Turning your home into a vacation rental can feel overwhelming, especially with so many moving parts to manage. Whether you’re just starting to explore the idea or you’ve been considering it for a while, we’re here to help. At GoodNight Stay, we talk to homeowners every day who are curious about what it really takes to succeed in short-term rentals—and how we can take the weight off their shoulders. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get from homeowners. Hopefully, this gives you a clearer picture of what we do and helps you take the first step toward a profitable, effortless experience.
What Does a Vacation Rental Management Company Do?
A vacation rental management company handles the behind-the-scenes work of running a successful short-term rental. At GoodNight Stay, that includes listing your home on 350+ booking platforms, managing guest communication, coordinating cleanings and maintenance, and ensuring your property is always guest-ready. We focus on maximizing revenue and delivering five-star experiences, so you can focus on what matters most.
What Makes GoodNight Stay Different?
We’re not your average property manager! Here’s how we stand out:
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Proven Track Record: Founded in 2005, we’ve hosted over 1 million guests and built a database of more than 3 million travelers.
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Massive Exposure: We promote your property across 350+ channels—far beyond the typical handful of sites.
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Hybrid Booking Strategy: Our mix of vacation and corporate rentals keeps occupancy high year-round, with corporate contracts alone generating over $30 million annually.
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Smart Security: Every home features electronic locks that issue unique access codes for each stay for the safety of guests and the security of the home.
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Local Perks: With 60+ local partnerships, guests can easily book extra services (often with exclusive discounts!) like pet sitting, party decor, or in-home chefs—at no added work to you.
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Modern Marketing: We offer trendy marketing opportunities such as influencer collaborations, bringing fresh social media exposure to your property and expanding your home’s reach to new audiences.
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Tailored Management: Whether you prefer to stay involved or let us handle everything, we offer flexible plans to match your style.
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Personalized Care: We maintain a high staff-to-property ratio so your home always gets the attention it deserves, with a dedicated Owner Success Manager for each property acting as the owners’ go-to for any questions and concerns.
What’s Included in GoodNight Stay’s Full-Service Program?
Our full-service program covers every aspect of property management, including professional marketing, high-quality photography, dynamic revenue management, guest services, housekeeping, and property maintenance. We also handle regular inspections, accounting, and reporting to keep you informed about your property’s performance. With GoodNight Stay, you can enjoy passive income while we take care of all the details.
Does GoodNight Stay Have an On-The-Ground Team?
Yes, we have dedicated on-the-ground teams in Nashville and Scottsdale. These teams handle everything from guest check-ins to property inspections and make sure that your vacation rental is well cared for by professionals who understand the local area and its specific needs.
Can You Manage My Property If I Live Out of State or Overseas?
Absolutely! We specialize in managing properties for homeowners located out of state or abroad, handling everything from marketing and bookings to guest communication and maintenance, so you can earn passive income wherever you are. You will also have access to an owner portal, where you can track performance, bookings, and earnings in real time. Plus, our monthly newsletter keeps you informed on market trends, pricing strategies, and industry updates, ensuring you’re always in the know.
What Are the Onboarding Fees?
GoodNight Stay doesn’t charge a sign-up or onboarding fee like other companies. However, we require an owner “reserve” deposit, which covers the cost of the onboarding clean and any necessary repairs. For added security, all properties need a smart lock system and, in Arizona, a noise monitoring system for peaceful guest experiences. With that said, if your current tech meets our standards, you may not need to purchase new equipment!
What’s the Onboarding Process Like?
It’s simple and personalized:
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Sign the Agreement: Once you sign with GoodNight Stay, you will receive a detailed next steps guide and be introduced to your dedicated Owner Success Manager. They will be your main point of contact throughout the process and will help you every step of the way.
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Complete the Checklist: You’ll complete a questionnaire about your property to help us gather all the necessary details. This will include scheduling important dates for property inspections, professional photography, and anything else needed to prepare your home for guests. Additionally, we’ll assist you in obtaining any required licenses or permits for short-term rentals in your area to keep everything compliant with local regulations.
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Prep Your Property: The specific steps will vary based on the service program you choose. Regardless of the approach, your Owner Success Manager will guide you through every step to get your home guest-ready and set up for success.
When Will I Be Paid, and How Are Earnings Documented?
At GoodNight Stay, you are paid via ACH by the 10th of each month for the revenue earned from the previous month. All income and expenses related to your property are documented and included in a detailed owner statement, which is accessible through your owner portal. This ensures complete transparency and easy tracking of your property’s performance.
How Will My Home Be Priced?
Simply put, our goal is to get the highest possible price for your property while keeping it competitive in the market. We use dynamic pricing, taking into account historical data, real-time market trends, seasonality, day of the week, and competitor pricing to set optimal rates for your home.
We begin by setting an annual revenue goal for your property, which is then broken down by month. Our dedicated Revenue Management team continuously adjusts your property’s pricing based on supply and demand, ensuring that we meet or exceed the forecasted goal. While some properties may be priced higher, this doesn’t guarantee bookings, so our focus is on maximizing both occupancy and revenue for your home.
How Are Guest Communications and Inquiries Handled?
Our Customer Service team is available 24/7 to respond to any inquiries before, during, and after guest stays. Whether it’s a booking question, a maintenance request, or special accommodation needs, our hospitality professionals are fully trained to address every situation quickly and effectively.
We also have a team of reservation specialists who handle reservation inquiries to offer seamless booking experiences. On average, our team responds to all guest inquiries in under 15 minutes, ensuring that guests feel heard and attended to without delays.
Do You Offer Linen Services?
Yes, we offer a comprehensive Linen Program designed to make managing your property easier while providing top-quality bedding for your guests. Our program includes a seamless process where our cleaning team strips the linens after each checkout and replaces them with fresh sheets. The used linens are then taken to the GoodNight Stay warehouse to be professionally washed and dried for proper sanitation. Once cleaned, the linens are returned to the property and stored for the next guest’s arrival.
This program simplifies linen management and makes sure that your property consistently offers fresh, clean, and high-quality bedding for every guest.
Are There Other Services Provided to Guests to Enhance Guest Experiences?
Yes! We’re partnered with over 60 local businesses in Scottsdale and Nashville, offering a variety of services—from resort access and baby equipment rentals to concierge services, party decor, yoga instruction, pet sitting, and catering. Guests can easily book these services through our guest app, Enso. It’s a one-stop shop with detailed guidebooks on local attractions, dining, events, and more—ensuring every stay is smooth, enjoyable, and memorable!
How Do You Vet Cleaners and Maintain Quality?
We partner with verified cleaning companies and work with select staff for consistency and quality. We’ve built long-standing, positive relationships with our vendors, so it’s never someone new or random cleaning your property. In addition, our cleaning teams undergo rigorous training to meet the highest standards. Every clean is thoroughly checked—often with a 100-point inspection, depending on the home size—by management-level supervisors to verify your home is perfectly prepared for the next guest.
How Do You Handle Negative Reviews?
While they don’t happen very often, when they do, we take negative guest reviews seriously and approach them proactively. Our dedicated Customer Service team reaches out directly to the guest to investigate the issue, resolve any concerns, and work toward a positive outcome. If there is misinformation in the review, we correct it respectfully and transparently. We address all specific concerns to show that we value guest feedback and are committed to continuous improvement. At the same time, we actively encourage satisfied guests to leave positive reviews to maintain a strong overall rating and protect your property’s reputation.
Am I Allowed to Live in My Investment Home and Rent It As a Vacation Rental?
While you technically can live in your investment home, we strongly discourage it. At GoodNight Stay, we recommend making your property available for at least 9 months out of the year to ensure it has the opportunity to perform at its full potential and reach the projected revenue numbers we discussed with you.
How Do I Buy a Vacation Rental? Does GoodNight Stay Assist in Home Purchasing?
Yes! Our in-house real estate team, Alpha Residential, specializes in helping investors find properties suited for short-term rentals. With a proven track record of over $3.5 billion in residential real estate sold (over 6,000 units) and more than $500 million in commercial real estate sales, Alpha Residential brings the experience, insights, and market knowledge you need to make a smart investment. By working with us, you’ll not only find the right property—but also set it up for success with GoodNight Stay’s management programs.
Does GoodNight Stay Offer Design Services?
Yes! We offer design services through our in-house design team, Alpha Interiors. Specializing in short-term rental design, Alpha Interiors expertly combines function and form to create spaces that not only look beautiful but are highly optimized for guest stays. Homes that undergo a professional refresh with our design team see, on average, a 25% increase in revenue. From layout optimization to stylish, guest-centric decor, our team knows exactly how to transform a home into a high-performing vacation rental that stands out in today’s competitive market.
Is a Vacation Rental a Good Investment?
Yes—when done right, a vacation rental can be an incredible investment! With the right management partner, your home can consistently generate strong returns. At GoodNight Stay, we support owners through every step of the process—from selecting the right real estate to expert design that maximizes guest appeal, all the way through to day-to-day operations and performance management.
Want to Learn More?
Hopefully, this has helped answer some of your questions about vacation rental management. If you still have questions and want to learn more about your property’s specific potential, contact us today. Let us help you make the most of your investment!
