Our Methodology

How We Rate Units

Every unit assessed using a consistent, algorithmic approach.
No opinions. No favorites. Just data.

How It Works

We look at what’s actually inside

Every PM describes their units as “beautifully appointed.” A Thermador kitchen gets the same language as original 1980s laminate. We built a system to cut through that.

Each unit is evaluated room by room, scored with a weighted algorithm, and assigned an honest tier.

6 rooms, weighted by impact

Kitchen 25%
Bathrooms 20%
Living Area 20%
Bedrooms 20%
Balcony / View 15%
Quality Tiers

Four tiers, algorithmically assigned

Not subjective labels. The output of a scoring algorithm applied consistently across all 442 units.

Luxury

Full renovation with premium brands throughout. Designer finishes, high-end appliances, curated furniture.

Premium

Updated kitchen and baths with solid finishes. Modern appliances, quality countertops, renovated showers.

Comfortable

Maintained with some updates. Newer kitchen but original baths, or vice versa. Everything works, nothing wows.

Classic

Original interiors. Older finishes, dated fixtures. Same ocean view, same pool, same beach — lowest price point.

Real Example

Same building. Different tier.

Two units at Beachside Tennis Villas — same beach, same pool, same 1,413 sq ft. The only difference is what's inside.

Luxury 3.60 / 4.0

Unit #1832 · Full gut renovation 2024

Kitchen: Thermador range, quartz island seating 4, exposed beam ceiling, built-in hood

Master Bath: Walk-in herringbone tile shower, custom vanity with cane details, marble top

Living Room: LVP floors, electric fireplace with tabby surround, exposed beams, bar area

Brands: Thermador, Sonos, Kiehl's, Nest, Ring

See full assessment →

Classic 1.75 / 4.0

Unit #1839 · Original 1980 interiors

Kitchen: Tile countertops, original cabinets, basic appliances, breakfast bar

Master Bath: Tub/shower combo, ceramic tile, original fixtures

Living Room: Tile flooring, stone fireplace, vaulted ceilings, older furniture

Brands: None detected

See full assessment →

Same address. Same ocean view. Same pool. Every property manager calls both "beautifully appointed." Our tier system tells you what that actually means.

Reference

What each tier looks like, room by room

The patterns our algorithm detects across 442 units. These aren't requirements — they're what we consistently observe at each quality level.

Luxury Premium Comfortable Classic
Kitchen Name-brand appliances (Thermador, Viking, KitchenAid), quartz or marble counters, designer cabinetry, island with seating Updated stainless appliances, quartz or granite counters, modern cabinets, functional layout Functional appliances, basic granite or solid surface counters, some cabinet updates Original appliances, laminate or tile counters, dated cabinets
Bathroom Walk-in tile shower (herringbone, marble, large format), custom vanity, premium fixtures, designer details Walk-in shower, double vanity, modern tile, updated fixtures Tub/shower combo or basic walk-in, standard vanity, functional tile Original tub/shower, original vanity, ceramic tile, dated fixtures
Living Room Premium LVP or hardwood, designer furniture, fireplace with custom surround, sound system, curated decor LVP or updated flooring, modern furniture, quality entertainment setup, coordinated decor LVP or carpet, functional furniture, basic entertainment, mixed decor Original tile or carpet, dated furniture, basic TV, 1980s-era decor
Bedroom Designer headboard, premium linens, quality nightstands, reading chair, designer lighting, workspace Quality headboard, good linens, matching furniture, modern feel Standard bed frame, adequate linens, functional furniture, ceiling fan Basic bed, standard linens, older furniture, minimal lighting
Balcony Polywood or premium outdoor furniture, dining table for 4+, lounge seating, retractable awning Quality outdoor furniture, dining table, lounge chairs, well-maintained Basic outdoor furniture, small table, functional seating Plastic resin chairs, minimal or no dining setup, weathered
Brand Signals

Why brands matter in our ratings

An owner who installs a Thermador range also hired a designer, chose quartz counters, and furnished with care. The brand is a proxy for total investment — not just the appliance itself.

Category Luxury Brands Quality Brands Standard Builder Grade
Kitchen Appliances Thermador, Sub-Zero, Wolf, Viking, Miele KitchenAid, Bosch, GE Cafe, GE Profile Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, GE Frigidaire, Maytag
Countertops Marble, quartzite Quartz, granite Solid surface, butcher block Laminate
Flooring Real hardwood, natural stone LVP, large-format tile, travertine Ceramic tile Carpet (in living areas), laminate
Coffee Nespresso, Breville espresso Keurig, quality grinder Drip coffee maker None provided
Toiletries Kiehl’s, Molton Brown, Aesop Mrs. Meyer’s, Method Basic starter kit None provided

How brands affect the score: Detecting a luxury brand (like Thermador) adds a small bonus to the unit’s score. Detecting a builder-grade brand (like Frigidaire) applies a small penalty. When we can’t identify the brand, the score is unaffected — we don’t assume quality we can’t confirm. Brands are detected from both listing photos and the property manager’s description text.

Beyond the Fixtures

What else shapes the score

These are beach condos, not city apartments. We rate for the setting.

Performance fabrics > leather

Sunbrella handles sand and sunscreen. Leather is expensive but wrong for the beach.

Balcony dining matters

Can you eat dinner out here? Quality outdoor furniture signals an owner who gets why you booked oceanfront.

Carpet = red flag

Hard flooring scores higher in living areas. Sand and carpet don’t mix.

Furniture & decor

Coordinated and intentional scores higher than expensive but mismatched. Design cohesion matters.

Linens & bedding

Crisp layered bedding vs flat pillow and basic spread. You sleep here every night — it’s visible in photos.

Renovation age

A 2024 renovation with mid-range materials can outscore a 2018 one with premium. Condition matters as much as spec.

Our Approach

Algorithm, not opinion

Every unit goes through the same process, looking at the same factors, weighted the same way. A unit’s tier is determined by what’s inside it — nothing else.

Each unit also gets a numerical score (1.0 to 4.0) that reflects its position within and across tiers. Two Premium units aren't identical — one might score 3.2 and another 2.6. The score gives you a finer-grained comparison.

1

We don't assess price or value. That's for you to decide based on your budget and priorities.

2

We don't assess location preferences. Some want pool access, others want top-floor views. Both are valid.

3

We don't assess PM service. The PM affects your booking experience, not the tile in the bathroom.

4

We don't assess personal taste. You might prefer cozy traditional over modern minimalist. We rate execution, not style.

For Property Managers

Help us rate your units fairly

We evaluate units the same way renters do — by looking at listing photos and descriptions. The more complete your listing, the more accurately we can assess quality. Units with limited photos receive lower confidence scores.

Show every room

Kitchen, both bathrooms, bedrooms, living area, balcony. Missing rooms default to a middle score — showing them can only help.

Name your brands

If you installed KitchenAid or Thermador, say so in the description. We check listing text for brands the photos might not show clearly.

Show us what’s hidden

Soft-close drawers, quality cookware, premium linens, blackout curtains. The details that make a stay better — if renters can’t see it, we can’t score it.

Recently renovated? Believe our assessment doesn’t reflect current condition? Reach out and we’ll take another look.

Living Ratings

Ratings evolve as units change

Units get renovated. Furniture gets replaced. We reassess as new information becomes available. If you’ve stayed in a unit we’ve rated, your experience matters — we’re building ways for guests to validate our assessments with structured feedback.