Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

20 - 25% of rental income.  iTrip property managers try to keep expenses to a minimum. As short-term rental owners, we too have seen the nitpicking expenses charged by other rental programs. There are no hidden charges to property owners.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

We spend millions a year on advertising. Additionally, advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning processes market and remarket to potential guests. The iTrip brand stays front and center through ads on Google, Facebook and Twitter to name a few.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Happy customers equal repeat business. A clean, well-maintained property is one the owner prides, and the rental guests request when they plan their next vacation or work trip. Everyday property maintenance also prolongs its life and increases its value.iTrip property managers work with local cleaning services and maintenance companies. Our staff inspects each property during the process to ensure the rental is ready for the next guest. Managers also have real-time access to the entire turnover process via our custom FlipStream app. Additional program perks include light maintenance, owner ability to select cleaning crews and more. Most iTrip managers provide light maintenance (e.g. replacing light bulbs, remote batteries, smoke detector batteries and furnace filters) at no charge for labor – only the actual cost of replaced items will be charged. We also manage all major repairs and bill you for the actual cost as part of our complete system. When non-emergency major repairs are required, you will receive an estimate before repairs are made.

Question 4

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?

Accepted Answer

Each month, iTrip property managers supply each owner a detailed statement of the previous month's rental activity. The statement itemizes all income and expense items. We also send a net proceeds direct deposit with this monthly statement. This statement should serve as verification of your income and expenses for tax purposes.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Financial Management in house.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Top Technology to post in one place and broadcast to over 85 websites for the best exposure.  Quickly manage calendars and listing details all in one place.  Direct booking website.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Each property has their own customized web page on 80-plus online listing sites. All inquiries are property specific, ensuring the owner that they receive all intended bookings. In the event that a requested property is booked, similar properties will be offered using unit specific criteria such as availability, pricing, location and number of bedrooms/bathrooms.iTrip partners with Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, Booking.com, TripAdvisor and dozens more. Utilizing weekly updated statistical analysis of daily visits, we contract with the most searched websites.We also use machine learning and artificial intelligence to run our digital marketing campaigns. This allows us to make hundreds of micro adjustments to our marketing campaigns throughout every day. These small adjustments may only increase our rentals by small percentages but added up over weeks and months- we are able to provide smarter marketing that adds up to major results. Our competitors at virtually any level simply cannot compete with this level of sophistication.We spend millions a year on advertising. Additionally, advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning processes market and remarket to potential guests. The iTrip brand stays front and center through ads on Google, Facebook and Twitter to name a few.Additionally, we employ smart follow-up marketing by continually offering potential travelers a chance to come back and book with iTrip. These smart follow-up campaigns target our marketing at visitors who are already looking to book in your market and continues to keep the iTrip brand and our properties front and center until the customer is ready to book.iTrip also has a strong social media presence on major sites including: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Linkedin. Through our social media and online marketing efforts, more than 100 million people visit iTrip sites each year (as of 1Q 2023). We also write blogs and send out a newsletter twice a month to more than 300,000 people that showcases deals, destinations and more.Each guest also receives a follow-up letter from iTrip property managers with the return of their security deposit and instructions on how to leave an online review. In addition owners are encouraged to email their iTrip property manager with comments and feedback, so we can ensure the best experience possible. iTrip managers have a detailed database of renters so they can reach out periodically and encourage repeat bookings.

Question 8

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?

Accepted Answer

iTrip ensures each guest signs a Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). The waiver informs the guest that they may be responsible for any damages occurred during their stay. Our team will inspect the property, determine if the LDW applies, and act appropriately on behalf of the owner. If it is determined there are damages, the repair cost is charged to the rental guest.Some properties do require damage deposits from each guest reservation. This damage deposit is required in advance of rental, and is in the hands of the iTrip property manager by the time of check-in. At each departure, iTrip staff inspects each property for damages. If it is determined there are damages, the repair cost is charged and deducted from the rental guest's deposit. In this case, iTrip will return the damage deposit to the rental tenant generally 7 to 10 days, following check-out and upon approval of the inspection staff.

Question 9

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?

Accepted Answer

iTrip works with property owners to establish rental rates and terms. It is in all parties best interests to maximize your rental income and ensure your property rents for the maximum amount obtainable.iTrip performs a market analysis of current comparable properties to determine competitive rental rates. Due to competitive market conditions, tourist fluctuations and demand, iTrip reserves the right to alter rates and terms and make special rates and terms at its discretion in order to maximize owner rental income and occupancy percentage. Our dynamic pricing model and data processes allow us to keep pricing competitive and increase bookings.We have a dedicated revenue management team that focuses only on maximizing revenue and occupancy for each property.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Gemma is a member of two committees for Visit Temecula Valley.  She volunteers for both Advertising and Hospitality. In addition, she helps to facilitate a group of short term rental owners to educate them on local regulations.

iTrip Temecula

What We Offer

Property Manager Supplied Metrics

Markets Served

16 Properties in California

Contact Manager

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