Owning property in Santa Teresa is the fun part. Operating it well (especially as a high-end rental) is where value is created—or destroyed.
This article explains what a strong property management setup looks like and how to evaluate it.
Key takeaways
- The best operators win on standards: cleanliness, maintenance, and fast communication.
- “Cheap” management often shows up later as weaker reviews and lower nightly rates.
- Track a small set of KPIs consistently to understand performance and issues early.
What property management really includes
At minimum, a professional operation covers:
- Guest communication and support
- Housekeeping and quality control
- Preventive maintenance
- Vendor management and on-call repairs
- Pricing strategy and calendar management
- Owner reporting and transparency
Explore services here: Property Management.
Typical cost categories (and why cheap can be expensive)
Costs vary by property, but the categories are consistent:
- Management fee: operations + coordination
- Housekeeping: per-turn and deep cleans
- Maintenance: routine + emergency
- Pool and landscaping: scheduled service
- Utilities: especially high-season usage
- Consumables: guest supplies
A low headline fee with weak standards often results in worse reviews and lower nightly rates.
KPIs that matter for Santa Teresa rentals
If you track only a few things, track these:
- Occupancy rate (seasonality matters)
- Average nightly rate (ADR)
- Revenue per available night (RevPAN)
- Review score and review volume
- Response time to guests
- Maintenance ticket time-to-fix
What “luxury” means operationally
Luxury is not just design—it’s reliability:
- Strong internet and backup plans
- Cold AC where needed
- Consistent cleanliness standards
- Smooth check-in and clear house rules
- Fast fixes when something breaks
Owner checklist when hiring a manager
Ask these questions before you sign:
- Who is the local point person?
- What does the reporting cadence look like?
- What is the guest messaging SOP?
- What is the preventive maintenance schedule?
- What are the vendor markups (if any)?
FAQ
What’s a typical property management fee range?
It varies by service level and property complexity. Many full-service vacation rental managers charge a percentage of rental revenue.
Which KPI should I check first each month?
Start with occupancy and ADR, then compare review score and maintenance time-to-fix to spot operational issues early.
What should be included in owner reporting?
At a minimum: revenue, expenses, reservations, pricing notes, maintenance tickets, and action items for the next period.
Next step
If you’re buying with rentals in mind, pair the purchase plan with the operating plan. Start with Real Estate and loop in Property Management early—before you commit.