Lakewood, WashingtonLakewood, Washington

Vacation Rental Management in Lakewood, Washington

Discover the best vacation rental management companies in Lakewood, Washington to maximize your revenue and create incredible guest experiences

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Lakewood, Washington Airbnb Management Overview

Lakewood, Washington, is a vibrant city that offers a unique blend of urban and suburban living, making it an attractive market for Airbnb hosts. The city's proximity to major attractions such as Mount Rainier National Park, Tacoma's museums, and the Puget Sound waterfront, draws a diverse range of visitors, from outdoor enthusiasts to culture seekers. Additionally, the presence of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, one of the largest military installations on the West Coast, brings in a steady stream of short-term visitors, including military personnel and their families. The Airbnb market in Lakewood is competitive yet promising, with a growing demand for both budget-friendly accommodations and high-end luxury rentals. The city's diverse demographic and year-round appeal make it a dynamic and potentially lucrative location for Airbnb hosting.

In Lakewood, Washington, the Airbnb market experiences a noticeable fluctuation in demand due to the area's distinct seasons. The peak season typically begins in late spring and extends through the summer months, when the weather is most favorable for outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, and exploring the numerous parks and lakes in the area. During this time, Airbnb hosts can expect higher occupancy rates and can potentially charge higher prices. Conversely, the off-peak season, which generally spans from late fall to early spring, sees a decrease in tourism due to the colder, rainier weather. However, this period also brings opportunities for hosts to attract guests seeking winter activities or those visiting family for the holidays. Understanding these seasonal trends is crucial for hosts in order to optimize their pricing strategies and maximize their revenue.

In Lakewood, Washington, Airbnb hosts must be aware of and comply with a variety of local regulations. The city requires that all short-term rental properties be licensed, with the license number clearly displayed in all listings. Additionally, hosts must adhere to zoning laws which may limit the number of guests or the type of property that can be rented. There are also specific rules regarding safety and health standards, including the provision of smoke detectors and the maintenance of sanitary conditions. It's important to note that Lakewood has a transient lodging tax that hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting to the city. Non-compliance with these regulations can result in fines or the revocation of the rental license.

Managing Airbnb properties in Lakewood, Washington presents unique challenges due to the city's diverse market and seasonal fluctuations. The key to successful management lies in understanding the local market trends, particularly the high demand during the summer months and the lull in the winter. It's crucial to adjust pricing strategies accordingly to maximize occupancy and revenue. Regular maintenance and quick response to guest inquiries are also essential to ensure positive reviews and repeat bookings. Additionally, fostering good relationships with the local community can help in resolving any potential issues swiftly.

In Lakewood, Washington, the Airbnb market thrives on the city's unique blend of urban and natural attractions. Properties that offer amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, fully equipped kitchens, and dedicated workspaces are highly sought after by business travelers and digital nomads. On the other hand, proximity to outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and boating is a major draw for leisure travelers. Therefore, properties near the lakes or parks, or those with outdoor amenities like BBQ grills, patios, or fire pits, tend to attract more bookings. Additionally, given Lakewood's rich history and culture, properties that incorporate local art or design elements can also stand out in this market.

Market Overview

Lakewood, Washington, is a vibrant city that offers a unique blend of urban and suburban living, making it an attractive market for Airbnb hosts. The city's proximity to major attractions such as Mount Rainier National Park, Tacoma's museums, and the Puget Sound waterfront, draws a diverse range of visitors, from outdoor enthusiasts to culture seekers. Additionally, the presence of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, one of the largest military installations on the West Coast, brings in a steady stream of short-term visitors, including military personnel and their families. The Airbnb market in Lakewood is competitive yet promising, with a growing demand for both budget-friendly accommodations and high-end luxury rentals. The city's diverse demographic and year-round appeal make it a dynamic and potentially lucrative location for Airbnb hosting.

Airbnb Seasonality

In Lakewood, Washington, the Airbnb market experiences a noticeable fluctuation in demand due to the area's distinct seasons. The peak season typically begins in late spring and extends through the summer months, when the weather is most favorable for outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, and exploring the numerous parks and lakes in the area. During this time, Airbnb hosts can expect higher occupancy rates and can potentially charge higher prices. Conversely, the off-peak season, which generally spans from late fall to early spring, sees a decrease in tourism due to the colder, rainier weather. However, this period also brings opportunities for hosts to attract guests seeking winter activities or those visiting family for the holidays. Understanding these seasonal trends is crucial for hosts in order to optimize their pricing strategies and maximize their revenue.

Short Term Rental Regulations

In Lakewood, Washington, Airbnb hosts must be aware of and comply with a variety of local regulations. The city requires that all short-term rental properties be licensed, with the license number clearly displayed in all listings. Additionally, hosts must adhere to zoning laws which may limit the number of guests or the type of property that can be rented. There are also specific rules regarding safety and health standards, including the provision of smoke detectors and the maintenance of sanitary conditions. It's important to note that Lakewood has a transient lodging tax that hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting to the city. Non-compliance with these regulations can result in fines or the revocation of the rental license.

Best Practices for Management

Managing Airbnb properties in Lakewood, Washington presents unique challenges due to the city's diverse market and seasonal fluctuations. The key to successful management lies in understanding the local market trends, particularly the high demand during the summer months and the lull in the winter. It's crucial to adjust pricing strategies accordingly to maximize occupancy and revenue. Regular maintenance and quick response to guest inquiries are also essential to ensure positive reviews and repeat bookings. Additionally, fostering good relationships with the local community can help in resolving any potential issues swiftly.

Locations and Amenities

In Lakewood, Washington, the Airbnb market thrives on the city's unique blend of urban and natural attractions. Properties that offer amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, fully equipped kitchens, and dedicated workspaces are highly sought after by business travelers and digital nomads. On the other hand, proximity to outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and boating is a major draw for leisure travelers. Therefore, properties near the lakes or parks, or those with outdoor amenities like BBQ grills, patios, or fire pits, tend to attract more bookings. Additionally, given Lakewood's rich history and culture, properties that incorporate local art or design elements can also stand out in this market.

How It Works

Meet with membership

Connect With Local Pros

Summer matches you with top vacation rental managers who know the Lakewood, Washington 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 Lakewood, Washington 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 Lakewood, Washington

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.