Vacation rental properties are very popular nowadays, especially if you look at sites like Airbnb. Although many people list their homes on these vacation listing sites, others list other properties they own: a vacation home or vacation rental. Purchasing a vacation rental and constantly renting it out to tenants throughout the year is a great way to earn some extra income.
However, one of the downsides to jumping into the vacation rental world is that you’ll be competing against many other property owners hoping to achieve the same thing. So how can you make your vacation rental stand out amongst the others?
Child-Friendly and Pet-Friendly Changes
People rent vacation rentals from all walks of life, so it’s important to make your property attractive to as many people as possible. Many families travel with their children, pets, or both, so they’ll be looking for home features that will make them a little less stressed.
One thing that you can do to make your vacation rental more child and pet-friendly are to remove all carpeting in the home and replace it with hardwood floors, laminate flooring, or another type of flooring that’s easy to clean. This can also be a bonus for other tenants without children or pets because the carpet tends to hold on to dust, dirt, and pet dander— which can be very hard to clean. Many people are aware of this and may prefer not to stay in a rental property with carpet.
Outdoor/Backyard Changes
Even though vacation rentals are lodging spaces for people on vacation, there’s a reason that people choose a home-away-from-home over a hotel. You may think that having certain amenities in your vacation home will be a waste of time and money since your guests will probably be spending most of their time outside of the home. However, many people still appreciate the amenities that their lodging has to offer.
A great example of an outdoor amenity would be a swimming pool or hot tub from the top pool companies in Austin Tx. Sure the beach, waterparks, and other swimming pools may be available nearby, but nothing beats having your own private pool. You may also want to spruce up the patio area, or even have a patio built by Trueline and furnish it with cozy outdoor furniture. Some of your guests may not have these amenities at home, so they’ll be tempted to choose your property if you offer these luxuries. Just keep in mind that as the landlord, you’ll have to keep up with the maintenance of your outdoor amenities.
Kitchen and Bathroom Renovations
If you’ve purchased an older property, then the odds are that the kitchen and bathroom are two rooms that will need to be renovated. Update the kitchen’s cabinetry and hardware, countertops, and flooring to give it a more modern look. You should also consider making small kitchen appliances available to your guests, such as an air fryer, blender, coffee maker, microwave, and toaster— in addition to the larger appliances (e.g., dishwasher, oven, refrigerator).
Certain bathroom updates will also grab the attention of lodging seekers. Walk-in showers can provide a luxurious experience, making it more accessible for any elderly individuals renting your property. You may also want to consider installing a smart toilet, as they have a lower probability of overflowing than standard toilets. Plus, many people may not have the opportunity to use smart home appliances and may want to while on vacation.
Consider Temperature
Though many vacation rentals seem to have AC and Heat, surprisingly, many don’t! If you have a vacation rental without AC luxuries, this can be off-putting for your guests as it may get too hot for comfort. When you’re vacationing, you don’t want to sit in front of a fan when it’s hot, and the ceiling fans aren’t always adequate- just pushing hot air around. Take the extra steps to ensure your rental is comfortable AND competitive. Start looking for a new air conditioner if you don’t have one installed, you can use a window unit or swamp cooler if the house is small, but bigger places will need an HVAC. If your competition up the street has air conditioning- all other things considered, they will get your customers.
Other Things to Consider
Above all, your temporary tenants want to be comfortable during their stay in your vacation home. Avoid making beds with cheaper linens and opt for premium bedding. Not only are good quality sheets and bedding going to be more comfortable for your guests, but they’re also going to last longer, so you won’t have to keep buying them. Also, opt for a foam mattress over a spring mattress, as they last longer too. The same goes for bathroom rugs, towels, and furniture in the rest of the home.
To avoid spending so much money on these renovations, try looking for vacation rental properties that offer some of these amenities before you purchase one. Since furnishing the home will cost a lot, you can reduce your costs by finding properties that already have hardwood or laminate floors, a fully renovated kitchen, or a backyard pool and patio. Lending companies will work with you to help you finance your vacation rental.
One last thing to remember is that you’re designing your rental property to attract guests, not for yourself. You may be tempted to add some things that you’d prefer, but you’ll want to make sure that it is something that potential renters will prefer.
