6 Key Factors Successful Vacation Rental Owners Always Use
If you are going to spend money advertising your vacation rental property on vacation rental websites, you want to make sure it is a success. Here are 6 things you can practice which will help ensure you receive the most "bang for the buck".
1. APPROPRIATELY SET RENTAL RATES – On the chance that you want your vacation property to rent, you must be realistic, optimistic, though not greedy. Set achievable rental rates for your property and make that the rates are accurate on the site(s) your listing and regularly go through as the market changes. Search for similar properties ("comps") in the same place as yours. Charge a premium only if your property has some different features. Also, be willing to discount your property sometimes as needed. In this line of business, if you lose money for a week-long rental, you can never make that up.
2. REGULARLY CHECK E-MAIL – When using an internet vacation rental property website such as http://Rentals2Remember.com or http://eVaca.com, remember your users. They are naturally Internet "savvy" and possibly check their e-mails always especially if they have asked for some info. Also, be sure to list your phone on websites that let you to because sometimes people choose to just call you directly, so be sure to check phone messages.
3. RESPOND INSTANTLY - Vacation goers regularly see a few properties that interest them and at once contact those owners. The quicker you reply, the better chance (most times) you have of winning them over. There have been times I have rented properties in the past and since it took the owner 24 hours to reply, I had already made another choice. Responding efficiently and timely gives the renter assurance that the rental experience will follow suit.
4. YOUR LISTING SHOULD BE ACCURATE AND COMPLETE - Be sure that your listing details are kept up to date and are complete. Evaluate your online listing regularly to be sure that your contact detail is up-to-date. Likewise, be sure that it is accurate in the description of your property and its facilities. This will assist you with repeat clients, but will also keep you out of issues with rental contracts or laws in regards to such things.
5. GREAT PHOTOS - It is true what they say, "a picture speaks a thousand words". Remember, renters, are considering staying at your rental based (most of the time) solely on your pictures and your word. The more pictures to assist them be comfortable with the decision, the better. Here is how I look at it. If you were going to buy a used car, would you do so over the Internet without a good look at the outside/inside of the vehicle, the engine, etc? Not exactly the same, but you get the picture. The more pictures and the prettier, the better! Be sure to have pictures of your rental amenities such as a pool, the beach, a mountain view, the lake or a golf course - these are top vacation rental sellers!
6. INCREASE YOUR EXPOSURE - There are many "hotspots" for travelers all around the world. Before we had property, my family used to travel to Destin twice every year for vacation. There are a lot of vacation rental properties in the Destin, Panama City Beach area. In areas like this, boost your exposure by getting to the top of your sites search engine. If it costs you $20, $50, even $100 to do so but that gets you one extra rental a year, that makes it more than worth it.