| You have found the perfect vacation home in | | | | take many pictures of your vacation home to |
| the perfect setting. Follow these simple | | | | highlight its features. If possible, try to |
| steps to help increase your rental revenue, | | | | stage the pictures - set an appealing dinner |
| so your vacation home is not only a place for | | | | table with dinnerware that suits the location |
| you to relax but also an instrument in | | | | decor, make sure bed and bath areas are clean |
| helping create financial wealth. | | | | and appeal to the senses, take pictures with |
| | | | good lighting - you don't want dark, dreary |
| #1: Understand Your Competition and Target | | | | pictures. The more pictures you take, the |
| Market - Browse various vacation rental | | | | better. You want to charm potential renters |
| websites and talk to property managers who | | | | while erasing doubts. |
| offer rentals in the area. This will give you | | | | |
| an idea of the current market to help set | | | | Finally, add the words to match the pictures. |
| competitive prices as well as help you | | | | Make your listing stand out from the typical |
| determine what amenities you should consider | | | | "2BD/2BTH Beachfront Condo" description. Be |
| in order to make your property stand out. | | | | creative! If you find it hard to express |
| This can also help answer common questions | | | | yourself, imagine having to describe your |
| concerns: How do owners handle deposits? | | | | vacation rental to a friend who is visiting |
| Outside of deposits, what are other fees I | | | | for the first time. How would you describe |
| should consider charging? Should I allow | | | | the front of the property? What aspects of |
| pets? | | | | the property do you love? What do you think |
| | | | they will like the most? What types of great |
| Evaluate your vacation home to determine for | | | | activities can you offer during their stay? |
| which groups your property is best suited - | | | | Be specific in your descriptions. Let |
| couples, families, large groups, adventure, | | | | potential renters know exactly what amenities |
| relaxation, etc. This will help you create | | | | you offer and highlight nearby attractions. |
| advertisements that will appeal to target | | | | |
| audiences. Find advertisements that you find | | | | #4: Offer an Availability Calendar - The |
| appealing and use those to guide you in the | | | | Internet has given us instant access to all |
| creation of your own advertisement. | | | | sorts of information and many potential |
| | | | renters expect that same access from you. By |
| #2: Advertise, Advertise, Advertise - The | | | | providing an availability calendar, renters |
| vacation home that's the best-kept secret | | | | can find out immediately if you have openings |
| isn't generating much revenue. Get your | | | | for their schedule or determine the best |
| property out where people will see it! There | | | | dates for their travel based on your |
| are many websites that offer free advertising | | | | availability. This will also prove to be a |
| with minimal work for you. Seek these sites | | | | time saver. You will no longer need to waste |
| out first, as it is a way to generate some | | | | your precious time returning phone calls or |
| exposure without the cost. To get even more | | | | sending emails saying, "Sorry, we're booked |
| exposure, look for sites with high visibility | | | | that week." Spend your time dealing only with |
| by spending a little time doing some | | | | truly potential inquiries. |
| research. Try various search engines to find | | | | |
| which vacation rental sites get the most | | | | #5: Offer Promotions - Sure a ski chalet does |
| exposure for your area. This will help you | | | | great in the winter and the beach house is |
| pick a vacation rental website that generates | | | | booked all summer, but what about the |
| high traffic for your locale. These sites | | | | off-season? To generate yearlong income, you |
| will most likely have attached fees, but | | | | may want to consider reduced prices for quiet |
| these fees will usually pay for themselves | | | | months. This will make your property stand |
| with just one successful lead. The more sites | | | | out when compared to its competition. In |
| you advertise on, the more traffic you will | | | | addition, find attractions for your property |
| generate for your vacation home. | | | | that are still available during the |
| | | | off-season (i.e. their may be no snow for |
| #3: A Picture Says a Thousand Words - | | | | skiing, however, the ski runs make great |
| Potential renters want to see what they are | | | | mountain bike trails in the summer and nearby |
| getting before they get it! Simply | | | | trails offer nice hiking opportunities). |
| advertising your site with basic descriptions | | | | Remember, even if it is not the peak season, |
| is not enough. In the vacation rental | | | | you can still capture an audience that is |
| business, pictures are key since the majority | | | | looking for a quieter time to travel with |
| of people will rent sight unseen. Be sure to | | | | alternative activities and bargains to boot! |