This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase through my link. Information provided for educational purposes only. Please consult experts and professionals before taking action on the below.
Consider sponsoring this post to help us share this knowledge with others!
If you’ve decided to take the leap and use your vacation home as a rental property, you’re in for a treat. Though owning a vacation rental may take some work, you’ll definitely reap the various rewards that come with it. As more and more people recognize the advantages of using vacation rentals, understanding how to paint your rental home in the best light will become vital. Here we’ve listed some incredible tips for vacation rental owners so that you can fill up your guest book for months to come.
Be Prepared for Emergencies
One of the biggest errors you can make in owning a vacation rental is being underprepared for emergencies. You have to understand that things happen out of the blue. Make sure you have insurance, and make sure you stay on top of paying it. It can really save you when those unexpected emergencies occur.
Related: How To Make Your Vacation Rental Stand Out
Use a Professional Photographer
You need photos of your property—that’s obvious. However, these photos need to be top-notch, not taken on a whim on a smartphone. Pay for a professional photographer—they can help you set the stage and bring life to your photos. This is one tip for vacation rental owners we can’t stress enough—renters pay attention to photos, so make sure you do as well.
Check Your Listings Regularly
If you use a third-party site such as VRBO, make sure to check on your listings at least once a month. Checking up on these sites can help you recognize any issues that may be occurring at your property. Look through reviews and comments to fix any issues immediately, respond to reviews in a timely manner, and see what you can do to improve.
Use Rental Agreements
A rental agreement is essential for setting the expectations between you and your guests. Using an agreement will explain rules and policies for guests and ensure that everyone knows what’s going on. Simply put, it provides a much-needed sense of security for all involved. For example, maximum occupancy and cancellation policies are very important aspects to include in a rental agreement.
Get on Social Media
If you have a vacation rental, then you need to be on social media. You can utilize social media for your vacation home in specific ways; by failing to do so, you lessen the chances of drawing younger crowds to your home. You can also use those professional pictures here, as well. Let your creativity show with social media, and you’ll be sure to draw guests left and right.
Understand That Customers Come First
You may be paying for your vacation home, but as with all service industries, customers come first (to a limit). No matter how hard you try, some guests are bound to have problems during their stays. Because of this, following the basics of customer service is important—listen to guests’ concerns, don’t argue with them, and correct the situation as needed.
Let Someone Else Handle It
Especially if you have more than one vacation rental, you should think about turning to a property management company. If your whole world doesn’t revolve around the property—and that’s okay—you’ll benefit from letting someone else handle all the business aspects of the property. It’ll take a lot off your plate, so you can focus on what you really want to do!
Leave a Reply