Washington Airbnb Management Company Directory

Washington state is a great location for investing in short-term rentals, with its diverse attractions such as mountains, lakes, museums, and coffee shops, as well as its high demand from tourists throughout the year. This guide lists every Airbnb property management company in Washington by city.

Top Washington Airbnb Management Companies

The best Airbnb management companies in Washington  include:

1. Awning: Best Overall Airbnb Manager
2. RedAwning: Best Half-Service Airbnb Management Solution
3. Avantstay: Best Luxury Short-term Rental Management Company
4. Zeus: Best For Local Presence
5. RedAwning: Best for Involved Hosts

Top Washington  Airbnb Management Companies by City

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How We Researched the Top Washington  Airbnb Management Companies

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

• Services: We looked at whether a company is a half-service or full-service provider and whether it covers 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.
• Business model: We investigated whether a company uses the latest real estate technology while retaining 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: We searched for the Airbnb management companies with the most active listings in the market.

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

How to Choose a Washington  Airbnb Management Company

Finding the right Airbnb management company is as crucial as acquiring a profitable property for the success of your short-term rental business, especially in a market like Washington where there are strict regulations and restrictions on vacation rentals.

Consider these key factors when evaluating the top Washington Airbnb management companies:

• Services: Decide if you prefer to be involved in managing your property (half-service) or if you want a fully passive income experience (full-service). Determine what services you expect the Airbnb manager to provide and what tasks you are willing to handle yourself. Does your property need furnishings or preparation for guests?
• Pricing: Determine your budget for a passive investment or additional management assistance for your vacation rental.
• Value for money: Compare the services and fees of several property management companies, including monthly fees and additional charges.
• Business model: Determine if you prefer a local or nationwide property manager and consider factors such as accountability, transparency, and personal touch.
• Reviews: Check online reviews from both property owners and guests and consider speaking with local investors working with each property manager you are considering.
• Number of listings in Washington: Choose a company with a strong presence in the Washington market but not one that is overburdened or understaffed. Look for an experienced professional with local capacity.

When interviewing your top choices for a Washington short-term rental property management company, ask these questions:

• Are you a local or nationwide company?
• How many years of experience do you have managing short-term rentals?
• How many properties do you currently manage?
• What is the size of your local team?
• Do you have an in-house local management team or do you use vendors?
• What is your success rate in increasing revenue in the local market?
• Do you provide property preparation services such as interior design, furnishings, short-term rental licenses and permits, and taxes?
• Do you handle guest payments and remit to owners or do booking fees go directly to the property owner?
• Do you offer cleaning, laundry, and restocking services?
• Do you conduct property inspections and maintenance work?
• Do you manage swimming pools and hot tubs?
• What is your Airbnb property management fee and what does it cover? Are there additional fees and costs? Is there an onboarding and/or early-termination fee?
• May I review a copy of the property management agreement?
• What is the process for canceling your services?
• Will I retain my property reviews if I opt out of your services?

Answers to these questions will help you select the best Airbnb property management company in Washington for your specific needs.

How Airbnb Management Works

There are two broad types of Airbnb property management companies: full-service and half-service.

Full-service property managers are those that take care of all the aspects of owning and running a short-term rental business.

The best full-service Airbnb management companies help investors achieve passive income while boosting performance.

Half-service Airbnb property managers usually focus on listings, marketing, revenue management, guest communication and support, and taxes. Some of them offer to connect property owners with vetted local vendors for the services they do not cover.

Vacation rental property management companies can be national (covering most US markets) or local (focusing on a specific city). Both come with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Property management fees range widely in the US market: between 10% and 50% of revenue, with 20-25% of revenue being the average for full-service providers. Some companies charge different rates for different markets and different property types. Property managers frequently charge extra for services outside the core package, like interior design, furnishing, insurance, linen, etc.

The top vacation rental management companies have flexible terms and do not require long-term commitment on behalf of property owners. However, some expect quarterly or annual commitments.

Some Airbnb property managers focus on specific property types, like luxury rentals, group travel rentals, apartments, etc., while others work with most residential properties. Different companies have different eligibility requirements; for example, half-service property managers work with furnished short term rentals, while some full-service companies prefer to be directly involved in design and furnishing.

One thing property owners should keep in mind is that most Airbnb management companies list rentals under their brand name, so hosts lose the reviews and rankings once they leave. A noticeable exception is Awning, which allows properties to keep reviews.

How to Start an Airbnb in Washington 

To launch an Airbnb business in Washington, investors must:

1. Identify the ideal location in Washington to invest in a property (where short-term rentals are permitted and returns are substantial)
2. Locate a high-potential property
3. Verify that the zoning district allows short-term rentals
4. Engage a real estate agent to assist with the property purchase
5. Undertake renovation work (if necessary)
6. Furnish the rental unit
7. Determine the most suitable business structure
8. Submit tax and employer identification documents
9. Acquire a vacation rental condo or dwelling license from the Washington Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR)
10. Obtain local short-term rental licenses and permits from the relevant city (most cities in Washington require local licenses or permits)
11. Make a choice between managing the property independently or hiring an Airbnb management company
12. List the property and begin renting it out
13. Continuously provide guest services and maintain the property

Whether you manage your Washington vacation rental yourself or hire a property manager will impact whether you can earn passive rental income. 

Washington Airbnb Laws and Regulations

Washington short term rental laws define a short term rental as any individually or collectively owned house or dwelling unit that is used as a transient public lodging establishment but does not constitute a timeshare project. Washington distinguishes between two types of short term rentals:

Vacation rental condo including a unit or a group of units in a building that are individually owned and rented out transiently

Vacation rental dwelling including a single-family home, townhouse, duplex, triplex, or quadruplex rented out transiently

Renting out an entire unit for fewer than 30 days, more than three times per calendar year, may require obtaining a license from the Washington authorities. The requirement for a state-level or city-level license may vary in Washington and it is recommended to check with local authorities. Licenses, if required, have to be renewed on an annual or bi-annual basis.

In addition to state regulations, some cities in Washington may have their own Airbnb laws and regulations. Running an Airbnb business in Washington may require paying federal income tax, state sales tax, and local transient rental tax. The rates for these taxes vary between cities and counties. 

Takeaway

Starting an Airbnb business in Washington is a great opportunity to earn income through real estate. However, it is important to note that the state and local regulations for short-term rental properties can be strict and the competition among investors is strong. To ensure the success of your Airbnb business, it is crucial to have an optimized property management strategy, which can be achieved by hiring a professional Airbnb manager.