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Montana is a state that offers a unique and natural beauty with its scenic landscapes and outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and skiing. It also attracts tourists year-round due to its spectacular natural attractions and recreational opportunities.
Top Montana Airbnb Management Companies
The best Airbnb management companies in Montana include:
- Awning: Best Overall Airbnb Manager
- RedAwning: Best Half-Service Airbnb Management Solution
- Avantstay: Best Luxury Short-term Rental Management Company
- Stay Montana: Best For Local Presence
Top Montana Airbnb Management Companies by City
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How We Researched the Top Montana Airbnb Management Companies
The criteria we used to select and rank the top Airbnb management companies in Montana 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 Montana , connect with an Awning property manager now.
How to Choose a Montana Airbnb Management Company
Choosing the right Airbnb management company is vital to the success of your rental business, especially in a market like Montana that imposes strict short-term rental regulations.
When deciding, focus on the same criteria that we used in our ranking of the top Montana Airbnb management companies:
- Services: Do you prefer hands-on involvement in the management of your property (half-service) or complete passive income (full-service)? What services do you expect the Airbnb manager to provide, and what would you like to do yourself? Do you need help with furnishing your property?
- Pricing: What is your budget for a fully passive investment experience or extra help in managing your vacation rental?
- Value for money: Compare the services offered by different property management companies, including their monthly fee and additional charges.
- Business model: Do you prefer working with a local or nationwide property manager? Do you want national accountability or a local, personal touch? Is the company transparent and trustworthy?
- Reviews: Look at online reviews from both property owners and guests. If possible, talk to local investors working with each property manager you're considering.
- Number of listings in Montana: Choose a company that has a presence in the Montana market but is not overloaded or understaffed. You want an experienced professional with local capacity.
When interviewing potential Montana short-term rental property management companies, ask these questions:
- Are you a local or nationwide property manager?
- How long have you been managing short-term rentals?
- How many properties do you currently manage?
- What is the size of your local team?
- Do you have an in-house local management team or use vendors?
- How much have you increased revenue in the local market?
- Do you assist with interior design, furnishing, short-term rental licenses, permits, and taxes?
- Do you collect money from guests or does the booking fee go directly to the property owner?
- Do you offer cleaning, laundry, and restocking services?
- Do you conduct property inspections and maintenance work?
- Do you manage swimming pools and hot tubs?
- What is your Airbnb property management fee? What does it cover? Are there any additional fees or costs? Is there an onboarding or early-termination fee?
- May I review a copy of the property management agreement?
- How can I cancel your services?
- Will I keep my property reviews if I opt out?
Having the answers to these questions will help you select the best Montana Airbnb property management company that suits 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. They help:
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 Montana
To begin an Airbnb venture in Montana, potential investors should:
- Identify the optimal location for their Montana investment property (where Airbnb is allowed and potential returns are high)
- Locate a property with strong potential
- Confirm that the zoning district permits short-term rentals
- Engage a real estate agent to assist with the property purchase
- Undergo renovations (if necessary)
- Furnish the rental space
- Determine the best business structure for their operation
- File necessary tax and identification documents for the business
- Obtain a vacation rental condo or dwelling license from the Montana Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR)
- Acquire any required local short-term rental licenses and permits from individual cities
- Decide whether to self-manage the property or to use an Airbnb management company
- List the property and commence renting
- Continuously provide guests with quality service and maintain the property
The decision to self-manage the Montana vacation rental or to hire a property manager will impact the level of passive rental income that can be generated.
Montana Airbnb Laws and Regulations
In Montana, short-term rental regulations depend on the location and may include zoning laws, occupancy and safety standards, taxation, licensing, and insurance requirements. A short-term rental is a residential use of property, and unless expressly prohibited in the entirety of a jurisdictional area or a zoning district, if the jurisdictional area is divided into zoning districts, short-term rentals are permissible in areas zoned for residential use.
However, a proposed bill might prohibit county or municipal planning entities from adopting or enforcing regulations that would restrict the rental periods for short-term rentals. According to a source, the bill may essentially ban short-term rentals.
Landlords in Montana are required to comply with any requirements of city, county, or state regulations. Meanwhile, tenants are required to pay rent and any utilities agreed upon, keep the rental unit clean and sanitary, and dispose of all garbage and waste properly, among others.
Short-term rentals in Montana are subject to two lodging taxes by the state: the Lodging Facility Use Tax of 4% and the Lodging Sales Tax of 4%. If you want to operate a short-term rental in Montana, you may want to check if your property is zoned accordingly as short-term rentals are only allowed in some zoning districts.
Takeaway
Starting an Airbnb business in Montana is a great way to earn money through real estate. However, it's important to be aware of the regulations imposed by the state and cities, as well as the competition from other investors. Hiring a professional Airbnb manager is the best way to optimize your property management strategy and ensure the success of your business.
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