The short term rental home market is a specialist area that demands specialist experience. Most real estate brokers and agents work in the general residential market, and they are not aware of the particular needs of the rental home owner.

These needs include the value of advance rental bookings, the significance of furniture and furnishings to the property's value, and the importance of effective communication and support to buyers who are not 'local'. You need someone who:

• will ensure that your interests will be fully represented at every stage.
  
  
• understands the special requirements of the short term rental market.
  
  
• appreciates that non-resident and overseas buyers need to be kept more fully informed.
  
  
• can be trusted to respond reliably and rapidly to email and phone calls.

In particular, if you are a buyer, make sure that you choose a buyer's agent who can explain to you exactly what makes a good short term rental home.

You need someone who will make sure you buy on the right community, that you select a home that has the features that attract rentals at good rates, and that is most likely to prove to be a successful investment.

My background is in short term rentals. I have been the owner of an STR home on Creekside since 1998, and I have been running eVilla Rentals in support of several hundred other owners for several years. Since I have been in real estate I have worked solely in the STR re-sale market, and have concluded many successful transactions on behalf of both buyers and sellers.

Because I work alone, you will know that you can check directly with me at any time if you need more information or explanation. Larger real estate companies use their brokers to make initial contact with buyers, and after that they pass them on to administrative staff to handle. These staff are in many cases not interested in keeping the client in touch with what is happening, they just want to get the paperwork done.

Because I work from a home office, you will be able to reach me 16 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even when I am on the road I pick up my calls at frequent intervals, so I can respond to any question or concern as quickly as circumstances require. Having sat around for days waiting for other agents to respond to my answer phone messages requesting showings for my buyers, I can promise you that effective communication is far from common among real estate agents!

Most important of all - make sure that your REALTOR is just that - a member of the National Association of Realtors, and who abides by the NAR's strict Code of Ethics.