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If you are considering investing in a
luxury vacation rental property in the Blue Ridge area, here are 5 things
you should know:
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Choosing a Home: If the
decision is between two homes, one that is larger with more bedrooms and
a smaller home with large picture windows and an outstanding view (of
the mountains, a lake, or a creek), choose the smaller home with the
large windows and outstanding mountain/lake view. Most prospective
guests are interested in homes with a mountain view and/or one that is
located on water. It’s also very important the home photographs well.
Magazine quality homes will photograph very well which is very important
- Pictures “sell the house”. Bottom Line: a smaller house in a great
location with an extraordinary view that photographs well will typically
produce more annual revenue than a house with 1 or 2 additional bedrooms
that has an average view.
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<<<--- Click to see Mountain View from Sanctuary ---
>>>
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Seasonality of Rentals: Blue
Ridge ”Peak” rentals occur during the summer (June, July, August), the
Fall Leaf Season (October), and Major Holidays. 75%+ occupancy during
these periods is not unexpected. “Off Peak” months should rent
consistently on weekends provided the rental rates correspond to amenities
and the view. Look for a property manager that has targeted marketing
campaigns and does not rely upon discount-pricing to acquire clients. While
discount-pricing should translate to higher occupancy levels, it will also
produce more wear, tear, and damage to a home without the necessary
revenue to cover repairs of a luxury home (i.e. it may match the mortgage
payment but little else).
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Pets: Allowing pets will increase the home’s
marketability, and in some cases increase rentals by a factor of 2x.
However, allowing a large number of unsupervised pets free reign over a
house while guests are sightseeing can lead to serious damage to both the
home and furniture. Depending upon the damage, it could even
depreciate the value of a home. Solution: if pets are allowed, specify (in
your
contract with the property manager) the specific types and quantity of pets
allowed and require guests to bring pet-crates for times they will be
leaving the home. Also ensure the property manager has pet-crates
available if the guests can not provide their own.
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Furnishing / Equipping the Home: …Do I
need a Hot Tub or a Game Room? …How well do I need to outfit my home?
In making these decisions, please remember clients searching for a vacation
home would like to enjoy things they don’t necessarily have at home.
Executive clients are specifically searching for vacation homes that “have it all”
and will not be interested in anything less to which they are
accustomed. Ironically, many clients may ask for a hot tub and
never use it. However, they will eliminate a home from their
list of choices that does not provide one. As for Game Rooms, having the
room is not enough if it is poorly equipped or has low quality
entertainment. This does not mean it should cost a fortune, but it is
necessary to have a mix of high quality traditional and contemporary games.
Regulation Pool tables
(professional 8' or 9' tables only) are requested frequently and also
important are professional-grade air-hockey and foosball tables. Small 7’ pool tables or poor quality
air hockey and foosball tables predominant in “rental cabins” only serve to
disappoint guests who will search elsewhere for accommodations on
their next visit. Electronic games, such as PS2 or X-Box, are
necessary for adults as well as kids (be sure to include some games).
Caveat: it is imperative that no “adult” games of any
kind are in the home due to legal liabilities. Quality stereo
equipment, including DVD’s and VCR’s, are fundamental requirements.
Having a small library of movies at the home will delight guests.
Finally, to round things out (for both families and couples), there’s
something to be said for stocking up on classic board games. They are
rather inexpensive, are great for families and groups, and quite often
add a nostalgic flavor to the experience of staying in a log cabin
that many have dreamed about since they were kids.
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Insurance: Make sure the house insurance
policy is a “renter’s policy” and covers liability for any injuries to
a guest or property damage caused by a guest. While it may never be
needed, it is critical to the home owner. While a “homeowner’s” policy
is less expensive, it will not cover a rental home, provides a false
sense of security, and exposes the homeowner to financial and legal
risk.
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About Mountain Paradise Properties:
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All of our properties are located on water or
mountains and provide breath-taking views of the North Georgia Mountains,
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All have fireplaces, hot tubs overlooking the
view and well-equipped game rooms,
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All are well furnished and exceptionally appointed to meet the luxury
standards required by our guests,
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Each home is unique in either theme or the “special touches” it offers
making it unforgettable to each guest who visits,
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Access to each home is simple and not
uncomfortable to someone who is accustomed to driving in town (i.e. 4
wheel drives and pack mules are not necessary).
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Why Trust Your Investment to Mountain
Paradise:
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Mountain Paradise is a luxury cabin resort
offering guests superior accommodations and concierge services – this
is a service unlike “traditional” cabin rental companies/real estate
agents and enables us to distinguish ourselves in a very “cluttered”
and fragmented marketplace that often present themselves as low-cost
vacation solutions. Additionally, we are focused on the vacation
industry and our guests, not on selling homes.
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Mountain Paradise views management of luxury
properties as providing a service for our owners. This means
respecting that you, as an owner, have made an investment in your
property, and it is our responsibility to ensure that your property is
not only rented but rented appropriately:
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We do not exceed maximum guest limits and we
rent to mature, responsible adults only,
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We respect your position regarding pets in your
home. If you do not want them, we will not put a pet in your home.
If you are willing to accept pets, we honor your choices as to type
and number allowed (and of course, we have pet crates available for
guests who cannot bring their own),
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We maintain your home to the same exacting
standards we use for our own homes,
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We de-ionize cabins to remove pollens and
dander and treat them for nuisance pests – i.e. spiders, etc., twice
yearly to help preserve your investment,
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When maintenance is needed, we can either help
you coordinate the service or handle the arrangements for you. We do NOT have
hidden revenue streams such as upcharging / overcharging for
maintenance. Original receipts from respective repair vendors illustrating repair
costs are provided to owners at the end of each billing cycle.
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Mountain Paradise was founded by highly experienced business
professionals. Our management team consists of an MBA from the Wharton
School of Business, a network marketing vice-president with 10+ years
of experience creating marketing strategies for successful companies
and the former general manager of a luxury property management
company who also has over 11 years of experience in federal service.
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Our internet marketing and
technology expertise has garnered an Alexa ranking in the top
200,000 web-sites, and page 1 placement for the top cabin
rental search terms used on key search engines such as Google, Yahoo,
MSN, and
Overture.
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Our extensive ongoing marketing campaigns targeted at
“non-vacation” travelers have created ties to church groups, travel
agents and organizations such as the US Military, Homeland Defense,
many law enforcement organizations, and the Boy Scouts of America.
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Our strategic relationships with investors
developing new businesses
in Blue Ridge have provided access to the vacationing Atlanta
executive marketplace.
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Our goal is to provide an unparalleled level of
service to both the owners and guests who have placed their trust in us.
If you are considering renting your home, please consider Mountain
Paradise. After all, “the difference between extraordinary and ordinary
is that little extra…” anonymous |
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