Case Study: The Barton Springs Condo
Great location with lots of potential.
This tasteful, modern condo was beaming with potential for travelers visiting Austin:
Walking distance to Barton Springs
Central location to downtown Austin
Right near the bustling Austin City Limits/ Zilker Park scene.
So, why wasn’t it getting booked?
The owner of this Barton Springs Condo approached us for a bid on managing their property. They had been working with another popular property management company, but had not had much success in bookings. While they had been working with the company for 9 months, they had only received 6 bookings.
We had a discovery call followed by a property walkthrough with the owner. We discussed her goals, reviewed past performance, and shared our perception of the property's strengths along with some opportunities to increase interest. Little things, like adding a workspace for working commuters, are great additions for properties close to office spaces and downtown areas.
Before Hometown Hosts, this property had only gotten 6 bookings in 9 months.
A proposal for something better.
Armed with all the information we needed, we developed and submitted a quote for full management services. This included:
Listing optimization and management
Guest communication and management
New photography of the property
Market and competitive research
Pricing optimization
Cleaning and maintenance management
Assistance with administrative tasks like permit renewal deadlines, tax information, etc.
With a few questions answered and a signed agreement underway, we were off to the races for our official go-live.
Within 2 weeks of launching, Hometown Hosts secured 6 bookings.
An instant success.
In preparation for the go-live, we consulted with the owner on delisting, transferring existing bookings, and managing communication with the previous property management company for a smooth transition.
This owner had a preferred cleaning crew, who we met with to onboard and align on communications. We also hired a photographer to come out and take professional photos of the property that showcased its unique style and comfortable living space for potential guests.
We also optimized pricing. While the previous company had the place listed competitively, they primarily had a flat rate with a few bumps for holidays and events. Once we took over, we increased prices to meet the market, and implemented a dynamic pricing tool to adjust nightly rates based on market supply and demand, holidays and popular travel weekends.
It’s not about being the cheapest - it’s about showing the true value of a stay through on-market pricing to get noticed by guests.
Within 48 hours of our go-live, we received 2 bookings. Within 14 days, we had received 6 bookings, including one month-long stay.
We understand the magic that makes guests book, and the communication that owners need to feel confident in their properties. Our philosophy is to serve both the owner and guests to create a unique experience through white-glove property management services.
Curious what we could do for your property? We’d love to chat.