respond and then write up the report. Who foots the bill for this? The city. Who pays the city? The homeowners.

2.) Scams. Stolen credit cards and online identity theft can easily be used to list vacation rental properties that may not exist. A non-suspecting renter looking for the “best deal” possible for their family holiday finds a non-professionally managed vacation rental on a billboard website, a rent by owner website, or any other site that does not verify their listings.

Then an unwitting renter contacts the scammer (swindler: a person who swindles you by means of deception or fraud) and secures the rental with a deposit or even the full rental amount requested without verifying that legitimacy of the property. The renter pays using a cashiers check or even an ordinary check and the family arrives only to find a vacant lot or an ordinary home and they call the police. And the scammer is never heard from again. Who takes the loss? The renter. Who is penalized? The legitimate professionally managed vacation rental companies in the local area.

I will leave lodging tax out for now and cover that in depth in a post in the near future.

Clearly the vacation rental industry is not exempt from scammers who can make thousands of dollars in one transaction. There are hundreds of “rent by owner” websites offering accommodations from California to Orlando and beyond. But how do you know you are getting the real deal from a classified website?

Here’s is a super simple, really easy tip to a safe and trusted vacation rental transaction;

Use a professionally managed vacation rental company that is in the business of renting vacation homes, cabins, villas and condos. I realize that many renters want the best deal possible but did you know that often the best deal can be found using a genuine vacation rentals company offering legitimate vacation rentals. Just ask the property manager, “do you have any deals going on right now?” During low and mid season you bet you are likely to find a deal. Best of all they will provide you with knowledge about the home and area.

Professional property managers may regulate their rental inventory more closely but overall they are tax-paying companies that can help “keep the peace” when the neighbors are in a frenzy, save the city and its homeowners money and keep the local professional vacation rental companies there for you and your family when you need them. So book and go with confidence on to your next family getaway accommodations.

For safe and trusted vacation rentals check out ReserveMyHome for verified vacation rentals.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 15, 2010 – Incline Village, Nevada – ReserveMyHome, LLC. the “All in One” listing and booking hub for verified private and professionally managed vacation rentals, announced the launch of a new version and streamlined review process for its vacation rental accommodations. This addition means that all past renters can rate and review their previous accommodations with detailed descriptions which will further promote online renter confidence that new renters seek when booking vacation rentals from the ReserveMyHome web site. The company unlike most all vacation rentals sites allows renters to make instant bookings for vacation rentals and go.

ReserveMyHome.com, a leader in verified vacation rentals only allows previous guests who have stayed in their vacation rental homes to share their opinion which further lends itself to an authentic review process. ReserveMyHome has the ability to offer this through a seamless and streamlined integration between the company and the renter when using the company’s vacation rental software platform. This ensures that all reviews and ratings are authentic and validated, building trust not only in the home but in the overall validity of the vacation rental accommodation itself.

ReservemyHome Founder Scott Norris says, “This exciting upgraded review feature goes hand in hand with each of our rentals which are all verified on the site unlike most vacation rental sites.”

Renter reviews promote safety, provide information and take booking authentic accommodations one step further in the overall segment of the marketplace. The ReserveMyHome listing and booking platform takes virtually all of the risk out of renting a vacation home, cabin or condo through the site. “The vacation rentals marketplace like any other industry is subject to endless scams and we continue to introduce necessary protection for our renters and owners in this fast growing space.”

Renters of vacation rentals and cabins usually have fantastic vacations and love to share their reviews, experiences and opinions. Now, these vacation rental reviews from past guests will allow new renters to book their perfect rental with confidence, unlike a typical billboard vacation rentals site. “Choosing a home to rent with confidence is mandatory and needs to meet renters’ expectations,” said ReserveMyHome Founder Scott Norris. “ReserveMyHome displays only verified rentals on the site. The inclusion of authentic reviews that future renters can read and trust from past guests will further promote booking confidence on the site.”

The launch of guest reviews shown here is just one part of ReserveMyHome’s commitment to giving travelers an online booking destination where they can easily find, choose, and book verified vacation rentals they can trust in minutes much like a fine hotel.

About ReserveMyHome

ReserveMyHome.com, based in Lake Tahoe, Incline Village, NV the “All in One” listing and booking site allows renters to book verified vacation rentals in minutes and go, instead of playing phone and email tag with the owner. The company is one of the largest reservation and booking portals for professionally managed and private vacation rentals including private homes, condos, cabins, villas and rooms in the USA, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. ReserveMyHome offers a safe, fast, and easier way to find and book the perfect rental accommodations for travelers through the integration of the ReserveMyHome website and leading edge booking software.

The South shore of Lake Tahoe will also offer a good show but families may want to consider the North shore this year for the event. This side of the lake offers many beaches that you can hunker down under the blankets, kick back and relax after a nice dinner on the beach. All of the beaches near Incline village offer great views and can be rather loud as you sit underneath the light show and thunderous booms.

Families attending the fireworks in Lake Tahoe should arrive early with blankets, chairs, snacks and water. For younger kids you may want to consider ear plugs if the loud explosions bother their ears. There are restrooms at most of the beaches if needed. Parking in the beach lots fill up early which leaves available parking on the nearby streets but be prepared for a five to ten minute walk. Most firework shows around the lake start around 9 pm (give or take).
Lake Tahoe Rentals, cabin rentals and all vacation rentals in Lake Tahoe are the lodging of choice for the fourth of July. Book early and have a blast!

For more information on Lake Tahoe Fireworks for the Fourth of July call to confirm Fireworks shows and times:
775-588-5900 or 800-AT-TAHOE

Lake Tahoe is a great place to vacation any time over the summer and especially during the Lake Tahoe fourth of July events. All families in the mood for a fireworks extravaganza and celebration Lake Tahoe is a great family destination.

Please do not comment on this post unless you have helpful insight about the Fourth of July in Lake Tahoe.

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Many vendors in the vacation rental industry come together for these two seminars to learn about the latest news, marketing tips, products, software and trends in this rapidly changing marketplace.

I was fortunate enough to attend the Myrtle Beach seminar last week and introduced myself to many friendly vendors, partners and new entrepreneurs. Email, chat and online has changed the way most businesses are run today and taking the opportunity to meet a handful of partners face to face that I have only worked with via email and phone was the highlight of this year’s VRMA seminar for me.

Aside from the conferences at the seminar that were loaded with exciting and relevant vacation rental information,  there were a few vibrant exhibitor showcases that really stood out and are on their way to carving out a niche in this space. A few of the exhibitors that caught my eye were:

1.) IdentifyYourself – www.identifyyourself.biz. A new company that provides promotional products such as magnets and mousepads for managers of vacation rentals. What’s nice about this concept is that property managers can have their logo, brand, and specials printed on a wide selection of promotional products. The magnet was super-easy, as it’s glued to a postcard which can then simply be mailed to your past renters.

2.) MDM Group – www.mdmgroup.net. An insurance company that provides coverage for vacation rentals in the event there is theft or accidental damage to a rental. The plan they offer is very competitive. A renter pays a small flat fee in lieu of a large security deposit. This program is a benefit to both the renter who does not have to come up with a lot of money and the vacation home owner who is covered up to $3,000 in damages.

3.) InterCoastalNetDesigns – www.icoastalnet.com. A website design firm for the vacation rental industry which also integrates booking engines into these designs. They have the ability to drive visitors to your website, capture leads and record revenue from unique visitors.

4.) OurFriendsPlace.com. A facebook platform that allows owners of vacation rentals to rent their vacation homes out to other friends. The beauty about this concept is that once a home is listed on the site it is easy to share the rental information including photos with other friends in your network.

Other well-known participants present at the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel were Vacation Rent Payment, Barefoot Technologies, HomeAway, Instant Software, Escapia and Navis. There were between forty and fifty vendors displaying at the show. Each booth had knowledgeable and nice staff to answer any questions about their services, software or products.

The Reno, Nevada VRMA show coming up in the next few days is sure to be another great opportunity to attend if you missed the Eastern seminar. Many of the same vendors will be present along with some new exhibitors promoting their vacation rental concepts, ideas and software. If you are a property manager of vacation rentals I suggest you check out the VRMA show and seminars in Reno, Nevada. Expect to leave with your name entered in one of the many contests, great new marketing ideas and a new partner or two that can help you grow your vacation rentals business.

For more information on VRMA and/or the West Coast seminar and show you can find their official site here http://www.vrma.com/

Admission to both the VRMA Eastern and Western show is not cheap but may will be worth every penny especially if you run into  a new partner or product that will generate more bookings.

A website in the vacation rentals space must do three things to enable travelers to make an online reservation with confidence:

1. Be the perfect storefront for each rental home, attracting renters to explore it further; and
2. Provide the traveler with comprehensive information they need to know so they can best identify what they get with their purchase.
3. Allow travelers and owners to view travel guides and post useful booking and travel content, tips and advice.

In addition to the above, a winning vacation rentals website that is both innovative by way of design and provides a feature set that allows a renter to easily book the verified home online.

Following those two things, travelers need an easy-to-use feature set which allows them to search for and find fitting rentals, send inquiries and book their vacation rental accommodations easily and without worry. In addition to any brand familiarity provided by the virtual store front, the site must instill trust by way of a verification process for each of the rentals listed on the site to help prevent scams that are prevalent in this marketplace.

Owners of vacation rentals need an easy-to-use tool set to list their vacation properties, share information on the “Vacation Rentals for Family Vacations Blog,” and facilitate the booking process on the rentals site. ReserveMyHome encourages property managers of vacation rentals to simply copy and post a direct link back to their unique ReserveMyHome viewing and booking page from wherever they are promoting their properties – taking travelers seamlessly from exploring to booking.

You could say ReserveMyHome was built for those who want more exposure and bookings without the hassle. The live reservation agents are there to assist travelers with general questions and can usually handle most requests quickly. Travelers like this. Best of all, the ReserveMyHome model is performance based so there is no charge to list rentals on the site and a small commission is subtracted from the nightly rate for all successful bookings on the website.

There are very few websites today that offer all of these innovative components for travelers and owners alike. However, these are all key features for travelers and owners of vacation rentals that are integrated into the ReserveMyHome site making it a leader in the vacation rentals and booking marketplace.

Beyond a typical “billboard” rentals site ReserveMyHome offers instant bookings on most of their rentals. To put this in perspective they have done what the hotel industry has been doing for years but on a more complex level by offering each home’s individual location, features, pictures, amenities, availability and pricing and the ability to book it and go.

The fear of losing a booking is a traditional stress for owners. The loss of two bookings per month at $300 per night with a three-night stay amounts to a $21,600.00 annual loss. ReserveMyHome has changed that, without risk to owners.

At the time of booking on the site, a traveler can easily enter their arrival and departure dates, select a damage insurance waiver vs. a hefty deposit and pay with a credit card. Almost instantly the traveler receives the following:

1. Confirmation of payment and dates for their selected vacation period
2. A rental contract
3. Additional paid amenities associated with the booking

Seven days prior to their arrival a second email is automatically sent with the following information:

1. Clear and detailed driving directions to the vacation rental.
2. Entry instructions for access to the home
3. The owner or property managers contact information for specific last minute details or in the event of an emergency.

All relative booking information is then shared in “real time” between the (parties) property manager of the vacation rental and traveler. Furthermore, the property manager saves money in advertising, employee wages and support as ReserveMyHome remits payment timely and directly.

At anytime a renter can log in to their own unique account to view all of their booking details. Upon arrival back home, the traveler also receives an email with a welcome back greeting that allows the traveler to post a review of their vacation rental and stay.

This vacation rentals website, built and maintained by ReserveMyHome, LLC, simply takes virtual vacation rentals website listings directly to confirmed bookings: a level well beyond the scope of most in this competitive marketplace.

Finally, as of this writing it has been reported that state of the art search and mapping functionality on the site is set to be integrated in early May 2010.

About ReserveMyHome
The ReserveMyHome, LLC website portal connects vacation homeowners and property managers with travelers and renters who seek fast, easy, search options and who want fast, streamlined bookings for trusted vacation rentals, homes, cabins, condos, beach houses and cottages in the USA, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean.