To the Massanutten Community:
Vacation rentals of private homes at Massanutten have been in existence – and, occasionally, controversial – for more than a decade. Some homeowners like the fact that their properties can produce income when they’re not using them; some neighbors aren’t pleased when short-term renters don’t behave in ways consistent with the quiet enjoyment of a residential neighborhood.
We’ve long viewed concerns related to short-term rentals to be an MPOA issue, not one involving Massanutten Resort. But we’re aware of the concerns, so we’re pleased to recommend a service that might help address some of these concerns to MPOA members who do engage in short-term rentals. It’s called TripForth.
What is it? To answer that, it helps to understand how Massanutten Resort timeshare owners utilize their weeks. Some visit the resort. Some trade weeks through RCI (Resort Condominiums International); they offer their week at Massanutten in exchange for a week at another RCI resort. And some owners rent their weeks on the open market. Since January of this year, that process has been successfully managed for our timeshare owners by TripForth.
TripForth’s services are managed by a company called Kees Vacations, and for full disclosure, Massanutten Resort does view TripForth as a strategic partner because they bring guests to our amenities (and guests who may also be interested in our timeshare services). It’s an independent company with other interests beyond this area. Kees Vacations has extensive experience managing short-term single-family home rentals, most notably on the Outer Banks.
The TripForth model isn’t limited to brokering rentals. They really understand the markets in which they operate; they provide inspection and property management services to ensure properties in their portfolios meet or exceed guest expectations. Most importantly, they provide LOCAL property management personnel to address any issues – including parking problems, overcapacity, trash removal, and noise complaints (they often hire individuals with law enforcement backgrounds to manage that sort of thing).
TripForth itself started by focusing on renting our owners’ timeshare weeks but is now expanding into the single-family home market. They utilize existing vacation marketing channels, including VRBO services like AirBnB and OTA travel sites like Hotels.com and Expedia. But because of their local-presence operating model, they can provide a more personalized service to homeowners – and renters – than can an absentee homeowner who occasionally rents their property or an internet-only rental service.
We’ve watched their work for nearly a year now, and we’re impressed.
Massanutten Resort is not looking to get into the single-family home rental business, nor are we interested in acquiring single-family properties for that purpose. But we think TripForth offers services and a level of quality from which MPOA members who do engage in short-term rentals (and their neighbors!) might benefit.
As a result, we’re pleased to share this resource with homeowners who might benefit. If you engage in short-term rentals, I encourage you to contact the Trip Forth Operations Manager – Melanie Grogg directly at (540-908-5139)or email her at Melanie.grogg@tripforth.com.
Cordially,
Matthias Smith, VP/General Manager, Massanutten Resort
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