Upon receipt of payment, locate the reservation within the Active Transactions queue and select the 'Receive Payment' option under 'Next Actions' column. This will bring up a form (image to the right) to enter certain payment details that will help with some of the rental accounting analysis features the VRconnection service offers. The payment will be applied to the reservation and the transaction will move to the next step depending on the amount paid. If full payment is made, the reservation will be marked as 'Paid'. A deposit payment will mark the transaction as 'Secured'. In either case, the property calendar will automatically be marked as booked.

Integration with QuickBooks and Quicken Home & Business
After payment is recorded, VRconnection will summarize the entry and offer a few options (see image to left). If you utilize either Intuit QuickBooks or Quicken Home & Business to keep track of your accounting, you will have options to download an invoice that can be directly imported into either package. This can dramatically cut down on your need to do double entry of your guest information.

Acknowledging Payment Received
VRconnection also provides links to quickly compose acknowledgement e-mails to your guest. Taking advantage of the system's built in e-mail editor, you can once again tap pre-configured 'templates' to issue the acknowledgements with a minimal amount of typing. The deposit payment receipt message usually indicates that the property has been secured for the guest's stay and that the rental balance will be due at the pre-defined time prior to arrival. The message also indicates, and VRconnection will automatically handle, the sending of an e-mail reminder when the balance is due.

If full payment is received, the full payment receipt message similarly indicates that the property has been booked and that access to the property will be provided at the pre-defined time prior to arrival. Additionally, the full payment acknowledgement message can provide a secure link to a previously uploaded check-in/check-out procedures document for your property. Since every property is unique, you will need to create this document that typically contains driving and arrival directions, as well as check-in/out procedures and rules governing the use of your property. Once it has been created (in Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, HTML, or text), it is uploaded to the VRconnection Web site. The document is then secured and made available only to your booked guests at the appropriate time, relieving you of the task of having to separately mail, fax, or deliver the document. Of course, you do not have to take advantage of this feature, but it can sure save you a lot of time.

Scheduling Cleanings
Finally, payment for a reservation usually results in it being officially 'booked'. As such, it is a good time to schedule your cleaning service for the stay. If your cleaning needs can be arranged via e-mail, VRconnection allows you to specify the cleaning contact information within the 'Edit Property Options' page. Once configured, you have the option to send a pre-formatted message that will update your cleaning service on your current cleaning schedule requirements. A couple of mouse clicks is all it takes (see image to right).

If you like what you see so far, click here to list and manage your property with VRconnection. Otherwise, let's continue the tutorial with balance due notification and providing access.