Pass the Keys is excited to announce its expansion into beautiful North Devon. Pass the Keys – North Devon is owned and operated by locals Matt and Natalie Ray and covers the idyllic hotspots of Croyde, Braunton, Woolacombe, Ilfracombe, Barnstaple and everywhere in between.
We interviewed Matt and Natalie to find out why they decided to become Pass the Keys Franchise Partners:
Tell us about yourselves!
Hi, we are Natalie and Matt, and we are working together on our first full-time joint venture together, pooling our knowledge of hospitality, operations, and events to provide a first-class and personal lettings business to homeowners in North Devon.
Why did you partner with Pass the Keys?
After agreeing that we wanted to be self-employed again and much lockdown brainstorming and research, we decided that Pass the Keys not only ticked all the boxes but crucially was aligned with our values too.
The digital technology utilised by Pass the Keys provides complete transparency between Franchise Partner and the homeowner on all financial and security matters and delivers effective communication. At the fingertips of every owner is a very user-friendly app, which shares all the information about their property from the bookings and the revenue status to the guest history and real-time photos of the latest clean!
Pass the Keys not only allows the homeowner to book their property for their own stays whenever they desire and never ties them down into long, onerous contracts, meaning clients stay because they are happy and not contracted to.
Why is North Devon good for short-letting on platforms like Airbnb?
North Devon continues to boom from the staycation culture that has thrived due to factors such as Brexit and Covid; and with sites like AirBnB, occupancy rates are high all year round.
This is a great opportunity for property owners to really capitalise on ‘the new normal’, especially the “digital nomad” boom of professionals who can choose to work from anywhere with a different view!
Why does North Devon need a short-let management company like Pass the Keys?
Not many companies in Devon offer a true end-to-end management service like Pass the Keys, and no one else has the prestigious Airbnb Professional Co-Host status that we do!
We are a locally run partner of a national growing company, who strives for a 5-star service for our clients by providing a tailored and hassle-free management solution. We have the power to maximise our client’s biggest asset – their property.
What are your top tips for homeowners short-letting their property on sites like Airbnb?
Remember you are marketing a holiday experience – not your home, so declutter and keep it simple, freshen up the decor if required. We also recommend hiring a professional to photograph the property. We are more than happy to help with this.
Also try and imagine you or a family member of a different generation are the guests, what would you want and expect. Ensuring the property is well-cleaned, well maintained and well equipped will keep your guests happy and your revenue high.
If you have a passion for the short-letting industry and are looking to become your own boss, then why not consider becoming a Pass the Keys Franchise Partner? Operating and managing properties across their local area, our Franchise Partners are supported by the reputation and technology of a national brand, to grow a successful, cutting-edge local business.