Short-term rentals are becoming more popular with vacationers, business travelers, and people needing a place to stay while relocating and renovating their homes. Although you may have a terrific rental property, it may be difficult at first to get noticed in a highly-competitive market. However, by adding a few distinctive touches and being smart about marketing, your property can attract the renters you want.
Upload Quality Photos
Photos of your rental property are the first things your prospective renters will look at. Based on what they see, they will decide within a few seconds to read more or click on to the next offering. That’s why it’s so important to upload quality photos that highlight the best features of your rental.
Rather than quickly snap a few pictures with your cell phone, consider hiring a professional photographer. Professionals will take time to present your rental property in a way that best appeals to potential tenants. They also have the proper equipment, lighting, and editing software to produce high-quality digital photos for uploading to the website.
Write a Great Description
In your description, you need to do more than inform your readers about the features of your rental property—you need to persuade them that your property is the best choice available and will exceed their expectations. To do that, you have to think like an advertiser.
Determine who will be most likely to rent your property and write directly to that target audience. What are your prospective renters looking for the most? Create a tone that is positive and generates excitement. Highlight two or three of the most important or appealing features. Use a list to give a quick overview of the amenities.
Pay Attention to Color Schemes
Colors influence emotions and establish the theme for your rental property. To select the right color scheme for your short-term rental, first consider how long your tenants will be staying and what the purpose of their rental might be. Soft, neutral colors will tend to be relaxing, whereas blues and greens communicate friendliness. Bright colors like yellow, orange, and red convey happiness or excitement.
To create a balanced color scheme, select colors that harmonize or complement each other. A color wheel may help you to decide. Many people choose a neutral shade for their dominant color and accent with two or three other colors. Carry the colors through in walls, furniture, and accessories such as throw pillows and wall décor.
Buy Quality Furniture
Fashionable, attractive furniture will help your rental stand out from the competition. At the same time, the furniture will need to stand up to frequent turnover of guests, their luggage and belongings, and their unpredictable habits.
If the home is to be used by vacationers, your renters may also be bringing in mud, sand, wet bathing suits, rain-soaked clothes, and other messy things. You should consider the wear your furniture will sustain when picking pieces. Furniture will need to be sturdy, and upholstery fabrics should be stain-resistant or washable.
Play Up the Perks
One way to make your rental outpace the competition is to offer perks that other rentals don’t have. Business travelers will appreciate free wifi, desk space, and sufficient outlets for charging electronic devices. Vacationers will want premium TV channels and a comfy porch or patio. And, everyone likes available laundry facilities.
All prospective renters will look for a well-appointed kitchen. One advantage of staying at a rental property rather than a hotel is the ability to save money by cooking your own meals. People who rent for family reunions or other gatherings will also want a kitchen equipped with a variety of pots and pans, utensils, and a quality coffee maker. Don’t forget the corkscrew.
Point Our Local Attractions
Your prospective renters may be considering your property primarily because of its location, so be sure to point out the local attractions and their proximity to your rental. Regardless of the purpose of their visit, your guests will want to know how far it is to the beach, zoo, airport, theme park, shopping area, or whatever attractions your location offers. Give distances in times rather than miles.
You have insider knowledge of the best restaurants, nightclubs, and entertainment venues in town. Try to partner with these places in cross-promotional marketing strategies. You might offer discounts on referrals or include menus or coupons in your welcome packet. The restaurant or venue can do the same.
Add Bathroom Luxuries
Bathroom facilities are one of the key features people look for in a short-term rental, and a great bathroom is one of the most-mentioned amenities in reviews. Even if a full bathroom remodeling isn’t in your budget this year, you can make some changes to make your renters feel pampered and refreshed.
Everyone appreciates a showerhead with good water pressure and adjustable settings. A showerhead that detaches for spraying is also desirable. Quality, fluffy towels will add a touch of luxury, as will samples of high-end shampoos, soaps, and lotions. Don’t overlook lighting; a bright, well-lit bathroom is practical as well as attractive.
Be Pet Friendly
These days, many people consider their pets to be family members and often take them along when they travel. If you make your property pet-friendly, you may see your rental bookings increase. However, for a pet-friendly policy to be successful, you must set some boundaries and require renters to agree to them.
You can restrict the type, number, and size of the pets you allow. You may also charge an additional fee for the pet or require a large, refundable deposit to cover any damages the pet may cause. Be clear on your policies about where the pet can and cannot go and specify rules about pet feeding and pet waste.
With a few changes and some special touches, your short-term rental can appeal to the clientele you want. A good marketing and promotion plan will spotlight your property’s qualities in your online posting so that can shine among the competition.
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