Although it’s one of the newer names in the short-term rental management industry, Awning has become a popular choice among Airbnb investors and hosts. But what exactly does Awning do for vacation rental owners? And is it worth it? The short answer is: Not really!
In this in-depth Awning property management review, we’ll take a look at the company history and structure, the services that it provides to real estate investors, the locations where it operates, the types of properties that it works with, the fees that it charges, and what hosts and owners think about dealing with Awning. The goal is to help you decide if Awning is the right solution for your STR needs or you might have to look elsewhere for more comprehensive and trustworthy services. Finally, we’ll offer you the top 3 Awning alternatives for investors with different requirements and preferences.
Looking for personalized, flexible, yet all-inclusive Airbnb property management? Check out Checkmate Rentals. Our unique model is based on co-hosting so that you own your listings forever, while we take care of the work that’s needed to maximize revenue and profit. And all this for industry-low fees starting at only 15% of revenue.
Awning Company Overview
Awning is a full-service property management company which means that it handles all day-to-day tasks associated with the operations of a rental business. While Awning focuses on the management of short-term rentals (rented out on a nightly basis), it also works with long-term rentals (rented out monthly).
Shri Ganeshram and Danaus Chang established Awning in 2020, and the company has its headquarters in San Francisco, CA. In 2024, Awning was acquired by RedAwning, a half-service short-term rental property manager with a longer history in the US market.
In property management, Awning aims to combine human experience with technology to improve processes. The company emphasizes the affordability of its services, with rates starting at 10% of booking revenue, but this does not cover comprehensive management. Another way in which Awning differentiates itself from most competitors is the provision of interior design and furnishing services that help owners get their properties ready for listing and hosting guests.
Awning services are available nationwide. To present, the company has designed and managed more than 100 STR properties.
What Awning Does for Rental Property Investors
Awning offers various services to real estate investors including both short-term and long-term rental property owners. The core of Awning operations is short-term rental management where the company provides comprehensive services. As of recently, the Airbnb manager delivers half-service works too, via RedAwning. This means that hosts can choose between passive vacation rental investments and personal engagement in and control over their Airbnb business.
In addition, Awning offers vacation rental design and furnishing assistance so that owners can get their properties guest-ready in line with the requirements of the hospitality industry and the trends dictated by the local market. Furthermore, the company gives access to Airbnb data at the market, sub-market, and property level that can help investors identify top investment markets, analyze the potential of different locations, and estimate the performance of a property before buying it.
In the long-term rental space, Awning management services aim to replace the landlord. Having this option is important for investors who are not sure whether to rent out on a short-term or long-term basis and for those who invest in markets that might witness changes in Airbnb laws and regulations. Many US states and cities are still adjusting their STR rules in an attempt to protect local communities.
Awning Property Management Services
Next in our Awning review, we’ll take a look at the exact property management services that the company provides, under the different packages that it offers.
Awning services can be categorized under the following types:
Awning Full-Service Short-Term Rental Property Management
As an full-service Airbnb management company, Awning delivers the following:
- Airbnb design and furnishing
- Home automation including Airbnb smart locks, smart thermostats, and smart lighting
- Linen service
- Listing creation and distribution on 50+ booking channels
- Listing optimization including professional photography and custom copywriting
- Guest guidebooks
- Listing marketing
- Dynamic pricing and revenue management
- Booking calendar management
- 24/7 guest communication and support
- Check-in and check-out support
- Cleaning between guests
- Guest supply restocking
- Pool, hot tub, and lawn maintenance
- Airbnb insurance
- Host communication via a dedicated phone and text line
- Financial reporting
As a result of these services, Awning customers report a 10-30% improvement in property performance, according to data publicized on the company website. In general, this Awning property management package is good for owners who’d like to make passive income from their real estate investments and don’t mind giving up control over their business. It also works well for those who invest away from home and have a full-time job outside Airbnb management.
Awning Half-Service Vacation Rental Property Management
After the acquisition by RedAwning, Awning also provides half-service vacation rental management that covers:
- Listing distribution on 50+ short-term rental websites
- Professional photography
- AI-driven dynamic pricing
- Unified calendar
- Reservation management
- Payment support
- Vendor coordination including sourcing, onboarding, and managing cleaning and maintenance contractors
- Damage protection of $3,000
All in all, these services focus on the automation of marketing and other time-consuming tasks through the use of RedAwning technology, while hosts remain responsible for the execution or coordination of other tedious activities, such as housekeeping and on-the-ground team management.
The half-service vacation rental property management offered by Awning could be a good solution for investors owning a couple of properties close to home, when they want to be personally involved in most business decisions and operations and when they don’t mind doing most of the legwork.
Awning Full-Service Long-Term Rental Property Management
Our Awning review reveals that in addition to STR property management, the company provides long-term rental management too, unlike most competitors. Associated services include:
- Getting the property ready for leasing
- Local code compliance
- Rental listings
- Rental pricing
- Digital marketing
- Rental showings
- Guest screening
- Tenant communication and services
- Rent collection
- Lease renewals
- Evictions
- Regular and move-out inspections
- Maintenance via in-house technicians and vendors
- Maintenance budgeting and documentation
- Accounting and reporting
While Awning offers long-term rental property management, it is not at the core of its business, and there are no Awning reviews by owners focusing on this aspect of its work.
Property Management Services That Awning Does Not Provide
Some services that remain outside the scope of Awning full-service STR management comprise:
- Short-term rental permits and licenses assistance
- Tax collection and filing
Owners need to take care of these tasks on their own or work with other short-term rental professionals.
Awning Property Management Markets
Awning can manage different types of rental properties in all US states. The nationwide market coverage is achieved by setting up local teams before onboarding properties there. Nevertheless, taking into account the small size of the company and the recent focus on half-service Airbnb management, it’s likely that remote places away from popular tourist destinations might be outside Awning coverage.
Property Types That Awning Manages
Awning works with both single-family homes and small multifamily properties as well as boutique hotels. As mentioned above, the company manages properties rented out on a daily and monthly basis.
Awning can take over the management of existing or new vacation rentals that are already equipped with everything necessary for welcoming guests. The property manager can also help owners of new investment properties or homes in need of remodeling and refreshing by offering specialized interior design and furnishing services.
Awning Property Management Fees and Costs
Awning Airbnb management fees start at 10% of booking revenue, but it is not clear what services this rate includes and what the exact commission depends on. For comparison, this is comparable to how much Airbnb managers charge for half-service but below the typical rates for full-service. The Awning website doesn’t clarify whether there are any additional fees or whether all services are covered by the monthly cost.
In terms of long-term rental management, the cost seems to range between 8% and 12% of monthly rent and to depend on the market, the number of properties, and the required services. Things like tenant placements, special maintenance projects, and tenant evictions are charged additionally.
The standard cost of designing and furnishing a short-term rental by Awning is between $15,000 and $45,000, while partial furnishing cost ranges between $5,000 and $15,000. The total cost is determined by the property size, level of finish, and Airbnb amenities.
Considering the general unclarity of the Awning pricing model, you need to understand how much exactly you will need to pay on a monthly basis and whether there will be any extra fees before deciding whether to hire Awning for the management of your property. Moreover, you have to get in writing what services this fee will cover.
Awning Terms and Conditions
Based on best practices in the industry, Awning does not demand long-term commitment on behalf of vacation rental property owners. Though hosts need to sign a written agreement, they can cancel the contract with a 90-day notice. There are no cancellation fees as long as the 90-day window is observed.
Awning Reviews by Owners and Guests
Although the company has been in business for nearly 5 years now, there are only a handful of online Awning property management reviews on third-party websites. All of these reviews are written by hosts - with no reviews by guests - and show generally negative experiences.
You can find Awning reviews on:
- Trustpilot: 2.6/5 stars from 28 reviews
Positive reviews of happy vacation rental property owners highlight the great overall experiences, the comprehensive property management services, the speedy and easy processes, the professional and attentive team, and the willingness to listen to customer feedback.
Meanwhile, negative Awning reviews by hosts mention lack of organization on behalf of the company, absence of dedicated customer representatives, loss of listings (after the RedAwning acquisition), breaches of contract, overcharged fees, disregard of customer satisfaction, and inadequate communication practices.
Since there are only a couple of dozen reviews of Awning property management, interested owners should try to connect with other investors in their market who have worked with the company and ask about their experiences. They can look for fellow investors on online real estate investing forums or at in-person property investment meetups.
How to Get Started with Awning Property Management
To get started with Awning, rental property owners can schedule a call using the online contact form on the company website to discuss their needs and figure out if this is a good match.
Top Awning Competitors and Alternatives
Our review of Awning shows that it offers some of the most diverse services in the rental property management industry. However, the very few and generally negative customer reviews mean that this might not be the right choice for owners looking for trustworthy, quality property management services. That’s why it’s worth looking into Awning alternatives and checking whether they might be a better fit for the needs of different investors.
The best Awning competitors are:
Awning vs Checkmate Rentals
Checkmate Rentals offers end-to-end short-term rental property management that is built on personalization and flexibility. Unlike Awning and all other alternatives, Checkmate Rentals applies a co-hosting model, which means that owners retain their listings and all positive reviews from guests even if they decide to stop working with the company.
As a full-service Airbnb property manager, Checkmate Rentals provides Airbnb SEO optimized listings including high-definition photography and professional copywriting, distribution on all top channels, dynamic pricing, 24/7 guest services via dedicated reservation agents, guest screening, consistent cleaning and supply restocking, regular property inspections, ongoing maintenance, short-term rental insurance, payment processing, and more. The company allows owners to block the property for personal use as often as they want and for as long as they would like, with no restrictions.
Checkmate Rentals has the capacity to manage properties across the entire US market, including small, remote locations as well as all the best short-term rental markets. This is done by establishing local teams of vetted professionals before signing rentals there. In addition, Checkmate Rentals charges industry-low fees for true end-to-end Airbnb management, starting at only 15% of revenue. Owners are free to stay for as long as they are happy with the quality of provided services.
Vacasa vs Checkmate Rentals
Vacasa is another popular alternative to Awning, which also offers full-service as well as half-service vacation rental management (via Vacasa Guestworks) and long-term rental management (via the Extended Stay Program - ESP). This is the largest STR manager in North America, which causes inconsistency in the comprehensiveness and quality of services delivered across markets, as reported by customers in their reviews.
When it comes to full-service STR property management, Vacasa offers listing and marketing, guest support, guest screening, housekeeping, inspections, maintenance coordination, STR licensing and taxing assistance, and payment processing. It’s important to note that some additional services, such as the smart home program, the linen program, swimming pool and hot tub management, and the accommodation protection program, are charged separately. Meanwhile, interior design and furnishing are not available.
Vacasa market coverage includes top tourist destinations in 41 US states as well as some locations in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Belize. In terms of Vacasa fee structure, the company does not specify a range but clarifies that the property management cost depends on the market, the number of bedrooms, and the amenities. In their reviews, owners who have worked with Vacasa report fees that exceed 35% and even 40% of monthly revenue as a result of various extra fees.
Evolve vs Checkmate Rentals
Evolve is another well-known competitor of Awning though it operates as a half-service Airbnb property management company. As such, the property manager focuses on automation via technology without providing in-person services.
Evolve short-term rental property management services comprise listing optimization, distribution, digital marketing, dynamic daily rates, guest communication and support, reservation management, risk protection, payment processing, and access to a network of vetted third-party contractors for housekeeping services. Having said that, owners who work with Evolve remain responsible for managing the cleaning, restocking, inspecting, and maintaining of their property, whether on their own or with the help of a local team.
Evolve works with short-term rentals in various locations across multiple US states besides some places in Mexico. Evolve charges a simple fee of 10% for Evolve Core and 15% for Evolved Plus, which offers a bit more sophisticated services.
Bottom Line
Based on our detailed Awning review, this is a relatively small rental property management company which might be spreading too thin as it provides both half-service and full-service management and works with both short-term and long-term rentals across the US. While the firm is able to help get properties guest-ready and manage them once they’ve been prepared for hosting, the few, yet rather negative customer reviews of Awning make one doubt whether this is the best choice for their Airbnb portfolio. If you’d like to give Awning a go, it’s recommended to connect with existing investors in your market who have worked with the company and ask about their impressions.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for custom, flexible, end-to-end short-term rental management, check out Checkmate Rentals. We do everything that’s needed for the successful operations of a vacation rental business with quality, dedication, and attention to detail that lead to unmatched guest satisfaction and performance enhancement.
