| Whether you intend to use a property manager | | | | quality photos, write descriptions that really sell |
| or if you plan to rent by owner, with the right | | | | your vacation home, and use the rental rates, |
| road map, you can easily and successfully rent | | | | review systems, amenities tables. You're not |
| your vacation home. The key is to educate | | | | going to get as many inquiries and bookings if |
| yourself before diving in. | | | | your listing is incomplete or hastily thrown |
| Here are a few quick bits of advice: | | | | together. |
| 1) Create a business plan outlining your goals and | | | | 6) Be proactive. Create and stick to a |
| objectives. When entering into any new endeavor | | | | preventative maintenance schedule. Don't make |
| it's vital to have clear idea of where you stand | | | | the mistake of thinking you'll only call in |
| and where you're headed. Before you start | | | | maintenance people when something is broken. |
| renting your home, establish objectives and | | | | You've heard this phrase countless times before, |
| create a plan for achieving those objectives. | | | | but it bears repeating here: An ounce of |
| 2) Don't underrate your vacation home. Look at | | | | prevention is worth a pound of cure. |
| the other rentals in your area for a gauge on how | | | | 7) Get to know other vacation rental owners in |
| much you can charge for a stay in your home. | | | | your area. When owning one from a distance, it's |
| Make sure that your property is competitively | | | | important to get to know your neighbors to |
| priced. You don't want to overcharge and miss | | | | share referrals, accommodate large groups, pool |
| out on potential renters, but you don't want to | | | | resources, and check on each other's properties. |
| undercharge and lose income either. | | | | 8) Respond immediately to inquiries. Rapid |
| 3) Showcase your vacation rental's best side with | | | | response to inquiries is essential for success. |
| great photos. When a guest stumbles upon your | | | | Potential guests who inquire are likely to go with |
| listing, you have 30 seconds or less to grab their | | | | the property owner who gets back to them the |
| attention. Will they rent your vacation home or | | | | most quickly and may book another property if |
| move onto the next ad? It's a simple: The better | | | | they do not hear back from you. |
| photos you have, the more interested a renter | | | | 9) Keep in touch with past renters. With just a |
| becomes, and the more likely they will inquire | | | | little bit of extra effort, you have the chance to |
| about your home. | | | | turn a one-time renter into an annual guest. Stay |
| 4) Get organized. It'll make your life much easier | | | | in touch to keep your property fresh on your |
| in the long run. Keep detailed records of all | | | | past renters' minds. |
| communications and bookings on a spreadsheet | | | | 10) Take time to enjoy your vacation home |
| and maintain a good filing system on your | | | | yourself. It's easy to get caught up in a tornado |
| computer. | | | | of inquiries and bookings; however, don't forget |
| 5) Get the most from your paid listings. Put up 12 | | | | why you bought your home in the first place! |