Summit Sotheby’s International Realty is proud to have an exclusive relationship with InvitedHome in providing important property management services to our clients with properties in our second home markets.

Much like Uber is to the taxicab, or Netflix is to cable TV,  InvitedHome is the maverick of luxury vacation rentals, not only revolutionizing how ultra-high-net-worth individuals spend their vacations, but changing the way they buy, rent, and maintain one of their greatest financial assets — second homes.

Between overseeing marketing for her company and preparing for an upcoming speaking engagement in San Francisco, Wendy Purvey — CMO of InvitedHome, and former CMO of Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates for over 12  years  —  took  time  out of  her  busy  schedule  to answer the burning question that looms in every second home buyer’s mind: How can I make a vacation property work for me?

With the rise of home-sharing companies like Airbnb and VRBO, a new wave of homeownership has begun to take shape — and InvitedHome is guiding homeowners through these uncharted waters. “Now more than ever, people are seeking experiences over material  goods,  and spending more time and  money on luxury travel,” says Purvey. “This presents a significant revenue  generating  opportunity for homeowners.”

According to Purvey, 26 percent of  affluent travelers (with an income of $125K+ per annum) chose a vacation rental over a hotel or resort in the last two years. “It’s not about dropping your bags at a hotel anymore,” says Purvey. “It’s about the experience, the lifestyle, the memories. The income-potential is just the icing on the cake.” And Purvey is right – the latest reports suggest vacation rentals could overtake the hotel industry by 2020, with global vacation rentals  projected to close $170 billion by 2019.

Additionally, luxury buyers are redefining what it means to vacation, and with that comes a desire for connectedness. “It’s the person  who  wants  to  make  memories  on the ski slopes with their kids. The business traveler  who  wants  five-star service  and   the convenience of buying  their own bottle of wine or cooking their own meals. It’s the corporate teams,  the  tech  start-ups,  and companies of all sizes, looking for a comfortable environment to bring people together  and  inspire  creativity.  Today,  it’s all about connectivity, and elite vacation properties allow guests to connect in a way that hotels don’t.”

How does this impact  home ownership  and vacation-rental income in resort  areas?  People  are starting to see the potential in rental income, and are looking for trusted partners to help them make the best financial decision. “Ultra-wealthy individuals realize there’s a significant cost to maintain a property, whether it’s homeowners association fees, property  taxes,  or  general   maintenance,  and they want to offset those costs.” Purvey says. “At InvitedHome,  we  are  catering  to the high expectations of the  luxury  buyer,  and distinguish ourselves by elevating the customer experience at every level. We help buyers and homeowners get  more  out  of their investment through our strict vetting process, multi-point inspections,  and  more, to eliminate rental concerns.”

InvitedHome partners with trusted brokerages like Summit Sotheby’s International Realty, to help clients explore unique opportunities and investments. “With the unrivaled  expertise  of  Summit Sotheby’s International Realty’s qualified real estate advisors, coupled with our rare combination of marketing, hospitality, and care, people have the potential to not only create wealth, but manage their investment with skilled personnel and trusted broker partnerships,” Purvey adds.

In fact,  she  points  out  that  89  percent  of home buyers in Vail, Colorado were  renters  first.  “This is a niche that buyers and real estate agents can no longer ignore,” she says. “We aim to educate both, from training on capital expenses, to customizing rental  income  based on an individual’s goals and needs.”

It’s a classic case of “come for the adventure, stay for the lifestyle” that keeps resort markets moving at a rapid clip — and it’s attracting savvy buyers and investors worldwide. “We are seeing a trend in resort towns like Park City, where communities are beginning to ramp up events and promote year-round experiences that cater to the luxury  buyer,” Purvey adds.

With 98 percent of luxury travelers valuing memories over purchases, things are looking up for homeowners eager to cash-in on their second home investment, without being bothered by the hassles of upkeep. The most significant piece to the puzzle is not only the opportunity for homeowners to generate supplemental income, but to expertly maintain their vacation home     for both renters and future generations to come.

Learn more about InvitedHome at InvitedHome.com.