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Summary: How to Rent
Review: A totally engrossing book! A definite 'must -have' for any would-be renter. Hunter Melville
http://CyberRentals.com
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Summary: Basic, but essential information
Review: As a first time prospective vacation rental owner, I was delighted to find this 'tell all' book by a 'real person' who had obviously experienced most of the concerns that come with this venture. I read this book like a novel - cover to cover - and i'm sure i will refer back to it when i purchase my property.
The advice was a little basic overall, but definitely a great overview and most importantly, this book made me believe in my abilities to carry out my new project. Thanks for the encouragement; i'm looking forward to starting the adventure!
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Summary: Thinking of buying or renting a property? This is THE book
Review: Author Karpinski wrote me that one reader wrote to her saying "My first renter wrote me a nice note about how much fun they had and how they want to rent it again next year. Then she says, "Friday as I sat down to eat lunch, I heard a crack before the chair broke and I fell to the ground."
Just though you would like to know how true your words are. Thanks! Now I'm re-reading your book to see what else I snubbed my nose at the first time around."
That's the point of "How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner." There is detail, detail, detail, and you'd better read this with,well, to mix metaphors, a fine-toothed comb. Not only is the advice to furnish with STURDY chairs in there, but other wisdom that can save you, the vacation landlord, time and money and heartache. Have you considered a condo versus a free-standing property? What about maintenance, what about distance from the property? Are you going to be able to handle that or will you need someone to help you? Don't forget, a condo has maintenance included in a fee, usually. That fee may look large at closing, but later on...
What about the 20% downpayment usually required by lenders? Turns out that, too, can be borrowed. PMI, mortgages, lending, this is also covered.
How do you advertise to get the best results? What needs to be in that ad? Where do you advertise?
I can't go into all the detail here, but chapters include finance, self-management, advertising including photos and description writing, pricing, organization techniques, tax collection and payment, key management, problems such as major damage, minor depredations, theft, cancellation and complaints.
If you plan to rent a property, this is an absolutely essential book, written by someone with first-hand experience and an eye for detail. Get it.
Rating:
Summary: The Virtual Field Guide!
Review: Christine is quickly becoming the nations' spokesperson on the subject of vacation rentals offered directly by owners. And her book is right on! For the new onwer and the veteran alike, all this insight is written in a comprehensive and friendly style; the field guide for anyone looking to manage, market and maximize the return on their second home. Magnificent!
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Summary: How to Rent by Owner Review
Review: Christine Karpinski's book on how to rent vacation properties is absolutely wonderful. It's easy-to-read and broken down into appropriate chapters which make it a great reference book.
I have no experience in property management but this book answered 99% of my questions and brought up topics I hadn't even thought of.
The additional workbook is worth the small cost. The author makes a good point to keep all your rental info in one place so it's easily accessible and you can take it with you. This slim book will be easy to tote around. Thank you, Christine for a well-thought out book.
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Summary: Best Vacation Rental Book I've ever read!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: If you currently own or are thinking of investing in a Vacation rental this book is a must have. My husband & I are in the middle of building our dream home. Christine's book answered all the questions I had & then some about renting our vacation home. This book is very easy reading. In fact I found it very difficult to put down. It is a book I think I'll refer to over & over again. Get clicking & buy this book! You won't be sorry!!!!
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Summary: Practical Advice for Overcoming Your Mental Hurdles!
Review: If you haven't ever owned and rented out a vacation or second home, you probably have the same concerns that I have: How will I find renters? Will people destroy the property? Will people sue me? How will I get the toilet unclogged at 4 a.m. from a distance? How will I avoid having a terrible negative cash flow? How much time will this really take? Am I turning myself into a minimum wage slave? Relax! Ms. Christine Hrib Karpinski answers all those and many other questions you didn't know enough to ask. She also provides details of how she does everything efficiently and relatively painlessly. Further, she gives you good advice on how to decide what property to buy, how much to charge, who to rent to, where to advertise, how to write the copy and even how to create great photographs for a Web site. In fact, both the marketing and the administrative details she provides are outstanding. My only suggestion is that you have an attorney in the state where your property is check out the forms she suggests (or obtain the standard forms used by landlords in that state). The only area where the book doesn't cover a related subject in detail is in the tax advantages. If she does another edition of this book, I suggest that she have a c.p.a. write up a section on that point. As a result, the book makes it seem like you will make less than you actually will. Her focus is on long-term ownership and rental, but she also points out how you can make substantial short-term gains. The section on the current mortgage options is excellent. Even if you decide not to buy a vacation home and rent it, I suggest that you read the book for advice that will be valuable to you as a potential tenant of such properties. You can more than save the price of the book in that context. I recommend that you do the work she describes for setting rental prices and marketing a property BEFORE you purchase a home. Good luck!
Rating:
Summary: Practical Advice for Overcoming Your Mental Hurdles!
Review: If you haven't ever owned and rented out a vacation or second home, you probably have the same concerns that I have: How will I find renters? Will people destroy the property? Will people sue me? How will I get the toilet unclogged at 4 a.m. from a distance? How will I avoid having a terrible negative cash flow? How much time will this really take? Am I turning myself into a minimum wage slave? Relax! Ms. Christine Hrib Karpinski answers all those and many other questions you didn't know enough to ask. She also provides details of how she does everything efficiently and relatively painlessly. Further, she gives you good advice on how to decide what property to buy, how much to charge, who to rent to, where to advertise, how to write the copy and even how to create great photographs for a Web site. In fact, both the marketing and the administrative details she provides are outstanding. My only suggestion is that you have an attorney in the state where your property is check out the forms she suggests (or obtain the standard forms used by landlords in that state). The only area where the book doesn't cover a related subject in detail is in the tax advantages. If she does another edition of this book, I suggest that she have a c.p.a. write up a section on that point. As a result, the book makes it seem like you will make less than you actually will. Her focus is on long-term ownership and rental, but she also points out how you can make substantial short-term gains. The section on the current mortgage options is excellent. Even if you decide not to buy a vacation home and rent it, I suggest that you read the book for advice that will be valuable to you as a potential tenant of such properties. You can more than save the price of the book in that context. I recommend that you do the work she describes for setting rental prices and marketing a property BEFORE you purchase a home. Good luck!
Rating: 
Summary: Some good info buried in a too folksy style
Review: The topic of the book is dead-on for what I am looking for... how to rent by owner a beach condo I just bought. Unfortunately, it reads like a How to Make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich book from an introductory writing class. I would think that anyone who can afford to buy a beach property doesn't need to be explained about what a fixed rate vs adjustable rate loan is.
The folksy nature and the rhetorical questions being asked and self-answered is not complementary to the topic and the intent of the book. I'm sure the author is excited about the topic, but I've never seen so many explanation points in a business/real estate book....
The author is very against management companies and goes to extremes to tell why one shouldn't be hired. She says a management company will keep 50 - 60% of gross profit. The mgmt companies I spoke to in my beach town charge 15 - 20% and by reputation are very different the the typical management company described here.
So, overall some good, useful information but you have to weed through alot of... Why??? Yes!!! The author could have benefited from an editor.
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Summary: Thanks Christine!
Review: This book was my first & best investment when we decided to turn my inlaws mountain home into a vacation rental. Christine has answered many questions I had about this business, and some I didn't think to ask! She's done all the research for you and backs it up with her own success as a vacation rental owner.
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