Herb — Owner of El Sip
“Rather Be’s entire team placed the owner’s needs as a priority while still ensuring the customer experience is seamless. I’ve had a great experience and see them as a strategic partner — the value is second to none.”
Onboarding FAQs
Ownership Made Simple
How involved do I need to be?
Very little. Our goal is to provide a truly hands-off ownership experience while keeping you informed with clear reporting.
Do you use dynamic pricing?
Yes. We actively adjust rates based on market demand, seasonality, and booking trends to maximize revenue. Our full-time revenue management team regularly updates pricing for both near-term and far-out vacancies.
How and when do owners get paid?
Owner payouts are issued monthly and include detailed owner statements outlining all income and expenses. Statements are issued around the 10th of each month, with distributions typically hitting your account by the 12th.
Can I still use my property?
Absolutely. Owner stays are reserved directly on the calendar — your home remains yours, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Will I make more as a short-term rental or long-term rental?
Generally, short-term rentals can earn more net income. One recent case study comparing STR and LTR rates showed the owner netted over 35% in profit after all expenses, including utilities.
Owner Account, Onboarding, & Financial Questions
Do you keep a security deposit from me?
Yes. At launch, we hold a $500 owner reserve on your property’s account. This is not a fee — it serves as a working reserve. When management ends and final expenses are reconciled, any remaining balance is credited back to you. The running reserve balance appears on your monthly statements.
Why do I need to complete the onboarding questionnaire?
It gathers critical property details so we can transition management smoothly. Completing it promptly helps avoid mistakes or delays and ensures a seamless launch.
Can I book owner stays myself?
Yes. Once your property is live, you’ll receive owner access to our property management system to reserve stays directly on the calendar.
Do I pay for cleanings during my owner stays?
Yes. Owner stays are billed at the standard cleaning rate so the home is professionally cleaned and reset for the next guest.
Is obtaining a short-term rental permit difficult?
It can be. Requirements vary by municipality and may include applications, inspections, documentation, and timelines. We recommend allowing our team to handle permitting to prevent delays and ensure compliance.
Who pays for the professional photoshoot?
We cover the cost of your professional photoshoot and initial marketing setup to position your property for a strong launch.
Does your team handle recurring maintenance (AC filters, batteries, seasonal prep, etc.)?
Yes. As part of your launch plan, our maintenance team sets a recurring service schedule that can include AC filter replacements, smoke detector batteries, seasonal winterizing/de-winterizing (market dependent), exterior pressure-washing, landscaping maintenance, and annual deep cleans. We’re happy to work with your preferred vendors.
How do I access my monthly financial reports?
After your first month closes and your initial owner statement is issued, we’ll set you up in our reporting system. We typically provide a short walkthrough video for your first statement to review deposits, startup expenses, and performance.
What if I have questions about charges on my owner statement?
Email us with any questions. We’ll review the charges, gather supporting documentation if needed, and provide a detailed response.
Will I receive a 1099 at the end of the year?
Yes. We issue 1099 forms in late January reflecting your total gross income for the year. Provide this, along with your monthly statements, to your tax professional.
Repairs, Maintenance, & Operations: What to Expect as an Owner
How does the $500 approval process work for repairs and maintenance?
If a single repair item is expected to cost over $500, we’ll reach out for your advance approval before incurring the expense — unless it’s an emergency repair. For emergencies, we may proceed without prior approval to protect the booking and revenue.
What’s considered an emergency repair where you don’t need my advance approval if it’s over $500?
Any situation where delaying the fix could result in a guest refund or credit that exceeds the repair cost.
For example, if a garage door won’t close and creates a safety issue, a guest could cancel or request a $2,000 refund, while the repair might cost $1,500. In that case, it’s more responsible to complete the repair immediately.
Emergency repairs also include issues impacting:
- Guest health or safety
- Habitability of the property
- Major amenities that significantly affect the stay
- Problems that could cause further damage if left unresolved (e.g., a water leak)
How does it work if I want to handle property repairs myself?
We can treat you like our maintenance technicians. When an issue arises, we’ll contact you first. Based on urgency, you’ll need to respond in about 20 minutes to confirm you can complete the repair within the required timeframe. If we don’t receive a timely response, we’ll move to the next available technician to avoid refunds, credits, or negative reviews.
Can we use a Home Warranty policy for repairs?
We generally don’t recommend home warranties for short-term rentals. Warranty repairs often take 2–3 weeks from request to completion, which typically doesn’t work for fast-moving bookings. Even for larger items, using a local market-rate technician is often more cost-effective than risking refunds (which can be up to 30% of a booking) due to an unavailable amenity.
How are cleaning turns scheduled and tracked?
We use a system to manage cleaning turns. Cleanings are automatically scheduled and assigned based on reservation checkout date and time.
Our cleaners are required to:
- Complete a detailed checklist
- Upload photos of the completed turn
- Report damages
- Request inventory replenishment
Our team reviews submitted photos the following morning for quality control.
Who handles inventory orders and stocking?
We create a list of required and recommended items as part of your Launch Plan for review and approval. We can coordinate receiving and stocking on site. If you’d like to help, it may reduce setup and launch costs.
What does the Damage Waiver program cover?
It covers damages directly caused by a guest during their stay. It does not cover normal wear and tear. Damages must be reported to the waiver company within 14 days of the guest’s checkout to be eligible for coverage.
What We Do
- Permitting & Registration
- Design & Furnishing
- Inventory & Full Home Stocking
- Listing & weekly optimization on Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, Google, and more
- Custom digital & print guidebooks
- 24/7 guest communication
- Maintenance coordination & vendor management
- Turnovers & professional cleaning
- Quarterly property inspections
- Revenue management
- Real-time dynamic pricing
- Financial reporting & owner dashboards
Benefits of Listing With Us
- We handle everything, so you don’t have to.
- Personalized guest care that builds glowing reviews.
- Strategic pricing and occupancy optimization.
- Transparent reporting and frequent communication.
- Increased revenue and fewer headaches.
What Our Owners Are Saying
Sam — Owner of Whimsical Oasis
“As we approach our 12th consecutive weekend with a full booking schedule and a high rating, I wanted to express my sincere appreciation. Your team has done an outstanding job representing our property and guiding us smoothly through the STR process. Your attention to detail and willingness to explain every step have been invaluable.”
William — Owner of Palm Vista
“Thanks for everything you do. Al, thanks for being so hands-on and insightful and sharing the play-by-play on what’s going on with my property.”
Margo — Owner of Indio Oasis
“The Rather Be Properties team is easy to work with and always available to discuss any matter. We’ve recommended them to our friends! Thank you.”
Kim — Owner of City Lights & Rooftop Nights
“We are so thankful for this team. They are on top of everything — anytime there’s a problem it gets resolved that day. Communication is great. Highly recommend.”
Anonymous Owner
“I’m grateful for all the hard work and dedication in managing my property. Communication is fantastic, and the team’s integrity and transparency are unmatched. While the launch took a bit longer than expected, I appreciate that the focus was on doing everything right.”
Pauline — Owner of San Diego Units
“They keep your place occupied. I know many friends doing this on their own who had vacancies throughout the year.”