Holiday home manager (home-based)

Owners of holiday houses, granny flats and investment properties who live elsewhere or don't want to handle guests themselves.

A percentage commission on each booking, sometimes plus a fee per changeover or for setting up the listing. Income depends on how many properties you manage and how often they are booked.

• Quick, friendly communication with guests
• Organising cleaners and tradies
• Calm problem solving, including after-hours issues

• Licensing: some states may require a real estate licence or certificate for managing rentals for a fee, check your state's licensing body
• Short-term rental rules vary by state, council and strata by-laws, including registration and planning approval, so check before taking on a property
• Public liability and professional indemnity insurance, and check the owner's insurance covers short-term guests
• Handling guest money and bonds, and keeping owner funds separate, can have trust account rules, so get advice
• Being on call for late check-ins or emergencies, and the risk of a bad guest review hitting your reputation

Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your setup and the tools you use for listings and bookings. These are estimates, so check what you will need for your area.

Monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many properties you manage and the commission you agree with owners. Being on call for late check-ins or emergencies is part of the job.

Check whether your state requires a real estate licence or certificate to manage rentals for a fee. Also check short-term rental rules, council and strata by-laws, insurance, and any trust account rules for guest money and bonds.