Faq's-Home owners looking to partner with sandy steps

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Is Your Home a Good Fit?
Our ideal homeowners are those who have tried working with big-box management companies or local real estate agents but didn’t achieve the success or reviews they were hoping for. We also work with homeowners who have tried managing their property on their own and quickly realized it’s essentially a full-time job.

If this sounds familiar, we may be the perfect partner to take the stress off your shoulders and help your home reach its full potential.

Management Fees & Value
While the industry average for large management companies is typically 18-35%, we usually fall closer to 15–22%, depending on your home and a full analysis of its potential. Without the overhead of “big box” rental companies, we’re able to stay lean—and that’s exactly how we like it!

Bottom line: you might not save a huge amount on our fee, but you can be confident that your home will be managed with far more care, attention, and a strong focus on maximizing your revenue.

When your guests stay with Sandy Steps, they deal directly with the owners—before, during, and after their stay. They will be able to reach us easily through the booking platform, and they are always welcome to request our cell phone numbers as well.

Bottom line: when they reach out, an owner answers. We live right in Bethany, so we’re never far away and are always happy to help.

This is one of the most important questions. Here comes the long answer. 

1. What protection does Airbnb automatically provide for hosts?
Airbnb includes AirCover for Hosts at no extra cost with every listing. This includes:
• Host Damage Protection — Reimbursement for damage a guest causes to your home or belongings during a booked stay, up to certain limits.
• Host Liability Insurance — Covers hosts up to $1 million if a guest or third party is injured or their property is damaged and you’re legally responsible.
• This protection also includes investigation costs and legal defense expenses if a covered claim arises. 

2. What does Airbnb NOT cover?
Airbnb’s protection is not a full insurance policy. There are important limitations:
• It typically only applies during a booked stay — time outside check‑in/check‑out may not be covered.
• It does not replace standard home insurance and has gaps in coverage — e.g., normal wear and tear, acts of nature (storms, floods), theft by non‑guests, and many valuable personal items.
• Valuable items like jewelry, fine art, artwork, and collectibles may not be covered.
• Coverage rules and limits can vary by region and specific claim circumstances. 

3. Is this the same as homeowners insurance?
No. Airbnb’s protection is supplemental and specific to your Airbnb rental activity. It’s not a substitute for your own homeowners, landlord, or short‑term rental insurance policy, which can offer much broader coverage, including:
• Coverage for natural disasters
• Protection for your property between stays
• Protection for personal liability beyond Airbnb claims
• Support for lost rental income from non‑guest causes 

4. Should I get additional insurance?
Yes — most hosts choose to maintain their own short‑term rental or business insurance so there’s no gap in coverage and to protect against risks Airbnb’s policy doesn’t cover. Standard homeowners insurance policies may not cover short‑term rentals without an endorsement or separate policy. 

5. Does Airbnb cover guest belongings or guest injuries?
Airbnb’s liability insurance may help cover claims if a guest is injured on the property or their belongings are damaged by the host’s negligence. However, it does not act as travel or personal property insurance for guests; guests generally must rely on their own insurance for personal injury or loss of their own items.

Your Home, Your Schedule
Of course, you’re always welcome to use your home whenever you like. Just let us know the dates you want to reserve, and we’ll block them on the calendar. The amount you plan to use your home will also be factored into our revenue forecast, which we’ll review together during our initial phone call.

Real-Time Access & Transparency
We use a trusted third-party platform that lets you see your calendar, bookings, and associated revenue in real time. Transparency is key—so you’ll always know exactly what’s happening with your property.

Unlike large rental companies that hold your money for weeks, you get paid faster with Sandy Steps.

• Payouts typically arrive within 24–72 hours of guest check-in.

We also implement stricter cancellation policies and better guest screening, leading to fewer last-minute cancellations and more reliable income.

Direct Owner Support
You’ll work directly with one—or both—of the Sandy Steps owners, who will be your main point of contact every day. We’ll provide our cell phone numbers so you can reach us directly, and anything you need will be addressed promptly.

Home Access & Security
Your home’s security is our top priority. Only you, our management team and our professional cleaning crews will have access—no one else can enter without our direct approval or supervision. We either provide access ourselves or meet anyone who needs to enter in person, so you can rest easy knowing your home is safe.

Focused Local Service
We keep our Delaware portfolio intentionally small, with homes from Rehoboth down to Fenwick, including Dewey, Bethany, Selbyville and Ocean View. Focusing on a smaller area allows us to provide top-notch service to both our guests and our homeowners.

If you’re interested in working with us, please reach out—we’ll be happy to see if your home fits our model.

Co-Host Agreement
We have a simple co-host agreement that clearly outlines our responsibilities—and yours—while we manage your property. We like happy homeowners, and this keeps everything straightforward.

Unlike a traditional real estate or rental management contract, we’re only agreeing to host your property—not sell it—so the process stays clean and simple.

You’ll receive the full agreement to review before anything is finalized, ensuring you’re comfortable every step of the way.

Home Care & Maintenance
With over 30 years of experience in home building and remodeling, we can handle just about anything your property might need. We also have a trusted network of local handymen, plumbers, electricians, and HVAC professionals ready for emergency repairs or routine maintenance during the off-season.

We’re flexible—this can all be handled on a contract basis with hourly rates, or we can simply be the point of contact, meeting your contractors and letting them in. Whether you want full-service management or just a little help, we’re happy to provide exactly what you need.

Getting Started is Easy
It all begins with a quick 10-minute phone call. From there, we’ll create an initial market proposal to show how your home could perform.

Next, we’ll sit down with you to review the proposal, discuss your options, and go over a detailed plan tailored for your home.

Once you’re ready, we move to the final steps to get your property up and running—making the process smooth, simple, and stress-free.

The difference isn’t usually the home—it’s the management.
At Sandy Steps, we take a hands-on, concierge-style approach that sets us apart from national “big box” rental companies and traditional real estate offices that manage rentals as a side service. Real Estate agents will only rent to someone who calls their office. We open your home up to the entire world for booking. To "Big Box" rental companies you are just one of 4,000 homes they manage. We manage less than 20 homes at any one time.  

Our focus is simple: helping your property outperform the market, earn more, and give you peace of mind with less stress.

Better pay leads to better service—and guests notice the difference.
At Sandy Steps, 80-90% of the cleaning fee goes directly to the cleaners, compared to the industry average of 50% or less. 

Because of this, our cleaners are truly invested in the care of your home. They show up reliably, take pride in their work, and consistently go above and beyond.

After each turnover, cleaners submit detailed, time-stamped photo documentation of any issues or damages, giving you clear visibility into your home’s condition.

The result? Higher guest satisfaction, fewer problems, and stronger long-term reviews.

Truly Hands-Off Ownership
We take care of every detail so you can enjoy the benefits of ownership without the day-to-day work. From marketing to maintenance, your home is professionally managed, closely monitored, and thoughtfully cared for at all times.

What We Handle for You
• Professional listing optimization to maximize visibility and bookings
• Dynamic calendar and pricing management to stay competitive year-round
• Guest booking, screening, and full communication from inquiry to checkout
• Cleaning scheduling and hands-on oversight
• Turnover inspections with detailed reports
• Maintenance coordination and issue resolution
• Linen service management
• Review monitoring and transparent owner reporting

Data-Driven Market Analysis
To ensure your home performs at its best, we provide a comprehensive, data-driven market analysis, including:
• Local Airbnb, VRBO, and direct-booking comparisons
• Seasonal nightly rate recommendations
• Occupancy trends and annual revenue projections

Most importantly, we’re always monitoring your home’s performance—and because we only get paid when your home is rented, our success is directly tied to yours.

We Focus on Shoulder & Off-Season Rentals
At Sandy Steps, we put a lot of focus on the shoulder season and off-season rentals. Unlike big-box companies and real estate agencies that often shut down after Labor Day and don’t resume until Memorial Day, we live here year-round and are fully committed to keeping your property active.

By staying local and hands-on, we typically see a 20–30% increase in rentals during these quieter months, helping maximize your property’s performance even when others are closed.