Kingswood Village is a unique condominium complex located on the north shore of Lake Tahoe near Kings Beach.  It's convenient location near Lake Tahoe's beaches, ski resorts, and casino nightlife make it a popular year-round vacation destination.  

The complex features rental properties ranging from 1-bedroom loft condos, to sprawling 4-bedroom properties that comfortable sleep up to 10 guests.  You'll enjoy an outdoor summer pool, tennis courts, and a workout facility.  This is a place the whole family will enjoy!

Lake Tahoe Accommodations is the designated on-site property management company, offering a wide selection of quality vacation rental homes. Visit www.kingswoodvillage.com, and reserve your Kingswood Village Vacation Rental today!

In our previous post we discussed a number of different things to consider when pricing your vacation rental.  We know that the competition, the time of the year, and various market trends are all factors in determining the optimal price that will help maximize your rental income.  Having an occasional special rate may seem to throw all that out of whack.  But the strategic use of discounted rates can be an effective way to increase your bookings – especially during the slow spring & fall seasons.  And compared to setting prices, holding a "Special” is a piece of cake.   

Step 1: Determine the Discount

The first thing to decide is how long to hold your special, and how much of a discount to offer. Please keep this in mind:

• Special Rates can be in effect for a maximum of 60 consecutive days.
• The discount can range anywhere between 10-50%. 

Be sure to offer enough of a discount that potential guests will view it as a good deal, but don’t slash the price so much that you don't make a profit.

A final factor to consider is the date range of the special rates. Usually, it makes sense to offer discounts at times of the year when demand is somewhat lower than usual.  Also, offering last-minute deals when your home hasn't booked for a special holiday weekend is also very useful.

Step 2: Contact your Property Manager

After you’ve determined the discount & the date range, then all you have to do is contact your property manager and give us the details. We’ll be able to offer guidance & suggestions if you're unsure about any aspect of this.  

Step 3: Your “Special” will be Advertised on TahoeStay.com

Your property will be promoted on www.tahoestay.com in a few powerful & unique ways.

1) The normal search results page provides photos, descriptions, and prices. Properties with discounted rates will have the notation “Special Rates” at the bottom of the features column.

2) All properties with special rates are featured on the TahoeStay.com Specials Page.  This happens to be the third most popular page on the site (behind the Home page & Search Results page).

3) The checkout page will show guests exactly how much they are saving.  This is really important!  The person wouldn’t be on this page if they didn’t already like your home.  Sometimes they just need a little something extra to push them into making the decision to book your property, and getting a “good deal” is a great way to make this happen.

Why Specials Work

Holding a “Special” is a highly effective way to attract more guests. There are two main reasons why this marketing tactic is so effective: perception and exposure.

Perception: Everyone likes to feel like they are getting a deal, and vacation rental guests are no exception. Oftentimes, even a small discount will be enough to convince them to choose one home over another. Potential guests who perceive they are being offered an attractive deal are more likely to go ahead and book your home.

Exposure: The first step in renting your vacation home is to get potential guests to actually view the listing, and offering a “Special” is a great way to do this. Check out these numbers: Last month, 12,544 people visited TahoeStay.com. During that same month, 2,460 people visited our specials page. That means that homeowners offering “Specials” can expect a lot more people to view their listing, which may very well result in increased rentals.  

There’s a plethora of fun and entertaining events that will be taking place in Lake Tahoe throughout the year 2008.  Here are some of the bigger attractions: 

Sierra- at-Tahoe's Telegrass Festival (Apr 5,6)

Sierra-at-Tahoe will be hosting their 5th annual Telegrass Festival in April.  Festival events include live bluegrass music, telegrass clinics, and more.  Clinics on this year’s schedule include a women’s clinic, a backcountry tour, and a steep clinic.

More Information

 
Valhalla Renaissance Faire (May 31-June 1, June 7,8)

Valhalla visits South Tahoe and sets up shop at Camp Richardson, for two complete weekends of entertainment, including food, drinks, merchants, merchant booths, actors, jousting, and sword fighting.

More Information

 
Opening Day Lake Tahoe 2008 (Jun 21-22)

Opening Day Lake Tahoe is a kick-off party to all of the events that will take place in Lake Tahoe during its warmer months.  This year’s highlights include a treasure hunt, Miss Hawaiian state finals, the Great Lake Tahoe Sternwheeler Race, a Mardi-Gras boat parade, a parasailing competition, and more.

More Information

 
A Legendary Run in South Lake Tahoe (Jun 21)

This year’s run in South Tahoe includes a 5K/10K race that goes along the beautiful Tahoe Blvd.  There’s also a one-mile pavement-based run for those in wheelchairs or with strollers, and for children.  Registration is on the day of the race, from 7:00 - 7:45am.  Entry fee is $30.00

More Information

 
4th of July Fireworks (July 4)

The north shore of Lake Tahoe offers vibrant displays of fireworks during its 4th of July celebrations, which take place at Squaw Valley at 9pm, Kings Beach at 9pm, and Tahoe City at 9:30pm.

More Information

 
American Century Celebrity Golf Championship (Jul 8-13)

The American Century Celebrity Golf Championship is one of the bigger events in Lake Tahoe, and draws visitors from all around the country as renowned golf celebrities come to play, compete, and show off their skills on the green.  

More Information

 
Lake Tahoe Music Festival (July-August)

During Tahoe’s warm and inviting summer months, the annual Lake Tahoe Music Festival brings to town a wonderful selection of music, which this year will include Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Jeffrey Biegel, Reno’s own Philharmonic Orchestra, and more.

More Information

 
8th Annual Hot Tahoe Cruisin' (Aug 6-10)

Hot Tahoe Cruisin’ is a small but really neat car show that comes to Tahoe during Hot August nights.  You can enjoy car-watching all day, from 10am-7pm, before heading to Reno for the bigger festivities.  This car show is also open to the public, so if you’ve got an old car to show off, feel free!  

More Information

 
Labor Day Weekend Fireworks Extravaganza (Aug 31)

What better way to celebrate Labor Day than with fireworks?  Come down to the Labor Day Weekend Fireworks Extravaganza, at 8:30pm in south shore Lake Tahoe.  These fireworks are set off from numerous locations, including Tahoe’s most renowned cruise ship, the original MS Dixie.  The two better places to watch these fireworks from are Lakeside Beach or Edgewood.

 
23rd Annual Tahoe Autumn Food & Wine Festival (Sept 5-7)This tasty event is held in Tahoe’s north shore, at Northstar-at-Tahoe, and includes a wine-walk, a grape-stomp, a chef cook-off, cooking classes, and more.  

For more information on this event, please call (888) 229-2193

 
The Great Tahoe Bike Races (Sept 27)

The 6th annual Great Tahoe Bike Race has three different treks to choose from, including a 72-miler, a 35-miler, and a 20-miler.  Races begin between 7 and 9am.  The Zephyr Cove Lodge will provide free parking for the event.

More Information

 
Lake Tahoe Marathon Week (Sept 28)

The Lake Tahoe Marathon Week is a really great event for marathon runners, even those that are just beginning.  The actual marathon is on Sunday, September 28th, but there’s a week of events from the 24th thru the day of the event that are no doubt fun to be a part of.

More Information

 
Northstar Holiday Festivities (December)

During the month of December, Northstar-at-Tahoe celebrates the season to be jolly by providing both children and adults with numerous festivities to end the year and begin a new one with a bang.  Festivities include wine tastings, a New Year’s Eve party (one for adults, and a separate one for children), and more.

More Information

 

You’ve furnished your vacation home, installed a hot tub, stocked the pantry, and added a killer movie collection. Those were the easy parts. Now it’s time to think about price. Pricing your vacation home is no trivial matter – finding the optimal price, and adjusting it for the seasons & holidays is critical to the profitability of your vacation rental.

Factors to Consider

Setting a price for your home involves analyzing the market, considering the time of year, and examining the competition. This can be difficult for homeowners who aren’t highly familiar with industry standards and market trends. It’s also one reason why you might want to trust a property management company to determine the best price for your home. Lake Tahoe Accommodations, for example, has years of experience calculating optimal rental prices for vacation homes in the Lake Tahoe area. Here are just some of the things we consider before putting a price tag on a rental home.

>> Seasons

At the present time, Lake Tahoe Accommodations has two different seasonal rates. Our lowest rates are during the spring & fall seasons, which we consider the low season.  Higher rates are charged during the high season, which includes the summer and winter months when the number of vacationers visiting the Lake Tahoe area is at its peak.

>> Holidays

Guests expect to pay more during busy holiday times. Just how much rates should be adjusted depends on the holiday.

We have 3 holiday levels.

Level 1 holidays are priced about 20% higher than our high season rates.  These holidays include:

       ●   Presidents Day Weekend
       ●   Martin Luther King Junior Weekend
       ●   4th of July Weekend
       ●   Thanksgiving Weekend
       ●   Labor Day Weekend

Christmas in Tahoe demands a 50% premium, and is considered our level 2 holiday.

Level 3 is New Years, which is the most popular vacation period in Lake Tahoe.  We double our base rates for New Years, and we usually have no trouble selling out - even with a 5-night minimum stay requirement.  

Consider the Market

To determine an optimal rental price for your home, it’s necessary to find out what others who own similar homes are charging. Lake Tahoe Accommodations looks at rental prices for similar homes managed by us, similar homes managed by other companies in the area, and similar homes offered by individual homeowners. Fully considering the market allows us to set a price that is competitive and profitable.

A Final Note: Specials and Adjustments
 
Price adjustments may also be necessary to increase your bookings. We regularly monitor prices and make adjustments as the market changes.

Finally, if you’re looking for an easy way to attract more guests, you can always offer a "Special" once in a while.  Running a limited-time special rate provides your property additional exposure, and it's a great way to encourage potential guests to stay in your home, because everyone like to "get a deal". For more information on this, see Vacation Rental Specials.

 

When it comes to vacation homes, there’s a fine line between maximizing profits and pricing your home so high that it is too expensive for the average family. You might be surprised to know, however, that pricing your home too low can also be bad for business.

So, just how much should you charge?  There’s no easy answer.  The right rates are determined by seasonal demand, various competitive pressures, and by local & world events.  It's important to have a pulse on the market, and this is where a professional property management company can really come in handy.  

Don’t Price it Too High…

Not surprisingly, there is a point at which the price will simply be more than what vacationers are willing to pay. This is represented by the red band on the above chart. Rental prices can be increased to a certain level (point C) without too many adverse effects. After that, however, any further increases (even small ones) will cause the number of reservations to fall off dramatically.  

Due to a recent computer glitch on www.tahoestay.com we observed the effects of excessive prices firsthand. It was a Leap Year related problem. Anybody who tried to book a home received a quote that was substantially higher than the actual price. For example, if somebody tried to book a 2-night stay, the quoted price was for a 3-night stay. On average, the total costs were about 25% higher than they should have been. It was clear that these prices were much too high; TahoeStay.com, which usually receives about 10 bookings a day, received none over a two day period.  This pricing was obviously in the point D (or beyond) area.

Or Too Low…

Referring to point A on the chart, you can see that rental prices that are too low can actually reduce the number of rentals you receive. This has to do with how price affects the potential guest’s perception of the property. Prices that are too low will raise red flags.  Is the property well-maintained? Is it in a bad location? Are the beds uncomfortable? There must be something wrong with it. I should just spend a little more and rent a good vacation home. We all love a deal, but most of us do associate a higher price with better quality, whether we are aware of it or not. Another reason why you shouldn’t price your vacation rental too low is, well, because you don’t have to. Referring to the chart again, you will see that, ignoring the decreased rentals associated with prices that are too low, the yellow line is almost flat until point B. That means you can increase your prices to that level without experiencing any decrease in the number of rentals. If guests are willing to pay more, there is no reason why you shouldn’t charge more.

But Just Right…

The optimal price is represented on the chart as the green line between points B and C. Point B represents the maximum price that can be charged before the number of rentals begins to dramatically decrease, so it is desirable to be as close to that point as possible. However, any price that falls between these two points is considered optimal. 

Depending on who you talk to, the beautiful rock formation on the east shore of Lake Tahoe known as Cave Rock might be described as a place people drive through on their way to work, a sacred location, a great hiking spot, or one of the best places for rock climbing. In recent years, however, it has become a symbol of the conflicting interests of the Washoe Indians and climbers who frequent the area.

The Washoe tribe currently has only about 1,500 members left. They consider Cave Rock a sacred place, and believe it was where many of their ancestors communicated with spirits. It is considered an important symbol of their culture and heritage, so important that some have likened it to the Statue of Liberty, the archetypal symbol of American culture and pride.

Cave Rock has also been a favorite location for Tahoe Rock Climbing for many years. The bolts and cords that have been left behind by climbers have been described as a type of desecration to this holy place. Climbing has been viewed as an unsuitable use of the rock for many years by the Washoe tribe, but they have just recently succeeded in getting regulations passed that would completely ban climbers from this favorite spot. The final decision was handed down by Maribeth Gustafson. The U.S. Forest Service supervisor said that the main reason for barring climbers was because of the damage the activity caused to this important site.

Climbers, however, are outraged at the decision, and feel that they are being unfairly targeted. Considering that hundreds of motorists drive right through this ‘sacred’ location on a daily basis, their concerns seem well-founded. When the U.S. 50 Highway was being expanded, Cave Rock was in its path. Instead of modifying the path of the road to avoid Cave Rock, however, officials decided to blast and build a road that passed directly through it. Today, there are actually two roads that pass through the cave. The first was built in the early 1930s, while the other was constructed in 1957.

Climbers are also upset about the fact that many other uses of the rock will be allowed to continue. Activities that are deemed non-invasive, including hiking and fishing, are still considered acceptable.

Finally, climbers cite the fact that Cave Rock was a popular party spot for teenagers even before they began visiting the location in the late 80s. According to long-time climbers, they found the area full of litter and empty alcohol containers, hardly a suitable use of sacred grounds.

Overall, it would appear to most outside observers that climbers are being made the scapegoats in this situation. After all, if Cave Rock truly is a sacred place, and Lake Tahoe officials genuinely intend to show the utmost respect for that, it would seem reasonable to ban all recreational uses of the site. Even that seems insufficient, however, when one considers the fact that there are two highway tunnels that pass directly through this religious and cultural icon. Whether additional restrictions will be implemented in the future remains to be seen, but for climbers the verdict is loud and clear: no more rock climbing at Cave Rock.

Lake Tahoe Accommodations recently announced that it has joined the ResortQuest partner program. As a result of this strategic partnership with ResortQuest, Lake Tahoe Accommodations is now the exclusive property management company for the Lake Tahoe area. Information about the company and the properties they manage can be accessed by viewing the ResortQuest destination map at www.resortquest.com. 

This partnership will not only benefit Lake Tahoe Accommodations, but also the individuals who own the properties they manage. Homeowners and their immediate families can now enjoy all of the benefits of the “QuestPerks” program. Under the program, individuals qualify for significant discounts when they stay at any ResortQuest property.

Both Lake Tahoe Accommodations and ResortQuest are well-established and respected companies. ResortQuest is one of the largest vacation rental management companies in North America, and currently has an inventory of close to 10,000 vacation rental properties.  Lake Tahoe Accommodations has been serving the Lake Tahoe community for almost 30 years, and they currently manage over 300 vacation rental properties. They are one of the oldest, most established, and most reputable property management companies in the Lake Tahoe area.

Heavenly Mountain is widely considered one of the premier ski resorts in the nation, and I knew I would enjoy this day.  I started early, and arrived at the Gondola at about 10am.  I couldn’t have picked a better day.  The temperature was in the mid 40’s, no wind at all, and not a cloud in sight.  I stopped off at the Gondola’s Scenic Deck. What a view!  Not that I hadn’t seen it before, but anytime you see Lake Tahoe from 9000 feet (3000 feet above the lake) it is entirely breathtaking.  I made my way through the Adventure Peak Outdoor Dining Area and bar and also got to watch some people tubing on their massive tubing hill that sports huge banked turns.  It's even outfitted with its own chair lift.  I saw as many smiles there that I usually would from the skiers.  

That's the great thing about Heavenly - it's just not for skiers & snowboarders!  Everyday you'll find people riding up the gondola without any ski gear. That's because the sledding, scenic overlooks, and the great food and drink are fantastic stand-alone activities!

But I came up to do a little snowboarding. So I took the Tamarack chair to the very top of the mountain and again, amazing views. Next was the Sky Express lift and an awesome ride down Ridge Run where the snow was perfect.  Perfectly groomed wide open runs and fantastic lake views.  I rode from the very top all the way down to “Snow Beach”.  Snow Beach is another great place to relax.  They play Reggae music and have Adirondack style seating so everyone can kick up there feet and take a nice break from the grueling efforts of skiing and riding.  After a brief stop I rode Patsy’s lift over the Groove Terrain Park.  This is the beginner terrain park and all ages were sliding the boxes and rails and taking big jumps over the table tops.  The younger crowd has really stepped up and make it all look so easy.  Finally I made it to the Lakeview Lodge at The Top of the Tram.  I took the extremely exhausting ride down Gunbarrel, one of Heavenly’s most renowned & daring runs.

All this and I've only scratched the surface.  Heavenly is an enormous resort, you could easily spend an entire week exploring the California side of Heavenly, and never get bored.  And there is a whole other side of Heavenly to go - the Nevada side!  We'll explore that area next time - stay tuned.

Lake Tahoe winters have always held a special place in my heart and they are the main reason why I love living here and will continue to do so.  The 2007/2008 winter season is no exception but it has been completely different than any other. 

I originally moved to Lake Tahoe in June of 1999 to be able to snowboard through long winters.  My first three seasons I had become a complete “diehard” riding and average of about 80 days per season.  I was enjoying all of South Shore Ski Resorts including Heavenly, Kirkwood, and Sierra-at-Tahoe.  After the first few years I had met my wife, found a day job, and was only able to ride about 30 days per season.  To me, this was still fantastic.  We would ride on Sundays and Mondays missing a lot of the crowds and always craved the new winter season.  Finishing off the 2006/2007 we had ridden more than 30 days when my wife found out she was pregnant.  How awesome is this? The last day on the mountain last season we had a foot of fresh snow and we knew my son, little baby Nathan, was on his way. 

Obviously, as most of you know, things change very quickly.  My son was born on December 06, 2007 and he is the joy of our lives.  There is nothing I would change about my life and I look forward to every moment I get to spend with “My Little Man.” There has been one major change though…. Time.

We were smart enough to not waste money on buying our season passes which we do at the end of every winter season.  And I am glad we didn’t.  Up until yesterday, February 08, 2008, I haven’t been on the mountain one single time.  Sounds terrible huh?  Actually no, I have had so many wonderful days with my son and wife, the mountain can wait until he gets a little older.  Until yesterday!

Lake Tahoe Accommodations asked if I would take photos and write review of Heavenly Ski Mountain.  How could I say no?  That would require a some serious riding with a free lift ticket, and I'd be on the clock getting paid for my time.  Unbelievable! This will be one more amazing experience I get to add to my life as a Lake Tahoe local. 

Stay tuned for my Heavenly - California review, coming soon! 

An empty vacation home can be an easy target for burglars.  But there are some easy precautions you can take to help protect yourself & your investment.

10 Tips to help secure your Vacation Rental Home:

Neighborhood Watch - Befriend the full-time residents in your neighborhood, and ask them to watch over your home and report any suspicious activity.  Have them pickup any marketing flyers that are left outside your home, or in the driveway.

Doors & Windows – Intruders normally break-in using the doors & windows.  Check your doors, locks, hinges, and windows.  Fix or upgrade as necessary.

Exterior Lighting - Install a motion sensor on exterior lighting.

Interior Lights - Use variable timers on a select set of interior lights.

Clear the Snow - Keep the driveway & walks clear of snow.

Mail & Newspapers – Accumulated deliveries are sure signs of a vacant home, so opt-out of mail & newspaper deliveries.

Protect your Keys - Don't hide keys in mailboxes, planters, or doormats. 

Property Address - Never provide potential rental guests with your property address until after they’ve made a reservation.

Property Management - Consider hiring a property management company to monitor your home & respond to any problems.

Keep Records – Take photos & keep written records of your furnishings & electronic products just in case any theft occurs.  This will help with your insurance claims.

As a professional property management company that specializes in vacation rentals, we can help keep your home secure & safe.  We can also help supplement your income, and off-set your property expenses by renting your property to during the times you’re not using it.  There are certain preparations and precautions to take when vacation renting your home.  Give us a call at 800-250-8013 and we’ll be happy to provide you with a free consultation.