WaterColor Rental - management referral needed

**George** · 01-23-2008, 01:34 PM

I currently own a home in WaterColor that I am considering renting. There are several options for management companies, including WaterColor and Sanders Beach Rentals. I am trying to gather information about the best way to proceed and the best companies in the area that will take care of our most basic needs: (1) marketing our home to draw as many renters as possible and (2) property maintaining our home and ensuring that damage is timely paid for by renters. WaterColor takes a bigger cut than Sanders, but I presume WaterColor likely gets good marketing exposure. I would love to hear thoughts from the message board regarding this topic.

**SWGB** · 01-23-2008, 11:59 PM

Given a choice between the two I would go with WaterColor.

**tsutcli** · 01-24-2008, 07:50 AM

You should check into which amenities your renters can't use at Watercolor if you do not rent through them. I believe those not directly paid for by the HOA are exclued from use. This may also include the golf courses.

**George** · 01-24-2008, 08:05 AM

Good point regarding the amenities. For the first responder, what are the reasons you would select WaterColor over Sanders?

Thanks

**SWGB** · 01-24-2008, 12:20 PM

Here is the way I would weigh the two:

Sanders
-Lower commission.
-No office for check in (kinda leaves the renter in a weird limbo)
-How do they handle house keeping, maintenance, check-ins, departure inspections, payment, etc.

WaterColor
-Higher commission
-Onsite office and 24 hour desk
-Onsite maintenance, housekeeping, will do almost anything the owner asks within reason
-Guest has full use of WaterColor and I think Water Sound amenities

I think as, tsutcli pointed out, is the amenities. This is what most people come to WaterColor come for and might think they are getting a deal going thru another company to rent there and then discover they do not have access to certain things they are used to. I know I would be one unhappy renter.

**Minnie** · 01-24-2008, 12:23 PM

Totally agree with SWGB. As a renter the very things he listed that WC would offer, would be very important to me and would be willing to pay for them.

**beachvacation** · 01-24-2008, 02:03 PM

If a renter is set on renting canoes, then yes, they should rent from WC. Otherwise, there is not a big difference in amenities offered by WC or any other third party company such as Sanders. Sanders guests have access to all pools, including the Beach Club. They also provide bikes for their guests (just as WC) using a local bike co. Guests can pay for tennis time in WC and for kayak rentals.

In my opinion, renting from third party companies in a resort community is not for everyone...just those wanting basically the same vacation at a better price.

**Yahoodie** · 02-02-2008, 02:21 AM

Originally Posted by George

I currently own a home in WaterColor that I am considering renting. There are several options for management companies, including WaterColor and Sanders Beach Rentals. I am trying to gather information about the best way to proceed and the best companies in the area that will take care of our most basic needs: (1) marketing our home to draw as many renters as possible and (2) property maintaining our home and ensuring that damage is timely paid for by renters. WaterColor takes a bigger cut than Sanders, but I presume WaterColor likely gets good marketing exposure. I would love to hear thoughts from the message board regarding this topic.

Unless you live here and can check on your rental home at least weekly, it is probably better to go with the onsite management company. IMHO

**karmand** · 03-26-2008, 10:34 AM

ALL amenities at WaterColor are available to everyone regardless of which management company handles it. I just took over renting my house on Park Row (I had used Sanders). For each rental I send a "Pool Policy Form" via email to WaterColor's HOA and they issue the BeachClub/Guest passes which the guest can pick up at the WaterColor Inn front desk or from the HOA office behind Publix on Hwy 395. They charge me five dollars per day and bill me on my quarterly assessments. Hope this info helps!

Karen
www.vrbo.com/138205
www.watercolorbeachhouse.com

**Margarita** · 03-26-2008, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by karmand

ALL amenities at WaterColor are available to everyone regardless of which management company handles it. I just took over renting my house on Park Row (I had used Sanders). For each rental I send a "Pool Policy Form" via email to WaterColor's HOA and they issue the BeachClub/Guest passes which the guest can pick up at the WaterColor Inn front desk or from the HOA office behind Publix on Hwy 395. They charge me five dollars per day and bill me on my quarterly assessments. Hope this info helps!

Karen
http://www.vrbo.com/138205
watercolorbeachhouse.com

Karen - Your home is beautiful!!

**SWGB** · 03-26-2008, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by karmand

ALL amenities at WaterColor are available to everyone regardless of which management company handles it. I just took over renting my house on Park Row (I had used Sanders). For each rental I send a "Pool Policy Form" via email to WaterColor's HOA and they issue the BeachClub/Guest passes which the guest can pick up at the WaterColor Inn front desk or from the HOA office behind Publix on Hwy 395. They charge me five dollars per day and bill me on my quarterly assessments. Hope this info helps!

Karen
http://www.vrbo.com/138205
watercolorbeachhouse.com

Was this the house on the parade of homes?

**tsutcli** · 03-26-2008, 08:55 PM

Camp Creek Golf Course and Sharks Tooth are only for renters using Watercolor Rentals so if you are intent on playing either or both of these and you use someone else, you have to play with a member. Also, and this happens ALL the time, if there is a maintenance or housekeeping issue at night, the renter calls the hotel front desk, even though they are not renting from us, because they can't raise their management company or they don't get the response they want to hear. As a courtesy we try to help them most of the time. If you want to cut corners to save a few bucks on an expensive vacation then rent through VRBO of another company. If you want 4 Star service stay with the resort program.

**swantree** · 03-27-2008, 11:59 AM

as a company that services homes in WC I believe there is another way. Swantree offers all of the Renter services to the homeowner such as cleaning, getting ving cards and checking people in. We, as well, are on call 24/7 for the renter if a situation arises that needs to be handled quickly. in this market keeping the % rate in the homeowners favor and using the internet to "do the marketing" for you is becoming the norm. We are a local company and have served VRBO going on 4 years now. our model is a bit different from the traditional model but the customer service is by far more personal than any other business out there. our opinion is that you have more control over what and how your home is rented via VRBO/Homeaway and the likes. if you think that 45% or even 25% is worth the advertising and booking fees' then go ahead and stay with WC proper or another company duplicating WC. if you want to Save money and get better customer returns, more control over your home and all the benifits of a rental company use Swantree. if you have not heard of us..that's normal....we stay low key and organic in our growth. you are welcome to inquire to any owner we have with our program.
"RBOAP" Rent by owner assistance program.

**Beachduck** · 03-27-2008, 03:25 PM

I have rented from an owner using Swantree. It was a great experience with top notch, personal, waiting on me at the door upon check in service. I thought the services offered at Swantree were great. I can't speak for the pricing though because I do not know what he charges.

**swantree** · 03-28-2008, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by Beachduck

I have rented from an owner using Swantree. It was a great experience with top notch, personal, waiting on me at the door upon check in service. I thought the services offered at Swantree were great. I can't speak for the pricing though because I do not know what he charges.

Thanks BD! I think our pricing is very reasonable! I'm sure if those who inquire, they would see the value immediatly

**Snerd** · 04-05-2008, 06:54 PM

From my understanding, renters outside of Watercolor can't rent bikes or kayaks from them (of course there are other companies to go through though), or use the kid's camp.

**swantree** · 04-05-2008, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by Snerd

From my understanding, renters outside of Watercolor can't rent bikes or kayaks from them (of course there are other companies to go through though), or use the kid's camp.

i don't think that to be true...but yes, there are lot's of other choices for such rentals. maybe a little less convienent but in many cases a better selection of products to rent.

**tsutcli** · 04-05-2008, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by swantree

i don't think that to be true...but yes, there are lot's of other choices for such rentals. maybe a little less convienent but in many cases a better selection of products to rent.

Yes that's true and the golf courses as well as mentioned before. Only those amenities owned by the HOA are available to use by those renting outside Watercolor ( beach club ). Workout facilities can be used for a daily charge.