Cleaning checklists, pricing guides, guest screening tools, lease templates, photography tips, and seasonal strategy — all written specifically for Southern vacation, monthly, and long-term rental hosts.
Whether you're listing a Gulf Coast vacation cottage, a furnished monthly rental, or managing a residential lease — these guides are built for Southern properties.
Check off each item as you go. Print or save for your cleaning crew.
Set the right nightly or monthly rate for your Southern property based on location, type, size, and amenities.
Proper screening protects your property, your neighbors, and your income. Here's the Hometel framework for vacation and long-term rental screening.
Listings with high-quality photos earn 40% more bookings. Here's how to shoot your Southern property without hiring a photographer.
The most successful Southern hosts plan their year like farmers — knowing exactly when to plant, when to harvest, and when to rest.
Everything built into your Hometel host dashboard — no third-party subscriptions needed.
Update your photos at minimum once a year — ideally each spring before peak season. If you make any significant improvements (new furniture, renovation, landscaping), update photos immediately. Listings with fresh photos typically see a 15–20% bump in booking inquiry rate for 60–90 days after the update.
Cleaning fees should reflect your actual cost plus a small margin. Gulf Coast 3-bed: $75–$120. Historic homes with more detail work: $95–$150. Large properties (5+ beds): $150–$250. Keep fees competitive — guests are very sensitive to cleaning fees and will choose a similarly priced property with a lower cleaning fee. Never make cleaning fees a profit center.
Yes — Hometel's pricing system supports day-of-week rate adjustments. Friday and Saturday nights typically command 20–35% premiums over weekday rates in most Southern markets. Set your weekend rates higher and offer slight weekday discounts to smooth out occupancy throughout the week rather than just on weekends.
Extensions are handled through the Hometel booking system to ensure payment is processed properly and your protection coverage stays active. Do not accept payment directly from guests for extensions — always run extensions through the platform. Message the guest through Hometel and process the extension from your host dashboard.
The five things that drive 5-star reviews: (1) The property exactly matches the listing photos and description. (2) Check-in is seamless — instructions are clear, lockbox works first time. (3) The property is spotlessly clean. (4) The host responds within 30 minutes to any question. (5) A small personal touch — a welcome note, local restaurant recommendation, or a treat from a local Southern bakery. The fifth one costs almost nothing and consistently pushes reviews from 4 stars to 5.
Pet-friendly properties earn 15–25% more annual revenue in most Southern markets and fill faster during shoulder season. The trade-off is additional cleaning time and occasional pet-related damage. Mitigate risk with: (1) a non-refundable pet fee of $50–$100 per stay, (2) a refundable pet damage deposit, (3) clear house rules about where pets are allowed, and (4) thorough post-stay inspection. Most experienced Southern hosts who allow pets say it was the right decision for their bottom line.
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