After a busy summer, your vacation rental has probably seen its fair share of flip flops and sandy feet. As the rush winds down, Fall is the perfect time to give your property a little refresh before welcoming your next wave of guests.
Our team at Paradise Properties has been managing rentals along the Emerald Coast for almost 20 years. During this time, we’ve picked up a few tricks to take advantage of the slower season.
Of course, the first steps on your checklist should be to schedule a deep cleaning and to pressure wash the outside of your property. Then, go through all of your kitchen inventory and replenish all worn items and touch-up all paint in heavily trafficked hallways and stairwells.
But there are a few other “not-so-obvious” steps you might want to take. While they might seem superfluous on the surface, the vacation rental market is extremely competitive, and like any investment, you should expect to put a bit of your revenue back into your property every year to ensure it stands apart.
Below are our team’s top-5 recommendations for how to invest in your rental and give it a much-needed refresh as guests head home and our local beach towns shift into a slower gear.
Tip #1: Analyze Your Reviews
While you might already be reading your guest reviews in real-time, end-of-season offers a great opportunity to dig into feedback a bit deeper. Read through all the reviews (again) and look for consistent pieces of feedback. For example, most people love your home, but several commented on the mattresses, or the coffee maker, or they wished there was a full length mirror. Is there any bit of consistent feedback that jumps out and can be easily addressed that can enhance the guest experience for minimal cost?
Tip #2: Tune Up Your Appliances & Equipment
Your air conditioning, dishwasher, and washing machines have probably been working double time all summer. If you manage your property yourself, be sure to schedule your HVAC system inspections and check all your pool equipment, elevators, kitchen appliances, smoke detectors, ceiling fans, TVs, Wi-Fi, and other guest essentials to make sure they are working properly. If you work with a property management company, make sure they schedule all of these appointments for you and confirm the maintenance has been done. This is also an important step for preventative maintenance to minimize unnecessary service calls during your next busy season.
Tip #3: Replenish Recreational Games & Gear
As expected, your guests likely don’t have space to bring recreational gear from home – things like yard and board games, beach chairs and towels, umbrellas, toys, etc. Having these types of amenities at your property can go a long way for your rental. If you stock these items already, they are likely worn and probably in need of repair or replacement. Now is the time to get them fixed or replaced – and it doesn’t have to cost a lot. For example, you can find great deals on affordable beach equipment on Amazon or at big stores like Costco, especially during the holidays season.
Tip #4: Freshen Up & Fine-Tune Decor
Use the slower months to freshen up items in your rental that show wear the most. You should consider replacing or steam cleaning items with fabric or upholstery, such as rugs, throw pillows, blankets, bed pillows, outdoor cushions, and outdoor umbrellas. You may also want to consider replacing smaller furniture and decorative items to ensure your property aligns with current and/or local trends. Additionally, if your property is large enough, you can cater the furniture to multiple generations of potential guests, such as ensuring bar stools are comfortable and easy to sit on for all ages. If your property is small, identify your target guest demographic and ensure your furniture matches their needs and style. Small tweaks can be inexpensive and will get the property fresh, crisp and inviting.
Tip #5: Take New Photos
If you buy new furniture, paint walls, or change appliances, make sure you get a current set of new photos and videos from a professional photographer. As guests rely heavily on photos to make decisions about their stays, ensuring your property matches the photos sets expectations and solidifies trust in you and your property. Don’t forget to include photos of unique amenities, like recreational gear including cornhole games and beach wagons, small perks like sound machines and free streaming apps, as well as luxury amenities like gourmet kitchen appliances and high-end coffee makers.
Don’t forget to take advantage of this break. Your attention to detail and extra investment will go miles with your guests. And you don’t have to do it alone. Partnering with a reputable and trustworthy property management company, like Paradise Properties, is a simple way to knock out this list and rest easy during the holiday season knowing your rental is primed and ready to go for next year.
If you’d like to learn more about partnering with Paradise Properties on the management of your vacation rental in the 30A and Panama City Beach areas, please call us at 850-588-7136 or email info@paradise30a.com.
