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Choosing a short-term rental property management service is one of the most important decisions you'll make as an STR owner. The right manager can increase revenue by 20–40% over self-management while saving hundreds of hours per year. The wrong one can cost you bookings, damage guest relationships, and leave your property underperforming. For a list of vetted options, see the top Airbnb management companies reviewed by Awning.
Core Services Every STR Manager Must Offer
Multi-Channel Distribution
The number and quality of booking channels directly determines your revenue ceiling. Airbnb alone is no longer sufficient — VRBO, Booking.com, Expedia, Google Vacation Rentals, and a direct booking site each serve different traveler segments. Ask exactly how many channels, which ones, and how calendar sync works across all of them.
See how Awning's Airbnb marketing and distribution service covers channel management.
Revenue Management and Dynamic Pricing
Static pricing is leaving revenue on the table every day. Every professional STR management service should include algorithmic pricing that adjusts based on local demand, seasonality, and competitor inventory. Validate revenue claims using Awning's Airbnb market data and the Airbnb income estimator.
Guest Experience Services
Professional check-in and check-out management sets the tone for every stay. A curated guest guidebook reduces guest support requests and improves ratings. Systematic review generation after checkout is part of what separates top-rated properties from average ones.
Cleaning and Property Maintenance
Awning's Airbnb cleaning service handles every turnover with quality control inspections. Supplies restocking ensures properties are consistently guest-ready. Home automation enables keyless access and smart property management between stays.
Owner Transparency
Real-time owner portal, monthly statements, maintenance records — the baseline for any professional manager. You should never have to ask what your property earned.
Red Flags to Watch For
• Airbnb-only management — single-platform listings miss 20–40% of potential bookings
• Static pricing or manual rate setting
• Long-term contracts with heavy cancellation penalties
• No real-time owner portal
• Undisclosed cleaning fee markups
• Vague answers about what the management fee actually includes
The best STR managers will show you average occupancy rates and ADR for comparable properties in your market. If they can't or won't share real market data, that's a red flag.
Market Research Tools: Know Before You Sign
Before signing with any manager, do your own market research. AirDNA is a popular data tool — Awning's review covers its strengths and limitations. Rabbu (formerly Data Rabbu) is another option worth evaluating. Both give you independent data to cross-check revenue projections any manager makes.
Awning's own Airbnb market data platform provides free market analysis, and the Airbnb estimator gives a property-specific revenue projection.
Geographic Considerations
Management quality varies significantly by market. If you own in Florida, see Awning's review of Airbnb management companies in Florida for market-specific guidance. For the national competitive landscape, the top Airbnb management companies review covers the major players head-to-head.
Financial Considerations Beyond Management Fees
Management fees are just one component of your STR's financial picture. Airbnb cap rates determine whether the investment makes sense at all. Airbnb loan options affect your financing cost. Insurance for Airbnb hosts protects your investment. Make sure all three are optimized before focusing solely on management fees.
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