How to Build a Rockstar Local Team for Your Out-of-State Short-Term Rental
Managing a short-term rental (STR) from out of state is no small feat. But if you want to set your property apart, maintain high guest satisfaction, and truly *scale* with sanity, there’s one thing you absolutely must do: **build a rockstar local team.**
I’ve often been asked how I build my local team in each market from out of state. The truth is, this isn’t just about hiring a cleaner or a handyman—it’s about finding the right *people* who treat your home like their own, care about the guest experience and safety, and show up with consistency and integrity. Whether you own one STR or ten, here’s how to assemble a team that keeps your property running smoothly even when you’re miles away.
1. The #1 Hiring Strategy: Look for Heart, Not Just Skill
When you’re building your STR team, don’t just focus on technical ability—look for people who are **passionate** about and proud of what they do. A cleaner who understands the importance of guest safety and comfort is worth far more than one who’s simply checking a box. A handyman who respects your time and your property will save you from countless headaches.
Ask yourself: *Would this person look out for issues affecting guest safety and proactively recommend solutions? Would I be confident having them help a guest if something went wrong?*
That’s your real hiring filter.
2. The Trifecta: Cleaners, Handymen, and a House Manager
Your **core team** should be your cleaner(s), handyman (or network of them), and a trusted house manager. This trifecta is what keeps your home clean, functional, and ready for every turnover or unexpected issue.
When these three roles are working together, everything from stained sheets to hurricane prep gets handled without blowing up your phone or jeopardizing a guest’s stay.
3. Why a House Manager is Your MVP
If you're serious about being hands-off, your **house manager is your most valuable player**. They’re your eyes, ears, and boots on the ground.
A great house manager will:
- Work in harmony with the cleaners and handymen as **one team**
- Work in harmony with the cleaners and handymen as **one team**
- Handle inventory and staging
- Do quality control checks
- Troubleshoot guest issues quickly
- Coordinate last-minute repairs or deliveries
- Help you with proactive seasonal property maintenance
- Educate you on local area secrets
More importantly, this is the person who will step in to assist you in any unexpected, dicey situations, such as evicting a party group with law enforcement!
4. How to Interview Cleaners (Hint: It’s Not About Price)
The worst first question you can ask a potential cleaner? **“How much do you charge?”**
Instead, tell them about yourself and your property first, and start with questions to get to know them and their business:
- “How long have you been cleaning STRs in the area?”
- “How do you approach STR turnovers and handle laundry?”
- “What’s the size of your team currently and how many STR clients do you work with?”
- “What would you do if a guest checked out late or left a mess?”
- “Can you provide references from other STRs you clean?”
You want someone who understands that this is more than just a cleaning job—it’s hospitality. Don’t focus on their cost, but their value. Once you find someone who truly gets that, the value they bring will far exceed the cost.
5. How to Interview Handymen: Build a Bench
Great handymen are in high demand, so your goal should be to find **more than one**.
When interviewing:
- Ask about **availability** and how they handle urgent calls
- Test **responsiveness** with a simple follow-up request
- Get clear on what they’re **best at**—some are great at furniture assembly but not simple plumbing work, and vice versa
Ideally, you need someone who’s consultative and wouldn’t mind researching a solution to a unique problem you have, or browsing Home Depot or Lowe’s to look for the right parts for your repairs.
You’ll likely need a **team of handymen**, each with their own niche. Don’t expect one person to handle everything perfectly. The more relationships you build, the faster and calmer you can handle repairs—even in peak season.
6. Don’t Expect Perfection—Play to Strengths
This is a tough one for high-performing STR hosts: **your team won’t be perfect—and that’s okay**.
Your cleaner might be excellent at making your space sparkle, but not as strong at staging pillows or checking for missing wine glasses. That’s where your house manager steps in.
Instead of expecting one person to do it all, **delegate based on strengths**:
- Cleaners → Cleaning
- House Manager → Staging, inventory, quality control
- Handymen → Repairs, maintenance
7. Don’t Blindly Trust Referrals —Test and Verify
It’s tempting to jump on a referral from another host—especially when you’re building your team from out of state. But here’s the truth: what works for one host might not work for you.
Every STR has its own rhythm, standards, and quirks. A cleaner that’s a “rockstar” for a friend might not meet your definition of guest-ready. A handyman who shines on one property might struggle with the specific needs of yours.
Always interview, test, and evaluate any referred service provider before making them your go-to. Give them a couple of trial jobs and see how they handle communication, follow-through, and special instructions.
And most importantly: have backups. Life happens. Your cleaner might get sick, or your handyman might be unavailable during peak season. Keep a shortlist of vetted backups for both roles so you're never scrambling.
8. Build Your Rolodex (and Keep It Deep)
Beyond your core team, your vendor list should be wide and well-organized. This includes:
- HVAC specialists
- Pest control
- Pool and spa maintenance
- Lawn care/landscaping
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Painters
- Appliance repair techs
- Trash removal or junk hauling
Ask around in STR groups, talk to local hosts (but keep point #7 in mind!), and test new providers with small jobs. You’re not just looking for someone who’s available—you want people who show up, follow through, and communicate clearly.
Your STR business is only as strong as the team behind it. Invest the time to find the right people, nurture those relationships, and set them up for success. When you do, treat them well, pay them promptly, and you’ll create a reliable, scalable system that gives you peace of mind—even from across the country.
Want help building your dream local team? That’s exactly what I help hosts do at Savvy Breezy STR Consulting. 🚀