It seems like just about every week there's some technology advance that is designed to assist property owners with listing, renting out and managing their home.  In recent years it was the Nest thermostat (allowing owners to control the thermostat wirelessly - for those forgetful guests that leave the heat or AC on after they've departed), or the wireless key locks allowing owners to send codes to guests and bypassing the traditional lock and key.   But in recent months and weeks a new set of software has arrived. 

When it comes to listing and booking your home, technology can be and probably is the greatest resource for new business.  How can word of mouth and mailers ever compete with the power of google searches like this one or the work that websites like Airbnb and VRBO do for you?

However when it comes to managing your rental, technology will never be able to replace the eyes and ears it takes to ensure your home is protected and well managed.  

What technology will never replace .... 

• No technology will replace a human verification that the number of guests arriving to your home is what was disclosed in the reservation details.
• No technology will replace a human verification that the group arriving to your home isn't made up of wily teenagers as opposed to the adults you thought you were dealing with.
• No technology will replace a human verification that the group arriving to your home and staying in your home hasn't brought Rex the Sheepdog, or worse, Felix the cat. 
• No technology will replace a human verification that your cleaners have done a better than satisfactory cleaning job prior to the next guest arrival. 
• No technology will replace the human effect of welcoming guests, answering questions, ensuring their stay is complete with information on the home and the area.  It's not just about the information, it is about how it is delivered.

Those are just a few samples of why it's critical that you continue to have eyes and ears on your property before and during and after each reservation. While we love the idea of technology for things like sending address and mapping information or even sharing local recommendations on food and sightseeing hot spots, we cannot recommend that property owners abandon their role in overseeing the guests and the home for safety and liability purposes.

Of course if that's not your bag and you'd like to hand that off, well, then you've come to the right place.