The Blog

Last month, Escapia, a long standing property management software company, launched its first consumer focused product – ClearStay.com. ClearStay is a consumer facing website that helps people find vacation rentals. At a glance, ClearStay is JALS (Just Another Listing Service), but it is unique in that it’s the first site dedicated solely to property managers. ClearStay will only list properties that use Escapia’s software and/or properties represented by property managers.

By not allowing RBOs (Rent By Owners) to participate on its site ClearStay is positioning itself as an advocate of property managers. The industry often finds itself at odds with RBOs, because RBOs disintermediate property management services and often don’t pay taxes (and therefore have pricing advantages).

From a consumer perspective ClearStay is positioning itself as a more trusted resource compared to open listing services like VRBO. In theory a consumer should feel more comfortable renting from a professional hospitality specialist compared to an independent owner. Concerns of fraud, guest support and overall process are diminished when the consumer knows someone is there to ensure they have a great trip.

ClearStay’s approach is compelling, but similar to all consumer offerings they are faced with some challenges:

- Marketing sites (e.g. listing services) are only as valuable as the traffic they attract. How will ClearStay attract traffic to its site given HomeAway’s SEO dominance and the SEO investment each property manager has made over the last several years?
- Consumers want security, but they also want choice. 33% of the market is represented by RBOs. When you exclude RBOs you exclude choices. Will consumers respond positively to the dichotomy ClearStay is promoting?
- From a supply perspective Escapia has the advantage of promoting its existing client properties; however, Instant Software and other market vendors represent the majority of vacation rental software solutions. Will Escapia be able to expand its inventory beyond its own consumer base?

ClearStay is a noteworthy addition to the FlipKey Blog radar. The ClearStay approach helps educate consumers on the advantages of property management and supplies additional promotion for our industry. In addition, offering a free marketing solution to its clients adds another quiver to the Escapia software value proposition. If ClearStay is able to establish consistent traffic they will introduce a new dynamic to the vacation rental marketing spectrum.

I have been a lister on VRBO for the last six months in hopes of renting my condo during the tourist heavy summer in Boston. To date, I will say that I have been satisfied with my VRBO listing. Although I feel the VRBO fees are far too high, I found renters for nearly every week during the summer.

VRBO - Honest inquiries, with a little too much ‘Un-Spam’

I would estimate 80% of the inquiries I receive via VRBO are legitimate guests looking for accommodations. I find many are a bit ‘cheap’, aggressively trying to reduce my (very reasonable) rates, but they are good people for the most part.

The remaining 20% I would characterize as ‘Un-Spam’ – meaning, people that don’t realize they are sending me unreasonable requests.

• A man from Idaho asked me if he could rent my two bedroom condo for one night for himself and 20 of his closest friends. (That was not a typo - 20 friends)
• At least 2 people each week ask to rent my unit on a week that is already clearly booked on my calendar
• A woman from Texas offered $50/night for three nights in exchange to keep it ‘clean’
• A lot of house swap offers

My place is booked for the rest of the year and to cut down on the Un-Spam I have blocked off my calendar, but I continue to get about 3-4 inquiries a week. I don’t see this as a bad thing and more of an illustration of how demand for vacation rentals exceeds supply.

I believe there are some simple solutions to cut down on Un-Spam and I will explore potential solutions in future posts. In the interim I find many of these inquiries entertaining. I try to make it a point to follow up with everybody, regardless of how ridiculous the request is, but I admit my responses are not always timely for Un-Spam.

If you have an interesting / funny story about guest inquiries you have received, email us at stories@flipkey.com.