Highland Lakes, New JerseyHighland Lakes, New Jersey

Vacation Rental Management in Highland Lakes, New Jersey

Discover the best vacation rental management companies in Highland Lakes, New Jersey to maximize your revenue and create incredible guest experiences

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Highland Lakes, New Jersey Airbnb Management Overview

Highland Lakes, New Jersey, is a vibrant and scenic market for Airbnb hosting, nestled in the heart of the state's Skylands Region. The area is renowned for its five pristine lakes, lush forests, and a plethora of outdoor activities, making it a popular destination for tourists seeking a tranquil escape from the city's hustle and bustle. The market experiences a surge during the summer months, with guests flocking to enjoy water sports, hiking, and fishing. The winter season also attracts a fair share of visitors, particularly those interested in skiing and snowboarding. The community is predominantly residential, with a mix of rustic cabins, modern homes, and quaint cottages, offering a diverse range of options for potential Airbnb hosts. The local regulations are generally supportive of short-term rentals, contributing to a thriving Airbnb market.

In Highland Lakes, New Jersey, the Airbnb market experiences significant seasonality, largely influenced by the area's natural attractions and climate. The peak season typically begins in late spring and extends through the summer months, when guests are drawn to the area's beautiful lakes and outdoor recreational activities. During this period, Airbnb hosts can expect higher occupancy rates and can potentially charge higher rates due to increased demand. Conversely, the off-peak season, primarily the colder months, sees a decrease in tourism, leading to lower occupancy rates. However, the winter season does attract a niche market of winter sports enthusiasts, which can provide a steady, albeit smaller, stream of guests. Understanding these seasonal trends can help hosts in Highland Lakes optimize their pricing strategies and maximize their revenue.

In Highland Lakes, New Jersey, Airbnb hosts must be aware of and comply with a variety of local regulations. The state of New Jersey imposes a 6.625% state sales tax and a 5% occupancy fee on short-term rentals, which hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting. Additionally, Vernon Township, where Highland Lakes is located, requires all short-term rental property owners to obtain a rental permit annually. This involves an inspection of the property to ensure it meets health and safety standards. It's also important to note that the Highland Lakes Country Club and Community Association, which governs much of the area, has its own set of rules and regulations regarding rentals, which hosts should familiarize themselves with to avoid potential issues.

Managing Airbnb properties in Highland Lakes, New Jersey, presents unique challenges and opportunities. The seasonal nature of the market, with peaks during the summer and winter months, requires careful planning and dynamic pricing strategies to maximize occupancy and revenue. Maintenance can also be a challenge due to the harsh winter weather, so it's crucial to have a reliable local team for quick repairs and upkeep. To stand out in this competitive market, hosts should focus on providing exceptional experiences, such as offering local tips for outdoor activities and ensuring homes are cozy and well-equipped for the cold months.

In Highland Lakes, New Jersey, properties that offer amenities such as private docks, kayaks, or paddleboards have a distinct advantage, given the area's reputation as a lake community. With five pristine lakes in the vicinity, guests are often looking for easy access to water activities. Additionally, homes that feature fire pits or outdoor grills tend to be more appealing to those seeking the quintessential lakeside experience. Given the region's natural beauty, properties with large windows, sunrooms, or decks also have a competitive edge, as they allow guests to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Lastly, considering the area's popularity among families, properties that offer kid-friendly amenities such as games, books, or a spacious yard can significantly increase their booking rates.

Market Overview

Highland Lakes, New Jersey, is a vibrant and scenic market for Airbnb hosting, nestled in the heart of the state's Skylands Region. The area is renowned for its five pristine lakes, lush forests, and a plethora of outdoor activities, making it a popular destination for tourists seeking a tranquil escape from the city's hustle and bustle. The market experiences a surge during the summer months, with guests flocking to enjoy water sports, hiking, and fishing. The winter season also attracts a fair share of visitors, particularly those interested in skiing and snowboarding. The community is predominantly residential, with a mix of rustic cabins, modern homes, and quaint cottages, offering a diverse range of options for potential Airbnb hosts. The local regulations are generally supportive of short-term rentals, contributing to a thriving Airbnb market.

Airbnb Seasonality

In Highland Lakes, New Jersey, the Airbnb market experiences significant seasonality, largely influenced by the area's natural attractions and climate. The peak season typically begins in late spring and extends through the summer months, when guests are drawn to the area's beautiful lakes and outdoor recreational activities. During this period, Airbnb hosts can expect higher occupancy rates and can potentially charge higher rates due to increased demand. Conversely, the off-peak season, primarily the colder months, sees a decrease in tourism, leading to lower occupancy rates. However, the winter season does attract a niche market of winter sports enthusiasts, which can provide a steady, albeit smaller, stream of guests. Understanding these seasonal trends can help hosts in Highland Lakes optimize their pricing strategies and maximize their revenue.

Short Term Rental Regulations

In Highland Lakes, New Jersey, Airbnb hosts must be aware of and comply with a variety of local regulations. The state of New Jersey imposes a 6.625% state sales tax and a 5% occupancy fee on short-term rentals, which hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting. Additionally, Vernon Township, where Highland Lakes is located, requires all short-term rental property owners to obtain a rental permit annually. This involves an inspection of the property to ensure it meets health and safety standards. It's also important to note that the Highland Lakes Country Club and Community Association, which governs much of the area, has its own set of rules and regulations regarding rentals, which hosts should familiarize themselves with to avoid potential issues.

Best Practices for Management

Managing Airbnb properties in Highland Lakes, New Jersey, presents unique challenges and opportunities. The seasonal nature of the market, with peaks during the summer and winter months, requires careful planning and dynamic pricing strategies to maximize occupancy and revenue. Maintenance can also be a challenge due to the harsh winter weather, so it's crucial to have a reliable local team for quick repairs and upkeep. To stand out in this competitive market, hosts should focus on providing exceptional experiences, such as offering local tips for outdoor activities and ensuring homes are cozy and well-equipped for the cold months.

Locations and Amenities

In Highland Lakes, New Jersey, properties that offer amenities such as private docks, kayaks, or paddleboards have a distinct advantage, given the area's reputation as a lake community. With five pristine lakes in the vicinity, guests are often looking for easy access to water activities. Additionally, homes that feature fire pits or outdoor grills tend to be more appealing to those seeking the quintessential lakeside experience. Given the region's natural beauty, properties with large windows, sunrooms, or decks also have a competitive edge, as they allow guests to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Lastly, considering the area's popularity among families, properties that offer kid-friendly amenities such as games, books, or a spacious yard can significantly increase their booking rates.

How It Works

Meet with membership

Connect With Local Pros

Summer matches you with top vacation rental managers who know the Highland Lakes, New Jersey market and can help you maximize your revenue and improve guest experiences. 

We'll make sure to introduce you to Airbnb managers who offer the right services for your needs.

Get Onboarded

Seamless Onboarding

Your manager can handle everything—from listing setup and pricing optimization to guest communication and maintenance.

They’ll take care of professional photography, lockbox installation, profile setup, and everything you need to get your Highland Lakes, New Jersey property guest-ready.

Collect Revenue

Sit Back And Earn

With the right vacation rental property manager, your home is in good hands.

They'll handle the bookings, guests, pricing updates, and day-to-day operations while you enjoy stress-free earnings and more time for what matters most.

Who We Trust

What makes our partners stand out from other short-term rental property managers in Highland Lakes, New Jersey

Access to the Summer Network

Personalized Support

Each home and host is different. The best property managers work with you to find the services and support that make sense.

Best in class revenue Optimization

Demonstrated Earnings

Your investment is important. Our partners have proven they can substantially increase revenue on properties over market averages.

Accuracy with our technology

Tech-Forward Focus

The best property managers use data to make smart decisions, and technology to create seamless guest experiences.

Trusted brand reputation

Trusted Brand Reputation

We partner with property managers with Superhost status and high guest ratings, so guests always know what to expect.

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Who’s a good fit for a professional manager?

You think your short-term rental can make more money

Your property is not beating market averages, getting enough bookings, or does not have visibility across the major rental platforms.

You want a partner where you are valued

Our preferred managers build personal relationships with all of their owners and care about each property like it's their own.

You want hassle-free hosting

Whether you're down the street or a flight away, dealing with guest inquiries, cleaning, and everything in between is too time consuming and challenging.

Ready To Get Started Form

Get connected

We'd love to hear about what you're looking for, and we’ll connect you with top vacation property managers in your area!

FAQ

Answers to common questions

What is vacation rental property management?

Vacation rental property management is a service provider that maintains and improves a vacation rental on behalf of owners. They manage the ongoing operation, marketing, maintenance, and promotion of a vacation rental, short-term rental, or Airbnb property.

What services does a vacation rental manager offer?

Most managers offer partial or complete end-to-end management of vacation rental properties. Complete management includes all aspects of home maintenance, cleaning, guest and host communications, and marketing, pricing, and promotion of your property. In addition to these services, Summer connects owners and hosts with professional design and investing services for their vacation home.

Can they help me convert an existing home into a vacation rental?

Absolutely! Many property managers do onboard homes that were recently purchased or are being converted into vacation rentals. The best teams will provide advice, guidance, and services to help your home prepare for its short-term rental launch.

How long does the onboarding process take?

The onboarding process usually takes 2-4 weeks. This gives the manager and owner ample time to inspect the property, get it ready for guests, and get the listing live. In the event that owners need additional time to furnish or otherwise improve the property, the onboarding process can be extended.

Will I get a smart lock?

Yes, most managers provide a smart lock. This helps them operate the home and seamlessly let guests in. While there is some upfront expense associated with the lock and some additional time to set it up, there’s nothing worse than a guest not being able to access the property when they arrive.

Will they take updated photos of the property?

In most cases, your manager will hire a professional photographer to do a shoot at the home. This happens after the home is both cleaned and staged for photography. This helps the home stand out on vacation rental booking sites and results in better bookings overall. If you have really high-quality photos already, you can skip this step in the onboarding process.

How do I know my property will be safe with guests?

Professional managers put a number of security measures in place at the home to monitor noise and avoid unwanted guests in the property. Most also have built-in procedures for resolving any immediate guest issues involving parties, extra guests, and anything else in violation of the booking and local laws and requirements.