HomeAway Acquires Property Management Mobile App

HomeAway acquired Glad To Have You, an app for property managers and vacation rental owners, in an all-cash transaction.

The Glad app comes in versions for owners and property managers.

The owners app enables owners to provide guests with details about their upcoming stays, ranging from check in and checkout instructions to Wi-Fi passwords, as well as information about activities in the area, and it gives guests the ability to leave reviews and post photos.

The professional version of the app for property managers provides the above services, and also enables them to send guests special offers, and gives guests the ability to submit service requests. It also integrates with property management software.

Founded in 2012 by co-CEOs Keither Landers and Jason Sprenkle, Glad is used by some 300 property management companies in the U.S., and had raised less than $1 million.

One key question looming is whether HomeAway's rivals will be able to continue using the app or whether HomeAway will cut them off.

Victor Wang, a HomeAway spokesperson, says it will be business as usual for the Glad app's customers.

"HomeAway will maintain the existing apps," Wang says. "Glad to Have You will continue normal business operations with its current customers."

He adds: "Current customers will see no change in their service. Glad to Have You integrates with many companies in the vacation rental space. HomeAway will continue to enhance and support integrations with the vacation rental industry at large."