We aren’t going to lie to you and say that CuddlyNest is the only vacation rental site out there. We’re only one of many in the short term accommodation game, and that’s certainly not a secret. This brings up a lot of questions that we don’t blame you for having.

Is CuddlyNest really the best option out there for listing short term accommodations?

What sets CuddlyNest apart from the competition?

Let’s examine four other short term rental sites and then CuddlyNest. We’ll prove to you that we really are the best vacation rental listing platform out there.

Airbnb

This is the most well-known of the short term listing websites. Airbnb is certainly the largest vacation rental listing platform, but what are its qualifications?

• Guests pay a 5-15% service fee that’s based on the booking total.
• Hosts pay anywhere from 3-5% of the booking total back to Airbnb, though this number can fluctuate based on different factors.
• It is, however, free to list properties and rooms with Airbnb.

HomeAway

HomeAway isn’t just one company — it’s an umbrella of a variety of short term rental listing sites. HomeAway, VacationRentals, VRBO…and those are only three of many!

• The fee guests pay is anywhere between 5-12% of the booking total.
• The hosting fees are more complicated. Because you pay to be a part of HomeAway sites (more on that in the third bullet), the fees are dependent on the plan you choose. Pay-per-booking is 8% of the booking total, while subscription holders don’t have to pay hosting fees.
• HomeAway is a pay-to-use listing site. You can either pay a commission fee for single bookings, or (if you want to list a lot of properties for long periods of time) sign up for an annual subscription fee from $399 to $549.

TripAdvisor

You may know of TripAdvisor as a travel recommendation website, not as one that helps you find short term rental properties. However, the site has expanded from its beginning built in reviews. The properties that they list also automatically show up on 26 other property listing sites.

• The booking fee guests pay can range from 8-14.5%.
• Hosts only pay a 3% fee for every booking, and this gets deducted from the fee guests pay for booking.
• There are currently no contracts that hostees are forced to sign, and all listings are free to post.

Roomorama

Finally, Roomorama is another short term listing site that is both global and luxurious. Unlike other sites, Roomorama lists properties for longer periods of time, which makes their cut and the cost to rent a property higher.

• The guests fees for Roomorama hinge on factors like the length of stay. Usually the fees range from 12-15%; 12% is for stays of one month or longer.
• Hosts don’t pay any fees.
• All properties are free to list.

CuddlyNest

Now let’s talk about the credentials of CuddlyNest:

• The fees at CuddlyNest are a little more unique than at other short term listing sites. Instead of having a set fee, we put the power in the hands of those who list with us. We have a standard 9% fee that can be totally paid by the guests, split between the host and the guests or only paid by the host. You set up the process in a way that benefits you. We also have a 3% fee the host needs to pay.
• How much is it to list with CuddlyNest? It’s totally free!
• We will promote your property all over social media, that’s more exposure!
• You can post your vacation rental website link right on CuddlyNest!
• Communication and calls between guests and hosts are direct at your wish.

You may notice that our fee rates are quite low as compared to other sites. For instance, Airbnb fees can be 20% when you combine the fees the guests and hosts pay. Ours are collectively 12%, less than half of what Airbnb could potentially take. No surprising add-ons for your guests.

This is just one aspect of CuddlyNest that we think puts us above the rest. Curious about why we’re the best? The reasons are just one click away.

If you’re listing your vacation rental home on Cuddlynest, it can be tempting to use flowery language to describe your property. But this can be subject to personal taste. It’s best to stick to the facts and avoid bad grammar, spelling mistakes, and meaningless phrases in your listing.

To help you get started, here are eight of the worst words to use in your listing.

1. Nice. Your English teacher told you that nice is overdone, so you shouldn’t be using it in your property descriptions either. It can give an air of laziness to your property listing which can trigger a red flag for guests who are wondering what else you were lazy about. Use one of the other adjectives to describe your property.

2. Broken or needs repairs. No one wants to stay in a rental that has broken things. There’s no reason why you can’t get broken hinges fixed, or buy a new coffee maker, or fix a squeaking door. You’d be surprised at how little time these tasks take to do. Get your rental fixed up so you can avoid having to mention any faults in your vacation property.

3. Hidden gem. This phrase suggests that your property is worn and decaying. It’s best to think up something new instead. You could mention that your property is new on Cuddlynest, or that it has undergone a renovation or some other reasonable explanation as to why you don’t have a whole lot of bookings yet.

4. Breathtaking. It’s alright to say your property has a view, but the breathtaking word is so commonly used that you should try thinking up something unique to your listing.

5. World-class. This is a subjective phrase at best. Think about what you’re trying to compare your property to. If you provide a full continental breakfast, just say so. If there is maid service, put that in your listing. Describe the amenities instead of using a catch-all phrase.

6. No, never, not. Even though you may be cleverly using these words in your rental listing, they have negative connotations. Avoid using them completely, and rewrite your rental listings to only using positive words.

7. Must-see, must-do. The word “must” is something you’d use at work. You must do this, or you must do that. It makes a person feel stressed out. Remember that this is their vacation time, and if they want to simply do nothing at all, that’s fine too. It’s all right to make sightseeing recommendations but let guests decide what to do on their own.

8. Unique. This is another word that may raise warning flags for potential guests. What’s so unique about it that it must be mentioned? Guests want a secure, quiet spot where they can rest. They’re not looking for surprises.

Remember that when you type up your first draft of your Cuddlynest rental listing that you can always go back and edit it. If it appeals to you, then it will appeal to your future guests, which will result in plenty of bookings.

If you’ve ever done anything having to do with real estate, you’ll know there’s a lot of paperwork, red tape and documentation involved. Owning a home, renting a home, leasing a home…it’s all a lot more complicated and regulated than you think. This same standard applies to home-sharing.

Before you ever consider renting out your property for short term use, you’ll need to do a lot of research. Why? There are specific rules and regulations that go along with short-term renting, and it’s very likely that you aren’t entirely educated on the subject.

That’s why CuddlyNest is here to help. We have three great pieces of information and advice for current or future short-term accommodation owners who want to make sure they’ve dotted every I and crossed every T.

1. Start locally. What are your community regulations?

Most short-term property laws are handled on a state or community level. At the micro level, within your specific community, home-sharing ordinances may be completely different as compared to a town 30 minutes from where you live. Every community has their own way of zoning their land, and ordinances may vary from one town to another.

In order to begin your life as a short-term rental property owner, you must first research and understand these laws and ordinances. These laws will tell you what you’re required to do to rent your home out to others, or if it’s even allowed at all!

The best way to do this is to contact your local government directly. Ask questions about online resources or print editions of these laws and any specific rules they have regarding the number of days you can rent a property to be still considered short-term.

2. Taxes and permits and licenses…oh my!

One of the most basic aspects of short-term property renting is getting a permit. Most cities in North America have made this a requirement before you start your rental business. This permit gives you permission to act as a “landlord,” so to speak, except only for a set amount of time. These permits are necessary no matter how long you plan on renting out a property — whether it’s just for a week during vacation season, or all year round.

Also, don’t forget that money you make off of sharing your home is taxable income. It’s your responsibility to keep track of tax information that comes with home-sharing. Without these reports, you may face penalties. CuddlyNest makes it easy for you to track your rental schedule and maintenance throughout the year to make filing for your taxes as easy as a breeze.

3. Think about responsibility.

Finally, think about other laws that pertain to simply living in an area. Your tenants are responsible for keeping their noise level down, just like you would be if you were staying in your property. While a great tenant will look up this information on their own, the best owners and managers will give their tenants a dossier of the most important ordinances and rules they should be mindful of.

It’s also the job of the property owner to keep their guests safe. Safety should be your number one concern once the rental process has started — are your tenants in good hands?

You want to set the right rate for your online vacation rental at Cuddlynest, as you don’t want rates so high that you scare away renters, but on the other hand you don’t want rates so cheap that they wonder what is wrong with your property. Remember that in the beginning, it won’t be all about profits. You need to find that perfect price point that will bring in repeat renters, but cover your costs and give a good profit too.

It’s tricky trying to figure out the best rates in the beginning. Utilize these six tips to help you get started, but remember, you can always adjust them later if you need to.

1. Compile a list of expenses. It’s important to calculate how much you think it costs for the upkeep of your rental. Consider how much electrical, cable, or internet costs, and if there are any strata/HOA fees. You may also have had to purchase new beds, linens, or furnishings. Your rental may need some expensive repairs in the future, such as roofing, new appliances, or painting. You’ll want to spread out these costs over a year or two.

2. Compare the competition. If there are other rental homes on your block, see if they have comparable amenities, and what they are charging for their rentals. Note that if they have extra rooms or a view, that you won’t be able to ask the same rates for your own property rental.

3. Apply higher rates at peak seasons. If you live in a city that benefits from the summer tourist season, you may be able to charge increased rates during these times, and rentals in larger cities may command higher rates during long weekends or holidays. Certain cities that have ski resorts can ask for higher rates during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday seasons.

4. Plan for vacancies. You’ll need to ensure that your costs are still covered, even when you are experiencing a high vacancy rate. Even the best rentals in the most desired vacation spots don’t have 100% occupancy rates. Usually, 25% vacancy rate is on average. And if you are a vacation destination, you may have to plan for five weeks of vacancy over eighteen weeks of potential rental times.

5. Experiment. When you sign up on a site such as Cuddlynest, you’ll have a chance to create a vacation property listing, and set the rates you want. If you find that you are 100% fully booked up, you may wish to increase your rates slightly to take advantage of the demand. If you aren’t getting any bookings at all, edit your listing and lower your rates. Have friends check out your listing to offer their feedback. Often, they’ll see things that you’ve missed.

Remember never to rush your listing as you want to take your time carefully writing it up, and choosing the best vacation rental rates. When you choose a site such as Cuddlynest, you’ll find it’s a lot simpler booking your vacation rental property.