As we head into summer vacation rental season, this year is proving to be one of the busiest since COVID all but wiped out vacations completely. If you are a rental property owner, you should be enjoying a low vacancy rate; if you aren’t, then something is amiss. There are ways to make your rental more profitable; chief among them is keeping it rented and getting the most during the peak season. The sad reality is that just one bad review or rating can put a dent in your summertime stay rates. These five tips from our property management company will help your rental be more competitive!
Cleanliness
If there was ever a time that cleanliness mattered, now is it. Coming out of COVID and shutdowns, people want to know they can travel safely. One area that has always been of concern is how clean a rental is, which is a bigger issue than ever these days. It isn’t enough to dust here and there; you have to make sure that your rental looks sanitized from head to toe. Make sure to hire a property management company that understands that cleanliness is not a courtesy; it is an absolute must!
Amenities
Sites like Airbnb and VRBO have completely revolutionized the travel industry and allowed people to stay in condos, apartments, and private homes instead of in hotels. People are also looking for modern conveniences and available amenities like paper towels and laundry detergent. Although stocking your rental with niceties isn’t free, the overall impression that it makes is well worth it. If you nickel and dime your product availability, it makes a poor impression on vacationers who aren’t looking to spend their time at Walmart picking up those things that most other rental companies will leave. Being generous always impresses more!
Helpful Guides
Although all anyone has to do is Google when they vacation somewhere to find out what there is to do, renters appreciate your firsthand and insider knowledge about where to go and what to do. There is a difference between touristy attractions and local knowledge, and when you share what you know, it gives renters a guide that enhances their experience. All those little things you do to help your renters have a good time will definitely come back tenfold on you and your ratings!
Maintenance
There will always be times when things break or need to be repaired, but maintenance will help reduce the risk that your rental will have a breakdown when it’s occupied. Most rental property owners can’t be there to see what is going on, which is why hiring the right property management company is so critical. If things start to look rundown or are broken, it reflects poorly on your rental. Inspections are a critical part of running your rental to ensure that everything is in working order every time that a guest arrives.
Repairs
When something does go wrong, how responsive is your rental management company? Not everything can be fixed immediately, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t and shouldn’t address it. If renters have a problem, they should have someone available 24/7 to at least report the issue. Responsiveness is what it is all about. Renters are generally reasonable as long as they know that you care and intend to do something to make it right.
As we head into summertime, it’s been a long time since rentals have been this busy. If your rental calendar is bare, then there is a problem. The key to maximizing your profits is being extremely competitive, which requires doing the necessary things to drive five-star ratings and reviews. At Sweetgrass Property Management, our top goal is to make your rental as profitable and rentable as possible. Contact us today to help ensure that you are hanging the “no vacancy” sign year-round!