Renting out a vacation home is easier than ever, but how you can make your ordinary house into a unique vacation rental so that your rental stand out in a crowd of online listings? This will also ensure that you not only make money but repeat customers.
There are two types of rental properties – one that is used by the owners, and another one that is not. Often, it is experienced that properties used by the owners are favored as they tend to be kept cleaner and give a home-like feeling.
Whether you are thinking of using your own house as a vacation rental property, let this be your guide to how you can transform your home into a great rental property. Also, if you are a renter, you can use this as your resource to help you choose a great rental home.
Register Your Property in a Good Rental Real Estate Agency
A real estate company works as the intermediary between the owner and the renter. They have obligated legal contracts to help protect both of you, the renter, and the tenant. A Realtor will help to cover the renter to fit your specific guidelines and parameters. They also take photographs of your property and list them on their website. You can also enlist your property on the internet, if you want to be involved with the process, you should ask the real estate company to share any information they have on the parties interested.
Keep Your Vacation Rental Up-to-date
No one wants to step into an outdated property, vacations like to get the same amenities and comforts they have at their home. A clean, airy, bright roomy space that can comfortably accommodate friends or family. All the Furniture should be clean, modern, and well-arranged.
We are not saying, you spend a lot to furnish your home but you don’t want your guests to feel as though they’ve walked into a home that has outmoded furniture. So, make sure the items you are providing in your vacation rental don’t look beaten up.
Add soft furniture like couches, chairs, sectionals, and others, that should be looked fairly new and clean. Have slipcovers been made to protect original upholstery and choose colors and patterns that stand up to frequent uses? You can also go with neutral colors like white. Walls should look painted, you may wipe them down at the beginning and the end of each season.
Hire a Cleaning Service
The worst experience for vacationers is when they walk into a filthy rental property. So, make sure your guests shouldn’t feel as though they need to wipe down counters, tubs, showers, or floors the minute they step into your home.
To avoid this type of situation, you should hire a cleaning service to thoroughly clean before each renter starts his stay. You can also ask your renters to clean up after themselves before they leave. Quick cleaning of furniture and floor before they leave the premises feels customary.
Make Your Rental Properties feel like a home away from home
To give a home-like feeling to your guests is not so costly, this can be done at a minimal expense. It only takes adding some personal touches to make your guests feel as though they’re home away from home. Here are some simple things that will make a big impact.
- Hanging artwork/beautiful scenic photography and paintings on the walls
- Include vases of fresh flowers
- Add extra pillows and throws on the couch
- Books and magazines for guests
- Board games and cards
- Add some beautiful and comfortable rugs to soften the space
- Tour guides or books
Present Modern Amenities
Today, it’s very important to provide your guest with modern amenities like the Internet, at least one television set, and a DVD player. You can also provide a landline to the customers. Provide your guests with a guest login.
Provide a Well-Stocked Kitchen with Essentials
When people go on a vacation, they often eat out. So, make sure the kitchen should be well-stocked so that renters can prepare different types of meals and prepared and enjoy them in your rental property. A good kitchen will be stocked with:
- Pots and pans
- Metal spoons
- Wooden spoons
- Metal and rubber spatulas
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Plates
- Bowls
- Serving and Prep bowls
- Plastic and glass drinking glasses
- Coffee and teacups
- Wine glasses
- Can and Bottle opener
- Baking Sheets
- Colander, sieve
- Microwave oven
- Toaster
- Coffee Maker
- Tea Kettle
- A vegetable peeler
- A whisk
- Baking Sheets
- Colander, sieve
- Kitchen towels
- A dishwasher
- Dishwashing detergent
- Sponges
- Spices and condiments like salt, pepper, and sugar
- Plastic wrap, aluminum foil, plastic bags, garbage bags
You should also keep cleaning supplies like a broom, mop, and vacuum cleaner, and also provide a couple of flashlights in case of unexpected power outages.
Bedroom
The bedroom should be spacious and have plenty of storage space for their belongings. Keep plenty of hangers in the closets and dressers with empty drawers in each bedroom. Also, provide tables and lamps in every room for bedtime reading. You can also add television and a working clock in the bedroom. The bedding should look new and clean and avoid any stains and tears. Offer your guests some extra pillows and blankets for cooler nights. If your vacation rental is not air-conditioned, make sure that every bedroom and living areas each have one rotating fan. Also, make sure all lamps and fans are in working order.
Offer Your Guests a detailed informational booklet or packet
It is one of the crucial things to include:
- List of local hospitals, walk-in clinics
- Pharmacies
- Grocery stores
- Specialty food stores, coffee shops
- Restaurants
- Local shopping
- Libraries
- Bookstores
- Movie theaters
- Owner’s phone number
- Internet password
- Information regarding garbage collection and recycling
- Anything else you think your renters should know or might be interested in
Visit your Vacation rental property regularly
You should visit your property regularly, if you are not able to do so, you should hire a caretaker that can take care of your property. Look for visible signs of damage and wear and tear. Accidents happen but you make sure all repairs are completed before the next set of guests move in.
Be Very Clear in Your Guidelines and Limitations
You should be very attentive to avoid misuse of your property. Your renters should be aware of all guidelines and limitations, it helps your property to be turned into a party house or any other misuse.
Also, mention whether pets are allowed or not, and whether young children are allowed or not. You may also want to ask your renters what they think you could do to make their stay even better.
A comfortable and well-maintained home will see return vacationers. The same guests will often return to the same house year after year.
