Managing your booking requirements on VRBO allows you to customize your rental policies to better suit your hosting style and property management needs. Whether you're looking to modify booking types, set minimum stay requirements, or adjust availability settings, VRBO offers various tools to help you manage these aspects effectively. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to change booking requirements on VRBO.
However, if you are in search of an alternative platform for VRBO, you can rent out your properties on Airbnb. To read a comparative analysis between VRBO and Airbnb, read this article: Airbnb vs. VRBO: An In-Depth Analysis for Short-Term Rentals
Setting Booking Types
VRBO offers two primary booking types: Instant Booking and 24-hour review. With Instant Booking, guests can immediately confirm their reservation without waiting for your approval, which can attract more bookings by providing instant confirmation. Alternatively, the 24-hour review option gives you a window to review and accept or decline bookings, allowing for more control over who stays at your property.
To change your booking type:
Log in to your VRBO account.
Select your property listing.
Navigate to Property > Rules and Policies.
Choose Booking type and select either Instant Booking or 24-hour review.
Click Save to apply the changes (VRBO).
Adjusting Reservation Availability
Managing how far in advance guests can book your property is crucial for planning and optimizing your bookings. You can set a booking window that determines how soon and how far out guests can make reservations.
To modify reservation availability:
Log in and select the listing you want to edit.
Go to the Calendar section.
Click on Settings and adjust the Booking window. You can set the timeframe from as short as one day to as long as 24 months.
Save your changes to update the settings (VRBO).
Setting Minimum Stay Requirements
Minimum stay requirements help you manage your property's booking flow and reduce turnover costs. For instance, setting a longer minimum stay during peak seasons can maximize occupancy while reducing the frequency of guest changeovers.
To set or change minimum stay requirements:
Access your VRBO account and go to your property listing.
In the Calendar menu, navigate to Settings.
Select Minimum night stay and enter the minimum number of nights required for booking.
Save these settings to implement the changes.
You can also customize minimum stays for specific dates or date ranges by selecting the dates on the calendar and setting the requirements accordingly (VRBO).
Responding to Guest Change Requests
Sometimes, guests may request changes to their booking, such as altering the dates or the number of guests. It's essential to manage these requests promptly to ensure a smooth guest experience.
To handle guest change requests:
Log in to your account and check your Inbox for any new requests.
Review the details and decide whether to accept or decline the change.
If needed, adjust the reservation price and communicate with the guest regarding any changes (VRBO).
Best Practices and Tips
As a VRBO host, maintaining clear communication, providing accurate property descriptions, and adhering to local regulations are crucial for a positive hosting experience. Regularly updating your booking requirements and staying responsive to guest inquiries can enhance your reputation and lead to better reviews.
If you think that you can't manage it all alone, consider taking services from any short-term rental management company. If you want to know how much this management costs, you can check it here. But before finalizing the deal, inquire whether the company aids in short-term rental permits or not, and don't forget to check their success stories on their website.
By following these steps, you can tailor your VRBO listing to meet your hosting preferences and provide a seamless experience for your guests. For more detailed guidance, you can visit the VRBO Help Center.
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