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10 easy ways to maximise your vacation rental prospects! Part 1

Tags: vacation rentals, holiday homes, self-catering apartments, holiday apartments

If you have a property which you rent out to tourists, then you’ll already know the basics about renting out your house/apartment/chalet/condo. However, do you not always think to yourself that you’re not squeezing the maximum juice out of the possibilities in today’s market? There are various simple investments you can make which can double or maybe triple your rentals and make sure that you reap the benefits. With so many internet sites offering vacation rentals, it’s easy to look like one of the rest, but what you need is to stand out from the crowd. Here’s how.

1. Photographs of your property. This is probably the most important aspect of your online marketing. Research shows that browsers spend an average of 5 seconds on an individual web page – not much if you consider the amount of available properties in your sector. With 5 seconds, you don’t have time to read the text (apart from maybe the headline, but I’ll get to that), so what catches the eye first are the photos. If people like the photos, then they’ll want to read on. It’s worth paying for a professional photographer if you can, but if not, then get a good digital camera, and prep your property. By this I mean, choose the best time of day so that natural light comes through the windows, ensure you have ironed the bedding, don’t leave silly things on view – toilet seats up, pots and pans drying in the kitchen, messy books. Think like a magazine or brochure would like to see your property, like you want to sell the property on real estate.

2. It’s a great advantage to have the same bedding in each of the photos. This creates uniformity and looks professional. When you go to a hotel, they have the same bedding in all of the rooms, right? This breeds confidence and respectability. It’s often nice to leave towels on the end of the bed, as you may find in a hotel. You’re also indirectly answering a question here – do I need to bring bed linens and towels. If guests do, be sure to specify.

3. Be different. Look at your competition, and see which property you would like to rent if you were visiting. Ignore the location, as this is something you can’t change, but little extras like TV & DVD, or Wi-Fi internet can sometimes swing a sale. If you have DVD recorder, you can record movies from TV and leave a mini DVD library for guests. Many people don’t have time to watch DVDs when on holiday, as they’re too busy seeing the sights, but it’s an extra and conveys your attention to detail. Think about buying a travel cot (easy storage) and a high chair –you’ll win over all the family groups, and they are always likely to recommend. Another good idea is to add something a little bit special to your property. Cheap hardware stores have hydro massage shower units or modern shower curtains. Try and make each room unique.

4. Research your local area. Try and include in the description the amenities. Make the prospective renter be comfortable in arriving. Describe the local supermarket and bakers (give recommendations) and their distance. Or the local ice cream parlour that is always full – get the reader interested and wanting to visit.

5. Prepare a little local knowledge for when clients arrive. If you can get mps from the local tourist office, or leave recommendations as to your favourite bars, restaurants, cafes, etc. This is always well received. If you know of a best day to visit the main attractions, as it’s quieter and less crowded – mention this. Are there any hidden gems that you love about your location that maybe the typical guide books don’t pick up on?

6. Get ahead of yourself. Think about providing a small welcome basket of groceries. You could offer this apart or include it in the rental. This is especially important for people who may arrive late or who will be travelling with children.

7. If your clients are arriving via an international airport, ask for their flight number and track the flight through the International airspace website (each country has one, and it’s easy to find through search engines). This is great to see any delays or indeed early flights, and helps you prepare for your client’s arrival easier.

8. Think about contacting a local taxi firm and asking about airport/train station pick ups. This is a great service for both parties involved. Your clients will be safe in the knowledge that there will be a driver waiting for them when they arrive and that this driver has been organised through you. Instant gratitude. Also, you can rest safe in the knowledge that you clients will take relatively no time in arriving, save the queue of taxis outside every typical airport, that the driver knows his destination, and that your precious client’s will not be shown the “tourist route” by the taxi driver.

9. Consider accepting pets. This may sound like a controversial move and may not apply to everyone here, but small dogs or cats do not often bother. You can specify within the description, “small, well-behaved pets considered” and you always have the option to decline politely, but this is a great way to gain those extra rentals, and you can always ask for a greater damage deposit just in case.

10. Think about your client’s comfort. Make sure you stock the necessities like toilet paper, basic soaps (liquid soap in a dispenser is easy – never leave used soap bars - even if recently opened). Washing powder if you have a washing machine and dishwasher tablets, etc. Also think about house keys. If you’re renting to a group of people, they won’t necessarily be all together all the time – bear that in mind, and try and have at least 4 sets of keys to your property (this is what the deposit is for). Get a hold of a few travel adaptors if your clients are mainly foreigners. If you try and solve the questions that renters may have before they arrive, you’ll have already won them over. And remember, a happy customer is always likely to recommend, and those are the best clients, because they’re FREE!

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<h1>10 easy ways to maximise your vacation rental prospects! Part 1</h1><br />by bcndave<br /><p>If you have a property which you rent out to tourists, then you’ll already know the basics about renting out your house/apartment/chalet/condo. However, do you not always think to yourself that you’re not squeezing the maximum juice out of the possibilities in today’s market? There are various simple investments you can make which can double or maybe triple your rentals and make sure that you reap the benefits. With so many internet sites offering vacation rentals, it’s easy to look like one of the rest, but what you need is to stand out from the crowd. Here’s how. </p> <p>1. Photographs of your property. This is probably the most important aspect of your online marketing. Research shows that browsers spend an average of 5 seconds on an individual web page – not much if you consider the amount of available properties in your sector. With 5 seconds, you don’t have time to read the text (apart from maybe the headline, but I’ll get to that), so what catches the eye first are the photos. If people like the photos, then they’ll want to read on. It’s worth paying for a professional photographer if you can, but if not, then get a good digital camera, and prep your property. By this I mean, choose the best time of day so that natural light comes through the windows, ensure you have ironed the bedding, don’t leave silly things on view – toilet seats up, pots and pans drying in the kitchen, messy books. Think like a magazine or brochure would like to see your property, like you want to sell the property on real estate. </p> <p>2. It’s a great advantage to have the same bedding in each of the photos. This creates uniformity and looks professional. When you go to a hotel, they have the same bedding in all of the rooms, right? This breeds confidence and respectability. It’s often nice to leave towels on the end of the bed, as you may find in a hotel. You’re also indirectly answering a question here – do I need to bring bed linens and towels. If guests do, be sure to specify. </p> <p>3. Be different. Look at your competition, and see which property you would like to rent if you were visiting. Ignore the location, as this is something you can’t change, but little extras like TV &amp; DVD, or Wi-Fi internet can sometimes swing a sale. If you have DVD recorder, you can record movies from TV and leave a mini DVD library for guests. Many people don’t have time to watch DVDs when on holiday, as they’re too busy seeing the sights, but it’s an extra and conveys your attention to detail. Think about buying a travel cot (easy storage) and a high chair –you’ll win over all the family groups, and they are always likely to recommend. Another good idea is to add something a little bit special to your property. Cheap hardware stores have hydro massage shower units or modern shower curtains. Try and make each room unique. </p> <p>4. Research your local area. Try and include in the description the amenities. Make the prospective renter be comfortable in arriving. Describe the local supermarket and bakers (give recommendations) and their distance. Or the local ice cream parlour that is always full – get the reader interested and wanting to visit. </p> <p>5. Prepare a little local knowledge for when clients arrive. If you can get mps from the local tourist office, or leave recommendations as to your favourite bars, restaurants, cafes, etc. This is always well received. If you know of a best day to visit the main attractions, as it’s quieter and less crowded – mention this. Are there any hidden gems that you love about your location that maybe the typical guide books don’t pick up on? </p> <p>6. Get ahead of yourself. Think about providing a small welcome basket of groceries. You could offer this apart or include it in the rental. This is especially important for people who may arrive late or who will be travelling with children. </p> <p>7. If your clients are arriving via an international airport, ask for their flight number and track the flight through the International airspace website (each country has one, and it’s easy to find through search engines). This is great to see any delays or indeed early flights, and helps you prepare for your client’s arrival easier. </p> <p>8. Think about contacting a local taxi firm and asking about airport/train station pick ups. This is a great service for both parties involved. Your clients will be safe in the knowledge that there will be a driver waiting for them when they arrive and that this driver has been organised through you. Instant gratitude. Also, you can rest safe in the knowledge that you clients will take relatively no time in arriving, save the queue of taxis outside every typical airport, that the driver knows his destination, and that your precious client’s will not be shown the “tourist route” by the taxi driver. </p> <p>9. Consider accepting pets. This may sound like a controversial move and may not apply to everyone here, but small dogs or cats do not often bother. You can specify within the description, “small, well-behaved pets considered” and you always have the option to decline politely, but this is a great way to gain those extra rentals, and you can always ask for a greater damage deposit just in case. </p> <p>10. Think about your client’s comfort. Make sure you stock the necessities like toilet paper, basic soaps (liquid soap in a dispenser is easy – never leave used soap bars - even if recently opened). Washing powder if you have a washing machine and dishwasher tablets, etc. Also think about house keys. If you’re renting to a group of people, they won’t necessarily be all together all the time – bear that in mind, and try and have at least 4 sets of keys to your property (this is what the deposit is for). Get a hold of a few travel adaptors if your clients are mainly foreigners. If you try and solve the questions that renters may have before they arrive, you’ll have already won them over. And remember, a happy customer is always likely to recommend, and those are the best clients, because they’re FREE! </p> <br /><h2>About the Author</h2><p>David writes about <a href=" http://www.bcn-rentals.com/barcelona-rentals-7-8-people.html" target="_blank"> Barcelona apartments for groups</a> and <a href=" http://www.bcn-rentals.com/barcelona-rentals-1-2-people.html" target="_blank"> Cheap barcelona apartments.</a></p> <br /><h3><a href="http://www.content4reprint.com/recreation-and-leisure/travel/10-easy-ways-to-maximise-your-vacation-rental-prospects-part-1.htm" title="10 easy ways to maximise your vacation rental prospects! Part 1">Article Source:</a> <a href="http://www.content4reprint.com" title="Free high quality articles">Content for Reprint</a></h3>