On the Water in Maine's website helps set the business apart from its competition.

On the Water in Maine
Location: Rockport, ME
Website: OnTheWaterInMaine.com
Quick Quote: “LiveRez helps us stand out in our localized vacation rental industry by offering us a site that far supersedes anything that any of our local competitors offer.”

In the race for the vacation rental management company that offers the most services to its guests, Justin Ford thinks he’s got a winning horse.

Ford – co-owner of On the Water in Maine with his wife, Tiffany – has made it a priority to offer his guests just about anything they need to make their vacation a hit. In addition, when it comes to amenities offered, Ford is happy to put his company against anyone else in the country.

“There’s almost nothing we won’t do for a guest,” he said.

In the past, those services have gone as far as escorting guests to their island property by boat and picking them up in a helicopter – that’s right, a helicopter.

A sister company, also owned by the Fords, Maine Watercraft Rentals, Inc, offers a complete line of rental boats, which includes canoes, kayaks, ski boats, ocean boats and more. They'll even deliver boats right to their guests' houses.

A sister company, also owned by the Fords, Maine Watercraft Rentals, Inc, also offers a complete line of rental boats, which includes canoes, kayaks, ski boats, ocean boats and more.

“Just about anything that floats, we rent it,” Ford said.  “And, we deliver them right to our guests’ properties. They’re tied up to the dock, fully fueled and stocked with life jackets when they arrive.”

With more than 200 vacation rental properties available across the Pine Tree State, On the Water in Maine has a corner on the state’s waterfront vacation experience.

“We offer more waterfront vacation rentals than anyone else in the state,” Ford said.

Whether you’re looking to stay on a lake or by the ocean, On the Water in Maine offers a range of properties that can meet just about any budget. And, unlike other companies that focus on one area, On the Water in Maine offers properties from all across the state.

If you’re thinking that the company being so spread out affects its service, stop right there. On the Water in Maine prides itself on excellent response times. In fact, they offer a guarantee that if you encounter a problem during your stay, they will respond within one hour – no matter where in the state you’re staying.

Enjoy a beautiful Maine sunset right from your vacation home.

Ford said many of his guests are attracted to the state’s natural beauty.

“This isn’t a Disney World Experience,” he said. “It’s where you can hike on trails and go stand on the rocky coast and not see another human being for miles.”

Another big selling point is the food.

“Beyond the decadence of the Maine lobster, Maine is being recognized as a top culinary destination because of the high quality of foods offered at our restaurants,” Ford said.

And, in the summer months, Ford sees guests flock to Maine to escape the scorching summer heat in the cities.

“People love the fact that Maine has natural air conditioning,” he said. “While we certainly get into the 80s and 90s during some heat waves in the summer, people can come up here and get away from the Texas, Florida and Maryland heat.”

Understanding customers’ needs is one of the things that has helped keep On the Water in Maine successful.

“We keep a close pulse on the industry,” he said. “I don’t think a lot of people do that. … We’re constantly adapting and focusing on what customers are looking for.”

On the Water in Maine offers homes right on the beach, like this one.

Another ingredient in the company’s success has been its partnership with LiveRez.com.

About two years ago, Ford started looking for a system that could really increase the efficiency of his business.

“We had hit a pivotal point where we either needed to hire a bunch more people – which would have been expensive – or we needed to find a way to streamline our business.”

The company eventually decided that LiveRez was the answer, and they’re still reaping the benefits of that choice today.

“LiveRez let us operate our business with less staff, allowing us to generate more income by not having to hire additional people,” Ford said. “That was a huge thing for us.”

One aspect of the system that helped On the Water in Maine increase its efficiency was LiveRez’s reporting features.

“In general, the reporting functions have allowed us to be more efficient in cleaning, planning and long-range rental forecasting,” Ford said. “It also helped us understand the financial picture of our business better.”

Guests can enjoy beautiful views of the water right from their living room.

Another part of the increased efficiency that LiveRez brought the business was giving travelers the ability to book properties online, which saved On the Water in Maine valuable time and made the booking experience more convenient for guests.

Ford said he constantly receives positive feedback from guests regarding the company’s LiveRez-powered website.

“We stand out in Maine, specifically, because no one else in Maine has as nice a website as ours,” he said. “So LiveRez helps us stand out in our localized vacation rental industry by offering us a site that far supersedes anything that any of our local competitors offer.”

Standing out is something that On the Water in Maine seems to do well. And when it comes to offering guests everything they need, Ford has even higher aspirations: He wants the business to stand alone.

Resort Harbour's LiveRez-powered website makes it easy for travelers to find and book properties online.

Resort Harbour Properties
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Website: ResortHarbourProperties.com
Quick Quote: “They’ve taken (our) suggestions and they’ve made some changes. That’s impressive. Not a lot of companies will do that.”

Someone once said “location is everything.”

And while Angelo Celmo of Resort Harbour Properties could probably make a very good case for that statement, he knows location is just one of many facets that have made his business successful.

But when you look at Resort Harbour’s success, location is an undeniable accomplice. You see, Resort Harbour Properties seems to be based at the epicenter of fun, near the intersection of natural beauty and luxury accommodations.

Celmo manages beautiful 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condominiums that feature full kitchens and dining rooms, and huge screened-in lanais overlooking the water. And, they’re located right on the beaches at the tip of Fort Myers.

Guests at Resort Harbour Properties can enjoy incredible sunsets right from their rooms.

Right next door is Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa – a 4 diamond / 4 star resort. Just across the water are Sanibel and Captiva islands. And, just before dusk, Resort Harbour’s position on the west coast of Florida looking out into the Gulf of Mexico makes for some of the most beautiful sunsets you’ll ever see.

“We’ve got one of the best views in southwest Florida,” Celmo said.

If you’re up for a small trip, Sarasota, Tampa and Clearwater are all short jaunts to the north. One could easily make a day trip to both Miami and Fort Lauderdale to the east, and Marco Island and Naples are approximately an hour’s drive south.

Resort Harbour’s proximately to everything gives visitors a wide selection of activities from which to choose. A short walk away at the resort, guests can find a world-class spa, tennis center, marina, fine restaurants, tiki bars, swimming pools and more.

According to Celmo, many of his guests’ favorite things to do involve water – swimming, boating and fishing (snook and tarpon).

Golfing is also high up on the list, and visitors shouldn’t have a hard time finding a course they like.

“There are over 50 golf courses in the Fort Myers / Sanibel Island area,” Celmo said.

If you have a penchant for viewing nature, you can visit one of the many nearby nature preserves or watch dolphins and manatees play in the water right from your window.

Resort Harbour Properties offers condos that are right on the beach!

And if you still don’t know what to do, Resort Harbour offers a slew of concierge services.

However, Celmo said most of his guests have a good idea of what they want to do before they arrive.

“I think a lot of people know what they want to do, and that’s what drives them here,” he said.
“They want to go to a place where they can fish and boat and golf, or sight see or go on nature walks.”

There’s a good reason many of these guests already know what they want to do – they’ve been here before. According to Celmo, Resort Harbour has a very high rate of return guests – so high, in fact, that’s he’s gotten to know many of his guests.

“We get to know our guests, because our guests will come here year after year,” he said. “Many become owners here after many visits.”

And, he’s good friends with many of his owners, too.

“We have 160 owners, and I know almost every one of them very well,” he said.

It’s this interpersonal touch that’s helped Celmo be successful. He’s found that while location is important, service really makes the difference.

“Having that personal, one-on-one touch is really beneficial,” he said.

While other property managers may choose to take on properties from a variety of locations, Celmo focuses his effort all in one place. And, he runs his business from an office right on site. But, even though he likes being close to his guests, he wanted a management platform that he could access anywhere. And, he found that in LiveRez.

“What attracted us to LiveRez was the fact that it is web-based,” Celmo said.

Enjoy a huge lanai overlooking the water with a condo from Resort Harbour Properties.

Another thing that drew Celmo in was how simple it was for guests to book online.

“The end user can navigate through LiveRez easily,” he said.

And more recently, he’s enjoyed working with Sam Martin and LiveRez’s SEO/SEM service.

“I think bringing Sam Martin in was the catalyst that I really needed,” Celmo said. “Doing some search engine optimization was really important for me. When he came on, that made me very happy.”

Another thing that impressed Celmo was LiveRez’s commitment to continually updating its software. According to Celmo, LiveRez has actively used feedback from Kelly O’Brien – a 20-year veteran of the industry who manages his vacation rentals program – to improve its platform.

“They’ve taken her suggestions and they’ve made some changes,” he said. “That’s impressive. Not a lot of companies will do that.”

Improving its software and services is a natural progression for LiveRez, which uses a Pay-for-Performance pricing model. When its partners are operating at their full potential, LiveRez sees its best returns. And that was one of the major selling points for Celmo.

“I like the fact that LiveRez makes more money as we make more money,” Celmo said. “It kind of ties LiveRez into the responsibility.”

So while location is a major selling point for Resort Harbour, its partnership with LiveRez and its dedication to excellent service can’t be ignored.

Said Celmo: “I always say, the only thing that beats our sunsets here is our service.”

Carolina Beach Realty's partnership with LiveRez.com has allowed the business to dramatically increase its web presence.

Carolina Beach Realty
Location: Carolina Beach, NC
Website: CarolinaBeachRealty.net
Quick Quote: “In the two years that we’ve been dealing with LiveRez, the rate of growth in our business has doubled and our revenues have increased tremendously. I really attribute a lot of that to the presence LiveRez has given us on the Internet.”

Imagine taking a trip back in time – to a place that’s family friendly, with uncrowded beaches and where a business really hangs its hat on true customer service.

It’s not a dream – it’s called Pleasure Island. And with 45 years of experience in the area, Carolina Beach Realty has the inside track to a wonderful vacation there.

The company offers a wide variety of homes and condos for rent, ranging in size from one to seven bedrooms, with a variety of ocean front and ocean view properties, and at prices that can fit a wide variety of budgets. Its selection of properties is among the largest offered on the small island.

Every week during the summer months, the local chamber hosts a fireworks show. It's just one of the many family-friendly activities that visitors will find on Pleasure Island.

Pleasure Island is only about 8 miles long, but it encompasses both Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and the Fort Fisher Historic Area, the third-most visited historical site in all of North Carolina. All together the island offers a laid-back atmosphere, set amidst beautiful, unspoiled beaches.

“We just don’t have the crowds that you have to fight with,” said Jim Kitts, co-owner of Carolina Beach Realty. “But there are plenty of activities available – so it’s not like a ghost town, either.”

Those activities include, among other things, a fireworks show that takes places every Thursday night at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk during the summer months, and a family movie night at Carolina Beach Lake where families can bring their lawn chairs and blankets, and enjoy a family-appropriate movie projected on a big screen.

“It’s a very family-friendly and family-oriented beach,” said Kitts.“Our local chamber does a great job of providing family-oriented activities.”

Carolina Beach Realty itself is a family-oriented business. Kitts and his wife took over the business seven years ago from her father.  And, today they still offer that same old-school customer service that the business is known for.

One of the many beautiful views visitors can find out the window of their vacation home when they book with Carolina Beach Realty.

“To me that’s the most important thing – to offer that friendly, polite, courteous customer service that, quite frankly, isn’t easy to find these days,” he said.

Kitts said they try to offer people the same respect and same level of service that that they, themselves, would expect.

And, it’s not just service to the many guests that frequent Carolina Beach Realty’s vacation homes – it’s also a high level of service to the owners of these homes.

“It’s our job to make both sides of that transaction happy,” Kitts said.

Kitts said that balancing the needs of customers with owners can be challenging at times, but that his business works hard and, most importantly, tries to be fair at every turn.

“We don’t hit a homerun at every at bat, but we do our best,” said Kitts, a former NFL running back. “We figure if we get enough base hits, we’ll be successful, and that’s what we’ve done.”

One of the many outstanding vacation homes offered by Carolina Beach Realty.

The word “successful,” however, is an understatement when it comes to Kitts and Carolina Beach Realty. The company has experienced growth in every year since the Kitts have taken the reins, even through the recent recession.

And, according to Kitts, that growth took a shot in the arm when the company became a LiveRez partner two years ago.

“In the two years that we’ve been dealing with LiveRez, the rate of growth in our business has doubled and our revenues have increased tremendously,” he said. “I really attribute a lot of that to the presence LiveRez has given us on the Internet.”

After switching to LiveRez, Kitts experienced increases in search engine placement, and his website traffic received a considerable boost.

“The hits on our website have probably increased 65 to 70 percent, if not more, since we started using LiveRez,” said Kitts, who also noted a big increase in web bookings.

Kitts said this web presence has not only helped them pick up new customers, but also attract new owners.

“Obviously when people buy property and they’re looking for someone to manage it for them, the first place they’re going to go is the Internet – just like the people that are looking for a vacation,” Kitts said. “When we come up first and show a strong presence online, it gives us good credibility.”

Some of the stunning accommodations offered by Carolina Beach Realty.

According to Kitts, the interest from owners wanting to list their homes through his management company has been almost overwhelming. Right now his business is growing about as fast his infrastructure can handle.

“We’ve grown tremendously in just a short period of time,” he said. “We’ve got to the point where I kind of have to throttle back on the properties that I take on.”

The rush of traffic to CarolinaBeachRealty.net and the rapid growth of the business provide a perfect contrast to the quiet splendor of Pleasure Island.

You see, the most crowded part of Pleasure Island could very likely be Kitts’ LiveRez-powered website.

Cambria Seaside Getaways' LiveRez-powered website helps visitors find and book their perfect escape.

Cambria Seaside Getaways
Location: Cambria, CA
Website: CambriaSeasideGetaways.com
Quick Quote: “We have been very, very pleased with LiveRez. And with the money that we’re saving, we’re able to advertise. And we weren’t able to advertise with (our previous software provider).”

You could call Lesli Godfrey and the staff at Cambria Seaside Getaways escape artists.

Cambria is the quintessential get-a-way locale, located off the beautiful Central California coast, and Godfrey and the staff at Cambria Seaside Getaways are the artists that can create your perfect escape.

Far removed from the hustles and bustles of modern life, Cambria offers beautiful coastal scenery set in lush, green foliage and outlined by the area’s famous moonstone beaches. It’s located off historic Highway 1– you know, the one in the movies where the protagonist is racing his Porshe around the tight corners that overlook the Pacific Ocean.

“It’s kind of like a hidden jewel,” said Godfrey, who manages Cambria Seaside Getaways, a division of Don Bricker Property Management.

The area offers a wealth of activities. Vacation goers can visit Hearst Castle (the former estate of newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst), fish off nearby piers, enjoy the local wildlife, sample wine at the local vineyards, windsurf, scuba dive and more.

Outstanding views are one of the many reasons why so many guests choose Cambria Seaside Getaways.

“People like Cambria because it’s quiet and out of the way,” said Godfrey.  “And, we hope that they come back because of the customer service.”

Outstanding customer service is Cambria Seaside Getaways’ calling card. They’re Cambria experts and pros at making sure their guests get the most of their vacations. But, what’s particularly special about the team is its attention to detail.

“We try to provide a high quality of service,” said Ruth Shurtz, who has been with Don Bricker Property Management since 1995. “If there’s a problem, we try to take care of it right away, so that their stay is as enjoyable as possible.”

Among other things, the staff can arrange for a masseuse or a personal chef to come to their guests’ homes. They know the lowdown on many of the local restaurants and even have coupons.  They can tell you all about the tours of Hearst Castle, and even show you where the best local vineyards are.

Their level of service is so detailed, they’ve even partnered with CKID Interior Design to help their owners better decorate their houses, even on a tight budget.

And as a company that sets the bar for customer service and attention to detail, Cambria Seaside Getaways expects superior customer service from its vacation rental software provider.

According to Godfrey, they’ve found that with LiveRez.com – but not before a few bumps in the road. The company has made its own escapes from two other software providers.

One of the many unique properties Cambria Seaside Getaways offers its guests.

Godfrey actually found LiveRez.com when she was booking her own vacation in a mountain cabin.

“I was able to book it 1-2-3, and it wasn’t difficult,” Godfrey said. “I came back and showed Ruth, and then we started researching it.”

What they found was a product with superior features and exceptional customer service – a lot like what Cambria Seaside Getaways offers its guests.

They wanted an independent company that would offer great customer service – no matter how large it got. In fact, that was one of the motivating factors for them making the switch.

Godfrey said there were a number of factors that made the switch to LiveRez.com the right move. Among other things, she loved how quickly LiveRez.com returned phone calls.

“(LiveRez.com) returns phone calls before there’s even an e-mail saying a case is assigned,” she said.

Shurtz liked the fact that there were no hidden costs with LiveRez.com, and when she called LiveRez.com’s free support they immediately worked on fixing her problem – instead of telling her how much it was going to be to fix it.

“The accounting end is 10 folds better, because (LiveRez.com) stuck with the prices we were originally quoted,” said Shurtz, who does the company’s books and utilizes LiveRez.com’s QuickBooks integration.

Other motivating factors included LiveRez.com’s housekeeping functions, its owner’s portal and the website’s ability to offer online bookings.

This vacation home from Cambria Seaside Getaways offers amazing ocean views from its living room.

Another selling point was the fast and easy implementation. LiveRez.com was able to easily transfer Cambria Seaside Getaways’ data (property listings, etc.) from the company’s old website to its new LiveRez-powered website.

“With (our old software provider), we had to put it in ourselves,” Godfrey said.

Learning the system was also quick and easy.

“Overall, learning about it and working it – it’s so much easier than (our old software provider),” Godfrey said.

And, with the time and money Cambria Seaside Getaways has saved, the company has been able to reinvest in itself. You see, when you want people to come visit a “hidden jewel,” you have to go out and tell them where it is.

“We have been very, very pleased with LiveRez,” Godfrey said. “And with the money that we’re saving, we’re able to advertise. And we weren’t able to advertise with (our previous software provider).”

LiveRez.com let Victoria Smith of Alpenglow Vacation Rentals worry less about her day-to-day business and gave her more time to spend enjoying the amazing outdoor activities in Bend, Oregon.

Alpenglow Vacation Rentals
Location: Bend, Oregon
Website: http://www.alpenglowvacationrentals.com/
Quick Quote: “It (LiveRez.com) gave me my life back.”

Time is an important commodity for Victoria Smith of Alpenglow Vacation Rentals in Bend, Oregon.

As a professional vacation property manager, a hair stylist and an outdoor enthusiast in beautiful Central Oregon, Smith doesn’t have a second to waste.

So, as her vacation rental business started to grow, she turned to LiveRez.com.

So far, Smith’s recipe for success is a combination of price, quality, location and customer service. She offers quality homes at competitive prices, and specializes in the west side of Bend, which, she says, is the most desirable location in the area, due to its great scenery and close proximately to both the mountain and the town.

In Bend, there’s no shortage of things to do. Among other things, the city offers  amazing food and drink, a wide variety of shopping opportunities, beautiful scenery and unmatched recreational activities, which include hiking, biking, horseback riding, rafting, skiing, rock climbing, fishing and hunting, and even the opportunity to explore nearby caves. And, all of Smith’s Bend homes are centrally located to these activities.

But another ingredient in Smith’s success story is her LiveRez.com website.

“I’ve picked up more homes because of my website,” she said. “Definitely people on both sides – the guests and the owners – like the website.”

Alpenglow's LiveRez-powered website reflects the incredible outdoor adventures visitors will find around every corner in beautiful Bend, Oregon.

However, managing vacation homes hasn’t always been as easy for Smith, who also manages a few homes in Mexico.

At first, Smith was hesitant to get into vacation properties. She already had a very successful career as a hair stylist that required a good amount of her time. But, a few years ago, she had received a request to help market and list a vacation home. As it turned out, Smith was an instant success.

Soon after, she went out and got her property management license and began managing vacation properties in the Bend area. But, it turned out to be a lot of work.

Smith, who also has experience as a legal secretary, was writing her own forms, creating her own end-of-the-month reports, doing her accounting by hand and creating her own website through GoDaddy.

“And it was just this mounting thing,” said Smith, who at that point was working full-time as a hair stylist. “I think I had reached six houses, and I had coordinated really well that far. But, I was using so much of my free time.”

Finally, Smith decided that she needed to do something different, and she started looking for a solution that fit her needs. Smith stumbled upon LiveRez.com, and after many conversations with the sales team – where she says she asked every question under the sun – she decided to become a LiveRez.com partner.

Alpenglow Vacation Rentals offers its guests amazing accommodations, like the ones seen here.

How did it work out?

“It gave me my life back,” Smith said.

But, she admits, she had her doubts at first.

“The trust issue was a big thing for me. I felt like I was handing it over to someone else – and I didn’t want to do that,” she said. “But it was the best thing I’ve decided to do – because I’ve made more money and picked up more houses because of the look of the site.”

One thing Smith loves about LiveRez.com’s content management system is that it allows her to put video on her website – something that gives her a competitive advantage. And, Smith has used video to great effect as visitors see when they view her property listings.

“Not all the software companies I was looking at offered video integration,” Smith said. “And, LiveRez was competitively priced, if not better, than people like Escapia.”

But, in addition to the look and feel of her website, LiveRez.com’s end-to-end SaaS platform has saved her time by taking care of nearly everything she used to do by hand.

And, that’s given her more time to enjoy the beautiful area where she lives and works.

Want to increase the number of lookers coming to your website? Regina Berg of Cabin Rentals of Helen (RentHelen.com) had just that in mind when she signed up for LiveRez.com’s professional SEO/SEM service.

Administered by SEO/SEM Manager Sam Martin, LiveRez.com’s efforts for RentHelen.com yielded positive results for Berg in every category – and in just her first month with the service.

“My bookings in May have more than doubled from a year ago,” Berg said. “I know a big part of that is the great work LiveRez.com’s Sam Martin has done for our SEO and SEM campaigns. The quality and quantity of our website visitors has definitely increased since Sam began directing our efforts.”

Below is brief case study detailing those exceptional results:

With help from LiveRez.com's SEO/SEM Manager Sam Martin, Regina Berg and the team at RentHelen.com increased the traffic coming to their website and experienced a 115 percent increase in online bookings from one year ago.

GOALS

• Increase bookings
• Increase traffic to RentHelen.com
• Increase placement in key organic search results
• Increase efficiency of SEM Campaigns through elevated click-through rates

WHAT WE DID

• Completely analyzed SEO Strategy
• Redesigned SEM Campaign
• Implemented key off-site tactics

RESULTS

SEO

• Increased website traffic by 22.69%
• Increased organic placement in a number of key search terms across all major search engines.

SEM (pay per click)

• Clicks rose 56%,
• Cut Impressions by 24%
• Click-through rate (CTR) increased 65%
• Average Cost-Per-Click (CPC) decreased by 7%
• Average placement position of ads rose from 4.2 to 3.6

Online Reservations (May 2010 to May 2011)

• Bookings increased 115%
• Nights Stayed rose 93%

Through a combination of on-page optimization efforts and back link creation, LiveRez.com drove more visitors to RentHelen.com. By decreasing impressions while increasing clicks, LiveRez.com made RentHelen.com’s SEM campaign more efficient, essentially giving Berg more bang for her buck. And with the increased traffic through these two channels, RentalHelen.com recorded dramatic increases in reservations.

Want to find out what LiveRez.com’s professional SEO/SEM service can do for your LiveRez-powered website? Call us at (800) 343-2891.

Not a partner? Visit LiveRez.com to learn more about how our end-to-end system can save you money and increase your bookings. And for timely news from LiveRez.com, check back here or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Looking for a Cabin Rental in Helen, Georgia? Check out RentHelen!
Cabin Rentals of Helen and Sautee
8037 South Main Street
Helen, GA 30545
RentHelen.com

According to police, at least 15 people in Coachella Valley in Southern California were the victims of a vacation rental scam. According to police, two Palm Springs men – Michael Maloney, 49, and Matthew Wehling, 45 – were arrested and will likely be arraigned today.

Avoid vacation rental scams by dealing with established vacation rental managers.

Police say they used websites, including HomeAway and Vacation Rentals by Owners, to list homes they did not own or manage. Allegedly, they took down payments on these homes and kept the money for themselves. When their unsuspecting victims finally showed up to the homes they thought they rented, they discovered they were scammed – definitely not the way they wanted to start their vacations.

This situation brings to light a major security issue with renting homes directly from the owner. One way to avoid these issues is to rent from a professional vacation rental manager (VRM). Vacation rental managers are active members of their communities. They’re often members of their local chamber of commerce. And, they’re rated by the Better Business Bureau. But, even more importantly, they have a brand to protect.

Most all VRMs are established and trusted. When you rent from them, you can trust that the property exists, is as advertised, and is available for the time you booked it. And, if for some reason you have a problem, they’re ready and available to help you – not hours away as is the case with many owners who rent their vacation homes.

Vacation goers should also consider looking on RezSecure.com as an alternative to sites that advertise homes by the owner. RezSecure.com only lists trusted vacation homes from trusted vacation managers. The site lists property from a number of management companies from across North America and beyond, so there are plenty of options. One thing managers like is that when their properties show up in the search, their logo/brand is attached – something sites like HomeAway and VRBO do not allow. It’s beneficial to both the buyer and the property manager. VRMs work hard to establish a good reputation. And, buyers want the security of renting from a trusted manager.

But at this point, none of that can help the innocent victims in Coachella Valley. Even if the victims somehow get reimbursed for the money they lost, they still had their vacations ruined – and there’s no way to erase bad memories or go back in time.

A former marketing manager for GE Business, Julie Weeks has built Arrow Point Vacation Rentals into a thriving business.

Arrow Point Vacation Rentals
Location: Coeur d'Alene, ID
Website: ArrowPointResort.com
Quick Statistic: In just five months with LiveRez.com, Arrow Point Vacation Rentals has already increased online bookings by more than 70 percent when compared to all of 2010.

While so many businesses around the country are obsessed with their bottom line, Julie Weeks of Arrow Point Vacation Rentals in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, takes a different approach. Her philosophy: focus on the people first and just let your profits follow.

And to date, that philosophy has been very successful. Currently 70 percent of Arrow Point Vacation Rental’s customers are return guests.

“I really believe that a big part of that is we just focus on each individual person and really have a heart of service,” said Weeks, a former marketing director for GE Business.

Founded by Weeks in 2003, Arrow Point Vacation Rentals has become the primary provider of luxury condos along the 135 miles of shoreline surrounding beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene in northern Idaho. Those condos are fully-equipped with full-kitchens, private patios with grills, gas fireplaces, two or more full bathrooms, two or three bedrooms, and guest linens and towels.

Guests there never have a shortage of things to do, either. Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding area offers a number of activities for visitors, including biking, bird watching, fishing, golfing, hiking, skiing, water sports, museums, nightlife, scenic tours, shopping and the arts.

Arrow Point Resort's LiveRez-powered website has helped Weeks increase her online booking revenue by more than 70 percent from last year -- and in just five months.

These activities, along with the natural beauty of the lake and the incredible accommodations at Arrow Point, attract a variety of guests. But one of the biggest segments of those guests is families, Weeks said.

“We have a lot of families,” she said. “A lot of people will come to go to Silverwood.”

Silverwood Theme Park, just north of Coeur d’Alene, is like the Disney Land of the Northwest. Spread out over more than 200 acres, the park offers more than 65 rides and attractions, which include, among other things, roller coasters that hit speeds of 65 miles per hour, water slides, wave pools and a steam engine.

From great customer service to luxury accommodations to a wide variety of recreational activities, it’s no surprise that guests keep returning to Arrow Point Vacation Rentals.

But, since switching to LiveRez.com this past January, Weeks has noticed one big change in her guests: They’re booking online, and in droves.

According to Weeks, in just five months with LiveRez.com Arrow Point Vacation Rentals has already increased online booking revenue by more than 70 percent when compared to all of 2010 (January through December) – not a bad statistic, considering it’s not even halfway through the year.

“That speaks volumes,” Weeks said of the increase in online bookings experienced after switching to LiveRez.com.

A view from one of the many beautiful condos that overlook Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Weeks was looking for a better website interface, and that was one of the major reasons she switched to LiveRez.com.

“I was with RezOvation before, and their website just didn’t look professional. It was kind of clunky,” she said. “So, I think that’s why people hesitated to make reservations online.”

With LiveRez.com, Weeks has a dynamic, professional-looking website that has been specifically designed to increase bookings through a combination of aesthetic beauty, an easy 3-click path to booking, and advanced SEO features that make it easy to find online.

“I love the website,” she said. “I’ve gotten a lot of compliments.”

LiveRez.com’s end-to-end system also allows guests to make reservations 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and this compliments Arrow Point’s existing customer service efforts.

“One of the things I think we do that other companies don’t is we take calls throughout the weekend and after hours,” Weeks said. “So we don’t have set hours. We try to keep up with phone calls as they come in.”

But whether they choose to book online or over the phone, one is thing is clear: Arrow Point puts their guests’ needs first.

And the business keeps rolling in.

Heather Dawson, director of the Tamarron Rental Program, enjoys the beauty of Haviland Lake with her husband, Shane, and her son, Kelley.

Tamarron Vacation Rentals
Location: Durango, Colorado
Website: TamarronVacationRentals.com
Quick Quote: “I haven’t come across anything that it (LiveRez) hasn’t been able to do that I’ve asked for. So, I’m really happy with it.”

For Heather Dawson, one of LiveRez.com’s newest partners, honesty is always the best policy.

As Director of the Tamarron Rental Program, she’s found that advertising properties as accurately as possible has always led to more satisfied customers. That includes taking pictures that accurately reflect the property and writing descriptions that best match what the condo offers. And, often it includes talking to guests ahead of time.

“I usually talk to guests before they arrive, so I can determine different activities to do in the area and whether or not the condo is going to be a good fit for them,” she said. “I usually try to have a real personal communication with the guest before they get here.”

But for Dawson, it’s easy being honest when what you’re advertising is as appealing as the vacation condos at Tamarron.

Located just 20 minutes from downtown Durango, Colorado, and just 10 minutes away from ski lifts, the resorts offers outstanding views and amazing opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Tamarron's beautiful new LiveRez-powered website utilizes natural wood in its background and works off a color scheme that reflects the majestic scenery guests see when they visit the Colorado resort.

Guests can look out their windows and the enjoy the breathtaking views of red cliff mountains, or trek out on the many nearby mountains trails, accessible to many modes of transportation. The main lodge facility has a big indoor-outdoor heated pool, a hot tub, sauna, fitness room and locker rooms, and coming soon it will feature a restaurant and lounge.

“The biggest thing people say are just how spectacular the views are here,” Dawson said. “The views out in nearly every direction are just beautiful.”

And thanks to a newly designed website from LiveRez.com, potential guests can get a good taste for what they’ll see out their windows, on a trail, at nearby attractions or in their condo.

One thing Dawson loved about the LiveRez.com platform and the new website is the ability to set up advanced search options for guests. If you visit the site, you’ll see she’s set up search options for in-room Wifi, golf privileges, in-room laundry, king bed, electric fireplace and private deck. And, if she wants to add more, she’s only clicks away from doing so.

One of many beautiful places to stay at the Tamarron Resort.

Another thing Dawson liked was the reporting functionality of LiveRez.com, especially the occupancy reports. Although she doesn’t manage every condo at the resort, she needs to know when any one of the condos is occupied. And, she is able to use the system to track that and then make reports.

Although she’s only used the software for a short time, she’s finding it hard to pick out anything she’d want to change about it. Like the condos she manages, LiveRez.com has lived up to everything it advertised.

“I haven’t come across anything that it (LiveRez) hasn’t been able to do that I’ve asked for,” she said. “So, I’m really happy with it.”

The LiveRez-designed Casas de Santa Fe website reflects all the beauty of Santa Fe that keeps guests returning year after year.

Casas de Santa Fe
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Website: CasasDeSantaFe.com
Quick Quote: “Being the bookkeeper in the office, my biggest thing is that it attaches to QuickBooks. That’s my favorite part.”

For Rebecca Alexander of Casas de Santa Fe, integration is important.

Just like how the town of Santa Fe blends rich history with modern-day luxury, Casas de Santa Fe offers a mix of old-school customer service and the convenience of a cutting-edge website with online booking. Integrating those things is something the business does exceptionally well.

You see, Alexander and the staff at Casas de Santa Fe go the extra mile in offering their customers a personal touch. It’s a traditional approach that not all businesses apply these days.

Casas de Santa Fe offers accommodations in traditional Santa Fe style.

“We just take the time to visit with them personally on the phone,” she said. “We ask the right questions to find out why they’re coming to Santa Fe.”

Based on those needs, Alexander and the staff at Casas de Santa Fe can recommend properties and activities best-suited to make their guests’ stays as enjoyable as possible.

“We try to get back to people quickly,” she said. “And we try to personalize the service as much as possible, so that everybody feels like they have a voice.”

Casas de Santa Fe specializes in downtown Santa Fe and high-end properties. And they understand that their guests visit the town for a variety of reasons, whether it is to enjoy the historical churches and museums, to trek out on a set of skis, or to enjoy the many festivals that take place there throughout the year. And understanding the customer is something that sets Casas de Santa Fe apart.

“I think it makes it easier for you to get repeat guests when you have really good customer relations,” Alexander said.

According to Alexander, LiveRez.com’s integration of their website and reservation system has aided Casas de Santa Fe in providing a high-level of customer service.

A beautiful living room in one of Casas de Santa Fe's many luxurious vacation rentals.

“Things get updated faster,” she said. “I think that helps with the customer service because people are able to see what’s available and when it’s available a lot easier and a lot quicker.”

But that’s not the only integration component she likes.

“Being the bookkeeper in the office, my biggest thing is that it attaches to QuickBooks,” she said. “That’s my favorite part.”

However, if you ask others around the office, she says, they’ll tell you different things. It could be the online reservation system or the owner’s portal, which let’s owners make their own online reservations and view statements at their convenience.

“It’s very user-friendly, and it’s quick and efficient,” she said.

And it’s integrated. Just like Casas de Santa Fe.