I do not have IB (instant book) on any of the OTAs (online travel agency). I use OwnerRez for my PMS (property management system). I primarily book directly via my own website. Note as a property owner with an API connection to OwnerRez, I’m allowed to have rental agreement and security hold on their credit card. It is made clear in the top part of Airbnb listing.
For guests who inquire of my property they receive the response below (whether they are 5star guests or newbies). If they choose to select another property for all of this…I’m perfectly ok with it!
There’s true value in self sorting and canceling…whether newbies or someone with a thousand 5 star guest reviews.
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Hi {Guest},
Thanks for your inquiry about Sea Ranch Abalone Bay. The dates you are inquiring about are available. I want to confirm right away that it would be a pleasure 
to host you for your upcoming stay at Sea Ranch Abalone Bay! Your inquiry is noted for booking into our main booking system.
I am honored you selected our home for your holiday. However, first I want to assure we meet your expectations and you are a good fit for our home. We do offer an amazing, clean, comfortable, and safe home. I also absolutely expect our guests to abide by the rules in our contract that will be sent to you in a separate email.
Please note your booking will be finalized once you sign the contract.
I’m pretty easy-going actually and readily available to answer any question or concern you have about the booking process or your stay in Sea Ranch. That said, I do want to make sure I clearly state my expectations to my guests at the start. I sincerely hope you can understand my need to communicate this first to our guests.
If any of these could be an issue feel free to contact me. As your host, I am always available to answer any questions you may have about our property and location prior to finalizing your booking. In turn, I hope you will be kind enough to answer mine and take special note of our requirements.
~ What attracted you to my listing?
~ Have you stayed in a short-term rental before?
~ Will this be your first time staying in our uniquely beautiful and quiet coastal community?
~ What is the purpose of your visit. Is your visit a celebratory one - such as a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon, retirement?
~ Will you be meeting up with others who plan to join you there? We will require you to fill out a registration form with their names and their contact details later.
~ Will you be bringing a pet?
~ What can I do to make your stay better?
Much like hotels do, we also need you to provide us a copy of your Driver’s License or Passport Biography page. We will collect that information within our Rental Agreement. Without this identification, your contract may be canceled. The information you provide us is only kept on file for this booking and then deleted once you complete your stay.
We also request you to fill out a Registration Form that provides us added information about you and your guests, including your preferred beverage for our Welcome Basket.
I look forward to your responses and hope you can come out!
Please see below specific and important information about renting our ocean front home:
[this is made clear also in our Rental Contract]
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Abalone Bay is a private vacation home, rented out by owners (not a management company or an agent).
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NO smoking | NO house parties | ALL HOA rules and regulations must be followed by all guests
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Must be at least 25 years of age to rent, and be present during the entire stay; No third-party rentals. Minors under 18 can only stay with a parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult, and must never be left at the property unsupervised.
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No occupancy above 6 persons (of any age 1 day and up). Our quoted rate is per stay and it is the same whether one guest is staying or 6, but we do not permit over-limit occupancy.
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Property is not reserved in your name until the full balance is paid AND booking is accepted. Availability is real-time and may change after this email is sent.
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Rental Agreement signed by the primary Guest and a Valid Photo ID is required if you decide to book. If the required is not returned to the Owner within 48 hours of booking acceptance, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and issue a refund of any amounts paid.
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Upon booking you are required to pay full price plus the booking site fee (if applicable) and all taxes (12%) and HOA fees (3.5%).
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Cancellation policy (Link provided)
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No refunds for unforeseen or unfortunate Events outside of the Cancellation policy cutoff, under any circumstances, including but not limited to: weather, storms, fear of travel, work/life events, change of plans, change of travel party composition, evacuation, or hospitalization. We strongly recommend obtaining Travel insurance if your stay is during rain or fire seasons, or if you are concerned about possible Cancellation for any reason.
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The exact address, driving directions, and check-in instructions will be provided after the balance is paid and a few days before check-in.
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Security Deposit will be released or refunded within 2 weeks after check-out provided there are no damages, Agreement violations, and no excessive cleaning required. It may released be sooner depending on satisfactory post-departure inspection.
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Check-in is (date) and check-out is {date) unless pre-arranged otherwise with the Owner IN ADVANCE. Late check-outs may be subject to docking of the deposit.
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We have installed and operate security/image capture devices on the property outside of the house for the express purpose of securing the property, driveway, entryway, parking, dwelling, and its contents and ensuring adherence to occupancy limits and our policies.
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Complimentary Hi-speed WIFI is available (Connection speed and availability are not guaranteed).
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Our house is on septic. Understand that you will be charged above and beyond the damage Deposit amount if prohibited items are flushed & clog or damage plumbing or the septic system.
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Our house has an enclosed courtyard with a hot tub, gas barbecue and picnic table with chairs. The yard surrounded by nature with the ocean bluff trail steps away. Be aware the trail is unfenced with a 30 foot drop to the rocks and ocean below. For that reason small children must be always supervised by a capable adult.
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A folding ping pong table with cover is stored in the garage. All play must be done in the garage. If play occurs in the evening, the garage door must be lowered to prevent light pollution and noise as stipulated in our HOA. At check out the ping pong table must be returned to the side of the garage with cover replaced on it.
NOTE: When booking via an online agency, you will see at least TWO separate credit card transactions on your statement - one charged by (OTA) for their “service fee” and the other by " (my company)". THIS IS EXPECTED. The “service fee” is NOT payable to (my company).
Feel free to get in touch again via email (Donna@SeaRanchAbaloneBay.com), or give us a direct call at (phone number)
We look forward to having you stay at Abalone Bay and give you the time of your life!