Christine Karpinski
1 A great resource, whether a first time or experienced owner.
Christine Karpinski has taken the initially overwhelming challenge of renting by owner, and has broken it down into concise, specific areas all owners need to focus on.
If you're not sure whether buying and renting by owner is for you, this book illuminates some of the many issues to consider, and enables an informed decision-making process.
Starting at the beginning, before a purchase is made, Christine provides helpful decision-making guidance. This continues through outfitting, marketing and maintaining your vacation rental property. Many situations you will likely encounter as an owner are well-explained.
Because of the value of this single resource, I have recommended it to all vacation rental property advertising clients of http://www.GreatFamilyRentals.com.
David Goldschmidt
GreatFamilyRentals.com
[...]
2 Must have book, if you own or want to own vacation property.
Whether you currently own a vacation home or are thinking of buying one, this book can teach you many of the ins and outs of making your property pay for itself. The internet has revolutionized the opportunity for owners to buy and rent vacation property, and this book outlines how you can capitalize on this.
This book gives a good overview of the buying , managing and renting of vacation properties. It also provides specific and real world examples and tips to do it successfully.
I work every day helping vacation rental owners market their homes and can say that the advice in this book about writing a listing and preparing photos for online advertising is right on the mark and will bring great results.
Jeff Busche
VacationRentals.com
[...]
3 Great step by step guide to successful ownership
This book provides comprehensive information on how to become a successful vacation rental owner. It is a great foundation for anyone considering purchasing a vacation rental and provides plenty of insight for those who already own and are looking for ways to become more successful.
Rick Haggart
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4 Yes, this book is THAT good!
My husband and I are thinking about purchasing a rental home in the Caribbean. This book is great!
The author recogizes the importance of the internet and tells us how to utilize it to rent our (potential) property.
She also lists how to handle clients who smoked in your non-smoking house, how to handle friends who want to stay there for free and the question of pets. (She changed my mind on pets!)
If you are thinking about buying a vacation home for rental, this really is the book for you!
5 The Virtual Field Guide!
Christine is quickly becoming the nations' spokesperson on the subject of vacation rentals offered directly by owners. And her book is right on! For the new onwer and the veteran alike, all this insight is written in a comprehensive and friendly style; the field guide for anyone looking to manage, market and maximize the return on their second home. Magnificent!
6 Thanks Christine!
This book was my first & best investment when we decided to turn my inlaws mountain home into a vacation rental. Christine has answered many questions I had about this business, and some I didn't think to ask! She's done all the research for you and backs it up with her own success as a vacation rental owner.
7 How to Rent by Owner Review
Christine Karpinski's book on how to rent vacation properties is absolutely wonderful. It's easy-to-read and broken down into appropriate chapters which make it a great reference book.
I have no experience in property management but this book answered 99% of my questions and brought up topics I hadn't even thought of.
The additional workbook is worth the small cost. The author makes a good point to keep all your rental info in one place so it's easily accessible and you can take it with you. This slim book will be easy to tote around. Thank you, Christine for a well-thought out book.
8 Some good info buried in a too folksy style
The topic of the book is dead-on for what I am looking for... how to rent by owner a beach condo I just bought. Unfortunately, it reads like a How to Make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich book from an introductory writing class. I would think that anyone who can afford to buy a beach property doesn't need to be explained about what a fixed rate vs adjustable rate loan is.
The folksy nature and the rhetorical questions being asked and self-answered is not complementary to the topic and the intent of the book. I'm sure the author is excited about the topic, but I've never seen so many explanation points in a business/real estate book....
The author is very against management companies and goes to extremes to tell why one shouldn't be hired. She says a management company will keep 50 - 60% of gross profit. The mgmt companies I spoke to in my beach town charge 15 - 20% and by reputation are very different the the typical management company described here.
So, overall some good, useful information but you have to weed through alot of... Why??? Yes!!! The author could have benefited from an editor.
9 Basic, but essential information
As a first time prospective vacation rental owner, I was delighted to find this 'tell all' book by a 'real person' who had obviously experienced most of the concerns that come with this venture. I read this book like a novel - cover to cover - and i'm sure i will refer back to it when i purchase my property.
The advice was a little basic overall, but definitely a great overview and most importantly, this book made me believe in my abilities to carry out my new project. Thanks for the encouragement; i'm looking forward to starting the adventure!
10 10 star winner!
We have various family members who now own vacation homes or second properties in Hawaii, France, Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, here in California and along Hoods Canal in western Washington, and one thing they all worried about was what would happen if the wrong people rented their properties. And since I got the book in June I have had to fight to read it, since so many of my family and friends would see it on my table and would grab it and rave about it.
This is the first (literally) book I (and my family and friends) have found that tackles all the hard questions, worries and various 'what ifs' on the subject.
Beginning with the 'before' you buy questions, which is something I know a lot of people never really give much thought to, since many assume renting it out during off season etc will be a breeze. I especially liked the chapter dealing with 'why self management makes sense' since this is an issue I know something about. How many prospective rental owners know that a management company who handles rentals for clients can take 30% or more as a commission? Or that using a rental manager doesn't assure your property will be safe, or repaired in a timely way without gouging your bank account?
The author deals extensively with the how to of finding clients to rent your property, including which websites are the best and what to have on your website as well. This includes good and accurate digital photos of all the rooms, yard, as well as Mapquest.com links so people can see how close they are to stores, beaches, rivers etc, that would be a draw as well as a drawback. A place may look nice on the website but how many owners show photos of the neighborhood so that clients can see that its safe and clean?
The author covers how to screen clients, pet clauses, smoking, and party issues and issues of liability in general. Will you use PayPal, credit cards, checks etc? What about the phone in the property and the agreement on use and charges? This is why I like the call anywhere in the country one fee programs phone providers now offer. If you have DishNetwork will there be an extra fee for use or will that be included in the rental fee?
Will you provide bed linens and basic kitchen items? What about those few people whom you can never please? How will you handle them and how should you, legally? These are also covered in-depth.
Does the state where the rental property is require you to pay state or local taxes like some hotel, motels charge a fee or tax for? These are all things you need to think about before you even buy a vacation rental.
The back two 'chapters' or index's offer a lot of Internet sites for valuable information that makes the price of the book worth every penny.
Ms. Hrib Karpinski deserves a lot of thanks for finally writing a book that is easy to read and understand as well as recommendations of those she trusts who might provide the reader with even more information.
And I am buying a copy for my local library as well! Also check out her website by the same name www.HowToRentByOwner.com
11 Thinking of buying or renting a property? This is THE book
Author Karpinski wrote me that one reader wrote to her saying "My first renter wrote me a nice note about how much fun they had and how they want to rent it again next year. Then she says, "Friday as I sat down to eat lunch, I heard a crack before the chair broke and I fell to the ground."
Just though you would like to know how true your words are. Thanks! Now I'm re-reading your book to see what else I snubbed my nose at the first time around."
That's the point of "How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner." There is detail, detail, detail, and you'd better read this with,well, to mix metaphors, a fine-toothed comb. Not only is the advice to furnish with STURDY chairs in there, but other wisdom that can save you, the vacation landlord, time and money and heartache. Have you considered a condo versus a free-standing property? What about maintenance, what about distance from the property? Are you going to be able to handle that or will you need someone to help you? Don't forget, a condo has maintenance included in a fee, usually. That fee may look large at closing, but later on...
What about the 20% downpayment usually required by lenders? Turns out that, too, can be borrowed. PMI, mortgages, lending, this is also covered.
How do you advertise to get the best results? What needs to be in that ad? Where do you advertise?
I can't go into all the detail here, but chapters include finance, self-management, advertising including photos and description writing, pricing, organization techniques, tax collection and payment, key management, problems such as major damage, minor depredations, theft, cancellation and complaints.
If you plan to rent a property, this is an absolutely essential book, written by someone with first-hand experience and an eye for detail. Get it.
12 HOw to Rent vacation properties/ a must have
This is one of the most informative, easy to read books that I have read in a long time. Christine gives you the building blocks to start your own vacation rental by owner business. Thank you Thank you Thank you
13 How to Rent
A totally engrossing book! A definite 'must -have' for any would-be renter.
Hunter Melville
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14 Practical Advice for Overcoming Your Mental Hurdles!
If you haven't ever owned and rented out a vacation or second home, you probably have the same concerns that I have: How will I find renters? Will people destroy the property? Will people sue me? How will I get the toilet unclogged at 4 a.m. from a distance? How will I avoid having a terrible negative cash flow? How much time will this really take? Am I turning myself into a minimum wage slave?
Relax! Ms. Christine Hrib Karpinski answers all those and many other questions you didn't know enough to ask. She also provides details of how she does everything efficiently and relatively painlessly.
Further, she gives you good advice on how to decide what property to buy, how much to charge, who to rent to, where to advertise, how to write the copy and even how to create great photographs for a Web site. In fact, both the marketing and the administrative details she provides are outstanding. My only suggestion is that you have an attorney in the state where your property is check out the forms she suggests (or obtain the standard forms used by landlords in that state).
The only area where the book doesn't cover a related subject in detail is in the tax advantages. If she does another edition of this book, I suggest that she have a c.p.a. write up a section on that point. As a result, the book makes it seem like you will make less than you actually will.
Her focus is on long-term ownership and rental, but she also points out how you can make substantial short-term gains. The section on the current mortgage options is excellent.
Even if you decide not to buy a vacation home and rent it, I suggest that you read the book for advice that will be valuable to you as a potential tenant of such properties. You can more than save the price of the book in that context.
I recommend that you do the work she describes for setting rental prices and marketing a property BEFORE you purchase a home.
Good luck!
15 Best Vacation Rental Book I've ever read!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you currently own or are thinking of investing in a Vacation rental this book is a must have. My husband & I are in the middle of building our dream home. Christine's book answered all the questions I had & then some about renting our vacation home. This book is very easy reading. In fact I found it very difficult to put down. It is a book I think I'll refer to over & over again. Get clicking & buy this book! You won't be sorry!!!!
16 For some, an invaluable source of information and counsel
Obviously, the value of this book will be determined entirely by its relevance to a specific reader who is now thinking about buying (or who now owns) a vacation rental property and needs expert advice on HOW to manage, furnish, maintain, and promote that investment. I have never owned such a property but have rented several over the years. Some were rented directly from their owner; others were rented through an agency engaged by their owner. The comments which follow are based on the premise that I have decided to purchase a second home. Let's say it is located where there are two peak seasons, summer (swimming, boating, golf, tennis, etc.) and winter (skiing, skating, snow boarding, etc.) My objective is to maximize rental income from it during both seasons. These are some of the questions I need to answer:
1. Where and how to begin?
2. How should I finance it?
3. Which numbers need to be crunched?
4. How to determine which property is the right place for me?.
5. Should I have a management company handle everything, use a management partnership program, or self-manage the property? Why?
6. Which are the most effective strategies, tactics, and resources for marketing my rental property?
7. What about financial terms and conditions (e.g. pricing)?
8. Which criteria to use when selecting renters?
9. What is the best system for processing reservations?
10. Which are the most common problems? How to solve each?
Karpinski addresses these and other critically important questions throughout 18 carefully-organized and well-written chapters, followed by seven appendices in which she provides forms (e.g. rental rules and regulations), identifies most helpful Web sites, explains special discounts, identifies vacation exchange Web sites, lists state sales tax offices, refers her reader to learning centers throughout the U.S. (e.g. to improve computer skills), and concludes with an annotated list of individuals and companies she highly recommends.
If you are thinking about purchasing a vacation rental property or if you now own one and are dissatisfied with its ROI, this book will be invaluable. However, with all due respect to Karpinski, I think it would be foolish to rely on only one source of information and counsel. Once again I am reminded of Derek Bok's response when outraged parents of Harvard students complained about a tuition increase: "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." Deciding whether or not to purchase a vacation property obviously requires rigorous and extensive due diligence. In my opinion, a careful reading and then (yes) re-reading of Karpinski's book is essential to that process. That said, check out other sources on the same subject, including books offered by Amazon which have received the highest ratings by readers. This book will also be helpful to current owners who have hired a management company or participate in a management partnership program. In Chapter 5, Karpinski explains why self-management "is the only way to maximize your income on your vacation property." For many current owners, that may well be true but only IF they are willing to invest the time and energy self-management requires.
17 Excellent information source for vacation property owners
As a vacation rental owner myself, I found this book to be full of solid information. I had purchased other books in the past, but they didn't address all the issues of ownership. In fact, this was the first book I had read that emphasized not using a property manager. This book outlines chapter-by-chapter how to take reservations, get deposits and payments, how to handle keys, choose good renters, deal with problems, how to find cleaning and maintenance people, etc. How to Rent Vacation Properties By Owner is easy to read and understand--I finished it in a day. There are lots of helpful tips and owner stories, but the references and resources in the back of the book are what sets this book apart. There are web sites for all 50 states tax departments, dozens of vacation rental sites to advertise on, special offers and more. The author has clearly done her homework so you don't have to. Worth every penny.
18 This Book is a Must Have
This book is a must have for any vacation rental owner. If you have multiple vacation rentals, one vacation rental, or just thinking about buying a vacation rental, this book can help you.
