Optimizing Your Off-Season: Setting Up for Success with Jim DeVos of Best Beach Getaways

In this episode of The Vacation Rental Show: How We Grow, host Lynell Gordon is joined by Jim DeVos, President of Best Beach Getaways.

Together, they explore:

Key strategies for vacation rental managers to focus on during the offseason
Effective ways to maintain and increase bookings during slower periods
Approaches to staff training and development in preparation for the busy season
The role of technology in preparing for the next rental season
Unique marketing strategies for attracting guests during off-peak months

Jim DeVos is the President of Best Beach Getaways, a vacation rental management company overseeing over 450 properties across Florida's Emerald Coast and beyond. Best Beach Getaways was founded with the mission of rectifying common issues in the vacation rental industry, focusing on maximizing rental revenues and reducing operating costs. Jim's extensive background includes developing consumer and B2B growth strategies, team performance improvement, and thought leadership positioning.

This episode delves into actionable insights for vacation rental managers looking to optimize their offseason and set themselves up for a successful year ahead. Jim shares his expertise on navigating industry trends, balancing owner and guest needs, and overcoming common challenges in vacation rental management.

This episode is sponsored by LiveRez.

Episode Highlights:

[02:00] Optimizing Inventory – Jim emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough condition and inventory reports for each property during the off-season. This involves assessing the condition of units, incorporating guest feedback, and creating a checklist of improvements needed before the next peak season. Jim offers to share his checklist with listeners who email the show.

[05:03] Analyzing Listing Performance – Jim discusses the importance of reviewing listing performance metrics provided by platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. He advises focusing on underperforming units and analyzing factors such as search appearances, click-through rates, amenities, photography, and descriptions to improve their performance.

[06:57] Improving Occupancy Rates – Jim shares a strategy for boosting occupancy rates by targeting just three additional nights per month for each property. He illustrates how this seemingly small increase can significantly impact both owner revenue and management company profits.

[13:49] Importance of Dynamic Pricing – Jim strongly advocates for the use of dynamic pricing software in vacation rental management. He explains how these tools allow for nimble pricing adjustments and the ability to set rates 365 days in advance. Jim also stresses the importance of actively managing dynamic pricing rather than using a "set it and forget it" approach.

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Previous guests include: Jim DeVos of Best Beach Getaways, Stacy Wesson of Cascara Vacation Rentals, Michael Friedman of The Simple Life Hospitality, Steve Caron of Inhabit, John An of TechTape, Jessica Gillingham of Abode Worldwide, Justin Ford of Breezeway, Mahwussh Alam of One Perfect Stay, Sofia Rossato of Inhabit, and many more.

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