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MARKETING PLAN |
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| I have found that some of my villa clients (owners) are either
at a stage in their career/life where they just don't have time or
interest to deal with the day-to-day rentals, marketing, calendars
or multiple owner-guest e-mails from prospective renters. These
owners just aren't able to get back to the inquiries fast enough and
often lose renters to another property that responds quicker. I offer this more "complete" marketing plan for them. I charge THE SAME commission percentage (12.5%) for this service. I just manage their calendar for them (prevent double bookings), submit & maintain their properties to the villa rental internet sites for them and if necessary, update their existing website--take a few nice (well - lighted) photographs for them as well. I also pay out of pocket for advertising on a few other sites as well. No contract, still severable at any time. ADDITIONALLY- We locate a professionally designed and manufactured rental sign in front of our managed villas AND maintain the Guest Reviews for the managed properties and also try to steer rentals to them that go unfilled from other "managed" property inquires. Financially, the only thing that is different is that I ask to be reimbursed for the out-of-pocket listing fees charged by the big THREE (villa listing) sites the owner would like to be listed on, any web-hosting fees for their personal website, etc-- I have found the best (non-commission) sites for Cayman Villa rentals to be these. I have listed the standard rates-- ON some of them I get lower bulk rates because I list 20+ properties--so that is a benefit to you as well. www.vrbo.com ($299/yr + $20/extra photo over 5 -- need 12 photos to have a thumbnail photo) www.homeaway.com ($329/yr for Basic--$499 for GOLD) (includes www.cyberrentals.com, www.greatrentals.com and www.a1vacations.com) www.vacationhomes.com ($150/yr) www.vacationrentals.com ($148/yr) It is the owner's choice which he/she would like to be listed on-- I have prioritized them above-- I would recommend as a minimum that your property be listed on www.vrbo.com and www.homeaway.com. There are quite a few more than these-- but those sites don't get high rankings in the search engines or invest in SEO (search engine optimization). VRBO is now (as of 2011) going to be the standard for the guest reviews. Inquiries from these listings will come directly to our office. Your inbox won't be deluged with e-mails. The only e-mails you will see are copies of date holds, leases and invoices-- as well as e-mails that checks/wires are on the way. You still don't sign any contracts. The arrangement is cancellable at any time by yourself. -- Unlike other listing agencies on or off the island, you are not locked in at all. |
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| In sum--under this "Marketing" plan option--we manage the owners entire marketing and guest communication effort (including other internet advertising sites) as well as their personal website (if they have one). There is no increased commission percentage-- just reimbursement for the annual fees paid to the internet marketing sites, web-hosting services, etc .We still do not offer "property management" services with maintenance, maids, licensing, paying taxes or inspections You must must have an on-island manager to take care of those items (we have the names of 5-6 managers if you need one- click www.grandcaymanvillas.net/owners.htm ). | |
| The cost to the villa owner for an accepted rental contract
is calculated very simply: GCV&C passes on (by US Bank
Draft) 87.5 percent of (net of 2.5% credit card fees)
funds
collected from the rental guest. Almost all of the clients prefer using a card
these days as they get miles and benefits and a level of security. Our commission is subtracted from the second
50% payment after which the penalties of cancellation would
more fully protect both the villa owner and GCV from potential
financial loss. We don't get paid until you get paid in full. If you
prefer a bank wire of funds--I have to pass on the wire charge to
you ($40 international; $20 for domestic). Note--sometimes Travel Agents approach us to book homes-- and if you accept a rental from them (thru us) we have to pay an introductory travel agent 10% of the "base rate" (as calculated by Cayman Villas-- {really works out to 7.2% of gross})-- we reduce our commission SO THAT THE NET EFFECT TO YOU AS OWNER IS THE SAME AS IF WE HAD TAKEN A DIRECT BOOKING BY CREDIT CARD. Travel agents can bring us rentals many times for slower months-- For select agents who have a presence on Grand Cayman; sometimes we have to pay them slightly more commission. |
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| OUR BASICS: | |
LISTING REQUIREMENTS
LEASE TERMS GCV will draft the lease for the rental period. A copy of that lease will be e-mailed to the villa owner/agent as "blind" copy for his/her approval and to have a copy for their records. A. Our standard PAYMENT terms are 50% deposit to "Book" the villa and the remaining balance 60 days prior to occupancy (yours can be different). B. Our standard CANCELLATION terms are somewhat unique (yours can be different, but know these are what we send out unless you specify): 1. Once "booked" (paid 50% of Rental Charge); should the client decide to cancel prior to paying the full charge, 25% of the Rental Charge will be returned to the guest as soon as it is received from the villa owner. Should GCV be able to replace the reservation, the other 25% will be forwarded immediately upon receipt of replacement booking funds, less any discounts or fees paid. Should Grand Cayman Villas & Condos not be able to replace the reservation, the remaining 25% is forfeited. 2. Once "paid-in-full" (paid 100% of Rental Charge); should the client cancel; every effort will be made to re-lease the property. We will contact other rental agencies, managers, travel agents, etc. in an effort to re-lease the property. Should we be able to replace the reservation, you will receive 100% of your Rental Charge, less any re-booking charges, commissions or discounts incurred. Should GCV&C not be able to re-lease the property, the entire rental amount will be forfeited; however, 50% of that amount will be credited on a non-assignable basis towards a subsequent available week at the same villa (regardless of high/low season). This credit will be exercisable by the lessee for 13 months. We think this feature is both unique and very fair, as rebooking within 60 days is very difficult (air fares, etc.), and most families have already made their vacation plans well in advance. You might consider travel cancellation insurance to protect yourself from unforeseen events.
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| HURRICANE LANGUAGE/CAVEATS | |
| The following Language is printed at the bottom of each of our leases (PLEASE READ): | |
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Grand Cayman Villas, LLC (GCV) operates strictly as a marketing/booking agency for rental villas located on Grand Cayman. GCV neither owns nor manages individual properties. It is exclusively a booking agency with no liability for any physical or financial injury sustained by guests during their stay. In the (very unlikely) event that a contracted villa is either unavailable or uninhabitable for a guests’ stay (for any reason); GCV will make extraordinary efforts to obtain similar (or better) accommodations for the guests (subject to their approval). GCV maintains strong relationships with many on-island managers, owners, villa rental agencies and the Cayman Islands Tourism Department. However, should acceptable accommodations not be found, the limit of financial liability for GCV will be a prompt, full refund of all monies paid or an alternate stay at the villa (at the choice of the guest). Evacuation or travel delay due to hurricanes will result in prorated refunds up to the total of the rental amount, prorated by # nights stayed |
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| KEY POINTS OF LISTING WITH GRAND CAYMAN VILLAS | |
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