By Polly Mikula
“There’s a lot to managing a rental property,” said Ryan Flynn, a Pinnacle homeowner and member of the rental committee. “Ultimately we want to ensure that we we are providing our owners and our guests with the very best experience when they come to Killington.”
Unlike other condo associations in Killington, Pinnacle Condominiums has always chosen to have an exclusive partnership with a rental management company. Since the ‘80s it was with Killington Resort. This year, however, they decided to put out a request for proposals (RFP) to see which company could best meet their needs. Five companies responded to the call.
The rental committee analyzed the proposals and interviewed the top contenders.
“It was an extensive and exhaustive process,” Flynn said. “We had a long list of criteria and values that were important to the Pinnacle community.”
In the end, the Killington Group was chosen. The vote was “nearly unanimous,” Flynn said. “They not only came out on top, but they won by a landslide. Not only could they provide the commercial elements with advertising and driving traffic, but most importantly they provide deep connections to this community, have established trust in town and a longstanding reputation. They continue to grow and develop always striving to build this community stronger… in my experience over the past four years, they’ve been very easy to work with and seem to have seen it all (or nearly) and know what to do.”
The Killington Group brands itself as a “full-service” company handling the sales, rentals, management, and development of properties as well as cleaning services.Owner Bob Montgomery has been in business in Killington for over 50 years.
“Exclusive rental agreements were more common back in the ‘80s when most of Killington’s condominium associations were developed,” said Montgomery. “At one time, Killington Ski Resort was the exclusive rental company for most of those associations. But when the internet and the various booking partners such as Airbnb and VRBO emerged, most all the associations gave up that exclusivity, except Pinnacle,” he noted. “The highest end resorts nationwide have always maintained an exclusive partner for rental management, and the reasons for that are manifold,” he said, explaining: “We work within the guidelines that the boards set up, we do extensive marketing both with landing pages and with our booking partners — which include Airbnb, VRBO, Expedia, Booking.com, Ski.com, Marriott Homes and Villas, and many more — and the owners will be netting more rental income not just in the winter but in the summer and fall as well,” he said.
“We wanted Pinnacle because it’s a premiere destination, the name says it all!” Montgomery added. “They have year-round amenities that guests are looking for. It’s truly a win-win partnership.”
There are roughly 150 homeowners at Pinnacle, according to Montgomery, and its location at the top of Killington Road makes it particularly attractive. Its listed amenities include: a spa and lounge with two indoor hot tubs and a game room. In the summer it has a new outdoor pool, an outdoor hot tub, grill area and tennis courts.
For Flynn having a management company also provides much-needed peace of mind. “This partnership take the heavy lifting off the owners and off the board and improves the experience of owners and our guests,” he said. “It’s so nice to just be able to show up and not worry about anything else. If there’s a problem, there’s just one call to make and they’ll handle the rest.”
Open house
All Pinnacle homeowners are invited to The Killington Group’s open house on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 8-9 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at its offices located at 10 West Park Road.
“We hope that owners will take us up on this opportunity to meet our team and learn about how we can help you get the most out of your condominium investment. With our highly rated team of professionals you can be sure that your property is in good hands while your gone and will be ready for your arrival anytime you’re able to come up to enjoy the Green Mountains yourself.”
Of course, owners that can’t make the open house are always welcome to stop by The Killington Group offices and say “hi,” Montgomery added.
