Coffee Table

Here are some monthly tips for vacation rental homeowners.

October’s Tip:

Looking for a perfect and inexpensive way to advertise your vacation rental? A Gift for Your Guests – A Great Way To Advertise! The Gift that Keeps on Giving. Add a picture of your vacation rental to the front cover of photo album. Record the location, year and your contact information on inside cover and leave it for your renters to fill with their memories. As they share their photos with their family and friends, your vacation rental will be exclusively advertised. Very professional with a personal touch! Add a Thank You note and place on your coffee table for your guests. Another way to stand out frm others.

September’s Tip:

For those of you that own property in a four season area, this tip is for you. To attract renters in the “off” season, give discounts or “package deals”. Include a dinner for two certificate to a nearby restaurant or passes to a local theater.

August’ Tip:

As the summer season winds down, get ready for the next season. As I suggested in July, continue to send out letters to your growing list of potential renters the upcoming season. Give out your vacation rental business cards to everyone you know. Leave them wherever you can i.e. restaurants, shopping mall message boards, etc.

July’s Tip:

Take the time to update your renter’s list. Include anyone who has expressed an interest in renting your property (including all inquirers you may have received from your property listing). If you live in a seasonal climate, take this time to prepare a letter to send to everyone on your list. As an incentive, you can offer them a discount for early reservations.

June’s Tip:

It’s Summer time! Are you ready for your renters arrival? Have flowers on the table for that extra touch. And, a favorite cool summer soft drink waiting for their arrival. Hook them up with your favorite marina. Or, leave information for an outdoor local event. Mark your calendar for special dates.

May’s Tip:

Check your blankets, pillows, towels and linens. Is it time to replace the sheets, bath towels and dish towels? If so, throw out the “tired” ones and replace them with soft and “fluffy” towels. As for sheets, better quality usually means longer use. Check the pillows for yellowing and stains. Yellowed or stained pillows could indicate bacteria and should be replaced. Be sure to clean the blankets often and leave extra blankets and pillows, linens and towels for your guests to use if needed.

April Showers brings May Flowers?

Get those early seedlings planted so you and your guests can enjoy the surroundings.

April’s Tip:

This is a great time to walk around your property to see if it needs any painting. Try new colors to give it a special uplift! You and your guests will enjoy the newness of freshly painted rooms. And, don’t forget the outside. Check for peeling paint and rotted wood. It is always good to take care of our property, not just for today’s enjoyment but for future value as well. Last month we talked about handing out business cards to everyone you come in contact with. How is that working? Write to me and let me know. I am interested in hearing from you.

March MADNESS – Month for Discounts

Try offering a discount for early bookings to attract new renter’s.

March’s Tip:

Create new business cards for your rental property. Hand them out to everyone you come in contact with. For friends and relatives, ask them if they would be kind enough to give them out to their friends and business contacts. And, to go with the “March MADNESS” – month for discounts, give out referral fees for this month only.

February – Bring on the Romance!

Mention “Romantic Vacation” in your advertisement for the month of February to attract renter’s to your site.

February’s Tip:

When screening your renters, find out if they will be celebrating a special occasion during their stay at your vacation home. If so, write it down on your calendar as a reminder for when they arrive. Upon arrival, have a bottle of champagne waiting for anniversaries, a candy or fruit basket for a birthday or free tickets to a local fair for any celebration. These are just suggestions, but my point is, be thoughtful and kind to your renters and they will become repeaters year after year. If you have repeat renters each year, you will save your time and money trying to get a different party to rent your vacation home. My advice is to keep your renters happy! Good luck!

January 2007- New Year – New Start

This is a great time to create a new property listing. If you have one already, try to give it a face-lift. Read Chapter six of my book to get creative suggestions and detailed instructions to having the best property listing.

January’s Tip:

Before your guests arrive, check your notes to see if they are bringing along any children. Find out their ages and look for pamphlets in your area for that age group. Leave the appropriate ones out on your counter with a friendly note saying: “Here are some fun things to do in the area. Enjoy Your Stay!” and sign your name as owner. Your guests will not only appreciate having the pamphlets but will also remember how you took a personal interest in them to do such a nice thing. And, they will go home and talk about you and your vacation rental to their family and friends. This is a great way to get repeat guests and referrals.

Bonus Tip:

Take time to go through your rental properties to make sure everything is working correctly. Check batteries: smoke detectors, clock. radio, flashlights, hand held remotes (tv, dvd player, play station etc.) Check kitchen appliances to make sure they are all in good working order. Please feel free to stop in next month at http://www.howtorentvacationhomes.com

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