Taking your vacation rental from so-so to so amazing

After crunching the numbers and going over the logistics, you’ve decided owning a vacation rental is the right move for you. Whether you want to earn extra income or jump into vacation rentals full-time, it’s important to do your homework. The vacation rental industry is competitive and you’ll want features and amenities to set your rental apart. Check out these tips for taking your vacation rental to the next level to fill more dates and earn more money.

1. Offer awesome amenities

Vacationers want the amenities of a hotel but the conveniences of a vacation rental. You’ll want to make sure your rental stands out with cool features and helpful amenities. Pay attention to your audience though; you don’t want to waste money on conveniences your renters won’t use. Families will love large flat-screen TVs for movie nights and game rooms with pool tables and ping-pong. Couples enjoy luxurious touches in the bedrooms and bathrooms. Put up blackout shades and offer sleeping masks so they can sleep in late. Soft robes in the bathroom make your rental feel like a first-class resort. Of course, renters also love outdoor features like a pool or hot tub. If you don’t have the space or budget for that, you can still create liveable outdoor spaces. Have lounge chairs for guests to relax with a book and an outdoor patio so they can dine al fresco.

2. Upgrade your kitchen

As the old adage goes, sometimes you have to spend money to make money. Just like at home, the kitchen is the heart of the home at a vacation rental too. Upgrade the space with finishes like solid-surface countertops, modern cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Even little, inexpensive touches such as pendant lights and tile backsplash make the space extra special. Stock the pantry with basics like spices and paper towels and you’ll create a welcoming environment your guests won’t forget. Casiola equips all its homes with free Starbucks and coffee makers so guests can start their day off on the right foot.

3. Create the feeling of home

Even though guests are on vacation and often want to escape from everyday life, they still want to feel comfortable. Make your property feel warm and inviting with colorful, tasteful artwork on the walls and soft rugs on the floor. Throw pillows and blankets in the living room and bedrooms add color and warmth too.

4. Don’t forget the basics

While upgrades and updates give you big bang for your buck, don’t neglect the basics. Provide your guests with reliable and fast complimentary WiFi and air conditioning for the sweltering Florida weather. Make sure the home has plenty of easy-access outlets to charge electronics. You could even have a stash of iPhone, Android and other chargers on hand in case your guests forget theirs. Guests also appreciate basic cable or satellite TV, board games and toys for the kids, and libraries of books and DVDs.

5. Keep up with home maintenance

Don’t let chipping paint and overgrown landscaping create a negative impression of your property. Do periodic checks to be sure that all your kitchen appliances, washer and dryer and smaller appliances work. It’s also important to keep your property clean. As Casiola, we have an in-house staff of five-star trained housekeepers to keep properties in tip-top shape. We also utilize our own maintenance technicians and property inspectors to help owners maintain their properties.

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