| If you own a property near Tampa, remember | | | | reach prospective renters. However, free sites |
| that Super Bowl XLIII happens on February 1, | | | | are not always the best option (no matter how |
| 2009 in Tampa Bay. This is a great opportunity | | | | tempting they may be) because they sometimes |
| for Tampa homeowners to make some extra | | | | lack credibility. The best bet is to stick with |
| income and vacation rental owners to book an | | | | genuine vacation rental portal sites. Although these |
| extra week or two at a premium price. Here's | | | | sites come with a fee, the income you can earn |
| what to do after a potential renter has expressed | | | | from a potential booking easily covers the fee |
| interest in your home: | | | | and should leave you with a profit. Even more |
| So You've Got a Renter... | | | | importantly, this type of backing boosts your |
| The first thing to do upon receiving an inquiry | | | | credibility and gives your whole operation an air of |
| from a potential renter is to contact that person. | | | | professionalism. |
| It's easiest to do this by email, but it's also a good | | | | On the flip side, reputable sites have lots of rental |
| idea to do it by phone. Whichever first-contact | | | | listings so your property will likely have some |
| method you choose, you'll want to speak with | | | | competition. Someone wading through a list of |
| potential renters over the phone before sending | | | | available homes could make their decision based |
| anyone a contract. | | | | wholly on how well you present your home on |
| Once you screen your prospective guest to your | | | | your listing page. Here are some tips for designing |
| satisfaction, go ahead and send them a | | | | a solid vacation rental listing page: |
| short-term rental agreement. There are many | | | | - Make your home stand out by including phrases |
| sample forms available online that you can | | | | in the title and description advertising your home |
| reference. Make sure the contract includes clauses | | | | as available for Super Bowl weekend. |
| about house rules, penalties for damages to the | | | | - Consider offering specials to potential guests as |
| property, and details about how guests can place | | | | a way to catch their eye. |
| and get back their security deposit. | | | | - Use clear, attractive photos to show your home |
| Security deposits for vacation rentals generally | | | | in the best possible light. Even people looking for |
| run 10% of the total cost of renting the home. | | | | the best deal appreciate comfortable lodging. |
| After the renter puts down the money, you can | | | | - Enhance your professionalism by being upfront |
| start collecting the actual rental payment. There | | | | about your rates, fees, and property location. |
| are two ways to make this process easier for | | | | - Try to respond promptly to inquiries in a polite |
| both you and your future guest: installments and | | | | and forthcoming manner to make a good |
| credit cards. | | | | impression. Studies show that when a vacation |
| Sometimes paying in installments works better | | | | rental owner responds to a traveler's inquiry within |
| with people's budgets, especially if they are paying | | | | three hours, they are twice as likely to seal the |
| a pretty penny to stay in your home. However, | | | | booking. |
| you'll want to collect the full amount before their | | | | Additional Considerations: |
| check-in day. In fact, the safest practice is to try | | | | You can usually get a good idea of a pricing range |
| to have the money in your bank account at least | | | | for your home by checking out other Tampa |
| one month in advance. Credit cards make it | | | | area short-term rentals and hotels. Try to look at |
| possible for a renter to pay you immediately | | | | places similar to your home in size, amenities, and |
| without the hassle of writing and mailing a check. | | | | distance to the stadium. This will give you a rough |
| It also confirms the booking right away. To | | | | estimate of what is normal for the area and then |
| accept credit card payments, you may need to | | | | you can adjust the rates depending on perks you |
| set up a PayPal account. PayPal is an online | | | | offer or lack. |
| service that facilitates credit card transactions. | | | | If you have tickets to the game or want to |
| Personal checks are fine to accept as methods of | | | | attend the festivities too, you may consider |
| payment, but keep in mind that they can be slow. | | | | renting out just one room of your house. Going |
| Renters will need to mail the check, you will have | | | | this route would limit the amount you could |
| to cash it, and then it can take a while for the | | | | charge, but you get to stay and enjoy Super |
| check to clear. For this reason, try to give checks | | | | Bowl weekend. Staying in town may be a good |
| a couple weeks of cushion. Remember, you | | | | idea anyway because either you or someone you |
| should not give anyone access to your home | | | | trust should be in the area during the Super Bowl |
| before collecting the total payment in full. | | | | in case of emergencies. It is also important to |
| No matter how much fun your guests have at | | | | arrange for a housekeeper to clean up before and |
| the Super Bowl, they should leave on the | | | | after your guests' stay. They may also be able to |
| checkout date specified in the rental contract. | | | | serve as your emergency contact if you decide |
| After inspecting your property for damages, you | | | | to go out of town that weekend. |
| can return the security deposit. If you find | | | | You may not own a home in Tampa, but that |
| damages, send your former guests copies of | | | | doesn't mean you can't get a piece of the Super |
| receipts for the cost of repairs. Keep the originals | | | | Bowl pie. Even short-term rentals in the |
| in case of legal action. | | | | surrounding areas-- like St. Petersburg or |
| How to Advertise | | | | Brandon-- will likely attract football fans. A word |
| Arranging a guest's stay may be all well and good, | | | | of caution: Don't forget to verify your local |
| but you have to get their attention and their | | | | short-term rental restrictions and make sure |
| booking first. The good news is that marketing to | | | | you're playing by all the rules on game day. A little |
| football fans may not be as hard as making an 80 | | | | time and energy will garner trustworthy renters |
| yard run: | | | | excited about football. |
| Online advertising can be an effective way to | | | | |