| Continued from "How To Close A Vacation Rental | | | | "small talk" - chat with the person about the |
| Deal Like A Pro - Part 1" | | | | purpose of his trip, what activities he wants to do |
| Concern: Activities for your teenagers | | | | while in your region, the number of adults and |
| Things to consider: * A number 25 bus - 3 blocks | | | | children, whether he has previously rented a |
| from our property - gets them to the beach in | | | | vacation home, etc. It can even be a benediction |
| 20 minutes. Joe's Surf Shop offers private surfing | | | | to fall on the renter's message machine, which |
| lessons at $40 / hour. National park lifeguards on | | | | often tells you something about the person, or to |
| duty 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Kids should bring sandwiches | | | | note any loud, unpleasant music being played |
| and drinks - no food sold on the beach. | | | | during your call - usually not a good sign. |
| * I looked into hiking - several wonderful trails | | | | - Have your back-away messages ready. When |
| with or without guides - attached is national park | | | | that bell goes off in your head and your better |
| brochure. | | | | angels are telling you to be prudent, make sure |
| * Local movie house. Also, Gene's Video has the | | | | you are ready to handle these situations. Prepare |
| latest movies and your living room is equipped | | | | a list of typical situations you may want to back |
| with a DVD. | | | | away from and think about the most comfortable |
| * Roller blade trail and skateboard park just | | | | way for you to deal with each of them. Here are |
| outside town - taxi would cost them $15 round | | | | a few approaches that could help you tactfully |
| trip. | | | | get out of a potentially sticky situation: |
| Concern: Clinic in case your elderly mother | | | | * Instead of saying right off the bat that the |
| requires care | | | | week requested is available, tell your renter that |
| Things to consider: I inquired about the best and | | | | your aunt might be renting your property that |
| closest facilities - here are names, addresses, | | | | week and that you will know for certain within a |
| phone numbers of those highly recommended to | | | | couple of days. |
| me. | | | | * Adopt a rigid posture: Explain your policies, |
| Concern: Your mother's birthday party PowerPoint | | | | security and damage deposits, and ask the |
| presentation | | | | person to read your rental agreement. Make sure |
| Things to consider: For rental of your projector | | | | he understands that you are "non-negotiable". |
| and screen, contact Tom's AV (right downtown - | | | | * Tell the party that his application will be |
| they deliver!), (928) 444-4444. | | | | reviewed on a first-come-first-serve basis. |
| Don't forget to enrich your FAQ (Frequently | | | | * In this period of recession, it's normal to see an |
| Asked Questions) with any new info you discover. | | | | increased number of bargain-hunters, and there's |
| - Personalize your communications based on your | | | | nothing wrong with trying to get the best value |
| renter's personality type: With some experience, | | | | for your money. But remember what you're |
| you'll be able to recognize different personality | | | | home is worth and don't make unacceptable |
| types and booking styles. Of course, everyone is | | | | compromises. Especially beware of renters with |
| unique, but you'll see some common threads. | | | | an "attitude" who request big discounts. If you |
| Following each inquiry, assign the renter a | | | | stay abreast of hotel rates in your area, you'll be |
| personality name - "Ms Efficiency" or | | | | able to compare cost vs. square footage vs. |
| "Bargain-hunter" or "I need to feel secure by | | | | amenities which will make it easier to persuade |
| sharing my life story with you" or "Procrastinator". | | | | your renter that your property is worth your |
| Understanding which type you are dealing with | | | | asking price. |
| may help you develop personalized techniques for | | | | - Use Internet to screen. It's usually not worth |
| communicating with each. Build a chart to consign | | | | your time and trouble to do a credit and |
| your key messages for each type. For instance, | | | | background check for short-term rentals, and the |
| the insecure type will feel more comfortable with | | | | 1001 questions you will need to ask your renter |
| an owner who shows himself to be very | | | | risk scaring him away. So just stick to the basics |
| reassuring. | | | | - verify whether the name, address, phone |
| Your closing arguments | | | | number and email address match the details |
| Make sure you master the art of "closing the | | | | provided by the renter. Don't be overly |
| sale". Just before you say goodbye - let's assume | | | | concerned, however, if your Internet searches |
| you're having a phone conversation with your | | | | don't produce results - a renter won't show up in |
| renter - make sure you briefly recap the key | | | | search results if he is not a homeowner, only has |
| benefits and advantages of your property and | | | | a cell phone or is unlisted. However, if the phone |
| your region (use your FAQ), making sure that | | | | number and address don't match the name he |
| you integrate into your "closing arguments" the | | | | provided, he might not be who he claims to be. |
| needs, concerns and hesitations expressed by | | | | Here are some helpful Web sites: |
| your renter. Avoid being pushy, of course - just | | | | - WhitePages |
| be sincere, warm and helpful. Before you hang up, | | | | Do a "People" search, "Reverse Address" search |
| ask your renter when he thinks he will be taking | | | | and "Reverse Phone Number" search. |
| his decision, and tell him you look forward to doing | | | | - Google |
| business with him. The day prior to that date, | | | | Search for name, phone number and email |
| make one more follow-up call. | | | | address. Many kinds of documents may show up |
| The importance of screening your guest before | | | | in your search results - official records, mentions |
| confirming the booking | | | | in newspapers, documents signed by the person |
| In order to protect yourself and your property, | | | | such as a news release, links to his page on social |
| never confirm a booking without first screening | | | | networks such as Facebook. |
| your guest - especially if a little voice inside your | | | | - pipl |
| head is sending you warning signals. Most guests | | | | "Unlike a typical search-engine, Pipl is designed to |
| are perfectly responsible and agreeable, but you | | | | retrieve information from the deep web, our |
| may want to save yourself some trouble by | | | | robots are set to interact with searchable |
| saying "no" to the spring break bashes, the | | | | databases and extract facts, contact details and |
| bargain-hunters, and, of course, the scammers. | | | | other relevant information from personal profiles, |
| - Never confirm a booking on the basis of email | | | | member directories, scientific publications, court |
| exchanges - make sure you speak with each | | | | records and numerous other deep-web sources". |
| renter personally on the phone. You'll learn a lot | | | | - Government or credit rating sites, such as |
| more about him than you could through email and | | | | government-records and usarecordsearch in the |
| you'll get a feel for his personality, sense of | | | | U.S. or Equifax, pointagedecredit and |
| responsibility and degree of seriousness about the | | | | rapportdecreditgratuit in Canada, may charge a |
| booking. Smile when you're on the phone - your | | | | fee to search through public records. Beware if |
| friendliness will be felt at the other end. Learn to | | | | you find no records on your renter! |