What differentiates Homely from other short-term rentals business.
Homely is different from other short term rental businesses in Kelowna by offering home like experience with professional hospitality. Our home is designed with Okanagan inspired décor, and local artwork to provide local touch for guests. Homely emphasizes comfort and functionality through fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, board games, and local guidebooks…etc. Homely is an affordable premium option and its pricing is 10 – 20% below the competitors and Homely make sure personal touch that guests value in Airbnb style stays.
Who exactly is your primary target market.
Homely’s primary target market includes travelers seeking comfortable, local, and affordable home like stays in Kelowna. We targets families, professionals, and couples who prefer local home like touch, privacy of a furnished home over other short term rentals. Homely also attracts domestic and international travelers who prefers quality accommodations at reasonable rates.
Have you defined any buyer personas to guide your messaging.
Yes, Homely has defined clear buyer personas to guide our messaging like, typically parents with young children who prioritize comfort, safety, and convenience. They prefer accommodations with fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, and easy access to Kelowna’s attractions. Homely’s messaging for this group allows them to relax and create memories together.
Have you identified which marketing channels (social media, email, etc.) you’ll prioritize.
Yes, Homely has identified some marketing channels that align with its target audience and business goals. The primary marketing channels will be online travel platforms such as Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. These platforms will serve as Homely’s main marketing channels through optimized listings, professional photography, and dynamic pricing strategies.
What pricing strategy are you planning to use, and how does it compare to your competitors.
Homely will use a dynamic pricing strategy that adjusts rates based on factors such as seasonality, demand, local events, and competitor pricing. This approach make sure we are competitively priced throughout the year while maximizing occupancy and revenue.
What is your projected marketing budget, and how are you allocating it across different campaigns.
Homely’s projected marketing budget for its first operational year is approximately CAD 5,000 for creating brand awareness, optimizing online visibility, and driving consistent bookings. The majority of the marketing budget will be allocated for promotions on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com, and paid visibility boosts during peak travel seasons.
Do you have a plan for measuring the success of your marketing efforts (e.g., KPIs ).
Yes, Homely has a clear plan for measuring the success of its marketing efforts. The primary focus on occupancy rate, average daily rate (ADR), and revenue per available night used to assess performance and profitability. Homely plans to track the platform analytics such as listing views, conversion rates, and guest inquiry response times on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. Social media performance will be measured using metrics like follower growth, engagement rate, and click-through rate on Instagram and Facebook to measure audience interaction.
How will you handle customer feedback or negative reviews, especially early in your brand’s launch.
Homely will treat customer feedback both positive and negative for improvement, in the early stages of the brand’s launch. This approach focuses on responsiveness, transparency, and service to make trust and long-term guest loyalty. All guest reviews and messages on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com will be monitored daily to ensure how satisfaction is our service. In the case of a negative review, the response will be professional, and solution oriented acknowledging the guest’s concern, apologizing if appropriate, to resolve the issue.
Have you analyzed the market size and growth potential for Homely’s target region?
Yes, Homely has analyzed the market size and growth potential in Kelowna, and the findings strongly support its business success. The region’s short term rental is influenced by British Columbia’s principal residence rule and it helps maintain higher occupancy and pricing for compliant operators like Homely. While the market remains seasonal and peaks during the summer and wine festival periods.
How will you collect feedback from customers and how will you make that useful for promotions?
Homely will collect customer feedback through multiple channels after each stay, guests will be encouraged to leave a review on platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com, where Homely will monitor ratings, comments, and suggestions regularly. The collected feedback from guest reviews will be featured on social media posts, listing descriptions, and email newsletters consent, helping build credibility and trust among potential customers.
As competition for this business is high where do you see your business in 2 years?
In two years, Homely aims to establish itself as a trusted and recognizable short-term rental brand in Kelowna, known for high-quality, local home like stays with a personal touch. By this time, Homely expects to have built a strong base of repeat guests and referral traffic, reducing reliance on paid promotions and increasing profitability.
Will you buy or rent houses for your business or how will you manage budgeting for that?
Homely’s plans to purchase a house through a down payment rather than renting. The initial plan is to buy a modest, well-located house in Kelowna using personal savings for the down payment, with total startup costs for CAD 50,000. This investment will cover the property down payment, essential renovations, furnishings, and setup costs such as appliances, décor, and licensing… etc.
As you are going to charge people same as hotels if yes then why do you think people will choose you?
While Homely’s pricing is comparable to mid-range hotels, guests will choose it because it offers a greater value, comfort than a standard hotel experience. Homely is designed with Okanagan inspired décor, furnishings, and a welcoming atmosphere that hotels often lack. Homely equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, private living spaces, and outdoor areas, allowing guests especially families, couples to live comfortably and independently during their stay. This means guests can cook their own meals, enjoy more privacy, and feel at home while exploring Kelowna.
What kind of pictures or reviews you will you for promotion?
Homely will use high quality photographs and the visual strategy will focus on creating an emotional connection showcasing not just the space, but the feeling of being at home while traveling. The photo collection will include bright, well-composed images of key interior spaces such as bedrooms, spacious living areas, and fully equipped kitchens, as well as exterior shots that capture the home’s surroundings and Kelowna’s scenic beauty.
As demand in winters is low so how you are going to balance it with budgeting?
In winters, Homely will target longer-term stays from remote workers, professionals on temporary assignments, and students visiting the area. Offering special monthly rates and extended stay discounts will attract guests seeking affordable, home like accommodations for work or relocation purposes. Additionally, Homely will collaborate with local businesses, hospitals, and universities to list the property as a preferred housing option for visiting staff or contractors during the off-peak season.