Airbnb Property Management Kirkland

Yes. Kirkland requires that any unit/property that will be operated within the city as a rental will need to apply for a Rental Property License from the city. Renting through platforms like Airbnb or VRBO, will involve setting up and registering . To start a short-term rental business in Kirkland, hosts must first submit an application for a City of Kirkland Business License  allowing them to conduct business within the city. There is a base application fee of $100 and a revenue generating regulatory license (RGRL) of $130 per employee (always a minimum of one employee). For many short-term rentals, a $230 annual fee would be charged.

Kirkland defines a short-term rental as any unit or group of units in a condominium, cooperative, or individually or collectively owned single-family or multi-family house that is rented to guests for less than 30 consecutive days. A residential home may be rented for transient lodging only under certain conditions related to what is being rented, its location and whether the property owner lives in the home. The short-term rental ordinance states the city does enforce a principal residence rule. The property owner, or an authorized agent, must occupy the property as a primary residence at least 245 days per year to enter into short-term rentals there.

It certainly depends on property and location.  Bellevue is a market that sees traffic year round. The geographical location of the city offers up picturesque weather, shopping, food, arts and culture as well as some of the most beautiful scenery and area. The average nightly rate for an entire unit ranges from $165-$300 with the average booking rate roughly $300 per night. High end luxury units being in the $700+ per night range. Estimates would suggest the property could generate $3000+ a month with proper management and upkeep.

Kirkland is a highly desirable destination in the Pacific Northwest! Known for its lakeside charm, vibrant downtown core, and easy access to outdoor sports and recreation. Loathed on the easternmost shore of Lake Washington, the city offers beautiful waterfront parks, beaches and a walkable downtown that is full of art galleries, boutique shops and acclaimed local restaurants. The city’s cultural appeal is enhanced by local (and annual) food and wine festivals that attract visitors from all over the PNW. Its convenient proximity to both Bellevue and Seattle make it an easy base for both business and leisure travelers. All the while nearby mountain ranges provide opportunities for year-round outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, skiing/snowboarding and boating. This blend of natural beauty, vibrant culture and accessibility position Kirkland as an attractive destination for all visitors.

Kirkland’s rental market benefits from its location within Seattle’s eastside tech corridor. With Microsoft’s global headquarters nearby and Amazon, Google and Meta maintaining major offices in the area. This creates a steady demand for corporate housing and short-term rentals catering directly to relocating professionals, visiting employees and business travelers. In relation to leisure, the city continues to attract affluent tourists looking for upscale accommodations in close proximity to the outdoor recreation that Kirkland offers while still being minutes away from Seattle’s major tourist attractions. With a limited hotel supply and a competitive housing market, well maintained and managed rentals see strong occupancy and healthy nightly rates across the year. For new hosts, Kirkland offers the opportunity to tap into both consistent business and tourism demands, making it both a sustainable and lucrative market.

We take on properties that are going to be attractive to people coming into town for a short term or monthly rental. We try to focus on nicer homes or condos that allow short term rentals or rentals of at least one to three months. A big part of the short term rental guest experience is the condition of the property. Even if a home or condo is in the best location in the city, it’s important that it’s well kept in order to avoid guest issues. Airbnb management is about making guests happy and a great experience is dependent on both a five star service and a great property.

Our clients typically have a long term mindset towards working with us. We’re focused on providing an excellent service managing our clients properties on Airbnb and other short term rental platforms.  Short term rental management is a service that requires a lot of mutual trust, and we want to work with people who want to build a relationship that lasts.

We’re a local company focused on building lifetime relationships within the community. While we have clients who have been with us over a decade, we also understand people’s situations change and they may need to sell the home or stop renting it out. It’s common for former clients to refer their family or friends or come back after years with a different property. Our mindset is once a client, always a client. While our community of homeowners is local, our community of guests is global. It’s an honor to be able to work with our clients who share their homes with people all over the world and enrich their experiences travelling to the city. 

A big factor when choosing an Airbnb management company in Kirkland is that they are local. There are a lot of moving parts to managing a short term rental and for people who want to be hands off it’s important the company they work with has local presence and experience. Many guests who visit Kirkland are here on vacation and every detail matters when it comes to their stay. A local company helps ensure that there is that extra level of attention and service to ensure things run smoothly.

There are many different ways a property owner can find someone to manage their property on Airbnb and other short term rental platforms. If you have a friend who works with an Airbnb management company you can ask them if you are happy with their service and ask them to refer you. Some property owners do their research online and find a company that is the best fit for them. Everyone has their own method for selecting a company that is the best fit for their personal goals.

The model for most Airbnb management companies is a commission percentage taken based on each booking. Some companies provide solely online short term rental management services, while others provide a full service model. The full service model is typically more hands on and a higher commission compared to the online model. The online model is great for hosts who want to be actively involved on the ground but need help with generating and optimizing bookings. As a local Airbnb management company in Kirkland we provide both full service and online only services depending on our clients needs.

The first step is to create an attractive Airbnb listing you’re proud of on short-term rental platforms. An attractive listing features professional photos and a well written description of the property and the surrounding areas. Next a pricing strategy that factors demand across seasons should be implemented. We do our best to employ a pricing strategy that is a good fit for our clients depending on their goals. Once bookings are coming in, we arrange to ensure the property is clean and well maintained as well as provide guests recommendations to enhance their overall experience.