Questions (FAQ's)
Q: Who are you guys??
A:
Just some vacation rental Managers and Owners like yourself. (And some gals too!) Yes we do have experience in vacation rental ownership, management and the hotel industry too. Plus we're trained in journalism and strive to publish factual, corroborated information.
Q: And what's the idea behind VRA?
A:
Every Manager and Owner has needed help from time to time and had no where to turn. So we quizzed many folks and everyone agreed, an association was needed. Especially now that the industry is growing so quickly. Suppliers and website Publishers are invited to join to. See our Benefits List.
Q: What is the difference between Verified & Inspected Properties?
A:
Owners of Verified properties provide documents which are fact checked by VRA staff to insure that the property is owned by the member - that it is a real property. Inspected properties have been personally visited by a designated VRA inspector. Inspection includes verification.
Q: Do I need to be licensed to join VRA?
A:
That depends on your state or country. Owners and Managers as well as Publishers are businesses and must have a business license and pay the related taxes. In some jurisdictions participants may need to have real estate, lodging or other licenses. We do not require proof of licensing to join but it must be provided should we request it.
Q: How long is the Blue Ribbon inspection award good for?
A:
It is necessary to have a property re-inspected every three years to continue displaying the blue ribbon logo. Vacation homes maintain their quality for a long while, but Guests want to know its been reviewed periodically.
Q: How much is Guest Membership cost?
A:
Not a Penny. Guests can visit the property verification sites absolutely for free. This service is provided through the support of the Owner, Manager, Publisher and Supplier Members.
Q: Can certification be included on my property or websites?
A:
Yes, that is the idea. Owners should be proud to let Guests know they have met the standards. But we do require that the VRA name always be included with the Blue Ribbon, CRVO and CRVP designation.
Q: Does VRMLS and VRA offer Consumer Websites?
A:
In general, No. Our purpose is to setup and manage the database. We do operate VacationRentalCentral.com as a free service to all members. In addition, Plumbob Publishing which developed and operates VRMLS for VRA publishes specialty vacation rental directories, and is allowed to offer them for subscription just any third party publisher can do. But there is no obligation to use Plumbob sites.
Q: Why does your organization offer Property Inspections?
A:
Not all Vacation Rentals are created equal. You can ask the Owner or Manager or get references but how can get the real skinny? ASK an unbiased trade association like ours.. We send in an Ace inspector with a long checklist and a camera. They check the property, the resort and neighborhood. Some homes pass. Some don't. Look for the Blue Ribbon Award.
Q: How much Does Publisher Membership cost?
A:
Membership for Publishers is a bit higher than for Owners and Managers because Publishers stand to gain greatly by associating with advertisers. Membership includes use of the VRA's Multiple Listing Service (www.VRMLS.org) plus setup and ongoing support. Payment can be by credit card or auto draft.
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Q: Is Membership required for properties to be verified or inspected?
A:
Yes, we require Owners and Managers to subscribe to a reasonable code of ethics. Guests deserve that. And for properties to qualify for the Blue Ribbon we want to make sure Owners also agree to treat Guests well. There are also code of ethics for Suppliers and Publishers.
Q: Can I list more than one property?
A:
Owner members may post up to three listings as part of their membership dues; no additional cost. If you have more you can upgrade to a Manager membership. Managers can post up to 99 listings for their annual dues. An Unlimited Manager membership can post even more.
Q: Do you have fact sheets, releases and other information for the Press?
A:
Why yes we do. Vacation Rentals are an emerging industry and we compile all kinds of statistics as well as Owner contacts and even Owners, suppliers and Guests for quotes and feedback.
Q: How will Guests know that a property is verified or inspected?
A:
As the number of verified and inspected properties grows we continue to promote the Blue Ribbon award as a sign of quality and to set an industry standard. Plus Owners are encouraged to promote the concept with Property Logos, Icons and Inspection Links.
Q: Is there a fee to list properties on VacationRentalCentral.com?
A:
Many websites publish listings from the Vacation Rental Multiple. There are fees to be listed on some of those websites but VacationRentalCentral.com - as the official Guest website for VRA - is free and always will be.
Q: How come Suppliers can join VRA?
A:
One of the important benefits is to help members find suppliers who can help them succeed. Suppliers are invited to join and urged to display their wares and even give Managers and Owner members special discounts and services. Supporters are asked to post a link to the VRA Owner Logos.
Q: Why is Supplier membership more costly?
A:
The thinking is that membership is even more valuable to suppliers. Owners can earn good rental income but suppliers can gain many times that amount in revenue from Owners they meet through VRA. Suppliers are bigger businesses. So we ask them to support the work of VRA.
Q: How much does VRA supplier membership cost?
A:
Suppliers memberships cost a bit more than Managers, because they can benefit a great deal more. We do ask that vendors act as partners by listing VRA on their websites and in their sales materials. We offer a money back guarantee within the first 30 days of membership.
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Q: Do you take credit cards?
A:
Yes. You can pay for all service by Visa, MasterCard or American express.
Q: How much does VRA Owner membership cost?
A:
Owners have several options for membership. The Limited non-voting membership includes all benefits, but just one listing and no Association vote. Standard Owner membership allows for 3 properties and full voting. Both cost just pennies a day and have a 30 day money-back guarantee.
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