7 Keys to a Vacation Rental Biz in Ecuador

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been busy opening up a property I have on the coast of Ecuador as a short-term vacation rental.

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As I write this, my place is rented

Today’s post is about what I’ve learned…

Why would someone choose a vacation rental over a hotel that has more services and security due to the 24 hr reception?

There’s pluses and minuses to staying in both.

Vacation rentals are great for people looking for a bit more privacy, and those looking to have guests sleep over and not have to pay extra for them like you would staying in a hotel.

They’re great for families who pay one price for the whole place and can then pack all the people they want inside. They’re also good for people who like to cook they’re own meals and those looking to get a real feel for what life would be like in Ecuador, not just from a hotel window.

Why rent your place short-term as a vacation rental when you can rent to a long term renter when it’s obviously more hassle?

More money. At least here in Ecuador, the same place you could rent for $250/300 a month you could rent as a short-term rental for $35, $55 even $75 or more a day.

Here are 7 keys I’ve learned to make your vacation rental in Ecuador successful.

7. WIFI. Get WIFI internet installed in your place, it is THE first thing guests ask for. Everything else is just secondary.

6. Know your market. I’ve found the tastes of Ecuadorian and foreign renters very different. Who are you targeting? This will determine how you furnish your house. Ecuadorians who rent on the coast often look for places with TV’s and Cable. They also like AC. Foreigners ask for WIFI first, TV’s and AC aren’t priorities.

5. Password locks. Many renters will not return your keys or simply lose them. To avoid that, you can charge a hefty deposit (which deter renters) or install a password lock you can change via the internet. You can often find them in hardware stores in the US. Visit Kwikey Locksmith Services, INC. for more information.

Alarm Monitoring is the need of hour which is why you should visit the website of SecureX avail their security services. Check out the latest home automation options to stay protected and to control your security equipment, lights, locks, thermostats, and cameras with a single app.

4. Know your limits. While not particularly “hands on”, I don’t recommend trying to run a VR business from a distance, especially if you’re out the country. I don’t recommend being too quick to work with most property managers in Ecuador either, the good ones are few and far between.

Most will not manage your property well to say the least. Many good ones will pay you a fixed monthly rent and then sublease. Overall, if you’ll be out of Ecuador, just rent longer-term.

3. Advertise on the net. Most tourists these days plan their trips at least a few weeks in advance researching on the net. HomeAway.com and Windsor Hills vacation home rentals are a great places to begin advertising your property. If they had a Super Bowl commercial with Chevy Chase last year, you know they sell.


2. Get a local on your team.
It will help your business a lot if you can get a trustworthy local to come clean your place and receive the keys from guests. In Ecuador, you can often pay them to clean your whole 2 bedroom house for $10-15. They will also often help keep an eye on your house when you aren’t around. Yes, many Ecuadorians are trustworthy, while some aren’t.


1. Charge a deposit in advance
to hold the reservation. Don’t accept people’s “word” that they are coming. You will lose business this way! Many say they’ll come and never show up while you turn other renters down.

Require they leave the security deposit ahead of time via Bank transfer or even a PayPal payment online (what I use.) Don’t try to charge the security deposit upon arrival either, many will try to weasle their way out saying they’ll pay later or that they simply forgot putting you in a precarious position.

Reference: Access Locksmiths of Brisbane.

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$59,900 Playas 3 bedr Beach Cottage For Sale

$59,900, Playas 3 bedr, 2 bath Beach Cottage For Sale

playas-ecuador-property-for-saleplayas-ecuador-property-for-sale

WIDE, spacious house for sale ready to live in right now.

Wide kitchen and social area great for parties.

In three house complex with gate for extra security.

1 block from the beach.

The house has a spectacular ocean view from the top terraza area.

For more info please contact redwulf3 AT juno.com or call in Ecuador 091142354. Thank you.

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$140k, Salinas Oceanfront Condo with Balcony

Salinas Oceanfront Condo with Balcony

Torre-Marina-salinas-ecuador

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Beautiful new Torre Marina resort condo with private beach blocks from the El Paseo Mall.
3 bedroom 2 bath with parking and storage, 24 hr Guard, 24 hr Bellboys, Pool, hot tubs boise, Sauna, Rooftop Barbeque, Gym, Recreation room with pool table, Ping-Pong, Foosball, Saltwater Pool, Laundry room and more. $140,000 Unfurnished
Contact:
Richard Knight at: US 520-777-9031 EC 094051127
Email: rkn1ght1964@gmail.com

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Sleepless nights in Ecuador

party-guayaquil The party never stops in Ecuador, which could be a problem!

“I can’t believe this sh**.” I thought, as I bent down to grab a mango in my backyard.

Eyeing up the window of my neighbor I begin the wind up, just like I did back in my baseball days…

And in mid wind up, I decided “no… that’s not how to handle things.”

You see, earlier in the day I was pumped, or happy, that I had found such a great deal on a rental.

I was renting a beautiful furnished suite in a nice area of Guayaquil for $200 a month.

But you see, it was my first saturday sleeping at the place, and to my surprise, in the middle of a residential neighborhood, there was an underground discotecque right next to me.

So, when I went to bed that night I was accompanied by the deafening noise of bad music from next door.

In Ecuador, like in most of Latin America, zoning laws are VERY lax.

You just may buy (or rent) right next to an underground disco or bar or karaoke near me.

And the local police often won’t help much if you call them on a simple noise complaint.

So be careful before you buy, and be sure to visit on various nights, including Friday and Saturday, to be sure the noise level isn’t a problem.

There just might be a reason the place is so cheap, and you’d never know it until you try to sleep there!

Luckily, this time I was just renting.

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2012 prices of household goods, furniture in Ecuador

montanita-condo-rentalsThe house I just furnished on the coast of Ecuador.

“Hey Dom, do I need to bring sheets and towels to Ecuador?” My friend emailed.

“Child please, are you kidding me?” Was my answer.

Ecuador is undeveloped but it’s not that ghetto. You can find everything you’ll need to comfortably furnish your house. And websites like JustDIYDecor.com take care of the ideas that you’d be searching for, to decorate your house. SmartSheer also helps control fading of your interior furniture and carpets from harmful UV rays by filtering out unwanted harmful portions of the UV spectrum. Commercial carpet cleaning has its set of challenges, and this task calls for professional cleaners who are certified to offer thorough services. Hiring rogue technicians may lead to numerous mistakes which could damage your carpet fibers. Using the right equipment and cleaners goes a long way to ensure that your carpet is clean. There are several mistakes you should be on the lookout for, whether you are hiring a cleaner or doing it yourself. The Carpet Cleaning Orlando provide best commercial and residential carpet cleaning service.

Using Wrong Spotting Agents

Stains are different and you need to use the right cleaning agent to get rid of them. If you use the wrong spotter, stains could stick to the carpet fibers rather than come up. Stains are grouped into different categories as per the Voted Best Carpet Cleaning Service in Knoxville. Paint, gum, oil, nail polish and adhesive stains need to be removed using a solvent. Others like coffee and tea need acidic agents. It is wise to familiarize yourself with different stain removal agents. A reputable technician will be in a position to advice you on the best products and methods to clean different stains.

Failing To Pretest Carpet Material

Carpet materials are different and it is wise to first pretest by using the cleaning solution on a small inconspicuous area of the carpet. This will enable you to check test whether it has a negative effect on the carpet fiber. Failing to pretest may cause discoloration, and the carpet could become seriously damaged. Pretesting is a simple process that could save you a lot. If the carpet is damaged, you may be forced to dye the carpet or replace it, both of which are expensive.

Applying Too Much Force

Being too aggressive, especially when removing spots, will cause more harm than good. Cleaning spots requires patience not force. You could damage the carpet fiber, causing that part of the carpet to appear worn out. Start by using a mild abrasive on the spot and then you can add the cleaning agent as you monitor the progress.

Failing To Identify Problem Areas

You need to assess the carpet before any cleaning can begin. Foot traffic is not the same for every part of the carpet, there are certain areas that tend to retain more dirt than others. Before thoroughly cleaning the entire carpet, you need to take care of these problem areas. In addition, ensure that you vacuum the entire carpet before you begin any deep or thorough cleaning.

Commercial furniture for a restaurant, lobby, hotel or other public venue that is aesthetically pleasing and comfortable can make a business more appealing to customers. Making customers and clients feel comfortable and impressed with the overall look of the room can lead to repeat business and a loyal client database. Here is the good site for furniture for office. The commercial grade furniture that is chosen for the design of an interior office or restaurant is important because it sets the tone and atmosphere inside the facility. It is important for a designer to analyze his or her clientele before choosing a design scheme for a public lobby, hotel, restaurant or facility. Modern commercial furniture is a good choice for progressive companies that are dealing with a younger clientele. This contemporary commercial furniture can create a hip yet sophisticated atmosphere that is appreciated by a younger crowd. The lobbies of many newer businesses that cater to younger clients may have modern and simplistic furniture. This furniture can also allow an area to feel bigger because it offers a simplistic approach. The accents such as coffee tables and side tables that are added to commercial lobby furniture can also provide a simplistic and aesthetically pleasing design to the room. Before purchasing commercial grade furniture, a designer or business owner should analyze the people that will be exposed to the furniture and why they are there. A hotel lobby can use contemporary commercial furniture in order to add a fun and trendy vibe. A doctor’s office waiting room, however, may want to look into commercial furniture suppliers that offer more toned down and comfortable furniture for their guests. When opening a business such as a hotel, restaurant or medical office, one of the biggest expenses for a new owner can be the commercial furniture. Commercial grade furniture is needed for lobbies, waiting rooms and dining rooms for many businesses. Buying bulk or wholesale can save business owners money on this large purchase but the new owners may need to shop around to find the best deals. A business owner should also make sure he or she is satisfied with the look, quality and comfort of the commercial furniture before purchasing it. He or she can save a lot of money by choosing timeless pieces that can be used for years to come. Modern furniture that will never be considered outdated is important for commercial lobby furniture and commercial dining furniture so that it does not need to be replaced. Researching different commercial furniture suppliers can be a great first step for those business owners looking into buying furniture for their dining rooms, offices, lobbies and waiting rooms. Restaurant commercial furniture and restaurant dining furniture can be the most important purchase for a new restaurant owner. Since this furniture sets the atmosphere and theme of the restaurant, it is important for an owner to pay close attention to the type, colors and material of furniture that he or she chooses for the dining room. Comfort is also much more important and the owner should focus on the comfort of the restaurant patrons. Commercial dining furniture can be the most important purchase for a restaurant owner because its comfort and stability can allow for a pleasant and comfortable dining experience for customers. Customers who enjoy the atmosphere of the dining area and are comfortable with the seating and tables are more likely to become repeat customers to the establishment.

To save money I recommend shopping for your household goods in the big cities of Ecuador like Quito or Guayaquil, prices tend to be cheaper and products easier to find compared to the smaller towns of Ecuador.

In fact, this week I was furnishing my place on the coast, shopping almost exclusively at the big-box stores of “Mi Comisariato” and “Supermaxi” here in Guayaquil. I did enquire about shops selling table saws in town, which wasn’t hard to find, but to narrow down to the best and reasonable ones in the lot was quite difficult.

This is what I paid this week so you can compare prices to your home country:

Pillows: $4.68
Small trash bin for bathroom: $8.33
Bed sheet set: $20
Bathroom rug: $8.05
Acrillic plates: $1.37 each
Full sized towel for bathroom: $11.16
Hand towel for bathroom: $3.39
Manual style juicer: $1.42
Family sized plastic pitcher: $3.03
Dish soap: $.80
Hangers: $.75 each
Toilet brush cleaner: $2.13
Glass cups: $.38 each
Sponge to clean bathrrom: $.34
5 person kitchen utensil set: $10.70
Kitchen knife: $2.40
Wooden Soup spoon: $1.78
Bathroom shower curtains: $8.03 each
Hand held mini umbrella: $3.56
Fan: $19.63
Gas Stove (with no gas cylinder): $33.92
Plastic dinner table for 4: $44.63
Plastic chairs for dinner table: $9.80 each
Gas cylinder: $50 (refills $2.50)
Queen size wood bed base: $40
New brand name Chaide y Chaide queen size bed cushion: $80

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