From Two Homes to a Thriving Brand: How Rather Be Properties Delivers 5-Star Service While Maximizing Owner Profits
What started with two vacation homes and a big dream has grown into a multi-state, full-service vacation rental management company with over 40 active listings—and a reputation for excellence. At Rather Be Properties, we’ve proven that guest satisfaction and strong financial returns don’t have to be mutually exclusive. In fact, we’ve built our entire business around delivering both.
🌟 The Beginning: A Family-Run Dream Turned Full-Time Venture
Founded in 2021 by husband-and-wife team Al and Elissa Sed, Rather Be Properties began with two homes and a side hustle. Al was still working full-time in residential lending while Elissa managed the growing operations. But in 2023, everything changed—Al stepped away from his corporate career to focus solely on the business.
Today, Rather Be Properties operates 44 active listings across California, North Carolina, Arizona, and beyond.
With a dedicated team of 7 full-time employees and trusted local contractors, we’ve created a scalable model that blends boutique hospitality with efficient operations.
🎯 Mission-Driven: Five-Star Hospitality Meets Owner Profitability
Our guiding principle is simple but powerful:
Deliver exceptional guest experiences while maximizing homeowner profits.
“It’s hard to do both, and we’re not perfect,” says founder Al Sed. “But that’s the north star we follow—and we believe that’s what sets us apart.”
We manage everything from the ground up:
- Full co-hosting and property management
- Interior design and setup
- Financial reporting and accounting
- OTA listing management and optimization
- Guest messaging and on-the-ground support
Whether you’re a new Airbnb host or a seasoned investor, we provide a hands-on partnership that drives performance and peace of mind.
🧰 Full-Service, Tech-Driven Property Management
As our portfolio grew, we knew technology would be key to maintaining consistency and scaling operations. In early 2023, we partnered with Hostaway to serve as our centralized platform for:
- Channel management across Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, Google, Marriott Homes & Villas, Hopper and more
- Automated guest messaging and communications
- Integration with smart devices, accounting tools, and upsell workflows
- Streamlined listing creation and performance analytics
Hostaway has helped us stay agile and professional—even as our team and property count expanded.
💸 Upsells: A Game-Changer for Revenue Optimization
One of our most impactful strategies has been upselling. Guests often request early check-in, late check-out, pool heating, and pet stays—and we realized these weren’t just service requests, they were revenue opportunities.
What started manually on Airbnb quickly scaled across all OTAs once we integrated upsells into Hostaway’s online check-in form.
From January to April 2024 alone, Rather Be generated over $40,000 in upsell revenue, averaging $300–$400 per listing per month from early check-in fees alone.
Some of our most popular upsells:
- 🕒 Early check-in / Late check-out
- 🔥 Pool and spa heating
- 🐾 Pet fees
- 🎧 Silent disco experience
- 🏄 Paddleboard rentals
- 🧼 Mid-stay cleanings
But upselling isn’t just about adding fees—it’s about adding value. We only offer upsells when they enhance the guest experience and can be operationally supported.
As Al puts it, “If you’re going to charge for an upgrade, make sure you can deliver on it every time.”
📊 Strategic Revenue Management
While upsells add extra income, our foundation is built on revenue strategy. Every home is priced dynamically using real-time data, market trends, and seasonal adjustments. We track metrics like occupancy, average daily rate (ADR), and booking windows to ensure homeowners are maximizing their returns.
Owners receive:
- Transparent monthly performance reports
- Annual revenue planning
- Custom recommendations on upgrades and improvements
Our goal is long-term profitability, not short-term price cuts.
🏡 A Boutique Experience at Scale
From desert retreats with mural-lined pools to cozy cabins with arcade rooms and lake views, every Rather Be property is thoughtfully staged and stocked. We provide:
- Professionally written and SEO-optimized listings
- High-quality photography and AI-generated video reels
- Personalized guest guidebooks
- Consistent branding and design that guests remember
Whether a guest is booking a weekend getaway or a month-long stay, they know what to expect: a smooth, memorable experience.
🤝 Built on Trust, Backed by Experience
We’ve walked in our homeowners’ shoes. We started this company as vacation rental owners ourselves—and we bring that same care and commitment to every property we manage.
Rather Be Properties is proud to remain family-run while growing with intention. We treat every home like it’s our own and every guest like they’re checking into a boutique hotel. The result?
- Rave reviews, repeat bookings, and happy owners.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Why Rather Be?
Rather Be Properties has built its reputation by delivering both sides of the vacation rental equation: guest delight and owner profit. We’re proof that with the right team, tools, and mindset, you don’t have to choose between hospitality and financial performance—you can have both.
Want to see what your home can earn with Rather Be?
Let’s turn your property into a five-star experience—and a top-performing asset.
📍 Headquarters: North Carolina
📍 Listings: 44 active across CA, NC, AZ & more
👨👩👧👦 Team: Al & Elissa Sed + 7 full-time employees
🚀 Founded: 2021
