Continued from Home Page: A Review of “The Vacation Rental Planner and Tax Organizer” As the name implies, this book is an effective resource to ensure that your renting ventures are properly and effectively organized. The book allows you to easily log all the necessary phone numbers and contact information for professionals you will need to access when renting. This includes housekeep personnel, repair specialists, and various contractors. Scurrying and routing for various numbers from several different sources can prove to be quite problematic. This is doubly true when you are potentially pressed for time. Thanks to Ferguson’s planner, it becomes possible to effectively organize things in such a way that oversights will be much less likely. This, in turn, increases the odds that your vacation rental business venture operates smoothly and in a potentially more profitable manner.
There are also a variety of tax forms enclosed and this is an additional great benefit. When you do not have access to all the tax forms you need, you can make a number of errors. For example, you may miss out on taking certain deductions and this will end up costing you far more money than it otherwise should. Who would want to be in a position such as that? Take advantage of the tax organization help Marie R. Ferguson is providing by purchasing her extremely helpful publication.
This little book is easy to carry which means you can place in your briefcase and bring it with you wherever you go. The fact they you will not be tied down lugging some heavy pile of papers with you whenever you need to conduct business related to your planning further increases the odds your organization will be enhanced.
And the price of this particular book is extremely reasonable. New copies run around $18.00 and used copies can be purchased at a discount. So, you could consider this excellent tome to be an affordable item that enhances you ability to maintain effective planning and organization of your vacation rental ventures. That alone increases the odds of success dramatically. (vacation rental blog Feb 13, 2010)
CalaRenee
"Marie, I want to thank you for all the support you have given me with my new Townhouse house venture. My parents always owned rental property, but they could never explain to me in plain easy terms what I should be doing. Your book has helped me understand step by step what I needed and still need to do. I am really looking forward to my first successful renting season this summer.
With your suggestions and ideas I feel confident I will get through it without a hitch! I actually cannot believe how easy it has been to get my act together. I know many people in my complex have not been as successful as I have been with rentals this year. So Thank You again for your support and your continous ideas for me! P.S. Don't give away ALL your secrets!" - CalaRenee, Beverly, MA
Marie, I separate your book from all other books because you do clearly spell out what indeed works. Surprisingly enough, many of your tips are different from what the norm would think. I suppose that is why you are so successful and passionate about the vacation rental business. -Jane, San Diego, CA
"The first time I read "Breaking all the Rules...., I was actually sinking into my chair, embarrassed that I had been overlooking some really important stuff when it came to renting my condo. That's when I realized Marie’s book was exactly what I needed. Marie takes a clever approach to renting her properties. Every vacation homeowner will learn strategies they can implement today. And, dozens of secrets known only by the most successful vacation home landlords. I have learned how to convert inquiries to renters, and renters to repeaters and much more.” -K.Getchell,North Carolina
"I read Marie's book and learned how to keep my vacation rentals booked all the time. I always went by the "old rules" until I read Marie's book. Since then, I have had NO vacancies which makes me happy. That amounts to thousands of dollars more in rental income per month in my pocket. Anyone who is even considering using their second home as a vacation rental should own Marie's incredible book, because it's one of the most informative books I have come across regarding rental properties. If you are at all serious about increasing your income then you owe it to yourself to read it. I found it to be easy to understand, has excellent information and takes you step-by-step through the entire process of creating a real business from your vacation property. It has helped me tremendously with all of my vacation rental properties."-K. Hood, Property Manager of South Shore Properties
"Reading your book gave me the confidence and encouragement that it was possible to turn our spare vacation home in to a part time rental. Everything I needed to know and things I really hadn't thought about are in the book. I especially appreciate the vision that you share of making the home as comfortable as can be - somewhere special for guests. We just put our home on the site last week and that same day I also typed up the easy Rental Agreement, opening letter and few other documents necessary to be prepared in case we did get an inquiry, so easy to do from your book.The information in your book helped me to see how to word our advertising site as much more than just a description. Plus, your Rental Agreement is so simple yet great because it covers everything that is necessary, especially I found if you want to work through a company for credit card use of your rentals. THANKS so much - I'm really exited about this "new business." Sarah C.,South Carolina
"I didn't know where to begin when I decided to use my vacation cottage as a rental! I used Marie's system and had my first signed rental agreement with a deposit in just one week. It was amazing how many rental requests I received in days. Her ideas on how to create an "effective listing" really worked."- L. Evans, Boston, Massachusetts
"After reading this book, I couldn't wait to get started. I was so motivated and felt confident that I would be one of those successful landlords. Within days, I was answering inquiries from renters. Screening renters as Marie suggests is a key element to getting the "right" renters and getting those bookings. Even with all the competition in the Palm Beach area, my property is always rented. Wish I had known her secrets a long time ago. Now, I am looking to buy another vacation rental property!" -S. Hoover, WPB, Florida
"Marie's system has proven to be very effective for our vacation rentals. Her step by step instructions are easy to follow and we are delighted with the results." -Mary Berry, Ossipee, New Hampshire
"Marie definitely has the right idea and I wish that all of my homeowners would read her book! It would make my job so much easier." - AnneMarie V., Property Manager of Vacation Home Rentals- Tamworth, New Hampshire.
"If you have any reservations about renting because you think renters won't respect your wishes, you need to read this book. It tells you everything you need to know about renting your condo, cabin, cottage or home. Marie thought of everything! No need to worry. Rent with confidence. From the many years of Marie's knowledge, all the problems have been worked out for you. Reading this book will save you time, dollars and peace of mind!"- L. Cochrane, W.Ossipee,New Hampshire.
Dear Marie, "I read your book from front to back and thoroughly appreciated all of the valuable information you provided your readers. I am new to the vacation property business and felt the need to learn from an experienced expert. I had already purchased my vacation condo before I bought your book. Your book comfortably hand walked me through the entire process for successful renting with the style and character I was hoping to convey to my vacationers. After reading your book, I felt very confident in the information I put on my advertisements. In addition, I felt very assured with the details I included in my rental agreement, confirmation notices, and responses to inquiries. After following your advise I booked 42% of this coming summer in only 4 weeks and I am continuing to receive daily inquiries for my condo for all different times of the year!!! All your advice has been working and still continues to do so.
Marie, I separate your book from all other books because you do clearly spell out what indeed works. Surprisingly enough, many of your tips are different from what the norm would think. I suppose that is why you are so successful and passionate about the vacation rental business. You helped me to make it into an enjoyable living. I clearly see how you stand above all the other authors of "how -to rent" books! The fact that you share your knowledge with others at the most PERSONAL level is absolutely priceless! I have NEVER encountered a time where I purchased a book where the author has welcomed a dialog to answer any additional questions or to even review my website personally!!! From your well written and informative book...., to your highly recommended "do's & don'ts"...., to your sample rental contracts & confirmations"....., to your advice on the special touches to make the condo stand above the competition....., to the Welcome Book you provided so that readers can customize it for their own rental property.....to the continued email correspondence that I receive from you!!! ......It is all more than I expected by far! I have read other articles and books regarding vacation rentals and I have not found any one of them even remotely close to the effective suggestions you have provided me!
I highly recommend it to anyone who is in the vacation rental business and those who are just entering into it. It is ideal for any stage that the reader is in within the vacation rental business! Definitely a must have!!!" Most sincerely, Jane M.,San Diego, CA
Dear Marie: "I just got your book yesterday and immediately read it cover to cover. When I was a kid, my family rented a cottage in Wisconsin every summer for a week. Ever since then, my dream has been to own my own lakefront property. Many people wait until retirement to do this, which, in my opinion, is a waste. Why wait until you are old to enjoy something like this!!! Anyway, the only problem with my thinking is that I could not afford another mortgage payment. So, renting my vacation home seems to be the only way to go. While I have not purchased a vacation home yet, your book was very informative, to-the-point, and helped soothe some of my fears and nervousness about this. I am giving myself a year to get my finances in order and then will get very serious about buying (and possibly building on) lakefront property in Wisconsin. Some of the websites that you listed are great - very informative with lots of pictures and they are very affordable. I really had no idea there were websites like this. I hope to e-mail you again soon." Sincerely, Mike in Colorado
August 3, 2009Dear Ms Ferguson. I wrote to you Nov. 27, 2007 about my vacation property stellacountrytreat.com. You were so gracious to respond with some suggestions. I want to thank you for your help and tell you I did all the things you suggested. I have also used your book as a reference book and it has helped me so much. This summer season is booked 100% and it looks like the fall is going to be good too. In 2008 I rented Christmas and New Year's week , some weeks every month of the Fall and about 80% for the summer. The comments from my guest have been fantastic. Since I am 100% booked until after Labor Day, I was thinking that it was time to consider raising my rates during that period for 2010. I am already getting inquiries for 2010. My question: How much should I raise the weekly rate? Peak season ranges from $895.00 to $995.00/Week. Also the economy has to be considered. I kept my 2008 for 2009 because of our economy. So any suggestion you might have would be appreciated. Thank you in advance. Deloria Irby
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