This article is written for property owners deciding who to hire to help run their listing โ not for people researching how to become a co-host themselves.
The short answer
Virtual assistant
The narrowest hire โ specific, assigned tasks like messaging or admin work, without independent operational decisions.
Co-host
Operates with real autonomy inside boundaries you set โ responding to guests, dispatching cleaners, managing lock codes โ while you keep the listing and PMS relationship. This is the only one of the three where a flat monthly fee is a common pricing structure.
Full-service property manager
Typically takes over substantially more โ sometimes the listing itself moves under their management. Usually the most expensive option, priced at a higher percentage.
How to tell which one you're being quoted
Ask: "Who owns the listing and the PMS account โ me or you?" and "What decisions can you make without checking with me first?"
Frequently asked questions
Usually yes โ co-hosting typically costs less than full-service management's typically higher percentage.
The scope can expand by agreement, but it's a different arrangement, not an automatic upgrade.