Why Local Franklin Airbnb Property Management Beats Vacasa & Evolve Every Time
- Sarah
- Mar 5
- 4 min read
When it comes to short-term rental property management, many owners are tempted by big-box companies like Vacasa or Evolve. They offer promises of convenience, national reach, and hands-off management. But the reality? Those promises often come at the expense of personalized care, listing control, reviews and profitability.
At HomeLuv Hosting, we believe local, hands-on management always outperforms the big names—and here’s why.
Quick Comparison: HomeLuv Hosting vs. Vacasa vs. Evolve
Feature | HomeLuv Hosting | Vacasa | Evolve |
Commission Fee | 20% flat, all-inclusive | Up to 35% + additional fees | 10%, but minimal service (owners handle most of management) |
Trip Fees Charged to Owners | No trip fees—we visit property as needed | Charges trip fees | Not part of their service |
Listing / Branding Control | You keep your listing, branding, and reviews in your name | Vacasa lists your rental under their brand; you lose your listing and reviews if you leave | Evolve lists under their brand; you lose your listing and reviews if you leave |
Property Inspections After Cleaning | Yes, every time to ensure quality & guest satisfaction | No inspections after cleaning, leading to spotty guest reviews | Not part of their service |
Guest Communication | Direct, personal communication with guests (no call centers) | Often routed through call centers with inconsistent service | Not part of their service |
Local Presence | Yes, based in Franklin, TN with boots-on-the-ground support | National company, remote management, relies on third-party vendors | National, remote model; owners handle operations |
Cancellation Policies | No cancellation fees. The listing, review and bookings stay in your name. 30 days cancellation period. | Cancellation will result in loss of reviews, listing, branding & guest history. 90 days cancellation period. | Cancellation will result in loss of reviews, lisitng, branding & guest history. Short cancellation period. |
Service Model | Full-service: marketing, guest comms, cleaning, maintenance, inspections, pricing optimization | Full-service but impersonal, high fees, inconsistent quality | Half-service: owner responsible for all key aspects (cleaning, maintenance, supplies) |
Personalization & Guest Experience | We personalize each property + include handwritten welcome notes for every guest | Not offered | Not offered |
5-Star Review Guarantee | Yes—if a guest leaves less than 5 stars due to something within our control, you don't pay for that stay's management fee | Not offered | Not offered |
Why Local Management with HomeLuv Hosting Outperforms Big Property Management Companies
1. Thorough Property Inspections = Better Reviews
Unlike big companies, we personally inspect your property after every clean. We’ve seen countless poor reviews on Vacasa-managed properties due to skipped or rushed inspections. Not here. Our boots-on-the-ground approachensures your property is spotless and guest-ready—every single time—leading to better guest experiences and higher ratings.
2. You Keep Your Brand & Your Reviews
At HomeLuv Hosting, your property stays your property. Your listing, your reviews, your brand. You maintain control, and if you ever choose to move on, your hard-earned reviews stay with you. Vacasa and Evolve? You lose everything when you leave.
3. Transparent Fees & Full-Service Care
We offer clear, straightforward pricing—no hidden fees, no trip fees, no complicated contracts. And unlike half-service models, we handle everything: marketing, guest communication, maintenance, cleanings, inspections, pricing optimization, and more. Our all-inclusive 20% commission covers it all.
4. 5-Star Review Guarantee
We back our service with our exclusive 5-Star Review Guarantee. If a guest leaves anything less than a 5-star review because of something within our control, you won’t pay for the management fee on that stay. No other big-box company offers this level of accountability.
5. Direct Communication & Accountability
No call centers. No ticketing systems. You’ll always have a direct line to a real person—someone who knows you, knows your property, and is invested in your success.
6. Local Expertise & Trusted Vendor Network
Being based in Franklin, TN means we know the area inside and out. From trusted cleaners to reliable maintenance pros, we’ve built a strong local network to keep your property running smoothly and your guests happy.
Success Story: How Steve Turned His Franklin Rental Around After Leaving Evolve
One of my clients, Steve, came to me after working with Evolve. He was frustrated—his property had an average rating of 4.7 stars and brought in only $30,000 in gross revenue the previous year. Most of his negative reviews cited poor cleaning and maintenance—issues he couldn’t easily manage as an out-of-state owner and that Evolve’s service model didn’t handle. On top of that, Evolve’s photos did his property no favors—the furniture was misplaced, the house wasn't staged, and the listing lacked appeal.
When Steve partnered with HomeLuv Hosting, we started fresh. We did a small redesign, staged the home properly, took fresh professional photos, and implemented our local, hands-on approach. The result? Steve’s property now holds an impressive 5-star average rating, and even though we relaunched in the slow season, he’s already on track to earn $60,000 to $80,000 this year—over double what he made before, and with way less work.

The Bottom Line:
Bigger isn’t better when it comes to short-term rental management.
Choosing a local company like HomeLuv Hosting means:
More control over your listing and brand
Transparent, all-inclusive pricing
Consistent, high-quality service with inspections after every clean
Direct, personal communication
Personalized touches like handwritten guest notes
Higher guest satisfaction (and better reviews!)
And our unique 5-Star Review Guarantee for total peace of mind
Tired of feeling like just another number? Let’s chat about how we can take your vacation rental to the next level.