How to keep your own weeks without wrecking the calendar

A practical way for second-home owners near Disney to block personal stays across Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and Hopper.

You bought the house so you could use it. The earning version of that house needs your trips on the calendar earlier than your favorite holiday, because those are the weeks guests want too.

A simple rule

Put owner stays in before the high season opens for booking, and put them on every channel at once. A block that exists only on Airbnb still sells on Vrbo. That double book ends with you on an air mattress or a guest in a hotel you pay for.

What to decide once

• Which holidays are yours every year, until you say otherwise.
• How many extra weeks you want, and whether they can move.
• How close to arrival you are allowed to take a week back. Inside a confirmed booking, the answer is no.
• Whether the home should be empty a night before you arrive so the clean is for you, not raced against your flight.

Tell Palm Hosts the year in one note. We would rather hold Christmas in March than disappoint both you and a guest in December.