Vacation Property Rental Agent

Startup Costs: $2,000 - $10,000
Home Based: Can be operated from home.
Part Time: Can be operated part-time.
Franchises Available? Yes
Online Operation? Yes

If you live in a busy tourist area, there is probably a good chance that you can flourish by starting and operating a vacation property rental agency. It is not uncommon for people to purchase vacation homes and condominiums with plans to rent them either part or all of the year to tourists, to help offset the costs of financing, maintenance, taxes, insurance, and utilities. Unfortunately, rental income often fails to materialize, since many property owners don't understand how much time and work is involved in renting the properties'marketing, booking, cleaning, making repairs, and a lot more. Not to mention that most owners are sometimes hundreds'if not thousands'of miles away. As a result, many vacation properties sit vacant when not being used by their owners. This creates a terrific opportunity to rent these properties for the owners on a revenue-splitting basis. In addition to marketing and renting the properties, you will also be responsible for cleaning and light maintenance to ensure that they stay in tiptop condition and attract top dollar when they are leased. Start small, representing one or two vacation property owners, and run the service from home. As the business grows, so too can your time commitment until you are at the point of operating a profitable full-time business. The same business concept can also be applied to recreational vehicles and boats, if that piques your interest.

The Market

Absent property owners who would like to have their properties rented out, but do not have the time or the expertise to manage renters.

Needed Equipment

A computer and For Rent signs with your phone number emblazoned on them. Also, a scheduling book that will help you keep track of when renters are moving in and when their lease is up.

Vacation Property Rental Agent Ideas

Real Estate Listing Preparation Service

Help people prep their home listings with your excellent copywriting, editing and sales skills.

Vacation Property Rental Agent

Caught in the hustle and bustle of a busy tourist area? Consider rental properties to supplement tourists' vacations.

Apartment and House Finder Service

Help people find homes with an apartment and house finder service.

More from Business Ideas

Side Hustle

This 24-Year-Old's Creative Side Hustle Surpassed $1 Million in Sales: 'Definitely Doing Something Right'

Content creator and actor Alyssa McKay saw the perfect opportunity to innovate.

Leadership

She Turned Her Pandemic Hobby Into a Full-Time Business. Now Her Heritage-Inspired Candles Are Sold in Retailers Like Nordstrom and Barnes & Noble.

Melissa Gallardo creates premium home fragrances in candle form, all inspired by her Latin heritage. As she continues to build and grow her business, these are the lessons she wants to share with other founders.

Franchise

Kick-Start Your Small Business With These Cost Effective Strategies

Starting a small business is an exciting adventure, brimming with both opportunities and challenges. A key to success is effectively managing costs from the outset.