In this day and age, life can be dynamic and full of possibilities to such a degree that work, travel and vacations can take place in any space around the world, and at short notice. When deciding where to go on vacation, people can be particularly picky in regards to their needs, because everybody knows that after a long working period, the well-deserved respite and downtime needs to be a comfortable, soothing and fun experience.
By the end of this read, you will hopefully be more inspired and resolute about the actions you’ll need to take when deciding how to turn your house into a vacation rental for others to enjoy.
All homes require specific care and preparation
The purpose of this interesting journey is to rearrange and transform the place into the cozy, warm and alluring space the future tenants will be looking for. This involves processes like decluttering and depersonalization to the extent that the new arrivals will feel like they are staying at a place that is like a home away from home, yet with enough opportunities for them to make the place their own.
Firstly, tidy it up, inside-out. When talking about maintenance in and around your rental property, see what you can do to improve the state and aesthetics of your lawn and garden. Check the condition of the grass and any other plants you might have in and around the home. Make sure there are no tools, toys or other detritus covering the grass as this can result in patchy, yellowed turf that will be appealing to no one. Be aware that there could be other issues relating to yellowing grass, such as a chemical imbalance caused by a lack of (or surplus) of fertilizers and nutrients.
Once you’ve taken care of the landscaping you want to turn your attention to the fencing. Give it a new lick of paint, and while you’re at it, see if there are any other areas that might need a refresh – like the porch, front door or window frames. Everything about your place needs to be saying “Come on in!” by the time you’re done with it.
Legal, business and ethical considerations
Make an assessment on how suitable your property is for the scope of a vacation rental. Settle the legal score with the authorities, get a permit, information about the state and/or city regulations, fees and contact the required government representatives.
Observe the market with regards to the prices and availability in your area. Check for updated templates to use, current laws and who can help you out. Think about what kind of person you are and how much you can realistically handle and achieve, on your own or when helped by others. You can opt for saving money, time, or effort. Or you can find a sweet spot in juggling with this formula. It all depends on what kind of person you are and what your preferences are in approaching the matter.
Bear in mind your resources and necessities. If you’re a busy person and can not tend to all or most of the steps required, get the help of your family members, friends, and agents. It’s your choice on how to enact on it.
Write wholesome, detailed advertisements about the specific aspects of the rental product and the service you are offering. Provide enough details that it’s concise and attractive as not to bore the viewer with a tedious read, leaving you enough room to relay any additional information in a conversation over the phone, mail, or in person. Be honest about everything. When partnering up with someone in order to close a deal and establish a business agreement, you want to exude good intentions, a professional approach and a confident attitude.
Ensure healthy and transparent communication with the people and authorities involved in helping you reach your goal. Be reasonable, fair and portray trustworthiness in your negotiations. Establish the time frame interval and type of rental you offer, conditions and perks, amenities and pricing. Have some good photos ready to relay the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the house.
Advertisement, security and neighbors
Decide on what kind of services you can and want to offer according to the possibilities at hand. Post the advertisement on multiple websites, ranging from the general to real estate-specific platforms, so that it can be found by both casual surfers and those set out for this specific thing in mind.
Make safety a priority for your future tenants by taking certain precautionary measures and educate them with regards to the house plan or schematics, specifics and adjustments you’ve made. Inform them about rules of conduct, legal implications, ticking the awareness and responsibility boxes. Also, don’t forget about insurance – safety first. Be on the lookout when screening for tenants, exercise caution and tenacity to spot the reliable people you’d like to do business with.
Have a talk with the neighbors when there will be tenants, be it permanent, long-term or only for a couple of weeks. Notify them in advance about incoming guests so they can feel relaxed about the whole process too.
There are a number of things to consider when converting your house into a holiday rental. You need to be aware of the means to achieve the end result and practice a flexible approach so that you increase the chances of everyone walking away from the experience a happy customer. With enough patience, involvement and hopes held high, you’re bound to be successful in this endeavor. So fingers crossed, good luck and may your house be among the top picks!
