Hi
We ran our last house in Mexico as a rental home and we did as much as possible ourselves because (a) It got done and (b) I don't like paying huge amounts of commission to agents.
We used a local english speaking agent to do the physical stuff - deliver keys, oversee maids, check inventory etc. They were paid a flat fee for each booking they managed. This worked out far cheaper than using a management company which in Mexico at the time were taking 20% of booking monies.
The rest we did ourselves. We designed and built our own website which had it's own availability calendar (
Casa Mariposas ). We researched sites and then placed selected adverts on various "for rent by owner" websites, the fees were minimal and the return was excellent.
We had first contact with the guests via email and we knew the area really well as well as our own house so we were able to really promote the property better than an agent that has many properties to promote. We found guests preferred to deal direct with the owner. We were always totally honest, if we felt our property wasn't suitable for someone we told them and referred them onto friends with properties that would be more suitable.
We took payments through Paypal online or via cheque or via bank transfer. Paypal did entail some commission paid but it also allowed us to take credit card payments.
We listed our booking terms and conditions on our website (feel free to nick them - I sold the house! - they are on the Reservations page, bottom of the left hand menu bar).
Because we had direct contact with our guests we were in essence vetting them to a degree. If something didn't feel right about a booking enquiry the house became unavailable. As a result we never had a problem.
I enjoyed managing bookings. It was fun to talk to people about a place I loved so much and it was nice to see people enjoy the house we put so much into. Unlike most people we really made the house personal and it had a lot of special touches which you don't find in more sterile rental homes. People seemed to like that.
I prepared a guidebook to the house and the area and I emailed this to guests 2 weeks prior to their arriving. It gave them options on airport transfers, gave them directions to ATM's, advised them how to phone home in the most cost effective way and directed them to local attractions and restaurants. The Guidebook grew over time and I kept it updated with current prices and info. We found a Guidebook was all people needed, they had been savvy enough to find us online and were generally the kind of people that didn't need to be lead like sheep so just giving them the information was enough.
The guidebook also covered the house, how to collect the keys, how to use the appliances, standard security measures, leaving the property, key drop off etc etc. I'll email you a copy if you want a template to draw up your own.
I'm a big believer in an all inclusive price. I don't believe in charging extra for cleaning or electric or gas or linens. It's confusing for guests and difficult to adminstrate. I set a rental price that included everything.
I prepared a checklist for the agents for the tasks that the cleaners needed to complete before guests arrived. I can email you that too if you like, it could be a jumping off point for you to prepare your own.
I think having an agent you can trust abroad is essential. You need someone on the spot to handle the physical wellbeing of your property. However, when it comes to acquiring and managing the rentals your motivation and ability to sell your own property is probably better than anyone elses and it makes a fun hobby!
(hopefully this is not all complete rubbish when applied to Turkey! Oh well, thought would contribute anyway in the hope of being helpful)
Karyn
then Merlin can replace it with one he probably already has 
Re: I want a Property Management company to provide me with the following facilities... 
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