If you own a holiday home and are planning to rent it out to paying guests in the coming months, you need to be aware that it won’t be just a case of letting people know it’s available and then waiting for the money to come rolling in. Before the worldwide recession, there was a rapid increase in the number of people purchasing second homes as an investment, so you will be facing a great deal of competition. Here are five tips to help you make your property stand out from the rest.
Internet access is a must
These days, many people like to know they can stay in touch with home – or work – and they will often only consider holiday villas and apartments which have access to the worldwide web. Even if you have to pay what seems a large amount of money to get the Internet you should be aware of the many benefits. It will automatically make your property a more attractive option, and you can expect more interest because of it.
Cleanliness is everything
There is nothing more off-putting to a holiday guest than finding a dirty property, so you really shouldn’t be skimping on cleaning. Make sure you engage the services of local people that you can trust, so if you don’t have anyone in mind as yet you should be speaking to other owners in the vicinity. Remember, if a guest finds your villa in an unkempt state, he or she is likely to tell several people.
Don’t let guests become bored
Even in the warmest climates there will be times when the weather changes and the rain comes down. Your guests will need things to do, so it’s a good idea to make sure there are items such as board games for people to play. A few magazines and perhaps some paperback books will be warmly welcomed at times as well, so if you have any you don’t need you might want to take them to your holiday property next time you visit.
Local information is always appreciated
First-time visitors to your villa or apartment will not know too much about the local area, so they would appreciate as much advice as you can give them. Many owners include long sections in the guest book about nearby restaurants, attractions, bars and beaches, and it should be noted that there’s perhaps no such thing as too much information in this case. The more knowledge your guests have, the more enjoyment they can get from their vacation.
Keep those pests away!
Any holiday home, even one that has guests staying all year round, can fall victim to pest infestations. Whether it’s birds, rodents or insects, it needs to be dealt with by professionals, so make sure you know the number of a reliable local specialist. In the long run, you should consider using a pest controller on a regular contract, so the property can be adequately protected against any further problems.