When it comes to vacation rental management, finding the right partner can make all the difference. Just ask Karen Willie—a retired attorney based in Seattle who knows a thing or two about doing her homework. After years of managing her Queen Anne property herself and enduring the frustrations of underperforming property management companies, Karen turned to Hosteeva. The results speak for themselves.
From DIY to Disappointment
Karen had managed her six-bedroom home—lovingly known as Walker’s Delight—on her own for the first four years. “I did everything,” she recalls. “Changing beds, cleaning floors—just so I could understand every challenge.” She eventually hired a management agency, which was later bought by a larger firm. That’s when things took a turn.
“The income just nosedived,” Karen explains. “I went from grossing $102,000 down to $41,000. After taxes, insurance, and utilities, I was losing money.”
Doing the Research
Not one to take setbacks lightly, Karen interviewed six vacation rental management companies before landing on Hosteeva. “I was impressed by Tony and the team. They answered everything in depth. I could tell they actually knew what they were talking about,” she says.
Her decision was confirmed when Hosteeva’s co-founder, Tony, personally visited her property to install smart locks and check on the thermostat. “That level of hands-on service was something I hadn’t experienced before,” Karen says. “It showed me they genuinely cared.”
Rebound to Revenue: The Hosteeva Impact
The numbers are stunning. Since switching to Hosteeva in July 2024, Karen’s gross income skyrocketed back to $109,000—surpassing her DIY days and well outpacing her previous managers. “I’m at 70% occupancy for July already. We’re getting guests we never had before—families doing Alaskan cruises, three generations staying together. It’s changed everything.”
Karen attributes the turnaround to Hosteeva’s expansive reach and smart pricing algorithm. “My property is now listed on over 90 sites. That alone is a game-changer,” she explains. “Plus, the dynamic pricing actually works. One weekend, my rate jumped to $1,000 a night—I never saw that kind of responsiveness before.”
The Hosteeva Difference
Karen and her property assistant Kurt both agree: the customer experience has been outstanding.
“With other companies, you might be dealing with a chatbot or someone overseas who doesn’t know your property. With Hosteeva, the communication is personal and fast. Everyone knows who we are and what we need,” says Kurt.
Even the software has impressed them. “I’m 73, not exactly tech-savvy, and I can use it just fine,” Karen laughs. “If I can do it, anyone can.”
A Management Team That Feels Like Family
For Karen, retirement means traveling the world—Taiwan, Japan, the Camino de Santiago—and knowing her property is in good hands. “Hosteeva lets me enjoy my life while still earning income. They’ve restored my confidence in property management.”
Her advice to other owners?
“Do your homework like I did. Look at the reach, the service, the pricing tools. Hosteeva wins on every front.”
See Karen’s property, Walker’s Delight in Queen Anne, Seattle, and experience the Hosteeva difference for yourself.
👉 Curious how Hosteeva can transform your rental business? Book a free demo today and discover what personalized support, smart technology, and unmatched reach can do for your property.
