Who shall we use for a rental agent other than tv staff?

[barb1191]

Awhile ago I read a post where someone wrote that they had used TV rental staff, to rent their home, for about three years and were not pleased with them as TV "nickel and dimed" them and found someone else, and the name was mentioned as to the current rental agent used. I've searched the posts and can't come up with that particular post.

Would be interested in learning who that might be and/or if anyone can let us know who we might consider for handling a rental in TV for us that they have been pleased working with, other than TV staff.

Thanks.....Barb1191

[rsetterlund]

Dear Barb1911,

I would highly recommend Vilas Hinkle and her husband (vilashin@yahoo.com). We have just started working with them and are very impressed. If you contact her please mention my name Robert Setterlund. No finders fee, just want her to know I am recommending.

Do you every make it back to the Billerica/Chelmsford area?

[rsetterlund]

Dear Barb1191,

Sorry for using the wrong name.

[barb1191]

Dear Barb1191,

Sorry for using the wrong name.

Not sure.....Which wrong name? Do you mean the Vilas Hinkle name? Please advise.

barb1191

[Ooper]

He called you Barb1911... not Barb1191

[barb1191]

He called you Barb1911... not Barb1191

Ohhhhh .... Thx Ooper. Didn't notice the numbers transposed.

[redwitch]

Barb, just a caveat. If you use someone who is not a licensed realtor in Florida, that person can be charged with a felony if they advertise, negotiate, handle the funds or the keys for you. This happened to two women in their 70s last year. They called themselves property managers and, from what I understand, the owners did the advertising but they returned the deposits, handed renters the keys, etc. In addition, you can be fined for using a non-licensed realtor for advertising your property or negotiating the rent. So, please be careful who you use and what you have them do for you.

[thegreenerside]

Yes, you have to have a realtor or property manager that is a licensed as a realtor her in Fl. The consequences are severe with both parties.

[SteveFromNY]

Barb, we used TV property management for 3 years and were extremely happy with the quality of their service. They rented the home around 100 to 120 days per year. And the wear and tear was minimal. Don't know what you mean by "nickel and dime", as all of the expenses were clearly outlined up front so there were no surprises. And all of those nickels and dimes were tax deductible anyway.
They are truly professionals. They take great care of the house. They send you monthly and annual statements for your records. And they keep an eye on the house when it isn't rented.
Like the houses in TV, you can find one cheaper elsewhere. But despite all the negatives one hears about the "big brother" nature of TV developers, their rental program is top notch and was definitely worth the premium over the typical local property manager who (per Redwitch) may even be breaking the law!

[SteveFromNY]

Here is the perspective of someone who visited on the Lifestyle preview program about TV property mgmt homes:

"all u have to do is decide when u want to be there, for how long, what type of home you want to stay in (cost is from $75-$150 per night).....thats about it....only minor sticking point is that they charge your credit card for your full stay as soon as you confirm your reservation....if u plan on coming to TV in peak season...i.e. Jan - March.....u need to make your reservations with TV early......all you have to do is show up....only thing u need to bring is a hair dryer....everything else in the rental home is provided....you are basically moving into a hotel room that is a nicely appointed home.....kitchen if fully equipped if you decide to take meals there (you probably won't)"

TV PM does have a long list of required stuff in your home. And as you can see, with all of the restaurant options, there is little wear and tear on the kitchen stuff.

A search should show some other threads that had some positives about TVPM. Not trying to talk you into anything, just don't understand the bad rap they got.

[SNOK]

I agree with SteveFromNY. We have been renting our home through TV PM for about a year and are contracted through next summer. We have been very pleased with both the occupancy rate and the care of the property. They are very professional and thorough. To me, as a remote owner, the slightly higher management fee is money well spent. We hope to be able to keep our home with TV PM until we move in permantently in 2010.
I am somewhat concerned that the new homes being built by TV on the old buffalo pasture adjacent to LSL will replace private homes in the Life Style Preview program. We like that program for our home, because it provides short-term tenants that do not spend too much time there (and thus less wear and tear) since they are mostly out and about.

[BritParrothead]

If you use someone who is not a licensed realtor in Florida, that person can be charged with a felony if they advertise, negotiate, handle the funds or the keys for you

We used to own a short term rental home in Kissimmee. Our manager was NOT a licensed realtor, nor did they have to be! They took bookings, took care of my home, held the keys etc. etc. I paid my own bills. Most of the MC's in the Kissimmee area are just 'Mom & Pop' type companies who take very good care of the homes for you.