Vacation home rentals are more popular now than ever. They offer distinctive features – such as a more residential experience among the “locals” – that contrasts with the sameness and expense of hotels. A spacious vacation home rental can also accommodate large groups more easily.
Tourist travel to Northern California all year around to visit San Francisco, the wine country, and many other historical and natural attractions. Having a vacation home in this area gives you a natural marketing advantage over residences in less popular tourist destinations.
Is your home in a desirable area? Does it have great views or other attributes that make it attractive to travelers? Below are tips on how to create a vacation home rental that will be in high demand all year around:
Get rid of any clutter, including bedrooms crammed with toys or a garage packed to the ceiling with boxes and junk. Make sure your landscaping is maintained; gardens are not overgrown and weedy. Consider a housekeeping service to clean up after guests leave.
Make sure you advertise your vacation home rental on top vacation rental websites. It’s important to include photos, size, layout location and amenities.
Go above and beyond for your guests; provide neighborhood rules, directions for operating appliances and electronics, taking out the trash, and where to local linens and supplies. Be prepared to accommodate special requests and answer unforeseen questions, and to help with bad vacation experiences that may be unrelated to your rental property.
Enlist the services of a reputable property management company to manage the above and beyond. They will save you time and protect your real estate investment by handling your rental advertising, special requests, and problems in a timely manner, and they will also screen potential renters.
Check that your insurance policy covers vacation home rentals and anything that could happen while guests stay in your home, and make sure you record your income and expense for tax purposes.
Turning your home into a Northern California Vacation rental will require some preparation and marketing effort but the income stream will be worth it. Guests who appreciate your hospitality are likely to return on a regular basis, and you may even form new friendships.
Need help managing your home vacation rental? Cedar Creek Realty is your resource in the Arnold and the Ebbetts Pass Corridor in the Western Sierras helping protect your home vacation rental.