Real Estate Agent · Fresno, CA · Member since 2014 · 367 posts · 174 votes
Hey all,
I'm looking for a recommendation for a good vacation rental manger in the Santa Cruz, Capitola, Soquel or Aptos area of CA. My wife and I are looking to buy a property there to use ourselves and to rent out. I will be in the area this weekend, July 24-26 and would love to sit down and discuss. Any names that you have used or are currently using would be very helpful. Thanks.
Pacific Sun, Sherman and Boone, and Bailey Properties are some of the big ones. I don't have any experience with them managing my own properties, but as a renter in Santa Cruz for 10 years I have dealt with them all. As a renter, Sherman and Boone were the most responsive whenever something came up.
I'm happy to talk Santa Cruz real estate with you anytime. I might be available this weekend if you want to meet for a drink.
Pacific Sun, Sherman and Boone, and Bailey Properties are some of the big ones. I don't have any experience with them managing my own properties, but as a renter in Santa Cruz for 10 years I have dealt with them all. As a renter, Sherman and Boone were the most responsive whenever something came up.
I'm happy to talk Santa Cruz real estate with you anytime. I might be available this weekend if you want to meet for a drink.
Real Estate Agent · Fresno, CA · Member since 2014 · 367 posts · 174 votes
11y
Thanks @Michael Simler. Are those companies mainly long term rental companies or vacation rental companies? I have little experience in the vacation rental business and would assume certain companies are experts in 1 area and not both, but I could be wrong. In your experience does distinguishing between a vacational rental agency vs a long term rental agency matter?
Professional · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2015 · 23 posts · 4 votes
11y
Yes, as a matter of fact, those three I mentioned are long term rental management and indeed might not engage in vacation rental management.
It seems that most of the vacation rentals in SC are managed by online companies such as homeaway, flipkey, airbnb, VRBO, and the like.
If you're interested in buying a vacation rental income property in SC make sure you read up on the Transient tax and all required licensing and permits. The URL below will take you to the City of Santa Cruz website describing the requirements for homes within SC city limits. Each city has their own.
Investor · Malaga, Andalucía · Member since 2014 · 150 posts · 73 votes
11y
None of those are actually management companies ; they are just listing/booking engines, similar to Expedia. A property manager may list on these sites (and should), but the sites themselves do not offer any management.
Rental Property Investor · Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Member since 2014 · 220 posts · 256 votes
11y
Hey Jeff,
We looked into it for our home in Capitola (we are beginning to plan moving to the Caribbean for a handful of years).
There were a couple of property managers that came up but the only one that called me back was beach house rentals. There are a couple other serious players though.
What I did learn was that capitola in particular has a short-term rental zone, and my home was 1 street too far back from the beach (http://www.cityofcapitola.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community_development/page/2480/vacation_rental_area_map_tro.pdf). Legally, we were only allowed to do 30+ day rental contracts. While I could do whatever I wanted myself, the good companies complied with local ordinances and therefor would not take us on as a client.
Real Estate Agent · Fresno, CA · Member since 2014 · 367 posts · 174 votes
11y
@Shane Pearlman very helpful, thanks. Can I find the short term rental zone on the city websites? Do you consider beach house rentals to be a good company or were you implying that they would've broken the law for you?
Rental Property Investor · Templeton, CA · Member since 2020 · 11 posts · 5 votes
5y
@Jeff Zimmerman, were you able to find a good PM for STR? I am going to be purchasing a STR in the Santa Cruz Mountains and currently looking for one. What's been your experience owning a STR in the area. I would love to connect about rental and occupancy rates. Thanks!