2023 VRHP Housekeeping Team of the Year: InsideOut Properties of Cape Cod

4/9/2024

The VRMA Excellence Awards celebrate and recognize the incredible work, contributions, and impact that vacation rental professionals have made in the past year. We are highlighting each of the 12 award recipients in 2023, continuing today with VRHP Housekeeping Team of the Year, sponsored by Breezeway: InsideOut Properties of Cape Cod. 

InsideOut Properties of Cape Cod manages 24 unique vacation rental properties tucked away on the picturesque Cape Cod coastline. The team faces formidable challenges during the peak summer season, such as navigating traffic on the sole connecting road, battling the summer heat, and managing inexperienced summer exchange student help who are often absorbed in their digital devices. Despite these hurdles, InsideOut’s housekeeping professionals stand out for their exceptional service.

One aspect that sets InsideOut Properties apart is their commitment to personalized service. Each of their vacation rentals is distinct, featuring unique details and amenities specific to that property. From welcoming guests with freshly baked cookies and pet amenities to robes and slippers in select locations, the housekeeping staff’s attention to detail is unparalleled. They even care for the properties’ plants, track phone chargers, and ensure that battery-operated candles are in working order. With varying requirements for additional linens, they manage it all within a standard turnover window, usually shorter than expected.

The majority of their summer staff comprises exchange students, often juggling multiple jobs and bringing minimal experience to the role. InsideOut’s team leaders play a critical role in training, managing these young talents, overseeing the myriad property-specific details, and preserving their own sanity amidst the chaos.

Organization is a key factor in the success of InsideOut Properties’ housekeeping teams. Each property is stocked uniquely, with different amenities ranging from hot tubs to bikes and kayaks. They’ve implemented individual bins per property, complete with item lists, to streamline restocking. These lists ensure that no detail is overlooked, from the number of toilet paper rolls required to the specific linens needed for each house.

“House Shelves” are designated for stocking and processes are in place for documenting damage or items left behind. To enhance efficiency, they’ve introduced “runners” who can quickly fetch any necessary replacements, saving time during the cleaning process. This meticulous organization minimizes the likelihood of items being forgotten at the shop or left unattended on-site.

InsideOut Properties consistently receives five-star reviews for cleanliness, with many guests explicitly praising the pristine condition of the properties. Their attention to detail and dedication have led to an impressive 95.2 percent five-star rating for cleanliness on Airbnb, surpassing similar listings in the area by 7.3 percent.

Out of 120 five-star cleanliness reviews for their 24 properties, the only instances of less-than-perfect ratings occurred on a property for which cleaning was subcontracted due to staffing issues. This outstanding performance clearly indicates that InsideOut’s housekeeping teams consistently deliver excellence.

InsideOut Properties’ housekeeping team comprises just two full-time, year-round housekeepers: Liz Whitcomb and Valdalyn Bowman. These remarkable individuals shoulder the responsibility of training, delegating tasks, cleaning, inspecting, stocking, and ensuring the work of the entire team meets their high standards. Their dedication and commitment extend beyond the ordinary, as they care for the properties as if they were their own homes. They face challenging situations with exceptional attitudes, maintain perfect attendance, and play a crucial role in nurturing and guiding the summer exchange students.