Manistee, MichiganManistee, Michigan

Vacation Rental Management in Manistee, Michigan

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

TechCrunch Logo
Yahoo Logo
AIRDNA Logo
Skift Logo
MarketWatch Logo

Manistee, Michigan Airbnb Management Overview

Manistee, Michigan, is a hidden gem in the Airbnb market, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and historic charm that attracts a diverse range of guests. Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, this quaint town is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with opportunities for fishing, hiking, and beach activities, making it a popular choice for vacation rentals. The city's rich history, reflected in its well-preserved Victorian architecture, also draws in history buffs and culture seekers. The market sees a significant surge during the summer months, but the scenic fall colors and winter sports activities ensure a steady stream of guests year-round. With a growing trend towards off-the-beaten-path travel, Manistee's Airbnb market holds significant potential for hosts offering unique, local experiences.

In Manistee, Michigan, the Airbnb market experiences significant seasonality, largely influenced by the area's natural attractions and climate. The peak season typically begins in late spring and extends through the summer months, when guests are drawn to the area's beautiful beaches, hiking trails, and fishing spots. During this time, occupancy rates and rental prices tend to be at their highest. The fall season also attracts a fair number of visitors, particularly during the peak of the fall foliage. However, the winter months can be quite slow, as the harsh Michigan winters deter many potential visitors. Despite this, there is still some demand during this time from winter sports enthusiasts who come for the area's skiing and snowmobiling opportunities.

In Manistee, Michigan, Airbnb hosts must be aware of and comply with a variety of local regulations. The city requires all short-term rental properties to be licensed and inspected annually, ensuring they meet health and safety standards. Additionally, hosts must adhere to zoning laws, which may limit the number of guests per unit and restrict rentals in certain residential areas. There are also specific tax obligations, including a 5% accommodation tax and a 6% state sales tax, which hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting. It's also important to note that condominiums and homeowners associations may have their own rules regarding short-term rentals.

Managing Airbnb properties in Manistee, Michigan presents unique challenges and opportunities. The seasonal nature of the market, with peaks during the summer months and winter ski season, requires careful planning and dynamic pricing strategies to maximize occupancy and revenue. It's crucial to maintain a high standard of cleanliness and upkeep, as guests often have high expectations due to the area's reputation as a vacation destination. Quick response times to inquiries and issues are also key, as this can greatly influence guest reviews and future bookings. Additionally, fostering good relationships with local businesses can enhance the guest experience and contribute to positive reviews.

In Manistee, Michigan, properties that highlight the natural beauty and outdoor activities of the area tend to be the most successful. Amenities such as fire pits, barbecue grills, and outdoor seating areas are highly sought after by guests looking to enjoy the region's stunning lakeside views and serene forest landscapes. Additionally, providing equipment for popular local activities, like kayaking, fishing, or hiking, can significantly increase a property's appeal. Proximity to local attractions, such as the Manistee National Forest or the historic downtown area, should also be emphasized in property listings. As the market continues to grow, properties that offer a unique, locally-focused experience will stand out to potential guests.

Market Overview

Manistee, Michigan, is a hidden gem in the Airbnb market, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and historic charm that attracts a diverse range of guests. Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, this quaint town is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with opportunities for fishing, hiking, and beach activities, making it a popular choice for vacation rentals. The city's rich history, reflected in its well-preserved Victorian architecture, also draws in history buffs and culture seekers. The market sees a significant surge during the summer months, but the scenic fall colors and winter sports activities ensure a steady stream of guests year-round. With a growing trend towards off-the-beaten-path travel, Manistee's Airbnb market holds significant potential for hosts offering unique, local experiences.

Airbnb Seasonality

In Manistee, Michigan, the Airbnb market experiences significant seasonality, largely influenced by the area's natural attractions and climate. The peak season typically begins in late spring and extends through the summer months, when guests are drawn to the area's beautiful beaches, hiking trails, and fishing spots. During this time, occupancy rates and rental prices tend to be at their highest. The fall season also attracts a fair number of visitors, particularly during the peak of the fall foliage. However, the winter months can be quite slow, as the harsh Michigan winters deter many potential visitors. Despite this, there is still some demand during this time from winter sports enthusiasts who come for the area's skiing and snowmobiling opportunities.

Short Term Rental Regulations

In Manistee, Michigan, Airbnb hosts must be aware of and comply with a variety of local regulations. The city requires all short-term rental properties to be licensed and inspected annually, ensuring they meet health and safety standards. Additionally, hosts must adhere to zoning laws, which may limit the number of guests per unit and restrict rentals in certain residential areas. There are also specific tax obligations, including a 5% accommodation tax and a 6% state sales tax, which hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting. It's also important to note that condominiums and homeowners associations may have their own rules regarding short-term rentals.

Best Practices for Management

Managing Airbnb properties in Manistee, Michigan presents unique challenges and opportunities. The seasonal nature of the market, with peaks during the summer months and winter ski season, requires careful planning and dynamic pricing strategies to maximize occupancy and revenue. It's crucial to maintain a high standard of cleanliness and upkeep, as guests often have high expectations due to the area's reputation as a vacation destination. Quick response times to inquiries and issues are also key, as this can greatly influence guest reviews and future bookings. Additionally, fostering good relationships with local businesses can enhance the guest experience and contribute to positive reviews.

Locations and Amenities

In Manistee, Michigan, properties that highlight the natural beauty and outdoor activities of the area tend to be the most successful. Amenities such as fire pits, barbecue grills, and outdoor seating areas are highly sought after by guests looking to enjoy the region's stunning lakeside views and serene forest landscapes. Additionally, providing equipment for popular local activities, like kayaking, fishing, or hiking, can significantly increase a property's appeal. Proximity to local attractions, such as the Manistee National Forest or the historic downtown area, should also be emphasized in property listings. As the market continues to grow, properties that offer a unique, locally-focused experience will stand out to potential guests.

How It Works

Meet with membership

Connect With Local Pros

Summer matches you with top vacation rental managers who know the Manistee, 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 Manistee, 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 Manistee, 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.

Sticker badge that says "The gist"

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.