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VRBO has gotten extremely popular in Avon. There are 3,224 VRBO listings for the town, and with Avon offering direct access to the 1815 acres of Beaver Creek Resort, it’s no wonder the “heart of the valley” is a hot search destination. The last time we clicked, 111 people were actively searching along with us! The average nightly price in the winter was north of $780, and it hits $803 in November.

Thats Average Per night…

But can you compete at a 4.7 star level? That’s typical for Avon. And you’ll have to have your game face on to get there.

We’ve managed numerous properties in the Valley (it’s our specialty) and have learned a few tricks along the way. Here’s what you need to know to optimize your VRBO listing in Avon.

Get Out The Good Camera

Real estate photography is a competitive business, and there’s a difference between moody “artsy” photos and the ones that help sell a space! Think bright lights, clean lines, and wide angles, along with color that really pops. The iPhone 11 Pro and similar models can handle the wide angles, otherwise you’re going to want a professional photographer or at least an SLR. And remember: Horizontal shots are better than vertical

Write Away, The Right A-Way

That pun we just used? Classic example of what to avoid. Most people struggle with writing and say “we’ll show rather than tell”. Do both. Photos are absolutely essential, but so is a full description of what you’re offering. Give it some personal flavor and make it clear you have a nice space by describing all the great features on offer.

Play With Promotions

That $803 average nightly rate in November plunges to $435 in September. To optimize your VRBO listing in Avon, you’ve gotta know the seasonal shifts. VRBO has a rate calendar where you can compare what others are charging. In Avon, weekends during ski season are priced a lot higher than weekdays in fall, and traffic also spikes during big events like 970 Avonfest. 

Jump Around

One of the best ways to optimize a VRBO listing is to make sure it isn’t ONLY a VRBO listing. Are you also on Airbnb? Is your listing there equally solid? To avoid double bookings, we recommend using a tool like Guesty to handle both sites at once—or a solid property management company like Away Agents!

VRBO Real Estate in Avon

There is a lot of available VRBO real estate in Avon, and no wonder. The “heart of the valley” is booming with things to do. Plus, most of Avon is legal for short term rentals. An overlay zone district legalizing short term rentals covers most properties, and even many that aren’t officially in the district are legal to rent out (based on the Planned Unit Development or PUD). VRBO currently has 3204 rentals in Avon. Here’s an idea of what the competition looks like.

Pet-Friendly

Many Americans love to travel with their dogs, but hotels don’t always allow it. Private homes are a different story. Making your VRBO listing pet-friendly can be a way to stand out in a competitive market. There are 189 homes in Avon currently listed as pet-friendly on VRBO. One townhome, 2.3 miles from the Avon center, has hardwood floors, a rustic wood look, and a private fenced yard. A unit that’s part of the Riverfront Resort and Spa has a gondola right outside the front door, along with a heated pool and a balcony.

Family-Friendly

Near half the VRBO real estate in Avon is listed as family-friendly. A “studio plus” might have only one bedroom, but it also has direct gondola access to Beaver Creek Mountain, a free luxury shuttle to Vail and BC Village, and a ski and boot valet. With Starbucks and a hot tub on–site, parents can get comfortable while kids run around shrieking. Bigger families might enjoy the 5 bedroom, 3 bath home 0.7 miles from Avon city center with parking, a washer and dryer, and a kitchen.

Great For Groups

It’s more fun to party as a group. A three bedroo, three bath condo can sleep eight, all of whom can dine at once in the well-appointed kitchen. The property has upscale furnishings including marble countertops, hardwood, and leather furniture. With a balcony, a fireplace, multiple large TVs, and a lake 600 feet away, it’s a good place to get the gang together. Another large condo is not even available in the winter because the owners like to use it themselves! They do short term rentals in the summer to help pay the bills and say their 3 bed/3 bath is upgraded and modern. Close to Nottingham Lake and Park, with an onsite management company providing maid service, linens and firewood, it’s a summer getaway for up to 11 people.

There is plenty of VRBO real estate in Avon. If you’re looking to get into the business yourself, we’d be happy to help you out!