Home Owner Information
Thank you for your interest in HearthSide Cabin Rentals.
Here at Hearthside we realize there are THREE components of the rental equation: There are the guests, but then there are also the homeowners, and finally there is the bottom line health of the company. Without any one of these components we do not have a business. It is with this fact in mind that we have put together a bit of information about ourselves to better help you evaluate our suitability as your rental company.HearthSide Cabin Rentals
Property Management Program
HearthSide Cabin Rentals is one of the younger companies in town as far as rental programs go here in the Smoky Mountains. But don't let that fool you! We have MANY years of "hands-on" exprience in the overnight lodging industry here in Sevier County and want to put that experience to work for our owners and our guests.
Our focus is to take care of the three main components of any successful rental program: 1) the owner and his/her investment; 2) the guest and his/her satisfaction and 3) the company and its profitability.
Our customer service team is outstanding. We offer a full-service maintenance crew and excellent professional cleaning service. Our technicians do maintenance evaluations on a regular basis and will deal with many preventative needs at little or no charge to the owner.
We understand that you have a big investment in your rental property and you want to a good return on this investment. We will give your property the attention it deserves to make it work for you.
We always have the owner's checks in the mail no later than the 10th day of each month; to provide details of each income and expense item; to provide an up-to-the minute reservations calendar; and to rotate listings on cabins on our website to provide an equal exposure of each cabin.
We strive to be responsive to every need and to put a personal tough on every reservation. When a guest is treated with respect, concern, and dignity, with attention to his/her individual and personal needs, there is a much greater chance that they will return again. As everyone knows, repeat business is critical in this industry.
Hearthside will pursue every avenue reasonable to market our rental properties effectively. Promoting your cabin is critical to reaching the masses of tourists in this area annually. With more and more competition, we will work constantly to be consistent with pricing, quality and availability.
Marketing Techniques We Employ
- The most state-of-the-art, user-friendly website available
- Aggressive search engine placement, with daily attention to gaining the optimum market share
- Direct mail system utilizing contact leads from approximately 20 major search engine referral databases
Preventative and Routine Maintenance Services we Provide
- Regular, systematic hot tub cleaning and chemical adjustments
- Monthly change-out of heat/airconditiong filters
- Regular checking of light bulbs and batteries
- Lawn maintenance services as needed
Cleaning Services we Provide
- Professional, licensed, and bonded housekeeping staff, with the same personnel permanently assigned to each cabin
- Extra linens available for guests (if requested) available from our office
- -Extra trash removal service available to guests, if reqested
- -Additional cleaning services available as needed (such as laundering of comforters, rugs, or curtains)
- -Spring cleaning or window-cleaning services available upon request
For more information on our management services, call toll-free at 866/429-0955 or e-mail us at heartsidecabinrentals@yahoo.com.
What You Can do to Make Your Cabin Rent Well
We have found that most people coming to the Smokies will fall into a couple of general categories. There are the people who are primarily concerned with their budget and then those who want to have a premier cabin with all the best features.
First of all, be realistic about what you have. Don't try to sell a cabin that is crowded in with a bunch of other cabins as "secluded." If your place is a little older you need to decide if you are willing to invest to renovate or rent at a slightly lower rate. Be realistic in your assesment of your property. If you are having a problem evaluating your property, feel free to contact us and we will be able to give you a couple of routes you could go.
If your choice is to go "budget", that doesn't mean you can go buy all used furniture. Keep the unit comfortable, clean, and user-friendly. Make sure you have the basic cable or satellite package with the local channels. Most guests want a washer and dryer. Your guests will expect queen or king size beds. Guests demand matching silverware and dishes, and good quality cookware. Guests expect good quality for the money they spend. Your guests will appreciate the touches and will be more likely to return.
If you decide to "go deluxe," then the more you can put into your unit the better. Put in leather or microsuede furniture, a nice pool table, a generous hot tub. If you are "interior-design" challenged, then hire a decorator or ask us to help you. Make sure you have an upgrade package on your satellite or cable service and that you include a movie channel or two as well as the local stations. Include a good TV (flat screen or big screen preferred) and TV sets in the bedrooms. Make sure the water is treated if it is "skunky" (sulfur well-water). Most cabins need a pool table, air hockey or foosball table. Keep in mind that the people staying there will be paying a premier rate and will have a higher expectation.You are competing with several thousand rental properties in the area. Look for an amenity that will make your property unique. We can help you make choices on decor and furnishings that will increase your rents and make money for us both. But you have to be willing to accept our advice and understand that we know what we are talking about.
However you decide to go, keep a "theme" in mind for the cabin and decor and follow that theme throughout the cabin. We will monitor your property, rent it as much as possible, and let you know if anything is needed.Be aware that guests will not usually treat your rental property as if they own it themselves. The guests have been known to break things, get greasy foods on upholstery, move furniture around, track mud or dirt inside on your carpet, steal a few things and do any of a number of disgusting things to your property. Remote controls do get lost, batteries will go dead and bulbs will shoot out. Toilet brushes and shower curtain liners will be changed out as needed. We will do our dead-level best to make guests be adult and responsible for their actions.
We do talk with each guest and meet many of them, plus we have a signed rental contract saying they understand all our rules and regulations, before they check in to the unit. We also get a copy of their credit cards or cash damage deposits to offset damages, if necessary. Our goal is to serve as your eyes and ears in making sure your property is taken care of properly, and will fight for your rights.
Investment property or vacation home? Do not put a cabin on a rental program if you consider it your "vacation home". We spend a lot of time and money marketing your rental property -- if you are not making money, neither are we, and we prefer not to waste our time if you are not serious about your investment making money. Our guideline is that an owner must agree not to use the cabin for personal use more than 14 days in a year and no more than one major holiday per year. Also, the months of July and October are prime months -- if you use your cabin then, you are costing yourself money!
Who are we?
Danny and Janice McAllister started out in this business owning a few rental cabins. After a few bad experiences with "big" companies, they decided that they should approach the rental business with a more personal and "down-home" attitude. They had seen so many homeowners and guests brushed aside in the name of the bottom line, and didn't want to continue renting their homes in that manner.
Janice is a very detail-oriented person and likes the management work associated with the business. She started out working for various rental companies in Sevier County and has extensive rental and marketing experience. She can get your property the exposure it needs to be competitive, tell you what it takes to rent your cabin, and is responsible for all legal and accounting requirements to manage the business.
Danny McAllister has built many log homes in this area. He supervises all maintenance and ensures that your property is kept in good condition.
Gina Mikles is our Reservations Manager and has been with the company since start-up. Sandy Lowe handles the owner accounting side of the business. Sherry Howell handles the company's accounting needs. Brandi Blevins and Nicole McAllister make reservations and customer service their top priorities. We all make reservations!!! No one will be more interested in you and your needs than the top-notch staff at HearthSide.
Thank you for looking over this; if you have any questions feel free to call (865) 429-0955 or (866) 429-0955 (toll-free). Our e-mail address is hearthsidecabinrentals@yahoo.com. We'll be glad to discuss any questions you might have.