Highlands, North CarolinaHighlands, North Carolina

Vacation Rental Management in Highlands, North Carolina

Discover the best vacation rental management companies in Highlands, North Carolina to maximize your revenue and create incredible guest experiences

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Highlands, North Carolina Airbnb Management Overview

Highlands, North Carolina, is a vibrant and thriving Airbnb market, nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This charming town is a popular destination for tourists seeking a tranquil retreat, with its stunning natural beauty, outdoor recreational activities, and unique local shops and restaurants. The Airbnb market here is diverse, ranging from rustic cabins to luxurious mountain homes, catering to a wide variety of guests. The peak season is during the summer and fall, when the weather is ideal for hiking, fishing, and exploring the scenic landscapes. However, the winter months also attract visitors for the holiday season and winter sports, ensuring a steady demand for Airbnb rentals throughout the year. The market is competitive but rewarding for hosts who can provide exceptional experiences that highlight the local culture and natural beauty of Highlands.

In Highlands, North Carolina, the Airbnb market experiences significant seasonality, largely influenced by the area's distinct weather patterns and tourist activities. The peak season typically begins in late spring and extends through the fall, coinciding with the region's most favorable weather conditions. During this period, the town's population swells with tourists drawn to the area's outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking, fishing, and sightseeing, leading to a surge in demand for short-term rentals. Conversely, the winter months tend to see a downturn in bookings, as colder temperatures and occasional snowfall make outdoor activities less appealing. However, the holiday season can bring a brief uptick in demand, particularly from visitors seeking a picturesque mountain getaway. Understanding these seasonal trends is crucial for maximizing occupancy rates and optimizing pricing strategies.

In Highlands, North Carolina, Airbnb hosts must be aware of and comply with a variety of local regulations. The town requires all short-term rental properties to have a valid permit, which must be renewed annually. Additionally, hosts are required to collect and remit a 3% occupancy tax on all bookings, which is in addition to the state sales tax. It's also important to note that there are zoning restrictions in place that prohibit short-term rentals in certain residential areas. Violations of these regulations can result in hefty fines, so it's crucial to stay informed and up-to-date on any changes to local laws and ordinances.

Managing Airbnb properties in Highlands, North Carolina, requires a keen understanding of the local market dynamics. The seasonal nature of tourism, with peaks during the summer and fall, necessitates strategic pricing and marketing to maximize occupancy rates. Challenges include managing rapid turnovers during peak seasons and ensuring high-quality, consistent service despite the influx. It's crucial to maintain strong relationships with local cleaning services and maintenance professionals to handle the high demand periods. Additionally, understanding the preferences of the typical Highlands visitor - often seeking outdoor adventures or a peaceful mountain retreat - can inform the creation of appealing property descriptions and guide the provision of relevant amenities.

In Highlands, North Carolina, the property amenities that resonate most with guests are those that enhance their experience of the region's natural beauty and outdoor activities. Properties that offer amenities such as fire pits, outdoor seating areas, BBQ grills, and hot tubs tend to be highly sought after, as they allow guests to enjoy the stunning mountain views and crisp, clean air. Additionally, properties with ample parking space are preferred due to the popularity of road trips in this area. Inside the property, guests appreciate a fully equipped kitchen and a cozy living area with a fireplace, reflecting the region's homely, rustic charm. High-speed internet is also a must-have, as many visitors are looking to stay connected while enjoying their mountain retreat.

Market Overview

Highlands, North Carolina, is a vibrant and thriving Airbnb market, nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This charming town is a popular destination for tourists seeking a tranquil retreat, with its stunning natural beauty, outdoor recreational activities, and unique local shops and restaurants. The Airbnb market here is diverse, ranging from rustic cabins to luxurious mountain homes, catering to a wide variety of guests. The peak season is during the summer and fall, when the weather is ideal for hiking, fishing, and exploring the scenic landscapes. However, the winter months also attract visitors for the holiday season and winter sports, ensuring a steady demand for Airbnb rentals throughout the year. The market is competitive but rewarding for hosts who can provide exceptional experiences that highlight the local culture and natural beauty of Highlands.

Airbnb Seasonality

In Highlands, North Carolina, the Airbnb market experiences significant seasonality, largely influenced by the area's distinct weather patterns and tourist activities. The peak season typically begins in late spring and extends through the fall, coinciding with the region's most favorable weather conditions. During this period, the town's population swells with tourists drawn to the area's outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking, fishing, and sightseeing, leading to a surge in demand for short-term rentals. Conversely, the winter months tend to see a downturn in bookings, as colder temperatures and occasional snowfall make outdoor activities less appealing. However, the holiday season can bring a brief uptick in demand, particularly from visitors seeking a picturesque mountain getaway. Understanding these seasonal trends is crucial for maximizing occupancy rates and optimizing pricing strategies.

Short Term Rental Regulations

In Highlands, North Carolina, Airbnb hosts must be aware of and comply with a variety of local regulations. The town requires all short-term rental properties to have a valid permit, which must be renewed annually. Additionally, hosts are required to collect and remit a 3% occupancy tax on all bookings, which is in addition to the state sales tax. It's also important to note that there are zoning restrictions in place that prohibit short-term rentals in certain residential areas. Violations of these regulations can result in hefty fines, so it's crucial to stay informed and up-to-date on any changes to local laws and ordinances.

Best Practices for Management

Managing Airbnb properties in Highlands, North Carolina, requires a keen understanding of the local market dynamics. The seasonal nature of tourism, with peaks during the summer and fall, necessitates strategic pricing and marketing to maximize occupancy rates. Challenges include managing rapid turnovers during peak seasons and ensuring high-quality, consistent service despite the influx. It's crucial to maintain strong relationships with local cleaning services and maintenance professionals to handle the high demand periods. Additionally, understanding the preferences of the typical Highlands visitor - often seeking outdoor adventures or a peaceful mountain retreat - can inform the creation of appealing property descriptions and guide the provision of relevant amenities.

Locations and Amenities

In Highlands, North Carolina, the property amenities that resonate most with guests are those that enhance their experience of the region's natural beauty and outdoor activities. Properties that offer amenities such as fire pits, outdoor seating areas, BBQ grills, and hot tubs tend to be highly sought after, as they allow guests to enjoy the stunning mountain views and crisp, clean air. Additionally, properties with ample parking space are preferred due to the popularity of road trips in this area. Inside the property, guests appreciate a fully equipped kitchen and a cozy living area with a fireplace, reflecting the region's homely, rustic charm. High-speed internet is also a must-have, as many visitors are looking to stay connected while enjoying their mountain retreat.

How It Works

Meet with membership

Connect With Local Pros

Summer matches you with top vacation rental managers who know the Highlands, North Carolina 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 Highlands, North Carolina 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 Highlands, North Carolina

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.