The “Full Service” Myth

“Full-service management.”
It sounds great—until you look closer.

Big-box brands like Vacasa, Prime Vacations, and IPG love that phrase because it hides a truth they hope you won’t question:
Their service might be full, but so is the invoice.

At Sarasota Property Rentals, we’ve reviewed hundreds of owner statements from national managers. The same pattern shows up every time—hidden markups, duplicate charges, and fine print that quietly drains thousands from owners every year.

Let’s pull the curtain back.

1. The Management Fee Isn’t the Whole Story

Most big-box companies advertise a 20–30% management fee.
But that’s just the headline number.

Underneath, you’ll often find:

• “Maintenance coordination” add-ons

• Cleaning markups of 15–25%

• Admin fees for simple vendor payments

• “Technology fees” for using their own dashboard

By the time the dust settles, many owners are paying closer to 35–40% of gross revenue—not 20%.

We’ve seen statements where cleaning alone costs $75 more per turnover because of hidden surcharges.

Our model is simple: clear pricing, no markups, no surprises.

2. The “Vendor Shuffle” That Pads Their Profit

National managers rarely handle cleaning or maintenance in-house.
They subcontract to third-party vendors, then add their own profit margin.

That means you’re paying for two companies to manage the same task—and neither is fully accountable.

We work directly with Sarasota-based cleaners and maintenance professionals.
No layers, no mystery invoices. You see exactly what’s billed and exactly who did the work.

3. The “Restock and Supply” Trap

Another hidden line item: restocking fees.

It sounds harmless—“$30 supply fee.” But multiply that by 30–40 turns per year, and you’re out more than a thousand dollars for items that cost half as much at retail.

We built our system around transparent, itemized restocking.
Every supply charge is tracked, photographed, and cost-controlled.

Because “housekeeping fee” shouldn’t be code for “owner blind spot.”

4. “Marketing Fees” That Don’t Actually Market

Vacasa and similar companies charge for “marketing exposure.”
Translation: your listing sits on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com—the same places you could list for free.

Meanwhile, your property’s photos, copy, and placement stay generic.

At Sarasota Property Rentals, every property gets its own listing strategy, SEO-tuned descriptions, and platform optimization.
You’re not paying for “marketing.” You’re paying for results.

5. Technology Fees That Punish Owners

Here’s the irony: many “tech fees” fund dashboards that benefit the management company, not you.

They automate their workflows but do nothing to improve your insight.

We include all technology—dynamic pricing, owner portal, and reporting—in your management fee.
Our tools help you see what’s happening in real time, not after the fact.

Transparency is built in, not billed extra.

6. When “National Scale” Means Local Neglect

Big-box brands justify their costs by claiming “national expertise.”
But scale doesn’t equal service—it often replaces it.

We see it constantly:

• Missed cleanings due to regional scheduling errors

• Delayed maintenance approvals

• Call centers that can’t answer basic property questions

Owners pay premium fees and get discount attention.

Our Sarasota team manages locally, inspects personally, and communicates directly.
No middlemen. No confusion. No “We’ll get back to you.”

7. Case Study: The Hidden-Fee Wake-Up Call

One Longboat Key homeowner joined us after a year with a national manager.
Their “20% fee” turned into 37% after hidden charges.

We ran a full audit, eliminated markup vendors, and rebuilt pricing transparency.
Within three months:

• Monthly owner payouts rose 28%

• Cleaning costs dropped $60 per turnover

• Guest satisfaction improved with better consistency

Same property. Same guests. Just honest management.

8. Transparency Is the New Luxury

High-end owners care about presentation—but the smartest ones care even more about clarity.

When you know exactly where every dollar goes, you make better decisions.
And when your manager shares that information openly, you know you’ve found the right partner.

At Sarasota Property Rentals, transparency isn’t marketing—it’s math.

Free Property Audit

Wondering if your current manager’s “20% fee” is really 20%?
Book Your Free Property Audit with Sarasota Property Rentals.

We’ll review your existing statements, invoices, and revenue reports to show exactly where you might be overpaying—and how much you could save with transparent management.

No cost. No commitment. Just clear answers and honest numbers.