Drummond Island, MichiganDrummond Island, Michigan

Vacation Rental Management in Drummond Island, Michigan

Discover the best vacation rental management companies in Drummond Island, Michigan to maximize your revenue and create incredible guest experiences

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Drummond Island, Michigan Airbnb Management Overview

Drummond Island, Michigan, is a unique and thriving Airbnb market, characterized by its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. As the largest freshwater island in the United States, it offers a diverse range of rental properties, from rustic cabins to luxury waterfront homes, attracting a wide array of guests. The island's appeal lies in its secluded, off-the-beaten-path charm, coupled with activities like fishing, hunting, hiking, and bird watching. The seasonal fluctuations in tourism, with peaks during the summer and winter months, provide hosts with the opportunity to capitalize on high demand periods. However, the market also requires a deep understanding of the local area and the ability to cater to the specific needs of guests seeking this unique island experience.

In Drummond Island, Michigan, the Airbnb market experiences significant seasonality, largely influenced by the area's distinct four-season climate. The peak season typically begins in late spring and extends through the summer months, when the island's outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and boating are at their prime. This period often sees higher rental rates and increased booking frequency. Conversely, the off-peak season, particularly the colder months of late fall and winter, sees a decrease in demand. However, it's worth noting that winter activities like snowmobiling and ice fishing do attract a niche market of guests during these colder months. Understanding these seasonal trends is crucial for hosts in optimizing their booking rates and occupancy levels.

In Drummond Island, Michigan, Airbnb hosts must be aware of and comply with a variety of local regulations. The township does not currently have specific laws regulating short-term rentals, but hosts are still subject to Michigan state laws. These include obtaining a sales tax license and collecting a 6% use tax on all bookings. Additionally, hosts should be aware of zoning laws, as some residential areas may have restrictions on short-term rentals. It's also important to note that if your property is part of a homeowners association, there may be additional rules and regulations to follow. Always ensure you are fully compliant to avoid potential fines or legal issues.

Managing Airbnb properties on Drummond Island, Michigan, presents unique challenges and opportunities. The island's remote location and seasonal fluctuations in tourism demand careful planning and flexibility. It's crucial to maintain a robust maintenance schedule to handle the harsh winter weather and ensure the property is always guest-ready. Additionally, fostering good relationships with local service providers can be beneficial for quick turnarounds and emergency repairs. Offering personalized local tips and experiences can help attract guests seeking the unique charm of island life. Remember, effective communication with guests about the island's logistics, including ferry schedules and limited amenities, is key to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable stay.

In Drummond Island, Michigan, the key to a successful Airbnb property lies in highlighting the unique natural amenities that this location offers. Properties that provide easy access to outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and bird watching are particularly appealing to visitors. Offering amenities like fishing gear, kayaks, or bird-watching equipment can significantly enhance the guest experience. Additionally, properties that feature views of the water or are located near popular trails tend to be more sought after. Given the island's remote location, guests also appreciate properties that offer modern comforts such as Wi-Fi, fully equipped kitchens, and comfortable living spaces.

Market Overview

Drummond Island, Michigan, is a unique and thriving Airbnb market, characterized by its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. As the largest freshwater island in the United States, it offers a diverse range of rental properties, from rustic cabins to luxury waterfront homes, attracting a wide array of guests. The island's appeal lies in its secluded, off-the-beaten-path charm, coupled with activities like fishing, hunting, hiking, and bird watching. The seasonal fluctuations in tourism, with peaks during the summer and winter months, provide hosts with the opportunity to capitalize on high demand periods. However, the market also requires a deep understanding of the local area and the ability to cater to the specific needs of guests seeking this unique island experience.

Airbnb Seasonality

In Drummond Island, Michigan, the Airbnb market experiences significant seasonality, largely influenced by the area's distinct four-season climate. The peak season typically begins in late spring and extends through the summer months, when the island's outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and boating are at their prime. This period often sees higher rental rates and increased booking frequency. Conversely, the off-peak season, particularly the colder months of late fall and winter, sees a decrease in demand. However, it's worth noting that winter activities like snowmobiling and ice fishing do attract a niche market of guests during these colder months. Understanding these seasonal trends is crucial for hosts in optimizing their booking rates and occupancy levels.

Short Term Rental Regulations

In Drummond Island, Michigan, Airbnb hosts must be aware of and comply with a variety of local regulations. The township does not currently have specific laws regulating short-term rentals, but hosts are still subject to Michigan state laws. These include obtaining a sales tax license and collecting a 6% use tax on all bookings. Additionally, hosts should be aware of zoning laws, as some residential areas may have restrictions on short-term rentals. It's also important to note that if your property is part of a homeowners association, there may be additional rules and regulations to follow. Always ensure you are fully compliant to avoid potential fines or legal issues.

Best Practices for Management

Managing Airbnb properties on Drummond Island, Michigan, presents unique challenges and opportunities. The island's remote location and seasonal fluctuations in tourism demand careful planning and flexibility. It's crucial to maintain a robust maintenance schedule to handle the harsh winter weather and ensure the property is always guest-ready. Additionally, fostering good relationships with local service providers can be beneficial for quick turnarounds and emergency repairs. Offering personalized local tips and experiences can help attract guests seeking the unique charm of island life. Remember, effective communication with guests about the island's logistics, including ferry schedules and limited amenities, is key to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable stay.

Locations and Amenities

In Drummond Island, Michigan, the key to a successful Airbnb property lies in highlighting the unique natural amenities that this location offers. Properties that provide easy access to outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and bird watching are particularly appealing to visitors. Offering amenities like fishing gear, kayaks, or bird-watching equipment can significantly enhance the guest experience. Additionally, properties that feature views of the water or are located near popular trails tend to be more sought after. Given the island's remote location, guests also appreciate properties that offer modern comforts such as Wi-Fi, fully equipped kitchens, and comfortable living spaces.

How It Works

Meet with membership

Connect With Local Pros

Summer matches you with top vacation rental managers who know the Drummond Island, Michigan market and can help you maximize your revenue and improve guest experiences. 

We'll make sure to introduce you to Airbnb managers who offer the right services for your needs.

Get Onboarded

Seamless Onboarding

Your manager can handle everything—from listing setup and pricing optimization to guest communication and maintenance.

They’ll take care of professional photography, lockbox installation, profile setup, and everything you need to get your Drummond Island, Michigan property guest-ready.

Collect Revenue

Sit Back And Earn

With the right vacation rental property manager, your home is in good hands.

They'll handle the bookings, guests, pricing updates, and day-to-day operations while you enjoy stress-free earnings and more time for what matters most.

Who We Trust

What makes our partners stand out from other short-term rental property managers in Drummond Island, Michigan

Access to the Summer Network

Personalized Support

Each home and host is different. The best property managers work with you to find the services and support that make sense.

Best in class revenue Optimization

Demonstrated Earnings

Your investment is important. Our partners have proven they can substantially increase revenue on properties over market averages.

Accuracy with our technology

Tech-Forward Focus

The best property managers use data to make smart decisions, and technology to create seamless guest experiences.

Trusted brand reputation

Trusted Brand Reputation

We partner with property managers with Superhost status and high guest ratings, so guests always know what to expect.

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Who’s a good fit for a professional manager?

You think your short-term rental can make more money

Your property is not beating market averages, getting enough bookings, or does not have visibility across the major rental platforms.

You want a partner where you are valued

Our preferred managers build personal relationships with all of their owners and care about each property like it's their own.

You want hassle-free hosting

Whether you're down the street or a flight away, dealing with guest inquiries, cleaning, and everything in between is too time consuming and challenging.

Ready To Get Started Form

Get connected

We'd love to hear about what you're looking for, and we’ll connect you with top vacation property managers in your area!

FAQ

Answers to common questions

What is vacation rental property management?

Vacation rental property management is a service provider that maintains and improves a vacation rental on behalf of owners. They manage the ongoing operation, marketing, maintenance, and promotion of a vacation rental, short-term rental, or Airbnb property.

What services does a vacation rental manager offer?

Most managers offer partial or complete end-to-end management of vacation rental properties. Complete management includes all aspects of home maintenance, cleaning, guest and host communications, and marketing, pricing, and promotion of your property. In addition to these services, Summer connects owners and hosts with professional design and investing services for their vacation home.

Can they help me convert an existing home into a vacation rental?

Absolutely! Many property managers do onboard homes that were recently purchased or are being converted into vacation rentals. The best teams will provide advice, guidance, and services to help your home prepare for its short-term rental launch.

How long does the onboarding process take?

The onboarding process usually takes 2-4 weeks. This gives the manager and owner ample time to inspect the property, get it ready for guests, and get the listing live. In the event that owners need additional time to furnish or otherwise improve the property, the onboarding process can be extended.

Will I get a smart lock?

Yes, most managers provide a smart lock. This helps them operate the home and seamlessly let guests in. While there is some upfront expense associated with the lock and some additional time to set it up, there’s nothing worse than a guest not being able to access the property when they arrive.

Will they take updated photos of the property?

In most cases, your manager will hire a professional photographer to do a shoot at the home. This happens after the home is both cleaned and staged for photography. This helps the home stand out on vacation rental booking sites and results in better bookings overall. If you have really high-quality photos already, you can skip this step in the onboarding process.

How do I know my property will be safe with guests?

Professional managers put a number of security measures in place at the home to monitor noise and avoid unwanted guests in the property. Most also have built-in procedures for resolving any immediate guest issues involving parties, extra guests, and anything else in violation of the booking and local laws and requirements.