What to Know About Amaker Stays in South Carolina

Amaker Stays offers short-term rental management for property owners across South Carolina

Amaker Stays is a property management company that handles short-term rentals—vacation homes, guest houses, and other residential properties rented by the night or week. The company manages the listing, guest communication, cleaning, maintenance coordination, and payment processing on behalf of owners. If you own a property in South Carolina and want to rent it out without handling those tasks yourself, Amaker Stays takes on that operational work in exchange for a percentage of the rental income.

The company operates across multiple South Carolina markets and works with owners who want passive income from their properties but prefer not to manage bookings, guest turnover, or day-to-day logistics themselves. Amaker Stays lists properties on major platforms and handles the backend work that keeps a short-term rental running.

Key Takeaways

• Amaker Stays manages the full operation of short-term rentals, including guest booking, communication, cleaning, and maintenance coordination.
• The company charges a percentage of rental revenue rather than a flat fee, so your cost scales with your income.
• Property owners retain ownership and can end the management agreement, though terms vary by contract.
• Amaker Stays handles the day-to-day work that allows owners to earn rental income without being a full-time landlord.

What Amaker Stays manages for property owners

When you partner with Amaker Stays, the company takes responsibility for the operational side of short-term rental. That includes creating and maintaining listings on booking platforms, responding to guest inquiries, handling reservations and cancellations, and processing payments from guests. You do not field booking requests or manage the calendar yourself.

Amaker Stays also coordinates turnover between guests—scheduling cleaners, inspecting the property after checkout, and addressing any damage or maintenance issues that come up. If a guest reports a broken appliance or plumbing problem, the company arranges the repair and bills it against your rental account. This removes the need for you to be on-call or to hire and manage contractors yourself.

The company handles guest communication throughout their stay, which means you are not responding to messages about Wi-Fi passwords, checkout procedures, or local recommendations. Amaker Stays also manages pricing strategy, adjusting rates based on demand and seasonality to maximize your rental income.

How Amaker Stays charges for its services

Amaker Stays charges a percentage of the rental revenue your property generates, not a flat monthly fee. This means your cost to the company rises and falls with your bookings. If your property rents for $100 a night and books 20 nights in a month, you pay a percentage of that $2,000; if it books only 10 nights, you pay a percentage of $1,000.

The exact percentage varies depending on your property, location, and the specific services included in your agreement. You should request a detailed fee schedule from Amaker Stays before signing a contract so you understand what portion of each booking goes to the company and what you keep. Some agreements also include additional fees for services like professional photography or marketing, so clarify what is covered in the base percentage.

What you need to know about contracts and ownership

You retain ownership of your property when you work with Amaker Stays. The company is a management service, not a buyer or investor. You can end the management agreement if you decide to stop renting short-term or switch to another manager, though most contracts include a notice period—typically 30 to 90 days—and may specify what happens to existing reservations.

Before signing, review the contract terms carefully. Understand the length of the initial agreement, whether it auto-renews, what happens if you want to exit early, and whether there are penalties for cancellation. Ask whether Amaker Stays requires you to maintain a certain number of available dates or imposes minimum booking rates. Some management companies also require owners to carry specific insurance coverage for short-term rentals, which is different from standard homeowner insurance.

Insurance and legal requirements for short-term rentals

Standard homeowner insurance typically does not cover short-term rental activity. Before listing your property with Amaker Stays, contact your insurance provider to confirm your policy covers guest stays. Many owners need to purchase a separate short-term rental or landlord policy, which costs more than standard coverage but protects you if a guest is injured on the property or causes damage.

South Carolina does not have statewide short-term rental regulations, but individual cities and counties do. Charleston, Beaufort, and other municipalities have local rules about where short-term rentals are permitted, how many days per year a property can be rented, and whether you need a license or permit. Amaker Stays should inform you of local requirements for your property's location, but it is your responsibility to verify compliance before you list. Contact your city or county planning department to confirm what permits or licenses you need.

How to get your free guide with Amaker Stays

To explore whether Amaker Stays is a fit for your property, contact the company directly through their website or phone number. You will need to provide basic information about your property—location, size, number of bedrooms, current condition, and whether it is already furnished or needs furnishings. Amaker Stays will assess whether your property meets their standards and fits their market.

If the company is interested, they will discuss their fee structure, contract terms, and what services are included. They may also arrange a property visit to evaluate the space and discuss any improvements or furnishings needed to attract guests. Once you agree to terms and sign a contract, Amaker Stays typically handles professional photography, listing creation, and guest communication setup. You should expect a few weeks between signing and your first guest booking.

Alternatives to Amaker Stays for managing short-term rentals

If you want to rent your property short-term but are not sure about Amaker Stays, other management companies operate in South Carolina. Vacasa, Evolve, and Hostaway offer similar services—they manage listings, guest communication, cleaning, and maintenance in exchange for a percentage of revenue. Each company has different fee structures, service levels, and contract terms, so comparing a few options helps you find the best fit.

You can also manage the rental yourself using platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, or Booking.com. This approach keeps 100 percent of the rental income but requires you to handle bookings, guest communication, scheduling cleaners, and coordinating repairs. Many owners find this time-consuming, especially if they have multiple properties or live far from the rental.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Amaker Stays handle property maintenance and repairs?

Yes. Amaker Stays coordinates maintenance and repairs when guests report issues or when the property needs upkeep between bookings. The company arranges contractors and bills repair costs against your rental account. You do not hire or manage the contractors yourself.

Can I end my agreement with Amaker Stays if I am not satisfied?

Yes, but the contract will specify a notice period—usually 30 to 90 days—and may include early termination fees. Review the contract terms before signing so you understand what it costs to exit early and what happens to existing guest reservations.

What if my property is in a city with short-term rental restrictions?

Some South Carolina cities limit short-term rentals or require permits. Amaker Stays should inform you of local rules, but you are responsible for confirming compliance with your city or county. Contact your local planning or zoning department before listing to verify your property is permitted for short-term rental.

Do I need special insurance for a short-term rental?

Standard homeowner insurance usually does not cover short-term rental activity. You will likely need a separate short-term rental or landlord policy. Contact your insurance provider before listing to confirm coverage and understand the additional cost.

How long does it take to start earning rental income after signing with Amaker Stays?

After you sign a contract, Amaker Stays typically handles photography, listing setup, and platform posting. Most properties see their first bookings within two to four weeks, though timing depends on your location, property type, and local demand.