7 Best Airbnb Management Companies in Sarasota, Florida

On Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sarasota is an ideal location for investing in short-term and long-term Airbnb rentals. Sarasota is famous for being both a favorite family vacation spot in the summer and a popular snowbird location in the winter. The shallow waters, the miles of white-sand beaches, the cultural and recreational opportunities, and the warm climate attract 3 million visitors per year. The status of Sarasota, FL as a popular tourist destination brings high Airbnb daily rates, Airbnb occupancy rates, revenue, and ROI to the owners of vacation rentals there.

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Top Sarasota, Florida Airbnb Management Companies

The best Airbnb management companies in Sarasota, FL include:

• Awning: Best Overall Sarasota Airbnb Manager
• RedAwning: Best Half-Service Airbnb Management Solution
• Avantstay: Best Luxury Short-term Rental Management Company
• Vacasa Florida: Best for Furnished Vacation Rentals
• Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals: Best for 3-4 Month Snowbird Rentals in Golf and Country Clubs
• RVA: Best for Vacation Rentals in Select Communities
• Sun Outdoors: Best for Vacation Rentals in RV Resorts and Traditional Campgrounds

Awning Airbnb Property Management

Awning is the best overall full-service Airbnb property manager in Sarasota, FL. Shri Ganeshram and Danaus Chang founded the company in 2020, with headquarters in San Francisco, CA. The company mission is to make investing in real estate simple and accessible for everyone, through a combination of the latest real estate technology and expert presence in all markets.

Awning provides all services expected from a full-service Airbnb management company, allowing investors to benefit from truly passive income. The company charges an industry-low fee starting at 15% of revenue. Online Awning reviews are positive, and Awning-managed properties have an average guest ranking of 4.8/5 stars.

Awning Services

As a full-service Airbnb property management company, Awning offers all services necessary to run a short-term rental business. Currently, the company manages 100+ vacation rentals and covers the entire US market and most property types. Awning achieves nationwide coverage by setting up local teams of vetted vendors in each market, before even taking on Airbnb rentals there.

Awning services cover everything from getting properties ready through managing day-to-day tasks including:

• Interior design
• Vacation rental furnishing
• Installing smart home devices
• Getting short-term rental licenses and permits
• Creating, optimizing, and managing listings across top booking platforms
• Dynamic pricing combining top-notch technology and big data with human expert-led review and adjustments
• 24/7 guest communication and support, with industry-low average response time of 5-15 minutes
• Rental cleaning, laundry, and restocking between guests provided through local Awning teams
• Maintaining lawns, swimming tools, and hot tubs
• Property maintenance and repairs

All services are part of the core package of vacation rental property management that Awning provides. The only exception is interior design and furnishing, which investors can choose depending on their needs. The ex-Head of Design at Airbnb manages this process, boosting revenue by 50%, and Awning’s fee is deducted from the overall furnishing budget, usually in the $15,000-$45,000 range. As Awning does not cover vacation rental insurance, it can connect property owners with the best local insurance providers.

Awning Price and Fees

Awning fees are the lowest among full-service Sarasota, Florida Airbnb management companies, starting at 15% of monthly revenue. This price covers all core services. Property owners pay only interior design and furnishing fees separately, as part of the total furnishing budget. 

Awning Reviews

Awning has relatively few online reviews, explained by its brief history. You can find Awning reviews on:

• TrustPilot: Currently five 5.0/5 star reviews
• BiggerPockets: Currently several 5.0/5 star reviews

Awning-managed Airbnb rentals have generated an impressive average rating of 4.8/5 stars by guests.

Positive guest reviews focus on the amazing locations and properties, the excellently maintained and stocked rentals, and the friendly, available, and competent support staff.

Awning is the best overall Airbnb property management company in Sarasota, FL, covering all services and managing many properties, at an industry-low fee starting at 15% of revenue. This means that Airbnb property owners can enjoy truly passive income, while the performance of their rental is being optimized by a combination of the latest technology and the human touch of a local team of professionals.

Getting Started With Awning

To get started with Awning, investors should schedule a call to discuss their property with an Awning agent. The onboarding process is simple, and the Awning team has experience both onboarding new properties and taking over management from another company. 

iTrip Sarasota & Venice Airbnb Property Management

iTrip Vacations is a nationwide Airbnb management company operating through a franchise model. Each iTrip Vacations market is operated by a locally owned property management company that receives comprehensive training and support from corporate experts. They founded the company in 2008, with headquarters in Steamboat Springs, CO. The company mission is to be an industry leader and a trusted brand in the vacation rental industry. The Sarasota franchise is iTrip Sarasota & Venice.

iTrip Sarasota & Venice seems to cover many services expected from a full-service property manager. Property management fees vary per state, but the range is not specified on the general or local iTrip Vacations website. There are less than 100 online reviews of iTrip Vacations that are generally negative.

iTrip Sarasota & Venice Services

iTrip Vacations is an international short-term rental property manager. Currently, the parent company manages vacation rentals in 60 markets in North America, while iTrip Sarasota & Venice manages 45 properties in Sarasota, Florida.

The property management services provided by iTrip Sarasota & Venice cover:

• Providing a location-customized recommended list of what property owners should stock in their vacation rentals during onboarding
• Listing creation and distribution
• Digital marketing and advertising
• Dynamic pricing
• Guest communication and support
• Cleaning between guests through local cleaning companies (that property owners can choose)
• Light property maintenance and management of major repairs

Major services that iTrip Sarasota & Venice does not handle include interior design, furnishing, linen provision, getting short-term rental licenses and permits, and vacation rental insurance.

iTrip Sarasota & Venice Price and Fees

The iTrip Vacations website states that property management fees vary by state, so property owners need to contact the local property manager to get a quote. There is no range provided. It’s not clear if signing a written contract and committing in the long term is required in order to work with iTrip Sarasota & Venice.

iTrip Sarasota & Venice Reviews

iTrip Vacations has a relatively weak online presence. You can find iTrip Vacations reviews on:

• TrustPilot: Currently 1.9/5 stars based on 57 reviews
• Yelp: Currently 1.0/5 stars based on 10 reviews
• Birdeye: Currently 2.6/5 stars based on 5 reviews

Satisfied guests highlight the perfect matches between listings and actual properties, the superb, clean, welcoming rentals, the outstanding decor, the comfortable furniture, and the helpful staff. Dissatisfied guests complain about misleading cancellation policies and practices, dirty homes, lack of running hot water, poor communication, and rude support team.

iTrip Vacations provides a lot of vacation rental management services, but some core services are still absent, so they might not provide Sarasota, FL Airbnb hosts with passive income. Because of the lack of concrete information, it’s not possible to conclude if the company offers a good value for money. iTrip Sarasota & Venice might be a good choice for property owners who’d like to work with a local team benefiting from national corporate practices and supervision.

To get started, property owners can visit the iTrip Sarasota & Venice website to contact the local franchise.

Evolve Airbnb Property Management

Evolve is a nationwide half-service vacation rental management company. Brian Egan and Adam Sherry founded the company in 2011, with headquarters in Denver, CO. The company mission is to help vacation rental owners earn more and stress less.

Evolve provides services that focus on listing, marketing, booking calendars, and supporting guests. This is in line with the expectations from a half-service provider. Evolve charges a universal fee of 10% of monthly revenue. The many online reviews of Evolve show average experiences.

Evolve Services

Evolve offers a limited range of services compared to full-service Sarasota, Florida Airbnb management companies. Currently, they manage 24,000+ short-term rentals in 750 markets in the US and Mexico, including 41 vacation rentals in Sarasota, FL.

Evolve covers the following services:

• Optimized listings
• Listing distribution and marketing
• Dynamic pricing
• Guest communication and support
• Rental property insurance (up to $1 million in liability coverage and $3,000 per booking in property damage)

To qualify, vacation rentals have to be guest-ready as Evolve does not help with this. The company does not provide services related to cleaning, laundry, restocking, maintenance, and repairs either.

Evolve can connect property owners with local vendors for services like:

• Interior design and decor
• Setting up a smart home
• Cleaning and restocking
• Property maintenance and repairs

Property owners can decide whether to handle these services on their own or coordinate the work of vendors recommended by Evolve.

Evolve Price and Fees

Evolve charges a universal Airbnb property management fee across all markets and property sizes, equivalent to 10% of monthly revenue. This covers the services provided by the company, while services provided by vendors are paid separately. The corresponding fees are not clear.

Evolve asks hosts to sign a written contract. According to the property management agreement, owners need to handle home insurance, property maintenance, upkeep, repairs, and compliance with local short-term rental laws including getting licenses and permits and paying taxes. Evolve helps with the collection and remittance of transient occupancy taxes.

Evolve does not require long-term commitment, and hosts can cancel at any point, with a 15-day notice.

Evolve Reviews

Evolve has a strong online presence with a few thousand reviews by property owners and guests, showing a mix of positive and negative experiences. You can find Evolve reviews on:

• TrustPilot: Currently 3.2/5 stars based on 3,584 reviews
• BBB.org: Currently 2.75/5 stars based on 456 reviews
• Yelp: Currently 3.5/5 stars based on 60 reviews
• Sitejabber: Currently 1.32/5 stars based on 60 reviews

Happy Evolve guests highlight the easy booking process, the precise matches between listings and properties, the excellent locations, and the great support team. Unhappy guests complain about double bookings, discrepancies between online listings and actual rentals, filthy and unhealthy properties, lack of refunds under extreme circumstances, and poor customer support.

Similarly, Evolve reviews by hosts comprise a mix of very positive and very negative experiences. Some are satisfied with the services they’ve received from Evolve, while others complain about inefficient marketing, unexpected charges, and lack of team support.

Evolve is the right Sarasota, FL Airbnb management company for investors who would like to actively take part in the management of their short-term rentals but need some extra help through technology. This is not a good option for those seeking passive real estate income.

To get started, property owners can visit the Evolve website or call 877-818-1014.

Vacasa Florida Airbnb Property Management

Vacasa is the largest full-service vacation rental property management company in North America. Eric Breon and Cliff Johnson founded the company in 2009, with headquarters in Portland, OR. The company mission is to provide the best vacation home experience for everyone - both hosts and guests - everywhere.

Vacasa provides most services expected from Airbnb management companies. They promise to boost rental income by 20%, on average. The company does not state its fees on its website, but customer reviews reveal a range of 25%-35% of revenue plus additional charges. The abundant online reviews of Vacasa are generally good.

Vacasa Florida Services

As a full-service Airbnb property manager, Vacasa covers most services required to run a vacation rental business. At the moment, Vacasa manages 35,000+ short-term rentals in 35 US states and outside the US, including 26 properties in Sarasota, FL.

The core Vacasa services covered by the monthly fee include:

• Getting properties ready for renting
• Help with short-term rental licenses and permits
• Installing smart home technology devices
• Creating listings
• Managing, distributing, and marketing listings
• Cleaning and restocking between stays
• Property inspections and maintenance
• Dynamic pricing and revenue management
• Guest communication and support
• Tax support
• Hot tub management and maintenance

For an additional fee, hosts can also get access to:

• Interior design (guided or curated)
• Linen program (initial supply and replacements)
• Vacation rental property insurance (up to $1 million in liability coverage, $1 million in damage coverage, and $15,000 in bed bug coverage)

One service that is missing from the Vacasa portfolio is furnishing, which can take 12-16 weeks when not guided by a professional.

Vacasa Florida Price and Fees

Vacasa does not publish its property management fees on the company website. The website simply states that fees vary between markets and property types, so owners need to contact the team to get a quote.

Meanwhile, Vacasa reviews by property owners show that the rate ranges between 25% and 35% of rental revenue, comparable to the industry average, but owners also report unexpected charges. Interior design ($99-$1,199), linen program (not reported), and property insurance ($7-$9 per booking) are charged separately.

Hiring Vacasa entails signing a written agreement but does not require long-term commitment. Hosts can cancel with a 90-day notice, having to honor all reservations within the 90-day period.

Vacasa Florida Reviews

Vacasa has a solid online presence with thousands of reviews by property owners and guests. You can find Vacasa reviews on:

• TrustPilot: Currently 4.0/5 stars based on 9,354 reviews
• BBB.org: Currently 4.1/5 stars based on 2,648 reviews
• Yelp: Currently 2.5/5 stars based on 1,392 reviews
• Sitejabber: Currently 1.0/5 stars based on 703 reviews

Positive guest reviews focus on the excellent, well-equipped, well-stocked, well-maintained properties, the amazing locations, and the helpful customer support team. Negative guest reviews highlight misleading listings, properties in poor state, last-minute cancellations, and lack of communication on behalf of the team.

Experiences of Vacasa property owners are also mixed. Some report good value for money, while others complain about destroyed properties, poor communication, and difficulties when trying to get out of a contract.

As the biggest short-term rental property manager on the continent, Vacasa can be a good option for Airbnb investors in Sarasota, Florida whose properties are already furnished as the company does not provide this service.

To get started, property owners can visit the Vacasa website or call 866-308-1004.

Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals Airbnb Property Management

Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals is a local, full-service short-term rental property management company covering the Gulf Coast of Florida. They founded the company in 2003, with headquarters in Bradenton, FL. The company mission is to provide best-in-class services to the guests that choose their properties and to the owners who trust them with their investments.

Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals covers most services to qualify as a full-service Airbnb property manager. The company website does not specify the pricing structure. There are around 100 online reviews of Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals that are positive.

Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals Services

Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals is a local, full-service property management company which manages both Airbnb short-term rentals and three-four-month snowbird rentals. They focus on vacation rentals in golf and country clubs. Currently, the company manages 24 properties in Sarasota, Florida.

The property management services included in the Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals portfolio are:

• Wide-scale marketing
• Superior guest management and support
• Property cleaning
• Proactive property maintenance
• Comprehensive accounting solutions including utility bills and tax remittances

Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals does not explicitly mention the following services: interior design and furnishing, getting short-term rental licenses and permits, and vacation rental insurance.

Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals Price and Fees

Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals does not state its property management fees and charges. The company website mentions contracts are simple and easy to read and that there is a penalty-free cancelation policy.

Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals Reviews

Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals has an average online presence compared to other Sarasota, Florida Airbnb management companies. You can find Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals reviews on:

• Birdeye: Currently 4.6/5 stars based on 47 reviews including 38 Google reviews
• Facebook: Currently 4.4/5 stars based on 36 reviews
• Google: Currently 4.8/stars based on 32 reviews
• Yelp: Currently 2.0/5 stars based on 8 reviews

Happy guests discuss the matches between listings and actual properties, the clean rentals, the great amenities, the excellent locations, and the professionalism, friendliness, and care of the team. Unhappy guests complain about problems with reservations, inability to locate rentals, poorly maintained properties, and cameras inside the home.

Reviews by property owners are also mixed. Some investors praise how caring and ethical the company has been, while others complain about neglect, lack of proper maintenance, and inability to manage guests.

Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals cover the services needed to provide vacation rental property owners with passive income. Because of the lack of sufficient information, it’s not clear if they offer a good value for money in the Sarasota, Florida short-term rental market. This company might be a good option for investors who’d like to own 3-4 month snowbird rentals along the Gulf Coast.

To get started, property owners can visit the Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals website or call 914-877-5588.

More Sarasota, Florida Airbnb Management Companies

Some other popular short-term rental property management companies in the Sarasota market that might be worth the attention of real estate investors are:

• RVA: RVA is a local Airbnb property manager that markets itself as a one-stop-shop for owners and guests of vacation rentals in select communities along the Florida Gulf Coast. Property management services include marketing, cleaning, housekeeping, guest communication and support, and property maintenance and repairs. RVA has a complicated pricing structure including an annual management fee besides a commission. Upon onboarding, property owners have to provide a small working balance and a deep clean cost. The company website does not specify the exact rates and amounts, but this can add up to a lot. Currently, RVA manages 27 properties in Sarasota, FL.
• Sun Outdoors: Sun Outdoors is a vacation rental property management company managing properties in luxury resorts and RV resorts and traditional campgrounds. The company focuses on providing experiences to families and works in multiple US states. The Sun Outdoors website does not have information on the property management services that they cover and the fees that they charge, so we cannot conclude if this is a full-service or half-service Airbnb manager. Currently, Sun Outdoors manages 24 short-term rentals in Sarasota, Florida.

How we evaluated the best Sarasota, Florida vacation rental management companies

The criteria we used to select and rank the top Airbnb management companies in Sarasota, FL include:

• Services: We looked at whether a company is a half-service or full-service provider and whether it provides all expected services within each category.
• Pricing: We considered whether an Airbnb property manager has a clear pricing structure covering all services. We also looked at what additional fees hosts will need to pay.
• Value for money: We evaluated whether the provided services and the expected fee offer the best value for money in Sarasota, Florida.
• Business model: We investigated whether a company uses the latest real estate technology while retaining the human touch, which is crucial in property management.
• Reviews: We took into consideration whether companies have a strong online presence and whether reviews are positive or negative.
• Number of listings in Sarasota, FL: We searched for the Airbnb management companies with the most active listings in the local market.

To maximize your vacation rental investments in Sarasota, FL, connect with an Awning property manager now.

How to choose an Airbnb management company

When choosing the best Airbnb property manager for your specific needs, ask the following questions:

• Are you a local property manager or a nationwide company?
• For how many years have you been managing short-term rentals?
• How many properties do you manage at the moment?
• How big is your team?
• Do you have an in-house local management team or do you work with vendors?
• By how much are you able to increase revenue in the local market?
• Do you help get properties ready? Do you help with interior design, furnishing, short-term rental licenses and permits, and taxes?
• Do you collect money from guests and remit to owners or do booking fees go to the property owner directly?
• Do you provide cleaning, laundry, and restocking?
• Do you conduct property inspections and maintenance work?
• Do you manage swimming pools and hot tubs?
• What is your Airbnb property management fee? What does this cover? Are there any additional fees and costs?
• Can I review a copy of the property management agreement?
• How can I cancel your services?

Knowing the answers to all these questions is key for selecting the best short-term rental property management company for your specific needs.

Takeaway

Awning is the best Sarasota, Florida Airbnb management company. It provides truly full-service property management at the lowest fee for comprehensive services, at 15% of rental revenue. 

Awning services include 24/7 guest communication, dynamic pricing, calendar management, and more, and are available in all 50 states. Plus, our fees start at just 15% of your revenue, with no extra charges or fees. Call or text 415-223-2830 to learn more and get started.