Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What is Great Dwellings?
Great Dwellings is a property management service for vacation rentals. We currently provide remote services worldwide and in-person services in Washington, DC; Virginia; Maryland; Los Angeles; San Diego; Punta Cana (DR); Playa del Carmen (MX); and Cabo San Lucas (MX). We are growing fast and would be happy to discuss your needs.
We support property owners who want to rent out their homes by handling key exchange, home cleaning, and creating listings with professional photos. Our services save you time and bring short-term rental expertise so you can earn additional income without the hassle.
What is Great Dwellings’ response to COVID-19?
We follow an industry-leading cleaning protocol to help keep homes and guests safe. Our cleaning teams sanitize homes in accordance with public health guidelines. Taking care of our guests and employees is of the utmost importance to our team. We have also donated free and discounted stays to nearby hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Who can benefit from your services?
Owners of select furnished homes who want to maximize rental income. Briefly renting a furnished home can bring significantly more revenue than traditional long-term leases. We handle the work and details with a professional team so you don’t have to.
Service & Support
How can Great Dwellings help me?
On request, we take over complete management and marketing of your home. We create a professional, multilingual listing and support it across multiple platforms. We also coordinate cleanings and most repairs.
What is a short-term rental?
Platforms such as Airbnb, Expedia, HomeAway, VRBO, Booking.com, and others make it possible to rent a furnished home (or part of it) for a short period. This is ideal for corporate housing in major cities since income can be higher than conventional rental models.
How much does Great Dwellings charge?
Our fee is 25% after taxes and cleanings. With this percentage-based option, we don’t get paid unless you do.
What requirements must my home meet?
Location and size are significant factors. Features and quality of furnishings also matter: a full kitchen, laundry, and special amenities like a garden or balcony can improve performance. If you’re interested, contact us to discuss your home. We’ll advise you and help set up for success.
Where is Great Dwellings available?
Our remote service is available worldwide. Our in-person response team currently serves Washington, DC; Virginia; Maryland; Los Angeles; San Diego; Punta Cana (DR); Playa del Carmen (MX); and Cabo San Lucas (MX).
What should I do if I’m interested?
Get in touch with us and complete our earnings calculator form. Our team will contact you as soon as possible.
How and when can I contact customer service?
You can call or text our customer service team at +1 (202) 751-2100, 24/7. We also communicate directly with guests through the booking platforms, phone, or text.
Should I already have a listing?
No. If we manage and market your home, our experts will create a professional listing for you.
Who should contact Great Dwellings?
Landlords and owners of furnished homes—whether available indefinitely or for limited periods. Even if you’re just considering renting out your home or furnished basement, we’re happy to discuss options and potential earnings.
What happens to my home?
We market your home with a professionally designed listing on major platforms, monitor availability and pricing, and handle guest communications to ensure a great stay. We’ll also help you create house rules and any necessary restrictions (for example, no smoking).
Who rents the home?
We host visitors and travelers seeking short stays (often 5–7 nights). We screen potential guests carefully using strict criteria, including prior reviews, to help ensure your home is in good hands.
What is the process for short-term rental?
After you engage us, we create your listing (including professional photos if needed). Within about two weeks, we manage and market the listing across platforms. We respond quickly to booking requests and adjust prices seasonally. Once booked, we handle all guest communications.
How will guests gain access to my home?
We can handle key exchange or advise secure access options, including personally greeting guests for an additional cost.
Do I have to provide anything?
We require that the home be furnished to our standards (we provide the checklist upon qualification) to deliver a 5-star guest experience. We also require installation of a Wi-Fi–enabled keyless entry system.
I already have a cleaner. Do you still handle cleanings?
Yes. We use designated, vetted professional cleaning teams approved through our company to ensure consistent, thorough cleanings and reliable scheduling between guest stays.
Do I have to worry about anything myself?
Once we begin managing your home, we handle the details. You just keep the utilities active.
What happens in case of damage?
Most major booking channels offer protections during guest stays. Where a platform does not, we collect a security deposit from guests. We inspect the home between stays and resolve any issues quickly. Our cleaning partners are fully insured.
What measures ensure my property’s safety?
We thoroughly vet guests using proven screening criteria to provide peace of mind.
Why is an in-person meeting necessary?
It isn’t always required. Reviewing your home helps confirm it meets our standards and prepares us to answer guest questions. An in-person visit also allows us to capture professional photos.
Can I use my own photos?
Possibly. Photos are critical to help your home stand out. We strongly recommend professional photography and can advise whether your existing images are suitable.
How do I start with the full range of services?
Reach out and request a consultation or complete the “Calculate Earnings” form. If you already have a listing, share the link. We’ll contact you to discuss details.
What is the 25-percent model?
We provide complete support and marketing and receive a 25% commission on gross rental income. Our accounting team pays revenues monthly. We also offer a free consultation to analyze your home’s potential.
How much money can my home earn?
Earnings depend on many factors: size, location, amenities, bedroom count, and neighborhood. Complete the earnings calculator for a free consultation.
Who is Great Dwellings?
We manage and market your home, create professional listings on major platforms, find and host guests, and care for your property. We inspect before arrival and after departure, provide keys or secure access, answer questions, and offer local tips.
What services do you provide?
We handle listing creation and optimization, guest communications, dynamic pricing, professional photography, cleaning coordination, key exchange and access, and multi-platform marketing. Our full-service approach lets you enjoy rental income without the time commitment.
What makes the Great Dwellings team unique?
We supervise and manage your listing across platforms to improve occupancy and income. We tailor management to your preferences, synchronize availability calendars, and adjust pricing for demand drivers like conventions and events.
What are the advantages for guests?
Guests benefit from round-the-clock support. If someone gets locked out, we coordinate assistance. We also share key information and local tips to enhance their stay.
What makes Great Dwellings a great choice?
We select great homes to deliver great guest experiences and maximize income using proprietary revenue management that balances occupancy and nightly rate with market data. We prioritize spotless cleanings before arrival and after departure to drive better reviews and utilization.
How do you create a great listing?
We visit each home, gather details, and reflect your house rules and preferences. We produce professional photos and compelling, multilingual descriptions so your listing attracts attention and bookings.
Can I rent my home through Great Dwellings?
Yes. We support short-term rentals of furnished homes and also offer direct booking options. We primarily market on major platforms for broad visibility.
What is the process for creating a new listing?
We professionally photograph your home and collaborate on the listing so it highlights benefits, draws attention, and converts views into bookings.
Do you offer home staging or decor services?
Yes. We partner with experienced interior decorators and designers to ensure your space is clean, inviting, and photo-ready. We can also provide one-on-one design advice.
Do I need to take the photos myself?
No—please leave photos to us. Professional images and an attractive description are essential to maximize bookings.
What happens after the listing goes live?
We publish your listing with professional photos and bilingual copy where appropriate. Our 24/7 guest support team answers inquiries, vets prospects, and encourages qualified guests to book.
How long can guests book my home?
Guests can book anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on your settings. We update prices frequently with our dynamic pricing approach to help you achieve higher income.
How is the listing marketed?
We actively manage your listing to improve placement and occupancy, respond quickly to inquiries, and adjust pricing daily based on demand. This optimized marketing can significantly increase rental income.
Can I hire my own cleaning team?
We recommend using our thoroughly vetted professional cleaning teams, who follow our processes for safety, quality, and timing between guest stays.
What distinguishes your housekeepers?
They specialize in vacation rentals, know which areas require extra attention, and understand the fast turnaround between guests.
Do you offer an à la carte service?
No. We offer either a full-service management solution or a remote management solution. Managing end-to-end allows us to guarantee consistent quality and handle any issues that arise during rentals.