The Latest Trend in Vacation Rentals is "Book Direct & Save!"

    COLUMBIA, MD, August 09, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- While the Big Booking Sites may seem convenient, they charge vacation renters up to 15% of the rental price just to use their platform. And they charge vacation rental homeowners and property managers up to 6% per booking on top of a hefty yearly subscription.

Bunnie Riedel, President of Riedel Communications, Inc. recently acquired Maryland & Delaware Vacation Rentals by Owner (MDRBO.com) to provide renters and homeowners some needed relief from extra charges by the Big Rental Sites.

No novice to the "Book Direct" model, since 2019, Riedel has owned and managed Virginia & West Virginia Vacation Rentals (VAvacationrentals.com). She reports the Book Direct model works as it should, bringing travelers and vacation rental owners together and saving each party significant money.

"The Big Listing Sites were started to bring together homeowners and renters. That was a model that worked just fine for years," said Riedel. "However, over the last few years the Big Listing Sites have become heavy handed, telling vacation rental owners how to run their business and treating travelers like a commodity. With the Big Sites, if you rent a house for a week at $2,000, you will pay an additional $300 just for using their platform. That's crazy."

Maryland/Delaware Vacation Rentals by Owner never charges the traveler a Booking Fee for using its site to find vacation rental homes. In addition, MDRBO.com does not charge the homeowner a fee per rental. To be on MDRBO.com, homeowners choose between two very affordable subscription rates of $99 (Classic) or $199 (Premium) per year. (See https://www.mdrbo.com/list-your-property for an explanation of subscription levels).

"I also pride myself in the personal level of support I give the homeowners," said Riedel. "I am a vacation rental owner myself and I found the Big Sites became increasingly more difficult and frustrating to use. There are entire Facebook pages dedicated to discussing dissatisfaction with the Big Listing Sites. Some of their policies are very extreme."

Using the motto "Your House, Your Cabin, Your Way" Riedel assures vacation rental homeowners that they have the flexibility to have policies that fit their business model and their property.

"My reviews from homeowners and property managers are very good. They feel confident and often express tremendous gratitude for our 'service first' culture. My goal is to support them in their business, not to deter or punish them."

On the traveler side, Riedel is happy to assist them in their search for their perfect vacation rental.

"Going on vacation and taking time away is precious time for most people. I often have travelers call me to discuss an area or maybe figure out where they want to go," said Riedel. "I spend a lot of time getting to know the houses and the areas where they are located. My business is a member of several local Chambers of Commerce. It makes me happy to help a traveler out because I want them to have a wonderful time on their vacation."

The new start up for Maryland and Delaware can be found at https://mdrbo.com. The Virginia and West Virginia site can be found at https://VAvacationrentals.com

Bunnie Riedel can be reached at [email protected] or 443-864-4517.

Riedel Communications, Inc. has had dozens of clients from the nonprofit to government to business sectors. A Licensed Standards for Excellence Nonprofit Consultant, Riedel has also won awards from local government entities and her writing was entered into the Congressional Record by the late Senator Paul Simon.

As part of a partnership with the State Department, Ms. Riedel has traveled and spoken on various topics internationally and served as a source for the State Department in briefing foreign visitors on the issues Free Speech and Freedom of the Press.

Her vacation rental in Virginia is both a source of pride but also a quiet respite from the D.C. area where she currently lives.

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