Georgia Airbnb Management Company Directory

Georgia is a prime destination for investing in short-term rentals, attracting tourists with its charming coastal towns, rich history, diverse culture, and thriving food and wine scene. This guide features the best Airbnb property management companies in Georgia, organized by city.

Top Georgia Airbnb Management Companies

The best Airbnb management companies in Georgia  include:

1. Awning: Best Overall Airbnb Manager
2. RedAwning: Best Half-Service Airbnb Management Solution
3. Avantstay: Best Luxury Short-term Rental Management Company
4. Southern Belle: Best For Local Presence
5. Lucky Savannah: Best for Savannah Properties

Top Georgia Airbnb Management Companies by City

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How We Researched the Top Georgia Airbnb Management Companies

The criteria we used to select and rank the top Airbnb management companies in Georgia  include:

• Services: We looked at whether a company is a half-service or full-service provider and whether it covers all expected services within each category.
• Pricing: We considered whether an Airbnb property manager has a clear pricing structure covering all services. We also looked at what additional fees hosts will need to pay.
• Value for money: We evaluated whether the provided services and the expected fee offer the best value for money.
• Business model: We investigated whether a company uses the latest real estate technology while retaining human touch, which is crucial in property management.
• Reviews: We took into consideration whether companies have a strong online presence and whether reviews are positive or negative.
• Number of listings: We searched for the Airbnb management companies with the most active listings in the market.

To maximize your vacation rental investments in Georgia , connect with an Awning property manager now.

How to Choose a Georgia Airbnb Management Company

Selecting the right Airbnb management company is just as vital as purchasing a high-potential rental property for the success of your short-term rental business, especially in a market like Georgia with strict regulations and restrictions in cities.

When making this decision, consider the following criteria that we have used to rank the top Georgia Airbnb management companies:

• Services: Consider if you want to be involved in managing your property (half-service is ideal) or prefer a completely passive income (full-service is necessary). What services do you expect the Airbnb manager to provide and what would you like to handle yourself? Is your property ready for guests or do you need help with this?
• Pricing: Determine how much you are willing to pay for a fully passive investment experience or additional management assistance.
• Value for Money: Evaluate the list of services provided by different management companies and compare their fees including the monthly fee and additional charges.
• Business Model: Decide if you prefer to work with a local or nationwide property manager. Do you want accountability on a national level or a personal touch with a local manager? Does the company seem honest and transparent?
• Reviews: Read online reviews from both property owners and guests. If possible, speak with local investors who have experience working with each property manager you are considering.
• Number of listings in Georgia: Choose a company that has a strong presence in the Georgia market but not overburdened or understaffed. Look for an experienced professional with ample local capacity.

When interviewing your top choices for a Georgia short-term rental property management company, ask the following questions:

• Are you a local or nationwide company?
• How many years have you been managing short-term rentals?
• How many properties are you currently managing?
• What is the size of your local team?
• Do you have an in-house local management team or work with vendors?
• How much have you increased revenue in the local market?
• Do you provide help with getting properties ready, such as interior design, furnishing, short-term rental licenses and permits, and taxes?
• Do you collect money from guests and remit to owners or do booking fees go directly to the property owner?
• Do you provide cleaning, laundry, and restocking services?
• Do you manage property inspections and maintenance work?
• Do you manage swimming pools and hot tubs?
• What is your Airbnb property management fee and what does it cover? Are there any additional fees and costs? Is there an onboarding and/or early-termination fee?
• May I review a copy of the property management agreement?
• How do I cancel your services?
• Will I retain my property reviews if I opt out?

Answering these questions will assist you in selecting the best Georgia Airbnb property management company to meet your specific needs.

How Airbnb Management Works

There are two broad types of Airbnb property management companies: full-service and half-service.

Full-service property managers are those that take care of all the aspects of owning and running a short-term rental business. 

The best full-service Airbnb management companies help investors achieve passive income while boosting performance.

Half-service Airbnb property managers usually focus on listings, marketing, revenue management, guest communication and support, and taxes. Some of them offer to connect property owners with vetted local vendors for the services they do not cover.

Vacation rental property management companies can be national (covering most US markets) or local (focusing on a specific city). Both come with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Property management fees range widely in the US market: between 10% and 50% of revenue, with 20-25% of revenue being the average for full-service providers. Some companies charge different rates for different markets and different property types. Property managers frequently charge extra for services outside the core package, like interior design, furnishing, insurance, linen, etc.

The top vacation rental management companies have flexible terms and do not require long-term commitment on behalf of property owners. However, some expect quarterly or annual commitments.

Some Airbnb property managers focus on specific property types, like luxury rentals, group travel rentals, apartments, etc., while others work with most residential properties. Different companies have different eligibility requirements; for example, half-service property managers work with furnished short term rentals, while some full-service companies prefer to be directly involved in design and furnishing.

One thing property owners should keep in mind is that most Airbnb management companies list rentals under their brand name, so hosts lose the reviews and rankings once they leave. A noticeable exception is Awning, which allows properties to keep reviews.

How to Start an Airbnb in Georgia 

To launch an Airbnb business in Georgia, potential investors should:

• Identify the best investment property location in Georgia (where Airbnb is permitted and ROI is promising)
• Find a property with great potential
• Ensure the zoning district permits short-term rentals
• Employ an agent to assist with purchasing the property
• Conduct renovations (if necessary)
• Furnish the rental space
• Determine the appropriate business structure
• Submit tax and employer identification documents
• Obtain a vacation rental condo or dwelling license from the Georgia Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR)
• Acquire necessary local short-term rental licenses and permits by city (most cities in Georgia require local licenses or permits)
• Consider whether to manage the Georgia vacation rental independently or hire an Airbnb management company
• List the property and start accepting guests
• Provide ongoing customer service, property maintenance, and upkeep.

The choice between managing the Georgia vacation rental personally or enlisting a property manager will impact whether you receive passive rental income or not.

Georgia Airbnb Laws and Regulations

Based on the search results, Georgia does not have any statewide laws or regulations in effect regarding short-term rentals.. However, local governments may have their own regulations in place, which vary depending on the location. Short-term rentals are playing a major role in the lodging market in Georgia, particularly in popular tourist areas, such as Atlanta, the north Georgia mountains, and along the coast.

In the city of Savannah, short-term vacation rental licenses are valid for one year and must be renewed annually for a fee of $250. Airbnb-style businesses are required to remit use and sales tax to the state at a rate of 7% and hotel-motel tax to the city at a rate of 6%.

In Atlanta, a short-term rental ordinance became effective on March 1, 2022. Homeowners may rent rooms or entire houses to guests for up to 30 days, as long as they apply for an annual license, pay a $150 license fee, and collect city hotel-motel taxes from guests. However, the enforcement date has been extended until June 1, 2022.

Short-term home rental companies, such as Airbnb and VRBO, must pay hotel taxes under a law signed by Governor Brian Kemp in Georgia. However, there is no statewide legislation governing short-term rentals in Georgia, and local governments have their own regulations, such as in Hall County, where short-term rentals are permitted in all residential zoning districts.

Takeaway

Starting an Airbnb business in Georgia can be a lucrative way to invest in real estate. However, short term rental property owners must be prepared for strict regulations and intense competition. Optimizing your vacation rental property management is crucial for the success of your business, and the best way to do so is by hiring a professional Airbnb manager.