PR Log - Jan 12, 2012 - Elia Wallen, a 28 year old Denver based entrepreneur recently launched ShortTermHousing.com, a short term housing rental website, that lets home and vacation rental property owners list their place for free while allowing travelers to reserve instantly online.
When asked why he launched the site, Elia said “I don't believe property owners should have to pay to create a simple page on the internet… It's 2012, and it’s not hard to upload a picture and summary on a website. So, I decided to develop a short term housing rental website that offers AirBnB like features, at Craigslist prices. It is free now and always will be for basic property listings.”
The Denver based startup is entering a crowded vacation rental industry with AirBnB and Homeaway holding the majority of the market share, but Wallen said the response to the free website so far has been overwhelming. With almost no marketing we've seen our property listings grow rapidly. He stated "Entering a crowded market is challenging, but Facebook came in late and overtook Friendster and MySpace, so I'm hopeful."
Below is a summary of how ShortTermHousing.com compares to the industry leaders:
AirBnB
Fee: 3% charge on rental amount
Communication: Must be logged into AirBnB to communicate with travelers
Listing: Restrictions on listing property owners phone number, website or email
E.g. $360 fee per year on a $12,000/year property rental
Homeaway / VRBO
Fee: $299 to list
Communication: Direct contact through VRBO's online form
Listing: Restrictions on listing property owners phone number, website or email
E.g. $299 flat fee per year regardless of the rental rate charged
Short Term Housing
Fee: Free
Communication: Phone and email allowed
Listings: Provide personal email, phone and website
E.g. $0 flat fee per year regardless of the rental rate
- - -
A short term housing site that connects travelers with property owners.
Property owners never pay fees, and travelers reserve places instantly.
Read Full Story - ShortTermHousing.com Enters Online Rental Market with Free to List and Book Service | More news from this source
Press release distribution by PRLog
When asked why he launched the site, Elia said “I don't believe property owners should have to pay to create a simple page on the internet… It's 2012, and it’s not hard to upload a picture and summary on a website. So, I decided to develop a short term housing rental website that offers AirBnB like features, at Craigslist prices. It is free now and always will be for basic property listings.”
The Denver based startup is entering a crowded vacation rental industry with AirBnB and Homeaway holding the majority of the market share, but Wallen said the response to the free website so far has been overwhelming. With almost no marketing we've seen our property listings grow rapidly. He stated "Entering a crowded market is challenging, but Facebook came in late and overtook Friendster and MySpace, so I'm hopeful."
Below is a summary of how ShortTermHousing.com compares to the industry leaders:
AirBnB
Fee: 3% charge on rental amount
Communication: Must be logged into AirBnB to communicate with travelers
Listing: Restrictions on listing property owners phone number, website or email
E.g. $360 fee per year on a $12,000/year property rental
Homeaway / VRBO
Fee: $299 to list
Communication: Direct contact through VRBO's online form
Listing: Restrictions on listing property owners phone number, website or email
E.g. $299 flat fee per year regardless of the rental rate charged
Short Term Housing
Fee: Free
Communication: Phone and email allowed
Listings: Provide personal email, phone and website
E.g. $0 flat fee per year regardless of the rental rate
- - -
A short term housing site that connects travelers with property owners.
Property owners never pay fees, and travelers reserve places instantly.
Read Full Story - ShortTermHousing.com Enters Online Rental Market with Free to List and Book Service | More news from this source
Press release distribution by PRLog
