Looking to purchase STR / vacation rental management company

[Anthony Venturini]

I have been on the lookout for a vacation rental management company to purchase for a few months now. I have been looking at listings on bizquest and bizbuysell, but have not found any that are super interesting yet.

One question that I have is, given that I am not a current Airbnb or VRBO host, what will happen to the reviews? I am assuming the companies for sale will be responsible for all of the host reviews on all of their properties. When these properties get transferred to me as the new host, I will have no history, so the properties will lose all of their reviews, right?

I was considering the options that I would have in this scenario. Is there a way for the sellers to add me as a co-host and stay on as a host for a monthly fee? And then later on, replace me as the host?

Also, if anyone knows of someone selling the vacation rental business, please let me know. I love Orlando / Disney, Tampa, Del Ray Beach, and Fort Meyers areas.

[Sam P.]

STR management is a business to start in my experience. I generally lean "buy", but small STRs businesses that are for sale will be a complete mess and you'll probably see a lot of churn post transaction making your effective multiple astronomical. We bought a small one (after starting one) and it's the gift that keeps on giving (sarcasm).