The Gold Standard of Vacation Rental Management in St. Augustine and Beyond.

The short term rental industry is crowded. Everyone claims they handle everything. Everyone touts top tier service. And every property management company swears they have the secret formula.

But the truth is simple. Most management companies are using the same playbook and the same tools. The real separation between winners and the rest comes down to execution, communication, accountability, and how much they genuinely care about both the property and the owner behind it.

At In The Sun Vacation Rentals, we built our business by experiencing the wrong way first.

Different Management Models and Why They Matter

Before choosing a manager, owners need to understand which structure fits their goals, level of control, and desire for transparency.

Traditional Full Service Management

This structure handles everything from operations to listing creation, but places the property under the management company’s name. They control the listing, the registration, and the revenue flow. The owner receives a monthly payout after fees and expenses are subtracted. It sounds simple, but it often comes with reduced transparency, reduced control, and very little long term ownership value when it comes to reviews or guest history.

Co Hosting Management

This model provides the same full service experience but maintains total owner control. Owners keep the property registered under their own name or LLC. They receive all revenue directly. All reviews live on the owner’s accounts, not the management company’s. Owners also see communication logs, vendor billing, and all financial details.

This is the model In The Sun operates under. It creates true transparency and preserves the long term value of the owner’s asset.

Why Management Companies Say the Same Things Yet Perform Differently

Every company markets the same bullet points. Guest communication. Cleaning. Maintenance. Listings. Pricing tools. These things are standard now. The real difference is in the parts you cannot automate.

Communication is everything. Proactive updates, clear expectations, and consistent follow through make or break guest experience and owner trust.

Problem solving is where the average managers fall apart. Answering a message is easy. Handling a real issue at the moment it happens without panicking or passing blame is a different skill.

Availability matters. Guests operate twenty four seven. A management company should too.

Relationships matter. Owners should feel like partners, not numbers on a roster.

Protecting the asset matters. A property is not a listing. It is an investment that deserves the same level of care and attention as any long term financial vehicle.

How We Built a Higher Standard

When we purchased our first vacation rental in St. Augustine, Florida, we hired a management company. The performance was poor, communication was worse, and the entire system felt designed to trap owners instead of empower them. We saw every misstep firsthand. And that experience shaped the blueprint for In The Sun.

We set out to create the most transparent, owner centered management model possible. One that forces us to perform at a high level every single day because owners can see everything. One that values long term relationships and long term results. One that never hides behind confusing billing or unclear communication.

Our Approach to Turning Properties Into Market Leaders in St. Augustine, FL

High performance is not luck. It is strategy paired with execution.

We begin with real market analysis that explains not just how much a property can earn, but why similar homes perform well or poorly. We study top properties, evaluate seasonality, identify gaps in the market, and determine exactly who the target guest is before a single design decision is made.

Design comes next. Not arbitrary furniture choices. Intentional design built around the specific guest demographic we want to attract. Every layout, feature, and amenity supports a revenue strategy.

We pair this foundation with strategic pricing, strong hospitality practices, and a communication system that feels personal instead of automated. From the first inquiry to checkout, guests feel cared for and owners feel informed.

Today In The Sun maintains perfect five star reviews across fifteen properties in St Augustine (view properties). That record exists because we never cut corners and we never allow mediocrity to creep into the process.

Here are some more stats:

Total Reservations: 618

Avg. Nightly Rental Rate: $478.12

Average Length of Stay: 4.36 Nights

The Result for Owners

Owners who work with In The Sun gain peace of mind, consistent performance, and a management partner who treats their asset like their own. We focus on transparency, trust, and results. We know what owners expect, and we know how to deliver it.

If you want a management company that operates at a higher level, visit In The Sun and inquire about how we can support your vacation rental goals.