1. Commission & Costs: Please explain your commission structure and any additional costs a homeowner might incur.

Salt Water Vacations charges a flat commission on all short-term and monthly rentals. We also highly prioritize the maintenance of our homes and offer a monthly Preventive Maintenance Program at a nominal fee to ensure our Owners' assets are protected and regularly attended to.

2. Marketing: Please detail the strategies you utilize to market properties to guests.

We have enterprise-level partnerships with all major and some less prominent listing platforms to ensure the widest possible marketing distribution for each of our properties. Additionally, we invest heavily in targeted direct marketing and see huge successes in return guest marketing as well.

3. Cleaning & Maintenance: Please outline your property management services, including but not limited to cleaning, inspections and maintenance.

Salt Water Vacations is a full-service management company to include, but not limited to, maintaining, cleaning, marketing and guest relations. We have a dedicated team to each home, so each home and its Owner are in the direct care of a specialized team to ensure that vacation home is receiving detailed attention on a daily basis. In addition we handle all local, state, and federal regulatory compliance including taxes, registrations, business licensing, etc.

4. Communication & Reporting: How do you communicate with homeowners and what types of reports do you provide? Who will I be working with on your team? Will I have a dedicated representative or a team approach?

Our Property Portfolio Managers directly handle our Owners and serve as their constant contact to ensure all of their needs are met with exquisite care. Additionally, we provide Annual Portfolio Reviews conducted personally each fall with every single Owner on program so that we can strengthen our strategies and communications. Regular Market Updates are sent to Owners as well as Performance Reports from Key Data for comparison purposes.

5. Financial Management: Please discuss how you handle financial management for the properties you manage. Do you follow trust accounting principles?

We operate on Trust Accounting and hold all escrow funds in a separately managed account unless and until they are payable to our Owners. Our Owners receive statements and deposits no later than the 10th of each month for their prior month's revenue less commissions and other expenses. We provide our Owners with Capital Expenditure expectations and assist with asset management to include financing for required or recommended projects.

6. Technology: What kind of technology do you employ and how does this technology provide benefits to both homeowners and guests?

Our technology approach is aggressive but streamlined. We strive to ensure that our team members have the resources to do their job but aren't overwhelmed with technology burdens. We utilize dynamic pricing software which is friendly to both Owners and Guests in order to maximize revenue in peak seasons but also allow for guests to find 'deals' when occupancy demand is lower. Additionally, we utilize tech to drive our excellent housekeeping and maintenance programs with documentable successes shown in our positive reviews. Our Owners can access their Owner Portal at any time to see exactly what is happening with their investment property.

7. Differentiators: What unique aspects set your company apart from other property management companies, especially in terms of advantages to homeowners?

40 years of local service! We started in the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area and remain fully locally staffed with 24/7 Owner and Guest services. All of our services are provided by Salt Water Vacations employees who live and work here on the Emerald Coast which gives Owners and Guests alike a premier level of service and comfort. Our home to employee ratio is the BEST in the business at 6:1 well ahead of the industry average of 10:1 and the high of 15:1 at which large national and international providers operate.

8. Guest Damage: What is your approach to managing damages caused by guests? Do you require a security deposit or offer damage insurance? If you opt for insurance, how do you establish the coverage details?

We handle Guest Damage directly with guests by stipulating in our contract that their credit card on file will be charged on checkout for any damages that weren't present prior to check-in. Our Field Operations teams inspect every single home just prior to arrival and just after departure to ensure we catch everything.

9. Revenue Management: Please explain your strategy for revenue management? How do you determine pricing to optimize earnings? Do you utilize dynamic pricing software, manage rates manually, or employ a combination of both methods?

We employ a proprietary and customized combination approach leveraging industry-leading vendor partners for market data, cutting-edge dynamic pricing software, and a personalized touch from our internal Revenue Management team with over 40 years of local expertise in maximizing revenue through optimized rates.

10. Community Involvement and Reputation: Are you involved in the local community and do you support local initiatives?

Salt Water Vacations proudly works in our community to assist some of our most impactful nonprofits, particularly focused on underprivileged children, through sponsorships and regular engagement & involvement. We also partner with local events and organizations (charity golf, fishing, music, and arts to name a few) throughout the year to supplement our impact here locally. We're heavily involved with the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, Sinfonia Gulf Coast's Children's music education programming, several local schools, and the annual Take-A-Kid Fishing day in addition to sponsorship of Destin's Annual Fishing Rodeo - a historical lifeblood event in our local area.

Salt Water Vacations

What We Offer

Trust Accounting

Property Inspections

Revenue Management/Dynamic Pricing

Local Ownership

Guest Screening/ID Verification

Guest Damage Insurance/Security Deposit Insurance Program

Local Support 24/7

Tax Compliance and Remittance

Commercial Laundry

In-house Cleaning

Keyless Entry Provided

No Startup Fees

Unlimited Owner Use

Property Manager Supplied Metrics

235

Properties

$352

Average annual daily rate

52%

Average annual occupancy

Property By Type

Homes

25%
Condos

75%

Property By Bedrooms

6+ Bedrooms

3%
5 Bedrooms

13%
4 Bedrooms

12%
3 Bedrooms

24%
2 Bedrooms

31%
1 Bedroom

17%

Please note that these metrics have been supplied directly by the vacation rental manager and have not been independently verified by Comparent or any other third-party entity. While we strive to present the most accurate and reliable information, Comparent disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy of these metrics.

Airbnb Metrics

145

Properties

$558

Average daily rate

30%

Average occupancy

Property By Type

Homes

11%
Condos

88%
Other*

1%

Property By Bedrooms

6+ Bedrooms

1%
5 Bedrooms

5%
4 Bedrooms

9%
3 Bedrooms

28%
2 Bedrooms

40%
1 Bedroom

17%

VRBO Metrics

152

Properties

$534

Average daily rate

38%

Average occupancy

Property By Type

Homes

15%
Condos

78%
Other*

7%

Property By Bedrooms

6+ Bedrooms

3%
5 Bedrooms

7%
4 Bedrooms

9%
3 Bedrooms

28%
2 Bedrooms

38%
1 Bedroom

15%

The metrics and data displayed above are sourced from publicly available information. While Comparent strives to ensure that this information is reliable, please note that the data is not guaranteed for accuracy and should be independently verified. We disclaim any liability for any inaccuracies or omissions in these metrics.

Salt Water Vacations Reviews

Submitted by Lisa Houghlin on 06/06/2024

The best!

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Salt Water vacations is truly the best! Kati and her crew at the Inn at Crystal Beach provide top notch service. The grounds are beautifully maintained, the cleaning is impeccable, the beach service is wonderful. They take pride in their work and make sure every detail is taken care of. We love them!

Submitted by David Jackson on 11/06/2023

When I am charged for a service or repair

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Submitted by Kathy C. on 10/22/2023

responsive to our needs

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Submitted by Teresa W on 10/21/2023

Amanda is awesome.

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Submitted by Jeff Schmalbach on 10/20/2023

Best Management Firm

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Submitted by V. Bobo on 10/20/2023

They respond to your requests.

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Submitted by Frank Vucci on 10/20/2023

Responsive, proactive, company.

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Financial

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