In a world that knows no shortage of real estate, it’s never been easier for people to make money in the lodging industry, partly due to VacationRentals, HomeAway, VRBO and Airbnb websites, which have redefined the meaning of holiday/vacation accommodations. Short-term renters can now book a vacation home for a lot less money than a traditional hotel would cost and this also translates into a money-making opportunity for home owners. Home rentals offer so much more than a hotel can. They have all of the amenities of your own home and are more comfortable and spacious than a room can offer.
There are also companies in the area that offer property
management services to their vacation rental clients. For a small percentage of
the weekly rental amount they will advise you on the rent you can expect to
receive, advertise your home for rent, arrange for cleaning services and
collect (from the renters) and pay the state lodging tax thus eliminating these
headaches for you. This particularly works out well for out of state vacation
rental home owners who are unable to attend to their property on a weekly
basis.
Recent statistics say that nearly 60 percent of Americans
were planning to book a privately owned home or apartment rather than seek
hotel accommodation in 2016 and with 87 percent more likely to choose a
vacation rental due to availability and easy online access; there is indeed a
lot of money to be made, provided that properties meet certain conditions.
Since most tourists using websites such as
VacationRentals.com aren’t just looking for a place to sleep, but also for a
superior travel experience, as a host you can’t simply hand your guests the
keys and expect things to run smoothly on their own. Increased availability
also means that short-term tenants are more choosey when considering their
options, so you need to carefully prepare your home in advance and make sure
it’s up to their standards.
The better job you do getting your home ready for
renting, the more your guests will appreciate it and it’ll also put you in a
position to charge a higher rate. So here’s what you need to do:
Make It Spotless:
Before renting your home, inspect it from top to bottom
and see which areas need your attention in terms of cleaning and repairs. The
kitchen and the bathrooms should be spotless while the beds should be made up
with clean linens. Whether you do it on your own or use a housecleaning
service, the bottom line is your house needs a thorough cleaning before your
first guests arrive. Once that’s sorted, have a look at your appliances and see
if everything is functioning smoothly, to make your guests’ stay as comfortable
as possible. If you’re experiencing issues with any of your home electronics,
consider repairing them instead of new ones.
Make It Simple:
Your house should be equipped with everything that’s
necessary to make your guests have that important home-like feeling. This is
also a guaranteed way to get positive reviews and repeat business on sites like
HomeAway or VRBO. Therefore, you should be able to provide your short-term
tenants with facilities and items such as a microwave oven, coffee maker,
teapot, toaster, cleaning supplies, basic toiletries, hair dryer, remote
controls, extra light bulbs, Wi-Fi access, maps etc.
Don’t forget about leaving detailed written instructions
that cover important information such as contact details, emergency numbers,
Wi-Fi passwords, house rules, operating instructions for gadgets and appliances
and so on. Let your guests know where the trash and recycling should be taken
and if you want to go the extra mile, provide them with a list of local grocery
stores, gas stations, and recommended restaurants - your efforts won’t go
unobserved.
While there are many things to take into consideration
when doing short-term vacation rentals, more often than not, the experience is
positive for both the hosts and their guests. As long as you use common sense
and follow the industry’s best practices, you may soon be accumulating five
star reviews.
Carrie Colby Owns Premier Properties
Premier Properties specializes in Waterfront Sales and
Rentals
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