Sonoma Property Rental FAQs
Have questions? Here are the most common ones we get from property owners in Sonoma County.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Standout Stays “stand out” from the competition?
Our focus is on providing a 5-star experience to both guests and our owner clients. We handle everything involved in renting out your home. Through strategic pricing and attention to detail, we aim to generate the highest return possible for your Sonoma short-term or monthly rental. We are ideally suited for remote investors, who can generate ongoing revenue while relinquishing the hassle of day-to-day operations. We interact with guest inquiries 24/7, effectively market your Sonoma rental property, and coordinate with contractors for any maintenance issues or emergencies that arise.
How is Standout Stays different than Airbnb and VRBO?
Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, and other online booking engines are online travel agencies (OTAs) that let consumers research and book properties. Standout Stays is a short-term and monthly rental property management company focused on luxury rentals in Sonoma County. Our services include expertly listing your property on the OTAs, optimizing daily pricing, 24/7 guest communications, and handling all property operations to take the stress out of renting your investment.
Are short-term and monthly rentals better than long-term rentals?
There are significant benefits to short-term and monthly rentals compared with long-term tenants. Most guests are there to enjoy the area, which generally leads to less wear and tear. Our team is in the property regularly to clean and check on maintenance, helping keep your property well maintained. Financially, short-term and monthly rentals can generate 2x to 3x the amount you would earn renting to a long-term tenant.
How does cleaning work?
We use dedicated cleaners who clean to a hotel standard. We create a comprehensive, property-specific checklist and conduct a detailed inspection after each cleaning to ensure the home meets our high standards. Cleaning products are CDC approved, and cleaners wear masks and gloves while cleaning. Except for the initial deep clean and occasional maintenance cleanings (e.g., carpet cleaning), all cleaning costs are paid for by guests.
What is your fee?
We offer an industry-competitive commission-based fee for your Sonoma short-term or monthly rental. This includes all aspects of managing the property and maximizing your revenue. The nightly rates depend on the size and quality of your rental and your availability each month. Our clients keep 75% of gross revenue for short-term rentals and 80% for monthly rentals.
What other expenses can I expect?
For furnished properties ready for guest stays (including two sets of sheets/comforter covers and four pillows per bed, two sets of towels per guest, and kitchen essentials), clients can expect a small onboarding fee. This covers professional photography, listing setup/optimization, and—if not already installed—home automation tech such as a touchpad lock, noise monitoring sensors, and a video doorbell/sensor. Ongoing expenses include consumables (paper products, toiletries, cooking and cleaning products) and any repairs or maintenance needed to keep your property at a 5-star level.
What about taxes?
Prior to generating your first rental income, we recommend speaking with your tax advisor. For Sonoma County, rentals done through Airbnb automatically have the 12% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) deducted and paid on your behalf. For rentals done through our direct booking website or other platforms (including VRBO, Booking.com, Expedia, etc.), we deduct the 12% TOT and file and pay it on your behalf.
How do you screen the guests?
In addition to our direct booking site, we list your property on Airbnb and numerous other platforms. When a guest inquires directly with us, we engage in a dialogue to understand the reason for their visit and look for tell-tale signs of whether they would be a good fit. We also review government databases, conduct web searches, and check social media. On larger platforms, we require government-issued IDs, user profiles, and 5-star reviews from previous hosts. In the rare case a bad guest gets through, we take immediate action to remove them with no refunds.
What happens if guests cause damage to my property?
Because we do not allow parties and we carefully screen guests, damage is rare and typically limited to small items (e.g., broken glassware or stained towels). For larger issues, we recover funds and replace or repair items via a security deposit (for direct bookings) or through the resolution centers of booking platforms. Airbnb and VRBO have Host Guarantees covering damage up to USD $1,000,000. We also highly recommend a homeowners insurance policy that covers short-term rentals.
What types of properties do you manage?
Municipalities in Sonoma have specific restrictions on short-term rentals. To manage your property as a short-term rental, it must be in an area that allows stays shorter than 30 days. Where short-term rentals are not allowed, monthly stays (30+ days) are still possible. Due to the higher standards of our discerning guests, we focus on single-family homes where we can deliver a higher-end experience. This benefits owners, as most guests booking standout properties at higher prices are exemplary.
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