Vacation rental management platform Vacasa has made a deal with Meyer Vacation Rentals to double its inventory on the Alabama coast. Following the transaction, Vacasa will assume management of 980 vacation properties primarily in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL, as well as Perdido Key, FL, ranging from beachfront condos to 10-bedroom family homes.
With a 54-year history in the region, Meyer Vacation Rentals has been instrumental in the transformation of the Alabama-Florida Coast into one of the top beachfront vacation destinations, according to Vacasa. The area’s popularity is supported by Vacasa’s 2021 Vacation Rental Search and Booking Report, in which cities along the Gulf Coast—Destin and Panama City Beach, FL, and Gulf Shores and Orange Coast, AL, to be exact—ranked as the four most-searched destinations on Vacasa.com over the past 12 months.
“Guest demand for vacations to Alabama’s Gulf Coast and the Florida Panhandle is soaring, so we’re excited to expand our portfolio and operations in the area, and help more homeowners capitalize on the opportunities ahead,” said Bob Milne, SVP, operations, Vacasa. “Our teams, along with our advanced technology and marketing, have proven that Vacasa can optimize income for vacation rental owners.”
To support the portfolio expansion and continuation of service levels, Vacasa will maintain the Meyer Vacation Rentals Gulf Shores office and the Meyer Services office in Foley, AL, in addition to welcoming more than 200 employees to its field and management team.
“Meyer has been a locally owned business serving guests for generations,” said Michelle Hodges, owner, Meyer Vacation Rentals, who will retain the Meyer Real Estate business and other SH Enterprises entities. “When we discussed the future of the company, and how to best care for homeowners while opening up new opportunities for employees, this sale was the best path forward for everyone. By transitioning to Meyer Vacation Rentals by Vacasa, we have a proven growth partner that can enhance homeowners’ return on investment and create upward mobility for our incredibly talented team.”
Vacasa expects that Meyer Vacation Rentals’ homes will be fully integrated and bookable on Vacasa.com by October, with Florida units to be managed by Vacasa LLC and Alabama units to be managed by licensed subsidiary Vacasa Alabama LLC.