Elkhart Lake, WisconsinElkhart Lake, Wisconsin

Vacation Rental Management in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

Discover the best vacation rental management companies in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin to maximize your revenue and create incredible guest experiences

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Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin Airbnb Management Overview

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, is a charming village known for its crystal clear lake, historic race circuit, and vibrant local culture, making it a popular destination for Airbnb hosts. The market here is seasonal, with peak demand during the summer months when tourists flock to enjoy the lake's recreational activities and the Road America race events. The winter season also attracts a fair share of visitors for the holiday markets and snow-related activities. The area is also home to several high-end resorts, indicating a market for luxury vacation rentals. The local community is supportive of tourism, with many local businesses and events catering to visitors. This creates a welcoming environment for Airbnb hosts and their guests.

In Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, the Airbnb market experiences significant seasonality, largely driven by the area's popular summer activities and events. The peak season typically begins in late spring and extends through the summer months, coinciding with the Road America races, which draw large crowds and significantly increase demand for short-term rentals. Additionally, the lake's recreational opportunities, such as boating and fishing, make it a popular summer destination, further driving up rental demand. Conversely, the winter months see a decrease in tourism and subsequently, a drop in rental occupancy rates. However, winter events such as the Old World Christmas Market can provide a smaller, yet notable boost in demand. Understanding these seasonal trends is crucial for maximizing rental income and occupancy rates in Elkhart Lake.

In Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, Airbnb hosts must be aware of and comply with a variety of local regulations. One of the most significant is the requirement for a Tourist Rooming House License from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection if renting out the property for more than 10 nights per year. Additionally, hosts should be aware that the Village of Elkhart Lake has its own set of regulations, including zoning laws that may restrict the ability to rent out certain properties. It's also important to note that Wisconsin state sales tax and county sales tax may apply to Airbnb rentals, and hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting these taxes. Lastly, hosts should be aware of the potential for additional regulations at the county and local level, and are encouraged to seek legal advice to ensure full compliance.

Managing Airbnb properties in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, requires a keen understanding of the local market dynamics. The seasonal fluctuations, driven by the summer racing season and winter holiday tourism, present a unique challenge in terms of pricing and occupancy rates. It's crucial to adjust prices accordingly to maximize revenue during peak seasons and maintain occupancy during off-peak periods. Additionally, maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and prompt communication is essential due to the discerning clientele attracted to this upscale resort town. A tip for success is to leverage local events and attractions, such as the Road America race track and the Osthoff Resort, in your listing descriptions to attract visitors.

In Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, the demand for properties with outdoor amenities is high due to the area's natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Properties that offer access to private docks, outdoor grilling areas, fire pits, and spacious yards for outdoor games are particularly popular. Additionally, homes with views of the lake or surrounding countryside can command higher rental rates. Proximity to local attractions such as Road America, the Kettle Moraine State Forest, and the charming downtown area is also a significant draw for guests. Therefore, highlighting these features in your listing can help attract more bookings.

Market Overview

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, is a charming village known for its crystal clear lake, historic race circuit, and vibrant local culture, making it a popular destination for Airbnb hosts. The market here is seasonal, with peak demand during the summer months when tourists flock to enjoy the lake's recreational activities and the Road America race events. The winter season also attracts a fair share of visitors for the holiday markets and snow-related activities. The area is also home to several high-end resorts, indicating a market for luxury vacation rentals. The local community is supportive of tourism, with many local businesses and events catering to visitors. This creates a welcoming environment for Airbnb hosts and their guests.

Airbnb Seasonality

In Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, the Airbnb market experiences significant seasonality, largely driven by the area's popular summer activities and events. The peak season typically begins in late spring and extends through the summer months, coinciding with the Road America races, which draw large crowds and significantly increase demand for short-term rentals. Additionally, the lake's recreational opportunities, such as boating and fishing, make it a popular summer destination, further driving up rental demand. Conversely, the winter months see a decrease in tourism and subsequently, a drop in rental occupancy rates. However, winter events such as the Old World Christmas Market can provide a smaller, yet notable boost in demand. Understanding these seasonal trends is crucial for maximizing rental income and occupancy rates in Elkhart Lake.

Short Term Rental Regulations

In Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, Airbnb hosts must be aware of and comply with a variety of local regulations. One of the most significant is the requirement for a Tourist Rooming House License from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection if renting out the property for more than 10 nights per year. Additionally, hosts should be aware that the Village of Elkhart Lake has its own set of regulations, including zoning laws that may restrict the ability to rent out certain properties. It's also important to note that Wisconsin state sales tax and county sales tax may apply to Airbnb rentals, and hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting these taxes. Lastly, hosts should be aware of the potential for additional regulations at the county and local level, and are encouraged to seek legal advice to ensure full compliance.

Best Practices for Management

Managing Airbnb properties in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, requires a keen understanding of the local market dynamics. The seasonal fluctuations, driven by the summer racing season and winter holiday tourism, present a unique challenge in terms of pricing and occupancy rates. It's crucial to adjust prices accordingly to maximize revenue during peak seasons and maintain occupancy during off-peak periods. Additionally, maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and prompt communication is essential due to the discerning clientele attracted to this upscale resort town. A tip for success is to leverage local events and attractions, such as the Road America race track and the Osthoff Resort, in your listing descriptions to attract visitors.

Locations and Amenities

In Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, the demand for properties with outdoor amenities is high due to the area's natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Properties that offer access to private docks, outdoor grilling areas, fire pits, and spacious yards for outdoor games are particularly popular. Additionally, homes with views of the lake or surrounding countryside can command higher rental rates. Proximity to local attractions such as Road America, the Kettle Moraine State Forest, and the charming downtown area is also a significant draw for guests. Therefore, highlighting these features in your listing can help attract more bookings.

How It Works

Meet with membership

Connect With Local Pros

Summer matches you with top vacation rental managers who know the Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin 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 Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin 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 Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

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.

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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.