The vacation rental industry is more competitive than ever, and property managers are feeling the pressure. According to Key Data’s 2025 Short-Term Rental Outlook, 61% of property managers worry that increased competition could prevent them from achieving their 2025 goals, while 36% fear owner churn could negatively impact their performance. With more options available, homeowners are carefully evaluating which property management company best aligns with their needs and expectations.
To succeed in this crowded market, property managers must differentiate themselves by providing exceptional service, transparent communication, and proactive property management. In this blog, we’ll explore key homeowner expectations and proven strategies to attract and retain homeowners in today’s competitive landscape.
What Homeowners Expect from a Property Management Company
Homeowners are seeking more than just someone to list their property—they want a management company that can maximize their investment while maintaining top-tier service and care. To stand out, property managers must go beyond basic services and prove their ability to increase revenue, enhance guest experiences, and maintain properties to the highest standard.
Top Strategies to Impress Homeowners
1. Deliver Top-Tier Property Care
A well-maintained property is essential for ensuring positive guest experiences and long-term homeowner satisfaction. To achieve this, property managers can implement a proactive maintenance plan that includes scheduled inspections, preventative repairs, and a clear system for handling unexpected issues. By conducting routine inspections, property managers can identify minor maintenance concerns before they turn into costly problems.
Additionally, responding swiftly to maintenance requests shows homeowners that their property is in good hands, fostering confidence in management services. Investing in quality service providers and using technology like Breezeway, to track maintenance history further ensures properties remain in top condition.
Dylan Bozarth, General Manager of 30A Escapes shares that “With Breezeway, we have records for every inspection, every time the house was cleaned, what maintenance was done, if there were any damages, and homeowners are really blown away by that.”
2. Communicate Proactively & Transparently
Effective communication is key to establishing trust between property managers and homeowners. A strong communication strategy involves providing regular, insightful updates that keep owners informed about their property’s performance, condition, and relevant market trends. Key Data’s owner reports are a simple way to keep your homeowners informed on their individual unit’s performance in comparison to the market.
It’s important to keep in mind the homeowner's communication preferences—some owners appreciate detailed reports with data-driven insights, while others prefer brief, high-level updates. For example, Heidi Hart of Foothills Property Management explains that, "You have to know your owner and what kind of property they have—whether it’s an investment or a home they plan to retire in. That determines how you build the relationship and communicate with them."
By proactively addressing homeowner concerns and setting clear expectations, property managers can prevent misunderstandings and build a strong working relationship. Regularly sharing guest feedback, property maintenance updates, and performance reports reassures homeowners that their investment is being managed with care and expertise.
3. Optimize Revenue & Booking Performance
Homeowners expect property managers to maximize their rental income while ensuring a great guest experience. To achieve this, property managers can leverage dynamic pricing strategies that adjust nightly rates based on demand, seasonality, and market trends. Using data-driven insights, managers can optimize pricing to increase bookings and maximize revenue potential.
Regular performance reports that outline occupancy rates, revenue growth, and competitive benchmarking help homeowners understand the financial success of their rental. A proactive approach to revenue optimization not only increases income for homeowners, but also strengthens their trust in the property manager’s ability to deliver strong financial results.
4. Leverage Technology to Offer a Competitive Edge
Technology is transforming vacation rental management, and property owners are increasingly looking for companies that use smart tools to improve efficiency and service quality.
- Use Breezeway’s maintenance tracking tools to document completed work, anticipate future needs, track costs, and showcase a well-organized property care program to homeowners.
- Showcase the value of your property management services with owner reports detailing tasks and work completed through Breezeway’s insights and reporting tool.
- Use Key Data to keep homeowners informed with tailored reports that showcase key KPIs, reinforcing homeowner confidence and setting proper expectations.
Demonstrating a commitment to tech-driven solutions not only sets a property management company apart, but reassures homeowners that their investment is managed using modern, efficient systems.
Building Trust with Owners for Long-Term Success
Attracting homeowners is just the beginning—consistently impressing them is what builds trust and develops long-term, loyal clients. Prioritizing relationship building by understanding an owner’s goals, whether investment-focused or emotional attachment to their property, helps tailor the approach.
Balancing professionalism and personalization is crucial. Being transparent, proactive, and professional while also creating a personal connection fosters trust. Demonstrating long-term value by showing how management strategies lead to higher revenue, better reviews, and reduced wear and tear on the property further solidifies homeowner relationships.
Learn more about how Breezeway’s smart automation can streamline your business and impress your homeowners or how you can leverage insights in Key Data to keep your owners informed.
About Breezeway
Breezeway’s award-winning operations and guest experience platform helps thousands of rental managers increase operational efficiency, eliminate manual work, and boost service revenue. With our mobile app, tailored checklists, and automated workflows, managers have confidence every property is guest-ready. Guest communication has never been easier with our Messaging, Guide, and Assist products. Powering over 48M property care tasks, Breezeway’s purpose-built solution drives team efficiency, reduces manual labor, and enhances employee satisfaction with our integrated Payments solution.