If you are going to spend money marketing your vacation rental property on vacation house for rent websites, you want to be certain it is a hit. Here are 6 things you can do which will help ensure you get the most bang for the buck.
1. SET RENTAL RATES APPROPRIATELY – If you want your vacation property to rent, you have to be realistic, optomistic, but not greedy! Set realistic rental rates for your vacation home and ensure that the rates are right on the website(s) that show your listing. Make sure you regularly review your online listing and change your rent as the marketplace changes. Search for comparable properties (comps) in the same location as yours. Only charge a premium if your property has some distinct features. Be prepared to discount your rent on occassion as needed. In this trade, if you lose money for a week long rental, you can’t make that back!
2. CHECK E-MAIL HABITUALLY – While using an internet vacation rental property website, remember leads from these websites are people who are typically Internet savvy and almost certainly check their e-mails often, especially if they have requested some info from you. Also, be certain your phone number is listed on sites that permit you to as every now and then people choose to just call you directly, so be sure to check phone messages as well.
3. RESPOND RIGHT AWAY – Vacation goers commonly see a few rentals that are of interest to them and then phone those owners. The earlier you reply, the better probability you have of winning them over. There have been times I have rented properties in the past and because it took an owner 24 hours to reply, I had already decided to go with a different property. A timely and proficient reply gives the renter confidence that the rental property experience will follow suit.
4. YOUR LISTING SHOULD BE CORRECT AND COMPREHENSIVE – Be certain that your listing particulars are kept up to date and are comprehensive. Examine your online listing frequently to be certain that your contact information is up-to-date. In addition, be certain that it is correct on the depiction of your property and its amenities. This will help you with repeat customers and will also keep you out of trouble with rental contracts or laws in regards to such things.
5. GREAT PHOTOS OR EXCELLENT VIDEOS OR BOTH – It is accurate when they say, a picture speaks a thousand words. Keep in mind, renters are considering staying at your rental based (most of the time) only on your pictures and video and your word. Remember, the more you tell, the more you sell. Here is how I look at it. If you were going to purchase a used car, would you do so over the Internet without a good look at the outside/inside of the vehicle and the engine? Not exactly the same, but you get the idea. The more pictures and the prettier, the better. Be sure to have pictures of your rental amenities such as a swimming pool, the coastline, a mountain view, the lake or a golf course – these are top vacation rental sellers! If you can do videos and upload them to video sharing websites, even better!
6. BOOST YOUR EXPOSURE – There are loads of hot spots for vacationers around the world. Before we owned property, my family used to head to St. John every year, usually twice. There are thousands of vacation rental properties in the St. John, US Virgin Islands area. In areas like this, increase your exposure by getting to the top of the search engines for keyword phrases like: vacation in st john, st john vacation rentals, vacation rental in st john, and so forth. If it costs you twenty, fifty, even one hundred dollars to do so but that gets you one additional rental a year, that makes it more than worth it.
May you find this article on marketing your rental home helpful. Should you require extra assistance with your rental property in California’s Central Valley go to fresno rental property and to see homes for rent in the Fresno California area go to fresno homes for rent