Dictionary
This Glossary is provided to help guests understand more about the rental of inns, resorts and vacation rentals. It is not comprehensive but serves as a primer for terms guests may encounter in renting specialty lodging. Not all terms apply to all properties or managers.
VRMLS - Vacation Rental Multiple Listing Service
The world's first Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for Vacation Rentals this is an Open-Listing and Open-Distribution system. Owner and Manager Members can post Properties once and have them distributed to websites around the world. Website Publisher Members can retrieve records and display the on their website.
Similar to the MLS's which have server real estate brokerage for decades; VRMLS is owned by the Vacation Rental Association a Not-For-Profit organization. The term "VRMLS" is an owned trademark.
See also: VRIA Origin: Vacation Rental Association Link: VRMLS.org
VROA - Vacation Rental Owners Association
The Vacation Rental Owners Association (VROA) was a trade association comprised of members who own homes and vendors who support them. Became the Vacation Rental Association (VRIA) to support all constituents in the industry.
See also: VRIA, VRMG, VRMLS, VRMA Origin: Vacation Rental Association Link: VROA.org
VVR - Verified Vacation Rental
A lodging unit that has submitted documentation and been verified as a legitimately owned and operated vacation rental by the Vacation Rental Association (VRAI.org). Designated as "Verified Vacation Rental (IVR)". Does not include physical inspection as is included in the "Inspection Vacation Rental (IVR)" Program. The term IVR are trademarks owned by the Vacation Rental Association.
See also: IVR, Inspected Vacation Rental, Blue Ribbon Rental Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Wholesaler Lodging
A lodging operator who sells occupancy through other parties called retailers
See also: Retailers Origin: Redstone Systems
Your Share
Rental program from Sunspot Vacation Rentals that provides advertising and bookings services to owners of timeshares who have dates available to rent.
Origin: May, William
Advance Payment
Payment by the renter to the owner equaling a portion of the total rental amount. The advance payment is applied to the total rent cost.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Beach Front Accommodations
Buildings or rooms and living units in a building which is along side a body of water and generally with a reasonably level geographically between the building and the water. Generally means there are no other buildings between the building and the water. Is more specific than Ocean Front Accommodations which may not be on a beach.
See also: Ocean Front Accommodations Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Beach View
When guests can see a beach (Salt or Fresh Water) from some area of the property, not necessarily from all area of the property. May include Full, Partial or Peekaboo Views.
See also: View, City View, Mountain View, Resort View, Water View Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Buyer
Someone who has entered into a contract to purchase a vacation rental home, but has not yet closed the sale. Once purchased they become an "?Owner" or "Second Home Owner." Should not be used for a company, but rather for its owner or CEO.
See also: Direct Marketing terminology, Owner, Target, Lead, RBO, Complex, Hijack, Client Origin: William May Link: VortexMethod.com
Canceled Stays
The number of guest stays for check-ins during a given period that canceled prior to arrival.
Origin: William May
City View
When guests can see sections of a town or city from some area of the property, not necessarily from all area of the property.. May include Full, Partial or Peekaboo Views.
See also: View, Beach View, Mountain View, Resort View, Water View Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Client
Someone who has hired a professional service such as a property manager, advertising agency, attorney, accountant, etc. Should not be used for a company, but rather for its owner or CEO. Generally not for the sale of goods whose buyers are referred to as Customers.
See also: Direct Marketing terminology, Owner, Target, Lead, RBO, Complex, Hijack, Client Origin: William May Link: VortexMethod.com
Common Calendar
An online calendar which shows a list of available lodging units (room, suites or homes) in a specified Complex or destination; along with available dates. Usually a left hand menu list the units and a top menu shows days or weeks. Booked units are displayed so that a guest can determine which units are available and then make a selection. Available in virtually all lodging software and many lodging websites. Also called a Tape or Grid.
See also: Availability Calendar Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Condotel
(1) A hotel room that is sold as if it were a home, but lacks certain common home features such as a full kitchen.
(2) Any condominium project where homes are operated as a hotel with a registration desk, cleaning service and more. The units are individually owned. Unit owners also have the option to place their unit in the hotels rental program where it is rented out like any other hotel room. Generally, condotels are sold as a second or third home.
NOTE: Mortgage financing for any property categorized as a Condotel may be labeled as "Non-Warrantable" and not financeable in the USA under Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lending programs.
Origin: Investopedia & VRIA
Fleece
Another word for towels, wash cloths and math mats
See also: Textiles, linens, towels Origin: May, William
High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photos
Digital photos taken and processed to produce the most life-like quality and colors possible. Used extensively for quality architectural and lodging photographs. Techniques that allow a greater luminance's between light and dark so they more accurately the wide range of real scenes.
Origin: Wikipedia Link: Wikipedia.com
Key Safe
A stout box which can be attached to a build, that requires a user to punch in a numerical combination code in order to retrieve a key from inside. Usually a mechanical device, not electronic. Some types can be hung on a door knob.
Origin: Istay
Linens
Usually cotton materials used for sheets, pillow cases and other bedding
See also: Bedding, Textiles, towels, fleece Origin: May, William
Lodging Taxes
Includes the sales, tourism and sometimes other taxes imposed on lodging by governments in a given destination. Facilities are required to add these taxes to the price of lodging and sometimes other costs.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Looker
Someone who is looking to purchase a vacation rental home. Not all lookers end up buying. Should not be used for a company, but rather for its owner or CEO.
See also: client, buyer, unit Origin: William May Link: VortexMethod.com