Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to provide you with quick and comprehensive information. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly team for personalized assistance.

Vacation Rental FAQs

From start to finish, the onboarding process typically takes around 3 weeks. That includes the process to prepare your property to be in a guest-ready condition and after we have completed our walkthrough.

*This timeline may change depending on your STR license status, if your property needs any additional services such as interior design or maintenance and your availability to prepare your property for guests.

In order for your property to be 100% ready for guests, you should remove all personal items from the property and prepare the property by having all necessary furnishings in place and items removed from closets, drawers, etc.

Sojourney will deep clean your home prior to listing your property, however all carpets should be shampooed.

Internet/Cable:

Ensure it is installed, setup and functioning correctly

HVAC/Boilers/Utilities:

All appliances and utilities should be 100% functioning

Exterior/Lawn:

The exterior of the property including the lawn should be properly maintained and manicured for the current season. It must be in a presentable state for guests as well as listing photos.

 

Yes.

Sojourney requires your property to receive a thorough deep cleaning so that it is starting from our standards and to help mitigate future guests issues.

No, we manage 100% of the listing process so you don’t have to.

Prior to making the listing live, we will share the listing with you for approval.

Your listing will be available and distributed to most major listing platforms such Airbnb, VRBO etc. We will give you a more detailed list once we begin the onboarding process.

*Some properties may not be eligible for all platforms depending on factors such as location, amenities, rating, etc.

Rates are determined in multiple ways; through industry data, algorithms, 3rd party integrations and seasonal forecasting models. We also review rates internally to determine the best rate for your property at specific times of the season.

*Rates may vary between nightly, weekend and holiday rates.

Once the onboarding process has started, we ask that you vacate the property. This is to ensure timely access by our team who may be in & out taking photos, cleaning, inspecting, etc.

Yes, we only ask you to work with us to ensure availability is updated and the listing is live again once your stay is complete.

Yes, we provide necessary consumables for your property such as ground coffee, paper products, hygiene products, soaps, trash bags, etc.

Depending on your location, we do offers snow plowing services. However, if you have a preferred vendor already familiar with your property, we recommend that option.

We do not provide lawn service for our listings. We can help provide recommendations or find local companies to perform your lawn service.

Yes, we coordinate cleaning services to ensure your property is spotless for each guest’s arrival. We uphold high cleanliness standards.

We conduct regular property inspections to ensure everything is in order. We also provide detailed reports and photographs to keep you informed.

Payments from guests are collected on your behalf, and you’ll receive your income on a predetermined schedule, typically monthly or quarterly.

We have a guest support team that handles guest inquiries and issues promptly. We strive to resolve any problems to ensure a positive guest experience.

In most cases, we will provide the linens and towels. You may be responsible for providing some of the basic bedding such as duvet inserts, pillows, pillow/mattress protectors, throw pillows/blankets, etc.

More will be discussed during the onboarding process.

You will be responsible arranging a local vendor to perform the winterizing services. If you don’t have a local vendor, we can help you find and schedule a local vendor.

After photos are completed, it takes roughly 7-10 days to receive the edited photos and update your listing. Once your listing is updated with photos and barring any additional updates to your listing, we will promptly send the listing over for your approval before making it live.

We prefer to use our own photographers and videographers so that our standards are met and everything is consistent. However, if you do have a photographer in mind, we’d be happy to review their portfolio and make a determination on a case-by-case basis.

Yes, we offer interior design services.

Normally no due to the extra cleaning involved and the wear and tear on your home.

*Service animals are allowed due to federal guidelines

No, as the property owner you will be responsible for obtaining all necessary permits and licenses yourself. However, if you need assistance we can help guide you through the process!

A 2-night stay is the standard for most vacation rental properties. These standards do vary between cities and seasons, so we can work with you and your property specifically to set these limits.

We follow strict VRMA & VRHP guidelines for our cleaning services. For more information on these standards visit the VRMA/VRHP website directly.

Aside from these standards, we regularly inspect your property and maintain high standards internally for upkeep & maintenance of your property.

Once you are 100% finished with the onboarding process and have your property properly setup, we can move forward with scheduling photos and the initial deep cleaning of your property.

Valuable personal items and decorations can offer a nice impression to your guests, however these items can be exposed to risks such as wear, tear or breakage. If the items is hard to replace or rare, we advise you to remove it from your property before we make it available to guests.

Yes, it’s a good idea to be proactive and communicate to your neighbors your intentions to rent your home. You can also leave them with your contact information or a business card should they have any issues with guests staying at your property.

Receiving access to the owners portal is the last step in the process. Your account manager will work with you to generate the login access for you.

While we understand the peace of mind associated with security systems and alarms, we also understand the extra complexity involved for guests to arm/disarm the system themselves or for you to manage this process remotely.

Mistakes can also happen with guests improperly arming the system and setting off an alarm, promptly a visit by local authorities.

If you have any questions or concerns in this area, be sure to speak with your account manager.

Your mail can still be delivered to your home, however our teams typically do not bring mail inside your home.

We suggest taking the following steps to manage your mail:

  • Setup paperless email for bills or other important pieces of mail
  • Set bills to auto-pay
  • Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery to keep track and receive scanned images of incoming mail to your property. If anything important arises, contact your account manager and we can arrange a scan or forwarding to get you your mail.

This depends on the location of your home. Our cleaners will remove all garbage and place in your garbage bins.

For mountain properties, our cleaners will mostly remove all garbage. On properties serviced by a garbage company, your garbage can will be rolled out & in from the curb on the scheduled day.

Our management agreements typically last for a specified term, often one year, but can be adjusted to meet your needs.

To get started, simply reach out to us for an initial consultation or fill out our free property evaluation form. We’ll discuss your property and tailor our services to meet your specific needs.

Still have questions? Feel free to contact us directly!

Property Management FAQs

Our property management company offers a range of services, including marketing, tenant screening, rent collection, property maintenance, and more, to ensure your property’s success, whether for short-term or long-term rentals.

There are many factors that go into how long it takes to find a qualified resident for your property, including price, location, season, etc.

Sojourney will discuss all of these with you and offer recommendations to help get your property rented as quickly as possible.

We collect rent payments on your behalf, and you’ll receive your rental income on a predetermined schedule, typically monthly or quarterly.

We conduct thorough tenant screening to ensure the best fit for your property. Our process includes checking credit history, rental history, employment, and criminal background. We follow all legal regulations, including the Fair Housing Act, to maintain fairness and non-discrimination.

We take care of tenant communication, inquiries, and any issues that may arise during a lease. Our goal is to provide excellent customer service to tenants and property owners.

There are many pros and cons to allowing pets in your rental property and the choice is yours. One factor to keep in mind is that many renters have pets and choosing to not allow pets will greatly reduce the pool of prospective tenants. If you do allow pets, having a customized pet policy and set restrictions can help to offset some of the cons associated with allowing pets.

*Please note that whatever restrictions you set don’t apply to Emotional Support Animals or Service Animals, as these are required to be approved by Federal Fair Housing Laws.

We conduct a market analysis to set competitive rental rates. For long-term rentals, we consider local market conditions and property features. For short-term rentals, we assess seasonal demand and other factors.

We manage both routine maintenance and urgent repairs. For major repairs, we consult with you before proceeding, ensuring your property is well-maintained.

Depending on your location, we do offers snow plowing services. However, if you have a preferred vendor already familiar with your property, we recommend that option.

We do not provide lawn service for our listings. We can help provide recommendations or find local companies to perform your lawn service.

No, as the property owner you will be responsible for obtaining all necessary permits and licenses yourself. However, if you need assistance we can help guide you through the process!

Yes, it’s a good idea to be proactive and communicate to your neighbors your intentions to rent your home. You can also leave them with your contact information or a business card should they have any issues with tenants staying at your property.

Receiving access to the owners portal is the last step in the process. Your account manager will work with you to generate the login access for you.

Still have questions? Feel free to contact us directly!

Our Commitment

Owners

We are committed to safeguarding your investment and optimizing its potential. Our meticulous property management services ensure that your space is well-cared for, allowing you to explore new horizons worry-free.

Safety

We take cleanliness, safety & security seriously. We are actively taking measures to ensure that guidelines and extra precautionary steps are taken by all departments to protect our guests and staff members from COVID-19 and other safety concerns.

Community

We believe in creating connections. As sojourners ourselves, we understand the importance of connecting travelers with memorable experiences and property owners with peace of mind. We foster a community where all are welcome, and every journey is celebrated.