Meet Elisa Foster, the driving force behind Haustay. With a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences, Elisa entered the short-term rental industry in 2016 as a host for their Carlsbad condo, known as the Coastal Casita. Recognizing the opportunity to manage properties for busy owners, Elisa founded Haustay Vacation Rentals in 2020, now overseeing over 40 properties in North County San Diego. Join us as we explore Elisa’s rewarding career, her love for guest and client feedback, and the captivating Grandview Getaway in Encinitas.
With the support of HostGPO, Elisa and Haustay Vacation Rentals have streamlined operations and enjoyed savings on essential items.
How many years have you been in the short-term rental industry and how did you get started?
We started as vacation rental hosts when my husband and I bought our short term rental condo in Carlsbad in 2016. We enjoyed making the condo our own while providing a relaxing stay for hundreds of guests over the years. From the beginning of our ownership, the condo, which we have since named the Coastal Casita has been a popular vacation rental in Carlsbad having many repeat guests that come back year after year.
We immediately recognized that we enjoyed hosting and realized that we could manage vacation rentals for owners who didn’t have the time to manage on their own. In 2020 we started Haustay Vacation Rentals and have grown since to manage over 40 properties in North County San Diego.
Prior, I worked in commercial real estate for over a decade.
What do you find most rewarding about your career?
I would have to say that the feedback we receive from guests AND clients is what makes this career the most rewarding. Preparing a rental to its highest potential benefits the client in reaping the rewards of a 5-star review for their property. Receiving feedback from a guest that they loved their vacation is the icing on the cake.
What is your favorite rental property you have and why do you love it?
Grandview Getaway in Encinitas is a personal favorite as it is a quintessential San Diego home with ocean views. It is beautifully decorated, and spacious and you can’t beat the location with close proximity to the beach and downtown Encinitas area.
What’s the craziest story you have from hosting?
During a rare storm in San Diego, one of our oceanfront homes was flooded with ocean water around midnight and we received a call from a very distressed guest. I think most property managers could agree that floods are one of the most stressful situations we have to deal with.
What’s one “pro-tip” you’d be willing to pass on to the community?
I suggest automation on all processes in order to scale and when it comes to decorating your rental, in my opinion, it is better to use quality items. Linens should be top-notch. We are so happy we found HostGPO as we have been able to order items at discount prices and who doesn’t love to save money where they can??
What’s the most recent item that you can remember that you’ve ordered from HostGPO?
We ordered a new patio set from Pottery Barn for the summer. We were able to get a great deal as Pottery Barn was already having a sale so we were able to save money on top of that.
What would you tell others about whether to join HostGPO?
We have saved so much in the past year since we joined HostGPO. We provide Public Goods in all of our rentals so we have saved so much just ordering those items. When it comes to curating a new rental, HostGPO makes the process easier AND more affordable. All STR owners should be a part of this program.
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