39% revenue growth despite 30% fewer properties
hostfully property management platform success stories case studies clients recommendation RJA vacation properties
hostfully property management platform success stories case studies clients recommendation RJA vacation properties

Rick Armour manages 18 STR and midterm rental properties in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.

  • Location: Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.
  • Number of listings: 18
  • Years using Hostfully: 3 years
  • Favorite features: Central calendar, automations, reports, integrations marketplace, mobile app

Overview

Before
  • Portfolio cut by 30% due to BC regulations.
  • Manual guest messaging and scattered tools.
  • No PMS fit after cycling through multiple platforms.
After
  • Central calendar syncs all channels.
  • Automations for operations.
  • Mobile app + reports for on-the-go, transparent management.
Impact
  • 39% revenue growth with fewer properties.
  • Hours saved weekly through automation.
  • Stronger guest experience and owner trust.

“I love the calendar—especially the newest updates. It’s fabulous.”

Rick Armour, RJA Vacation Rentals

Before

In his five years as a short-term rental manager, Rick Armour, has been operating RJA Vacation Rentals across multiple markets. However, in 2023, short-term rental regulations in Canada’s British Columbia threw a wrench into operations, forcing Rick to scale back his portfolio by 30%.

With fewer listings, Rick needed to find ways to optimize operations, increase per-property profitability, and maintain owner trust. When a trusted peer recommended Hostfully (after previously cycling through a number of PMS platforms), Rick decided to give the software a try.

Rick runs his business wherever he goes, including on the water. Source

After

A major regulatory disruption would lead to revenue losses for many property managers. But not Rick. He leaned into building a tech stack with Hostfully at the center. The result? A 39% revenue increase—even with fewer homes to manage.

Today, Rick runs his short-term rental business with the help of Hostfully, embracing his central calendar, automations, mobile access and flexibility, and custom reporting. Thanks to Hostfully, a powerful tech stack, and Rick’s streamlined business model, RJA Vacation Rentals has increased revenue by an impressive 39% despite managing fewer properties.

While the calendar keeps Rick aligned across all channels and properties, Hostfully’s automatons have freed Rick from manual messaging—without sacrificing his stellar customer experience. He’s set up emails to automatically send check-in instructions two days before a guest’s arrival, filled with key details like hot tub codes and links to local tips through his Hostfully guidebooks. After each stay, Rick’s automatic follow-up email helps reinforce his brand and encourages return visits from past guests.

Automatic check-in instructions go to guests right through Hostfully, regardless of the booking site.

And since Rick’s often on the move, whether he’s in British Columbia, Mexico, or out enjoying time on the ocean, thanks to Hostfully’s mobile app, he’s never out of reach. “I was literally conducting business from my boat,” Rick says with a laugh. It’s full-scale management without being chained to a desk.

 

The messages keep coming! Rick’s post-checkout thank you message includes a link to his direct booking site, unlocking potential savings on OTA fees for his return guests and for his business.  Top: Sender view of message in Hostfully’s software. Bottom: Guest view of host message. Source

 

His advice for customers getting started with Hostfully? “I would suggest getting everything connected as fast as possible. Integrate your tools, sync your channels, and work with your onboarding rep early.” He’s emphatic: “Just do it all upfront and make it happen!”

Even with fewer listings, Rick has managed to grow his bottom line—and Hostfully has played a major role in that. By streamlining his operations, automating guest communication, and offering transparency to stakeholders, Rick positioned RJA Vacation Rentals to thrive in a shifting market.

Bonus

Rick doesn’t just manage bookings and guest experiences. He also handles complex commission and revenue splits for owners of fractional vacation shares. Each month, he uses enhanced reporting capabilities to export spreadsheets for his owners.

With Hostfully’s Owner Reports, it’s easy to export your booking breakdowns to give owners peace of mind and further build communication and trust. Source

These include commission breakdowns between RJA and the various owners, and detailed income for ⅛ and ¼ share units. Ensuring accuracy is especially helpful with fractional shares. “The reports are clean, easy, and clear.” Rick says. “Owners love the transparency. It builds trust.”

Property Management Platform & Digital Guidebook Provider