By now you've heard quite a bit about this whole vacation-rental-by-owner thing. Your neighbors and family members are trying it out, but you aren't quite sure if it's for you and you're wondering if your home can actually make money. Hold onto your hats, because we're going down Best Decision Ever Lane! 

Some beaches are more memorable than others.

If you have a vacation rental property in San Diego that you advertise on Airbnb or VRBO, you probably heard that the city has started "dropping bombs" on hosts and owners listed online. The Voice of San Diego says San Diego has sent more than 240 letters demanding that vacation rental home owners start paying hotel taxes, including back taxes from past bookings.

Vacation home owners used to count on the location of a property to make a good first impression on potential vacationers. If a home was situated in a desirable location (like San Diego, Los Angeles, and Orange County) then guests would be happy. Now, with 80 percent of vacation guests starting their vacation house hunt online, a home’s “pix appeal,” (how good it looks in photos on the Internet)...

Vacation homes vary widely in amenities offered to guests, and some homes are booked more frequently based on the greater variety or quality of amenities. But we've seen there are a few that you just can't get by without. If you're missing one of these top-requested amenities, be sure to fix that as soon as possible.

It’s that time of year to celebrate your loved ones, significant other, wife, friend and anybody else who is important in your life on Valentine’s Day.

This year, Valentine's Day falls on Saturday, which means couples have a wonderful excuse for a weekend getaway. If you've been getting inquiries or bookings for the upcoming lover's holiday, congratulations! (And if you haven't, try changing your online listing to advertise just how romantic your vacation home is.) Take a little extra time before your travelers arrive to turn your destination...

Most of the big vacation rental booking sites have an instant booking feature, allowing guests to book an available vacation rental without any communication with the host. However, we've found that the vast majority of guests have specific questions about the properties or their stay, so there's almost always communication before booking.

The winter in Southern California is usually quite forgiving and nothing like other parts of the country. Daytime temperatures can range from mid 70s to low 60s, and at night we might dip down to the 50s and, once in a blue moon, the 40s. While it's not snowstorms and sheets of ice it does bring critical information to consider when renting out your home in the winter. We will share with you the...