Social distancing is at the top of everyone's minds right now, including ours! If you're coming to the beach this summer, there are still plenty of ways you can practice social distancing that are easier than you think. Here are some of our favorite ways [...]
Sustainability is a huge focus in tourism right now, and it's our commitment at Southern to make it our focus as well. Sustainable tourism is defined as "tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, [...]
What is the Clean Coverlet Program? ~ Southern Vacation Rentals Browsing our Gulf Coast vacation rentals? You may have noticed one specific filter, our Clean Coverlet program. If you're new to the Southern family and haven't stayed with us before, you may be wondering about the Clean Coverlet program. What is it and what does it mean for the property you're staying in? As part of our vacation rental management program, our Clean Coverlet program ensures that each property is replaced with environmentally-friendly bed covers that are changed and laundered with each reservation. This is part of our drive [...]
Congratulations! You've just bought your new vacation home. There has never been a better time to invest in real estate on the Gulf Coast. Once you've furnished and decorated it to your liking, we're sure you'll be eager to start renting it out right away. Even if you live near your second home, you should hire a property manager to make caring for your property stress-free. [...]
What is required in a vacation rental? Providing your guests with a memorable experience starts at making sure that your property is stocked with all of the necessities. It's the thoughtful, extra touches that make for positive reviews and happy repeat guests. And, any seasoned vacation rental owner will tell you that meeting guests' expectations is key! We want happy and repeat guests as much as you do, so when you join our vacation rental management program, we require that your property is furnished with the [...]
Should I hire a property manager? If you've just purchased your second home and you're looking for someone to help you manage it, then this is the blog for you. While some owners may opt to self-manage, we highly recommend working with a property management company to help maintain your property. If you're an out of town owner and cannot easily access your property, self managing will be difficult. Some of the pros of having a property manager are the point of contact, higher profits, and overall peace of mind. Hiring a property manager can be extremely beneficial! If you choose [...]
Are Service Animals Allowed in Vacation Rentals? ~ Southern Vacation Rentals Are service animals allowed in vacation rentals? If you're involved in the industry or looking to travel with a service animal, then you may be asking yourself this question. The short answer is that yes, service animals are allowed in vacation rentals. However, it's important to know the definition of a service animal. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines service animals as any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, [...]
How to Choose Your Property Manager ~ Southern Vacation Rentals If you’ve purchased goods or services, then you’ll know the importance of weighing cost versus expectation. The same rings true for looking for a vacation rental management company to increase the value of your investment property. As a consumer, you must weigh all variables to define your expectation of value, while the provider has to convey the worth of the product or service. When it comes to knowing how to choose your property manager, we make it easy at Southern. The phrase “you get what you pay [...]
How Often Should You Receive Updates on Your Property? ~ Southern Vacation Rentals As an owner at Southern, how often should you receive updates on your property? Your main point of contact will be your Portfolio Manager. As part of our Gulf Coast vacation rental management program, your Portfolio Manager oversees all aspects of your property and communicates with other departments as necessary. Our goal is to ensure seamless, convenient communication for you as an owner. Your Portfolio Manager will contact you for approval for repairs/replacements as outlined in your rental management agreement in addition to suggestions [...]
