1. Why List on VRBO?

VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) is one of the pioneering platforms in the vacation rental industry. Owned by the Expedia Group, VRBO has a vast audience of travelers looking for alternative accommodations that span condos, apartments, vacation homes, cottages, and more. Key reasons to consider VRBO:

• Wider Reach: VRBO listings are often distributed to Expedia and its partner sites, enhancing visibility.
• Targeted Audience: VRBO traditionally attracted family-oriented and longer-stay travelers. If you cater to groups or families, this can be ideal.
• Additional Booking Channel: Diversifying your listings across multiple platforms ensures your property is always discoverable, reducing the risk of vacancies.

Even if VRBO’s interface feels less polished compared to some competitors, it remains an important resource for serious hosts. More bookings mean more revenue, and VRBO can become a reliable secondary—or even primary—source of reservations.

2. Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Begin

Before you start creating a listing on VRBO, gather the following essentials:

1. High-Quality Photos: At least a few professional or well-lit pictures of your property’s exterior, bedrooms, bathrooms, living area, and kitchen.
2. Accurate Description: Prepare your property’s highlights—amenities, nearby attractions, and unique selling points.
3. Pricing Strategy: Decide on a nightly base rate, cleaning fee, deposit, and any special discounts (like a “fast-start” or “early bird” discount).
4. Banking Information: VRBO will require your bank account details to transfer payments once guests have stayed.

By having these items ready, you’ll speed up the process and ensure your listing is as thorough as possible from day one.

3. Creating a VRBO Account

3.1 Fast Start Option vs. Manual Setup

After navigating to VRBO.com (or your local equivalent), you’ll notice an option to create your listing manually or use a “Fast Start” feature. The “Fast Start” option allows you to import some information from an existing Airbnb or Booking.com listing (such as images and descriptions). However, as highlighted in the transcript, it’s not as “fast” as the name implies. You usually have to wait up to 24 hours (or more) for VRBO to contact you and complete the import.

Recommended Approach: If you prefer immediacy and hands-on control, start your listing manually. You can always edit and refine your property’s details in the VRBO dashboard.

3.2 Important Caveat about the VRBO App

The VRBO mobile app is often cited as less user-friendly than the desktop version. If you’re creating a brand-new listing, it’s best to do this on a laptop or desktop computer. You’ll have better access to all the fields and settings without the constraints of a smaller screen or limited app functionality.

4. Adding Your Property’s Basic Details

Once you’ve created a login (and verified your email and phone number), VRBO will guide you through a multi-step form to input key details about your listing.

4.1 Address and Contact Verification

• Exact vs. Approximate Location: VRBO lets you choose whether to show the precise location of your property or an approximate area. If you’re comfortable with guests knowing the exact address, this can help prospective travelers see proximity to landmarks and attractions.
• Phone Number Confirmation: VRBO typically sends a text verification code to confirm your contact. Enter the code, and you’re set.

4.2 Entering Bedrooms, Bathrooms, and Amenities

• Bedrooms: Specify the number of bedrooms, along with each room’s bed type (e.g., one queen bed or two single/twin beds).
• Bathrooms: Indicate full, half, or shared bathrooms. Include additional conveniences such as bathtubs, showers, provided towels, shampoo, or hair dryers.
• Kitchen & Common Areas: If your property has a living room sofa bed or any “extra” sleeping area, mention it under “Additional Space.”

4.3 Uploading Photos

High-quality images can make or break your listing. VRBO will prompt you to add photos:

1. Cover Photo: This is the first image guests see. Pick the most visually appealing shot of your property—perhaps the best bedroom view or a striking living area.
2. Additional Images: You can upload multiple photos and reorder them later. Ideally, cover each significant space (kitchen, living area, bathrooms, bedrooms, and any unique features).

5. Headline, Description, and House Rules

5.1 Crafting a Catchy Headline

Your VRBO headline is often the first thing travelers see when browsing through the platform’s listings. Try to showcase what sets your property apart:

• Examples:
  • “Cozy 2-Bedroom Apartment Steps from the Beach!”
  • “Modern Condo Near Downtown Attractions with Stunning Views”

5.2 Writing a Compelling Description

VRBO allows up to a certain character limit in the primary “description” field. Use this space to highlight:

• Location Benefits: Mention if your property is near downtown hotspots, beaches, or ski resorts.
• Key Amenities: Wi-Fi, air conditioning, on-site laundry, parking availability, and anything else that adds value.
• Unique Features: Any special touches—like a private balcony, renovated kitchen, or scenic view.

Tip: Spend time polishing your description. VRBO’s audience tends to be family or group-oriented, so emphasize how your space accommodates multiple guests comfortably.

5.3 Defining House Rules and Guest Requirements

• Maximum Occupancy: Specify how many guests can stay at once.
• Minimum Age: VRBO uniquely lets you set a minimum age to book. Many hosts choose 21 or 25.
• Children and Pets: If you’re pet-friendly or family-friendly, check the corresponding boxes.
• Smoking: Indicate if your property is smoke-free or has designated smoking areas.

6. Pricing Your Property

6.1 Base Rate

Your nightly “Base Rate” is the foundational price for your listing. You can choose to fine-tune it later with dynamic pricing tools or seasonal adjustments.

Dynamic Pricing Note: If you’re serious about maximizing revenue and occupancy, consider a third-party dynamic pricing tool. You’ll set general parameters (minimum and maximum nightly rate), and the tool updates your VRBO calendar automatically.

6.2 Cleaning Fees and Additional Charges

• Cleaning Fees: VRBO allows you to charge a cleaning fee per stay or per night.
• Pet Fees: If you allow pets, you can set a separate charge to cover extra cleaning or potential wear and tear.

6.3 Offering Introductory Discounts

When you first list, you have no reviews—making it harder to compete against established properties. One strategy is offering a promotional discount, such as 20% off for the first few bookings, to encourage initial reviews. Once you have positive feedback, you can adjust your rate accordingly.

7. Managing Calendar and Booking Preferences

7.1 Minimum Nights, Lead Time, and Booking Window

• Minimum Stay: Decide the shortest number of nights you’ll allow (e.g., 2 nights).
• Lead Time: VRBO requires at least a 1-day lead time, meaning you cannot enable same-day bookings. The system only permits 1 day, 2 days, etc., as the closest lead.
• Booking Window: Choose how far out guests can book—9 months, 12 months, or longer.

7.2 Opening or Blocking Dates

VRBO lets you select ranges on your calendar and mark them as open or blocked:

• Open: Available for booking.
• Blocked: Unavailable for guests—perfect if you want to reserve your rental for personal use or maintenance.
• Adding Manual Reservations: You can also add a “hold” or personal reservation to ensure the calendar accurately reflects non-guest usage.

7.3 Instant Booking vs. 24-hour Review

• Instant Booking: Guests can book immediately if the dates are available.
• 24-hour Review: You’ll have a day to accept or decline.

Most guests prefer instant booking because it streamlines planning. As a host, enabling it often boosts your listing’s visibility and attractiveness.

8. Detailed Property Setup in the Dashboard

After completing the initial listing steps, VRBO brings you to your dashboard. While it says “Your property is live,” new listings usually undergo a review period (24 to 48 hours) before actually appearing in search results. During this waiting time, you can refine your listing details.

8.1 Editing Property Details

Go to Property > Property Details. You’ll see options to Edit Property. This section covers:

• Property Status: Hidden (in review) or published (live in search).
• Plan: VRBO used to offer an annual subscription fee—this is largely discontinued. Most hosts operate on a per-booking commission model (around 8% host fee plus ~10% guest fee).
• Expedia Distribution: VRBO is owned by Expedia. Your listing typically appears on Expedia after a few days.

8.2 Amenities and Room Assignments

Under Property > Property Details > Amenities, you’ll find a comprehensive list to check off:

• Indoor Amenities: Wi-Fi, air conditioning, TV, washer/dryer, etc.
• Kitchen Essentials: Microwave, stove, refrigerator, utensils, coffee maker, toaster, and so on.
• Entertainment Features: Cable TV, streaming services, board games, or video gaming equipment.
• Outdoor or Special Amenities: Balcony, deck, pool, hot tub, or beach access.

Room assignments let you categorize which photos belong to each bedroom, bathroom, or living area, ensuring a more organized listing layout.

8.3 Photos, Videos, and Virtual Tours

• Photos: Reorder images in the gallery, assign them to specific rooms, and choose the perfect cover photo.
• Video: VRBO supports adding a YouTube URL, which can significantly enhance guests’ understanding of your space. (Airbnb still doesn’t allow direct video links in listings.)
• Virtual Tours: VRBO partners with third-party providers for 360° tours. While potentially valuable for higher-end or unique properties, these services can be expensive.

8.4 Health, Safety, and Contact Information

• Health & Safety: Indicate whether you follow enhanced cleaning measures. Check off safety features like smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and deadbolt locks.
• Property Manager Details: If someone other than you handles day-to-day communication or maintenance, list them here. Otherwise, simply use your contact info.

9. Payment and Damage Protection

9.1 Adding Bank Details

Under Payment Options (or the “Payment” section in your dashboard), enter your bank account information. VRBO will deposit your earnings once the guest has completed their stay, typically within 5–7 business days.

9.2 Setting Damage Deposits

Hosts can add a damage deposit that guests must cover in case of property damage:

• Recommended Ranges: Many hosts choose anywhere from \$200 to \$500, depending on their home’s value and furnishings.
• Automatic vs. Manual: VRBO can automatically hold this deposit until the reservation ends, then return it if there are no damage claims.

9.3 Payment Schedules and Terms

VRBO uniquely allows you to set how guests pay for their booking, even though the final dispersal to you always arrives post-stay. For instance, you can configure:

• 25% at Booking, 75% at 14 Days Before Check-in
• 50% at Booking, 50% at 14 Days Before Check-in

This customization has no real bearing on when you actually receive the money. But some guests might prefer a staggered payment plan, making your listing more appealing.

10. Tips for Success on VRBO

10.1 Writing Effective Property Descriptions

• Focus on Benefits: Instead of just listing features, explain why they’re beneficial (e.g., “Enjoy your morning coffee on the private balcony overlooking the lush garden.”).
• Use Clear Formatting: Break paragraphs into smaller sections, use bullet points for amenities, and consider bolded headlines for clarity.

10.2 Handling Guest Communication

• VRBO Inbox: All inquiries and reservation requests appear here. Check daily, as response speed can impact your listing performance.
• Mobile Notifications: While the VRBO app is less comprehensive for listing creation, it can be handy for quick responses to guest messages.

10.3 Dealing with Cancellations and Refunds

• Cancellation Policy: Choose from VRBO’s preset policies (e.g., “Strict,” “Moderate,” or “Flexible”). This policy determines how much a guest is refunded when canceling.
• Clear House Rules: Minimizing misunderstandings upfront reduces last-minute cancellations and disputes.

10.4 Leveraging Expedia Distribution

Because VRBO is an Expedia brand, your listing will eventually appear on Expedia and its affiliated sites, broadening your audience. This process typically takes several days after your listing is fully approved. Once live, check your listing on these partner channels to confirm everything looks accurate.

11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How soon will my VRBO listing appear in search results?
It usually takes anywhere from 24 to 48 hours for VRBO to review new listings. In some cases, it may take a bit longer to appear on partner sites like Expedia.

Q2. Does VRBO allow same-day bookings?
No, VRBO mandates at least a 1-day lead time. If you need maximum flexibility, keep this limitation in mind.

Q3. How do I connect my existing Airbnb listing with VRBO?
Use VRBO’s “Fast Start” feature to pull content and photos from Airbnb. However, the actual setup still requires phone verification and can take up to 24 hours for VRBO to finalize the import.

Q4. Do I receive payments immediately when the guest books?
No, VRBO (like most platforms) releases funds after the guest’s check-in or check-out, typically a few business days post-departure, to ensure any issues or damages are resolved.

Q5. Can I set a specific check-in day of the week (e.g., Saturday check-ins only)?
Yes. Under Calendar > Settings > Advanced, you can restrict check-in and check-out to specific days. This is particularly helpful for traditional vacation rentals in resort areas that prefer weekly or weekend-only turnover.

12. Conclusion

Listing your property on VRBO in 2025 may feel complicated at first, but it’s well worth the effort. As a platform owned by Expedia, VRBO offers substantial exposure to travelers who may not be browsing exclusively on Airbnb or Booking.com. By following these step-by-step instructions and thoroughly detailing your property, you’ll be in a strong position to secure additional bookings.

Key Takeaways:

1. Use Manual Setup (or “Fast Start” if you’re patient) to populate your listing quickly and accurately.
2. Complete Every Detail: From amenities and house rules to bed sizes, thoroughness improves your listing’s chances of standing out in search.
3. Optimize Your Pricing: Consider special discounts for your first guests, and utilize dynamic pricing tools for long-term profitability.
4. Check Your Calendar Settings: Decide on lead times, booking windows, and whether to enable instant booking or a 24-hour review.
5. Be Responsive: Once your listing is live, be active in replying to inquiries. Good communication fosters positive reviews.

The more effort you invest in setting up your VRBO listing accurately from the start, the fewer headaches you’ll face later. While VRBO’s interface has its quirks, it remains a solid platform that can generate consistent bookings and revenue. With your new VRBO listing online, you’ll tap into a broader traveler base and create a more robust, diversified vacation rental business.

Ready to give VRBO a try? Follow this guide, add your personal touch, and watch your booking calendar fill up with happy guests. By diligently maintaining and updating your property details, you’ll maximize both occupancy and guest satisfaction—leading to stellar reviews and long-term success in the vacation rental market.

For more details on the platform’s official host obligations, check out our in-depth article on VRBO Host Requirements.