The Backdrop
Not every property owner wants to hand over the keys completely. Many enjoy being involved in the day-to-day, greeting guests, and keeping a personal touch on their vacation rental. But what happens when marketing, bookings, and revenue management start taking up more time than you ever expected?
That’s where Joseph Ellen Hybrid steps in. Our motto is simple: “Our distribution, your management.” We give owners the freedom to run their homes the way they like, while we handle the heavy lifting behind the scenes — visibility, booking channels, guest inquiries, and revenue optimization.
The Breezy Bungalow is a perfect example of how this works in practice.
How We Found Each Other
Like many of the homes in our portfolio, The Breezy Bungalow came to us through referral. A happy owner we’d already been working with couldn’t stop talking about the difference Joseph Ellen made in their business — and their friend listened.
The owner of The Breezy Bungalow had been through it all:
- Years of DIY self-management, juggling late-night guest questions, trying to master Airbnb’s algorithm, and running revenue experiments that often didn’t pan out.
- A stint with another management service that promised the world but failed to deliver.
By the time they came to Joseph Ellen Hybrid, they were ready for something different: a partnership that respected their hands-on style, while making sure their property was performing at its best.
What the Hybrid Program Looks Like (12% Management fee)
At its core, the Hybrid product is about freeing owners from the digital grind:
- 24/7 Guest Communications – Our dedicated reservations team answers every call, email, and message, day or night. That includes booking confirmations, rental agreements, payment processing, and even rebooking repeat guests.
- Full Distribution Power – We list and manage the property across every major vacation rental platform: Airbnb, VRBO, Marriott, and more.
- SEO & Paid Marketing – From Google Ads to social campaigns, we invest heavily to keep our properties at the top of search results.
Revenue Management – Using dynamic pricing and market intelligence, we make sure owners earn the revenue their property deserves.
The owner of The Breezy Bungalow still gets to oversee operations on the ground — guest check-ins, housekeeping, local touches — but without worrying about missed booking opportunities or poor visibility.
The Breezy Bungalow by the Numbers
Here’s where things get fun. Let’s look at how performance changed after joining Joseph Ellen Hybrid:
- Revenue Growth: In the first 7 months of 2025, The Breezy Bungalow generated $72,431 in gross booking revenue.
- Occupancy Ranking: Out of 45 Jacksonville Beach homes in the Joseph Ellen program, Breezy Bungalow currently ranks 4th overall in occupancy.
- Market Beating: Against the Jacksonville Beach market average, Breezy Bungalow is simply dominating. Four-bedroom homes in the area average 36% occupancy, while Breezy Bungalow is crushing it at 2%.
Year-over-Year Growth: Compared to 2024, revenue is up 42%, and occupancy has jumped from 61% to 74%.
For an owner who once struggled to keep bookings consistent, these numbers aren’t just good — they’re transformational.
Why It Worked
Three key things made The Breezy Bungalow’s Hybrid journey a success:
- Referral Trust – Coming through another satisfied owner built instant credibility. The Bungalow’s owner knew they weren’t just signing up for software or a faceless service — they were joining a proven community.
- Owner Involvement – The Hybrid model let the owner keep their favorite parts of hosting, without burning out on the backend. They still get to greet guests, make design tweaks, and add personal touches.
- Distribution Powerhouse – By tapping into Joseph Ellen’s distribution network, the home reached audiences it had never connected with before. Instead of competing against thousands of DIY hosts, it now stood shoulder-to-shoulder with top-tier properties.
Owner’s Perspective
In their own words:
“JEP’s innovative hybrid management system has revolutionized our experience. By handling all guest accommodations, they allow me to concentrate on the aspects of our business that I control. Their extensive vendor network ensures that any unexpected challenges are swiftly addressed, and their exceptional communication with guests maintains a high level of professionalism. JEP’s meticulous attention to detail, particularly in billing and bookings, sets them apart from other management companies. Their prompt response ensures that guests have a seamless stay, even when issues arise. I am thrilled to be a part of the JEP team, and I am confident that our partnership will elevate The Breezy Bungalow to new heights, establishing it as a benchmark for vacation rentals.”
Lessons for Other Owners
If you’re managing a vacation rental and feel torn between full-service management and the exhausting DIY grind, the Breezy Bungalow’s story offers a clear takeaway: you don’t have to choose.
Hybrid is the sweet spot. You manage your property the way you like — your cleaners, your check-ins, your style — while we make sure the world knows about it. It’s about doing what you do best, while we handle what we do best.
The Results in Context
For Joseph Ellen Properties, this case wasn’t just about boosting one home. It showed how Hybrid fills a real gap in the market: owners who want professional-grade marketing and reservations without giving up operational control.
With occupancy nearly double the market average, revenue pushing into the six-figure range annually, and a top-5 occupancy ranking among all Jacksonville Beach homes, The Breezy Bungalow proved that Hybrid doesn’t just work — it thrives.
Final Word
At Joseph Ellen Properties, we believe there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to vacation rental management. Some owners want to be hands-off; others want to stay deeply involved. Hybrid is the bridge between those two worlds.
The Breezy Bungalow is now booked more consistently, earning more revenue, and giving its owner the freedom to manage on their terms. And for us? It’s another story that proves why we built Hybrid in the first place.
Interested in Hybrid for your property?
Visit Joseph Ellen Properties and let’s talk about how our distribution can power your management or email our owner Andrew at [email protected]
