FAQs

1. What areas in Massachusetts does Wilkuma Vacation Rental Management serve?

Wilkuma manages vacation rentals for property owners throughout Massachusetts - including the North Shore, South Shore, Berkshires, Cape Cod, and Central MA.

  • North Shore: Beverly, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Ipswich, Lynn, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Nahant, Newbury, Newburyport, Peabody, Revere, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Salisbury, Swampscott, Topsfield.

  • South Shore: Braintree, Cohasset, Duxbury, Hanover, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Quincy, Scituate, Weymouth.

  • Berkshires: Adams, Becket, Dalton, Great Barrington, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, Lee, Lenox, North Adams, Pittsfield, Richmond, Sheffield, Stockbridge, Tyringham, Williamstown.

  • Cape Cod: Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet, Yarmouth.

  • Central MA: Auburn, Bolton, Fitchburg, Grafton, Leominster, Princeton, Shrewsbury, Sturbridge, Westborough.

2. What services does Wilkuma provide for vacation rental management?

Wilkuma is a full-service vacation rental management and booking management agency. We handle every detail of your rental(s) so you can enjoy stress-free extra income. Here’s how we do it:

  • Dynamic Pricing: Dynamic pricing uses industry-leading algorithms to update your listing’s nightly rate based on factors like demand, season, and local events. Think of it like when you book a plane ticket on Kayak or Expedia; the price changes depending on how many people want to fly that day or how far in advance you’re booking. For your vacation rental, dynamic pricing works similarly. On busy weekends or holidays, the price goes up. On quieter days, the price may go down to increase bookings. This ensures your property will always be priced right and stay competitive and in demand throughout the year.

  • Guest Services and Communication: We manage guest communications around the clock - before, during, and after their stay. From securing bookings and sharing check-in details to handling unexpected last-minute inquiries, Wilkuma’s got you covered - so you’ll never have to pick up the phone.

  • Marketing: Your property will stand out on all major booking sites, including Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com. We craft creative and attention-grabbing titles that draw potential guests in, and write detail-rich descriptions that ensure every guest knows exactly what to expect, creating a strong connection before they even book.

    But we don’t stop there—our team continuously monitors and optimizes your listing to keep it ranking high. We actively request guest reviews, which are key to boosting your property’s visibility so it appears at the top of search results. And with professional photography showcasing your home’s best features, your listing will not only pop, but also attract more bookings.

  • Managing: From plumbing to landscaping, we’ve got a local team of pros ready to keep your property in tip-top shape. Our hotel-quality cleaners ensure your place is spotless and stocked with all the essentials, like toilet paper, shampoo, and cleaning supplies. And with strict guest screening and noise monitoring, we’re always one step ahead to prevent issues before they start.

  • Additional Protection: Rest easy knowing every booking includes a damage waiver fee with protection up to $800. If a guest causes damage (though it’s rare!), Wilkuma takes care of all her claims and oversees any repairs. We’ve got your back!

3. How does Wilkuma’s pricing structure work?

When it comes to pricing your property, Wilkuma really shines! Our dynamic pricing strategy is crafted from years of experience and fine-tuned to maximize your rental’s potential. We set your property’s rates based on a blend of market vacancy, booking trends, proximity to travel dates, and our deep local expertise. With Wilkuma, your property is optimized to perform at its best—outpacing the market by 20-30%.

Regarding working with Wilkuma, we charge clients 20-25%, depending on your unique property.

4. How can I list my property with Wilkuma?

Get in touch with us! We’d love to learn more about your home and see if Wilkuma is a good fit for your vacation rental management needs!

5. What types of properties does Wilkuma Manage?

We’re excited to explore how we can help you! At Wilkuma, we’re open to having an exploratory call with any vacation rental homeowner in Massachusetts. We’ll discuss your goals during the conversation and see if your property fits our portfolio. We’re selective to ensure the best results for both our clients and our business, but if our services align with your needs and your property meets our criteria, we’d be thrilled to manage it.

6. What is the process for onboarding my vacation rental?

The Wilkuma onboarding process typically takes about 1-2 weeks, and we make every moment count. During this time, we’ll dive into understanding your property's unique features, ensuring we capture its full potential. We’ll train our local cleaning team to meet our high standards so every guest is satisfied with your spotless home.

Next, we arrange a professional photo shoot with our trusted photographer, who knows how to highlight what makes your home special. We’ll document all essential property details to craft a compelling listing profile that accurately markets your vacation rental—from the number of bedrooms and beds to special amenities - so your home shines online.

7. What fees are associated with Wilkuma's vacation rental management services?

We believe in transparency and aligning our incentives with our partners. Our management fee is 20-25% of gross booking revenue, depending on your specific property. We only get paid when you do - no hidden fees and no minimum monthly charges. We back our services with a customer satisfaction guarantee and flexible contract terms, minimizing any risk for you.

8. How and when do I receive payments for bookings?

You'll receive a monthly direct deposit of your earnings, with net proceeds landing in your account between the 10th and 15th for the previous month’s bookings. We also send you a monthly profit and loss statement and an annual cash flow statement to make taxes seamless.

9. How does Wilkuma handle guest communication and bookings?

We’ve got guest communication covered 24/7. Whether it’s booking inquiries, maintenance issues, or check-in/check-out details, our team is always available to ensure your guests have a smooth and enjoyable stay.