Keeping track of local short term rental regulations has never been easy…until now.

Rented.com has created a tool to help you keep track of what’s happening in your neighborhood and around the world.

The tool aggregates online articles from local, national, and global news sources, so you can filter news by your location (whether it be city, state, country, etc.) to find the most recent and relevant news.

Read more here.

Is your vacation rental compliant with short term rental regulations? was originally published in Making Money in the Sharing Economy on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

In the Winter 2016 VRMA Review, a story on rented.com’s innovative fixed-rent contract made the front cover. Here’s what Steve Bjerklie from the VRMA Review had to say:

If you’ve ever rented an apartment, a condo, a home, or an office for the long-term, you’re familiar with fixed-rent contracts. You and the landlord agree to a monthly rental cost, you agree to pay the rent according to a fixed schedule, and that’s the end of it, except for, perhaps, a security and/or cleaning deposit and discussion of any ancillary costs such as maintenance and cleaning. The rent doesn’t change because all of a sudden it’s “high season” in the neighborhood or because a must-go-to amusement park opens next door. If conditions change, that will come up the next time the contract is negotiated.

The vacation rental business hasn’t worked like this, generally speaking. It’s a commission-oriented business, meaning profit is earned one rental at a time. But that’s changing, as some vacation rental managers recognize that for their properties and market(s), fixed-rent contracts offer several benefits over the traditional, you’re-paid-when-we-rent-it arrangement managers typically make with owners.

At a fascinating session titled, “Fixed-Rent Contracts: An Innovative Approach to Recruiting and Retaining Homeowners,” held during VRMA’s 2015 Annual Conference in New Orleans, three vacation rental industry innovators outlined how fixed-rent contracts work in their businesses and why they’ve become big believers in the fixed-rent approach. Speakers included Cliff Johnson, Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer for Vacasa, Portland, Oregon; Michelle Acquavella, Founder and Owner of Sea to Sky Rentals in Seattle, Washington; and Andrew McConnell, CEO of rented.com, Atlanta, Georgia.

Andrew summed up a fixed-rent contract this way: “Basically, you’re buying the bond rather than investing in stocks. It’s stability versus volatility.”

Full Control, Guaranteed Income

The benefits of fixed-rent contracts for vacation rental management companies according to the three speakers, include full control of the rental property, the ability to rent the property as the managers sees fit, and the opportunity to keep 100 percent of any extra rental income after the monthly rental has been paid to the property owner. Moreover, fixed-rent contracts are a cheaper way for managers to gain control of properties without actually buying them.

Owners Benefit Too

“A lot of owners want a guaranteed return,” commented Cliff. “That’s the big benefit for them with fixed-rents, and for many owners, it’s a very big benefit. Fixed-rent contracts are a great way, actually, to broaden the pool of owners. More and more owners like these kinds of guaranteed-income contracts.”

Approximately 90 percent of the homes in Vacasa’s program that are contracted on a fixed-rent basis (about 22% of Vacasa’s total program) renew as fixed-rent.

When fixed-rent contracts are part of a management company’s tool kit, they provide the company with new opportunities to grow within an established market, the speakers agreed. Not only that, but with their flexibility, and with the flexibility that having multiple kinds of contracts to offer provides, they can help a manager more easily enter a new market.

“Also, it’s been our experience,” said Cliff, “that fixed-rent properties generate higher profits.”

How to Structure a Fixed-Rent Contract

The key to making a fixed-rent contract work for both the owner and the manager is in structuring the contract fairly and profitably. The first step is for the manager to project, as accurately as possible, the total rental income the property in question will generate across a full year. Next, said Michelle, assess the profit you hope the property will produce against the profit margin typically build into your budget. Next, deduct expenses — any costs for utilities, on-site management, repairs, etc. Divide what’s left over by 12, and that’s the fixed-rent the manager should offer to the owner.

Andrew used this hypothetical example on an apartment he wanted to earn an annual $3,000 profit from:

• Nightly rental fee for guests: $250
• Average nights booked: 200
• Cleaning expense: $0 (in this example, cleaning is covered by the owner’s contract with the apartment building)
• Annual marketing expense: $1,000
• Maintenance/upkeep, annual: $1,500
• Operational risk (“This puts a dollar amount on the answer to the question, ‘How comfortable am I with this property’ Older properties might be more risky.”): $1,000
• Booking risk (“How volatile is the market for this property?”): $1,000
• Annual gross projected revenue: $50,000
• Pre-tax bid to earn desired profit margin: $40,476.19
• Monthly lease (divide pre-tax bid by 12): $3,373.01

Vacasa has many luxury mountain properties in its program, and Cliff used the formula above to detail his calculations on a sample property he wanted to earn an annual $20,000 profit from:

• Average nightly rate: $600
• Average nights booked: $175
• Cleaning expenses: $1,000
• Marketing expenses: $2,500
• Maintenance/upkeep: $1,500
• Operational risk: $500 (it’s a newer home)
• Booking risk: $1,000
• Gross projected income: $105,000
• Pre-tax bid to each desired profit margin: $74,762
• Monthly lease: $6,230

For Vacasa, 90 percent of its homes on fixed-rent contracts generate profits, Cliff said.

As attractive as fixed-rent contracts can be, Andrew advised managers to “have both fixed-rent and commission contacts available, so owners don’t feel forced into a program.” And all three speakers cautioned that any manager considering fixed-rent contracts need to make sure any fixed-rent contracts offered explicitly states that the renter — that’s the manager — is going to sublease the property for short-term rentals. “Also, many sure the fixed-rent contract becomes void if local regulations change to prohibit short-term rentals,” advised Michelle. “You don’t want to get stuck with a contract you can’t use in your program.”

Originally published in the VRMA Review. Also published on www.rented.com.

By Steve Bjerklie

Fixed-Rent Contracts: How A Contract Can Help Vacation Rental Owners and Managers Make More was originally published in Making Money in the Sharing Economy on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

With primary season about to officially kick off, it got us in the rented. office wondering how the candidates and their parties feel, or at least should feel, about the hottest economic trend around right now: the sharing economy. To our surprise, we found that it may be the one issue in which they can all agree…it’s great!

But don’t trust me, let’s hear from the candidates:

Republicans

The sharing economy embodies everything the Grand Old Party loves about property rights. Your car, your apartment or home, your free time, they all belong to you. Why should a Big Brother government come in and try and tell you what you can and cannot do with them? Short answer, it shouldn’t. The sharing economy is about property rights, free markets, and good old American hustle. Let’s get more of it so that we can make America great again.

Democrats

Everyday Americans need a champion, and the sharing economy is it. This is because it takes things that were once luxuries available only to the 1% and increasingly makes them accessible to the masses. After all, Uber’s tagline is: “Everyone’s private driver.” The idea of a chauffeur would have seemed ridiculous for any but the richest a few short years ago. Now Uber, with your own private driver, is the safest way home after a night out for millions of people. And the same holds true across assets. Second homes are no longer just for the rich. With Airbnb, VRBO, and rented.com enabling people to make more money off of these homes than they cost, some are even buying “second” homes before they purchase their first. That’s right. A sharing revolution is coming.

Libertarians

What is more libertarian than exercising your right to be a micropreneur by starting your own business free from meddlesome, wrongheaded, and incoherent government interference? The sharing economy is the very modern embodiment of the core principles of libertarianism: personal liberty, economic liberty, and the only proper use of government power being the securing of that liberty. Rather than “trying to apply 20th-century solutions to 21st-century problems,” the government should clearly heed the push to #LegalizeFreedom.

Greens

The sharing economy is essentially built on the same four pillars as the Green Party: Peace, Ecology, Social Justice, and Democracy. Peace because as we share our assets, there is nothing left to fight over. Ecology because as we more efficiently use the assets we already have, there is less need to destroy the environment to produce yet more of them. Social Justice because the sharing economy allows us all to choose how, when, and where we want to work, and for how much. And finally Democracy because as explained above, the sharing economy democratizes assets and experiences previously only available to the few. That’s right, it is now: “One World, One Chance, Vote Sharing Economy.”

All of this to say, as we move into an ever more polarized election cycle, let’s be happy for the the one thing we can all agree on. Namely, the sharing economy and the benefits it brings us all.

Originally published at www.rented.com.

The Politics of the Sharing Economy: Is it Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, or Green? was originally published in Making Money in the Sharing Economy on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

When it came out that the three winning Powerball tickets for last night’s monster drawing were purchased in Florida, Tennessee, and California, I couldn’t help but notice a surprising coincidence. According to TripAdvisor, these same 3 states account for the top three vacation rental destinations in the United States:

1. Florida with Orlando, Kissimmee, and Davenport
2. Tennessee with Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville
3. California with South Lake Tahoe, San Diego, and the Big Bear Region

Could it be a sign as to how these winners should spend, and invest their newfound millions?

At rented., we certainly think so. With the market for vacation and other short-term rentals projected to more than double by 2025, after having more than tripled since 1999, this would be an investment in a real growth market. As stocks tumble globally, wouldn’t you want to own something tangible? Something you can actually benefit from using? And something that will make you money not just on the appreciation on the asset, but also on the rental income you can obtain from it?

I know some will say that real estate is anything but a certain investment. And 2008 is a great case in point. Vacation rental income can be tricky, and if you are depending on that income to afford the home, which the Powerball winners most certainly will not be, then it could be a scary proposition.

That being said, it doesn’t have to be risky. Understanding most homeowners do not want, nor can they afford the risk of missing out on rental income, we started rented. for just this very reason. By enabling owners of second homes and investment properties to receive guaranteed income from their homes, all without any of the work, rented. helps owners make the most from their assets with minimum time or hassle.

So the hard work is done. Your lucky numbers have paid off. Now put that money to good use and start buying up vacation homes. Visit them when you want. And the rest of the time?

Originally published at www.linkedin.com.

You won Powerball. Now double your winnings. was originally published in Making Money in the Sharing Economy on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

How is Uber like Taylor Swift? The similarities may not seem obvious, but trust me, they are there. And I am not just talking about my incredibly obvious and vocal fandom of both of them. It is what precipitated that fandom, and keeps it growing that, that make these two so alike.

Nice to meet, where you been? I could show you incredible things

Both have shown us incredible things. Perhaps written off initially as just another pretty musician out of Nashville, or of-the-moment app out of San Francisco, Miss Swift and Uber have proven themselves to be so much more. Their staying power relies on how truly incredible each is. They are the perfect products. The feel good catchiness with lyrics we can all relate to. The superior and immediate service, whether it is a ride home on Saturday night, or a lunch delivered in minutes to our office. Both don’t just play in their respective spaces. They dominate them. And they dominate because they are just so much better than the competition.

I’m even better than you imagined I would be

Which brings us to the second point in which they are similar: constant improvement. From day one both have been incredible, but that was never enough for these two. They want to be perfect, and they both know perfection only comes with continuous improvement. Whether it is through reinvention and genre hopping, or nearly daily product improvements and expansion, good is not part of Ms. Swift’s or Uber’s vocabulary. Neither wants you to just like them, they want you to love them, and to tell all your friends how much you love them and why. They don’t just want this love; they earn it, and earn it constantly.

I just want to know you better, know you better, know you better now

Which brings us to our third point: they know their customers, and this is how they are able to consistently deliver the perfect “product.” Whether it is via big data tracking and analytics through the phone in your pocket, or the incredibly close and personal relationships cultured with her fanbase, both invest in intimately, and truly knowing their customers/fans, and what they want, even when the customers/fans don’t know it themselves. It is their genius. It makes them immediately relatable. They are everyone’s private driver. They are everyone’s beauty queen just a little out of reach, or the girl living next door. They know you, and you love that they do.

Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate…I’m just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake, I shake it off, I shake it off

And of course this brings us to our final point of similarity: success breeds haters, and both have more than their fair share. Whether it is “bad blood” with other (jealous) pop stars, or riots in the streets of Paris from the taxi drivers whose outdated service is being threatened, neither gets a free or easy path to success.

But that too is why we love them. They are not deterred by these haters. They know their fans, and know that their fans’ love and support far outweigh the haters’ petty complaints.

They suffer, and we know they do. And it is exactly because they both give everything to be our anything that they are so incredible at what they do.

*NOTE: Thank you Rod Witmond, VP of Marketing at rented., for inspiring this piece

Andrew McConnell is the CEO of rented.

Originally published at www.linkedin.com.

The Genius of Taylor Swift and Uber was originally published in Making Money in the Sharing Economy on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Building on of the popularity of an earlier post outlining the parallel perfection of Taylor Swift and Uber, and another looking at how various Pop Princesses stack up against other Sharing Economy companies, this time around I thought I would give Britain’s Fab Four the opportunity to explain the space Uber has done so much to popularize. So what do John, Paul, George, and Ringo have to say about the sharing mania sweeping the globe?

Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can

“Imagine”

Perhaps it is ironic to begin a discussion on a communal idea by taking lyrics from a solo effort, but how better to articulate the entire concept? The premise of the sharing economy is not the “sharing” component, after all vast numbers of dollars change hands each day. Rather, the space is built around access to rather than ownership of assets. You don’t need possessions, you need results. Most people don’t really want a power drill, they want a hole in the wall. So imagine it — less clutter, less hassle, fewer things. Truly a world with no possessions? Just imagine all the people, sharing all the world. Or look out your window and seeAirbnb and Uber doing it for real.

Out of college, money spent, see no future, pay no rent. All the money’s gone, nowhere to go.

“You Never Give Me Your Money”

So why do so many people love the sharing economy? Well, it both saves them money, and gives them the opportunity to make more of it. It isn’t an accident that the whole space took off right as the world was falling to pieces post-2008. All of a sudden Airbnb gave people a way to keep up with their mortgage payments by renting their spare room. Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar gave people a way to subsidize their income with a car they already had sitting around. AndTaskRabbit and Postmates let them do so without necessarily even needing a car. And for those who need rides, a place to stay, or an errand run? No longer are they priced out of these concierge-like services. The sharing economy makes all of this affordable even for those crushed by student debt.

I get by with a little help from my friends

“With a Little Help From My Friends”

But it is not just about the economics. There really is something people enjoy about the social and collaborative nature of the sharing economy. Rather than driving out to a big box retailer, or sitting in the back of a taxi where the driver ignores you (if you are lucky), you can now access those power tools sitting right in your neighborhood that spend most of the year underutilized. You can now hop in the front seat next to your Lyft driver and strike up a conversation with someone excited to meet you. Collaborative consumption creates all sorts of opportunities to strike up new friendships.

If I trust in you oh please don’t run and hide.

“If I Fell”

And it can be so social, and so collaborative, because the entire space is built on trust. You trust the driver will show up on time, get you to your destination safely, and not overcharge you. You trust that the photos you saw on Airbnb will match the apartment when you show up next week, and the host will be friendly and helpful. And you trust that the burrito you just ordered fromPostmates will show up warm and delicious in no time at all. But all of this trust is not blind. The companies brokering this trust, the Ubers, Airbnbs, and Postmatesof the world have deliberately put many layers and checks in place so that you can trust, but you can also verify. You can see how far away your ride is, how other passengers have reviewed the driver, and watch on the map as you proceed to your destination. You can see who else you know who might have stayed at thatAirbnb before, or who may even personally know your host. The trust is ever present, constantly checked, and always being reinforced.

And if you want some fun take ob-bla-di…bla-bla-car

“Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”

Which brings us to the final point. It is just more fun. Because it is so social, because it is so collaborative, because there is so much trust, over and over again people say they enjoy their experiences in the sharing economy more than those in the traditional economy. It is not impossible that eventually the two will merge, or that the sharing economy will even overtake the traditional one. All of this to say, I hope some day you’ll join us, and the world will live as one.

Andrew McConnell is the CEO of rented.

Originally published at www.linkedin.com.

Baby you can drive my car: The Beatles breakdown the sharing economy was originally published in Making Money in the Sharing Economy on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Britney Spears and Airbnb

A very natural place to start. Like its pop namesake, Airbnb was Born to Make You Happy, but drives many regulators Crazy. From (somewhat) innocent schoolgirl, to being perceived as Toxic after shaving her head, to a recent resurgence with her own Vegas show, the X Factor, and hit after hit, she has proven she can Work B**ch. Airbnb’s storyline follows a similar trajectory from startup darling, to “it’s all over” histeria when a home was trashed, to its current $25+ Billion valuation. It would be unwise to ever write either of these two off.Till The World Ends both have shown us that Everytime someone wants to count them out they will hit us …Baby One More Time.

Disney and Y Combinator

If Airbnb is Britney, then Y Combinator is Disney — the hit machine that has produced many a princess. Disney was the original home of princesses from Britney and Christina, to Miley and Lindsay, to Selena and Demi. Y Combinator was the early home of companies from Airbnb and Instacart, to MyVR and Superhost/Guesty, to ViaCycle and EquipmentShare and SmartHires and more. Being accepted to Y Combinator is apparently the startup equivalent to earning a spot as a Mousketeer.

Madonna and Couchsurfing

Like its pop equivalent, Couchsurfing was around before many of these other princesses were even born. Yes, there was a time long ago when this princess wasLike a Virgin, but it appears their 4 Minutes of fame are now up. Whether they will go quietly into the night, or fight back given their Rebel Heart, is still to be seen.

Lady Gaga and Rent the Runway

The current queen of the audacious wardrobe, Gaga’s corollary has to be this princess. Whether you want to look Beautiful, Dirty, Rich, or to leave all who see you Speechless, this princess has you covered. With the ability to change your look daily, Anything Goes, and when you live such a Lush Life, the Paparazzi will not be far behind.

Lorde and Etsy

Not the professionally polished princess of many others on our list, Etsy is not your typical capitalism-first venture either, but it certainly has Bravado. With its quirky/cool vibe, like its namesake this princess has been able to build mainstream popularity without conforming to the mainstream. And as one of the few public “unicorns,” Etsy is certainly now among the Royals.

JoJo and Napster

Before you tell this entry to Leave (Get Out), think about it. Like this pop princess, this sharing economy princess (remember, it was one of the first to enable the “sharing” of music) was on top of the world in the early 2000s. Like the pop princess, you probably forgot Napster was even a thing until you read this post. Both may be trying reinvention and relevancy, but likely it is Too Little Too Late.

Nicki Minaj and Kickstarter

Just how the pop princess with which it shares a spot on this list is best known for her collaborations with other artists, Kickstarter helps companies on its platform build those Starships with collaboration from its user community. Sure, both can be a Champion in their own right, but they find that they are more likely to Flywith a little help from their friends.

Paris Hilton and BlackJet

Like the heiress with which it shares a spot, this “sharing” economy company wants you to think there is Nothing In This World it wouldn’t do to get you access to a private jet. However, unless like Miss Hilton you are also in the 0.00001%, they must think the Stars Are Blind and so are you as to whom they are really serving. Rather than their jets Not Leaving Without You, if you are unable to come up with the big bucks, you are effectively Screwed.

Miley Cyrus and Homejoy

This Disney princess started off sweet, and clean, just like Homejoy promised to make your house. But after consistently failing to Get It Right, whether with questionable performances on stage or questionable hiring practices in various US cities, they have now come Full Circle. Now a Wrecking Ball seems to have hit both, so let us bid them Goodbye.

Taylor Swift/Katy Perry and Uber/Lyft

No, this was never going to be left a Blank Space. I have already documented the Taylor/Uber tie as two perfect products, but the relationship goes deeper. TheBad Blood between these two California Gurls (companies) is as public as that between the pop princesses. Despite its bright pink and immediately recognizable mustaches, Lyft is no doubt the Dark Horse in this race. However, it would be wise to Choose [Its] Battles because it would be Treacherous to go after Uber. With its deep pockets, the ridesharing titan is Fearless, and some might argueUntouchable.

Beyonce and rented.

In this Countdown that only leaves us with the Diva: Queen Bey. Think it is just Ego that has us believing we are Flawless enough to compare ourselves to pop royalty? Honey, you must not know ‘bout us. Like Yonce, we are quickly becoming Irreplaceable in the sharing economy. With our common double barreled beginnings (Destiny’s Child and VacationFutures), we have both since decided to Start Over, branching out on our own to now be recognized by single names. So don’t be Jealous, just Listen to what we have to say on our Video Phone, because if experience is any guide, we can Upgrade U.

XO,

the rented. team

Originally published at www.linkedin.com.

The Pop Princesses of the Sharing Economy was originally published in Making Money in the Sharing Economy on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The comparison at first may appear to make no sense, but please hear me out. The pairs of companies have far more in common than you might at first expect.

New take on old ideas

All four of these companies came into existence in spaces that were around long before their own creation. Fantasy sports? Yahoo!, ESPN, and others have had Fantasy Leagues for decades. Spending a night away from home? Hotels have existed for 100s of years. Want a ride home at the end of a night out? Even before Uber you could have called a cab (though you likely didn’t want to). It isn’t that any of these companies recreated the wheel. Rather they took an idea, took an existing business model, and said: “Wait, why do people do it that way? Wouldn’t it be far better, more enjoyable, more fun if they did it this totally other way?” And so they created this other way. And guess what, their customers love them for it.

No long-term commitment

Part of the beauty of all four of these companies is how their offerings are built around the idea of choice, of options, and perhaps most crucially for Millennials, of instant gratification. Messed up your fantasy draft? No worries, next week, or even tomorrow is an entirely new day. Not sure where you want to live when you move to a new city? You no longer need to decide day one. Shop around neighborhoods and get to know your future potential neighbors by staying in Airbnb. Or not sure what car you want, or if you even need or want a car? Get cheap rides for a while to get where you need to be via Uber. All of these companies are built around constant optionality. You may never have to make a long-term commitment again, though if you don’t your girlfriend will probably dump you.

Deck is stacked for the pros

One of the lesser-known facets of these companies, though it is gaining more attention recently, is who the real winners are. Airbnb has built its entire brand on helping those nice couples keep up with their mortgage payments by renting their spare room. Uber talks about the countless micropreneurs it helps create by allowing people to boost their income in the free time by driving around their car that would otherwise sit idle. And if you have stepped out of your cave at any point in the last 6 months you have seen countless commercials of the average Joe, someone just like you, who won $1 million on one of the daily fantasy sites. And all of this is true, to an extent. What is less discussed, less promoted, less lauded, is where the majority of the winnings/profit goes. For Airbnb, a Skift report found that “10 Airbnb Super-Hosts Rule New York City.” For Uber, sure each driver is keeping a cut of the fares, but who is getting a cut of every fare? Uber, the professional company. And for FanDuel and DraftKings, Bloomberg has found that “the top 10 players combine to win an average of 873 times daily….[t]he remaining field of approximately 20,000 players tracked by Rotogrinders wins just 13 times per day, on average.” Yes, each of these companies holds up a David or two as the model, and that is great for PR, but for all four, Goliath is the real winner.

Regulatory woes

Which brings us to the fourth commonality: all sit squarely in regulators’ sites at this point. The attention stems largely from the oversized success of these companies. As an earlier post pointed out, when you do incredibly well, haters are gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate. There is no doubt some truth to the complaint that much of the regulatory actions are little more than government-run witch hunts funded by the vested interests who prefer the status quo (i.e., existing fantasy sites, hotels, and the taxi lobby). That being said, as the regulators begin peeling back layers, the picture many customers and fans of these companies previously had of them is being challenged. There is not necessarily anything inherently wrong with what these companies are doing. After all they are just that, companies, and they need to make money.

Uncertain future

But, and this is the final commonality, all four are also at risk of losing some of their most vocal supporters. If the consumer backlash against the gap between the public image they put forth, and the reality of each company as a whole, becomes too great, how long can they remain the darlings of the tech, startup, and sports worlds?

Andrew McConnell is the CEO of rented.

Originally published at www.linkedin.com.

Are FanDuel & DraftKings the Uber & Airbnb of the fantasy sports world? was originally published in Making Money in the Sharing Economy on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

With the latest installment in Star Wars set to release this week, now seemed like a good time to see what Luke, Leia, Solo, and of course Yoda, can teach us about the past and future of vacation rentals. The long and short of it? “This is a new day, a new beginning.”

Phantom Menace

Like the “first” Star Wars movie, this story has commercial beginnings. Whereas it was a long time ago in a galaxy far away that an interplanetary trade dispute kicked off the Star Wars we know so well, it was 30-years ago in one of Bill and Doll Jelavich’s rental homes in Monterey Dunes Colony, CA where this story starts.

While it was not really a trade war like in the movie that precipitated that first meeting, that meeting is a natural point with which to launch this tale. Vacation rentals, and professional vacation rental management, had been around for decades, if not centuries before that first meeting. What the attendees of that meeting realized, however, was that their trade, their business, the business of vacation rental management, could be better if there was more cooperation and best practice sharing. With that mission, the Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA) was born.

Attack of the Clones

Success begets success. That first meeting in 1985 had 8 attendees representing 5 companies. Humble beginnings for sure, but those attendees were onto something, and it was not long before “clones,” i.e., new members, began joining. Realizing the positive impact such a professional association would have on the industry in general, and their business in particular, more and more Vacation Rental Managers joined the VRMA.

Thus, in 1999 this “clone” army had grown from 5 companies on 14-years earlier, to 500 VRMA members nationwide. The movement was growing.

Revenge of the Sith

This was the point in the industry’s evolution that we began to see the “dark side” of increased professionalism. Professionalization and scale appeared to have obvious benefits, so what better way to take advantage of them than an aggressive roll up strategy?

Read The Rest Here

Andrew McConnell is the CEO of rented.

Originally published at www.linkedin.com.

Star Wars Tells the Tale of Vacation Rentals — [NO Spoilers. Don’t worry] was originally published in Making Money in the Sharing Economy on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Nothing was buzzing, not even my mouse;

The tools were all hung in the shed with great care,

Under the ironic assumption I needed them there;

The cars were nestled all snug in the garage;

While visions of open highways danced like a mirage;

And mamma in her Snuggie, and I in mine too,

Were racking our brains wondering what to do,

So many useless items were crowding us out,

I sprang from my bed, and let out a shout:

“Away with these ‘things,’” I said in a flash,

“No more unworn jeans or that terrible sash!”

“There must be a better way,” I thought to myself,

“Why not share these things idly sitting on the shelf.”

When what to my wondering mind did appear,

But the Sharing Economy that we all now hold so dear,

With drivers old and young with automatic or stick,

Uber gets us there on time via Jane, Tom, or Nick.

Ubers and Lyfts are easier than taxis they say,

And all in an app that shows us when they’re on the way.

Now, Uber! now, SideCar! now Lyft for transportation!

On, Airbnb! on, HomeAway! on,FlipKey accommodation!

From ride and car sharing! to yurts and tree houses!

Now luxury! couchsurfing! Bring children and spouses!

For business or pleasure, with each trip you make,

Sharing makes it better, whether you give or you take;

With newfound purpose through my house I now flew,

Grabbing items for Kidizen and OfferUptoo —

And then, in a twinkling, I had a great insight,

The sharing of goods and services can make all our futures bright.

As I was just getting excited, and turned right around,

Down came new regulations, and from NIMBYs a great sound.

They had placards and clichés, from their heads to their feet,

And their anti-progressive regulations would know no defeat;

A bundle of vested interests funding their cause,

And neither progress nor innovation caused them any pause.

Their eyes — how they twinkled! With the thought of red tape!

Good ideas, and good policies from their minds could not escape!

“More taxes!” their cry, “And less rights to boot!”

“Don’t like it? Tough. Try filing a lawsuit!”

But I now had a taste of the better life that could be,

Sharing benefits my town, my guests, and of course me.

Continue sharing I will, and so with others too,

Enjoying better rides via Uber, Lyft, or Karhoo.

And when I travel to a new city, for a week or a day,

I will look for Pillow, for Guesty, for Globe, and SenStay;

So wink at those NIMBYs, they can’t help themselves

But get back to cleaning that clutter off of your shelves!

No need to speak another word, at least for the time being,

Though the battle, it still rages, and the NIMBYs, they are seething,

But for now I will leave you, at this festive time of year,

Go enjoy champagne, gin and tonic, wine, or beer;

You no longer have to worry about getting behind the wheel,

Sharing has made us safer, not a little, but a great deal.

So sharer or sharee, enjoy our economy now reinvented,

All of these benefits with no hassle?

Andrew McConnell is the CEO of rented.

Originally published at www.linkedin.com.

’Twas the Night Before Sharing… was originally published in Making Money in the Sharing Economy on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.