Design the Perfect Staycation Home
If you’re ready to take the leap into owning a vacation home or condo, or going on an extended house swap adventure (think The Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet), you’ve picked the perfect time.
Thanks to Millennials looking for personalized getaways and glamping-style experiences — close to nature, but with a working toilet, you know — the vacation rental market is booming.
Travelers today want extra space and the convenience of cooking for themselves, instead of the familiar hotel, motel and hostel. They want privacy and the little extras that come with a private home or apartment.
Use these tips to make sure your home is the rental home base they expect. The reviews are what keeps you business, after all.
Exploring.
First and foremost, you should understand why people come to where you live. Depending on where your rental is located, your visitors are going to want to see different things, so make sure to provide plenty of information about local attractions in the area. Make sure they have maps, coupons, and books detailing both the popular attractions and those off the beaten path.
For example, Los Angeles is hot, and the vacation rental market is even hotter. If you’ve lived here your entire life, it’s easy to overlook the fact that the City of Angels has a lot to offer, including the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach and Boardwalk, and the iconic Hollywood Sign, as well as plenty of hiking trails and museums.
Kitchen & Dining.
Next, it’s time to make sure your vacation property is ready for action. Start in the kitchen and dining areas by ensuring they have everything needed to cook and eat. One of the biggest draws of a private rental is the kitchen since eating out can be both expensive and unhealthy.
In addition to the standard appliances, include a microwave and coffee maker. Many guests will also appreciate a blender, toaster and electric grill. Your rental should have at least twice as many bowls, plates, and glasses as the number of guests it accommodates.
Living Room.
In the living room, seating is your priority. If your rental sleeps eight, make sure there are places for eight people to sit comfortably. When it also has an incredible view, make sure to emphasize this, as it will be an important feature to note in your listing. Also, provide plenty of entertainment, like a television, wifi password, and streaming media player.
Bedrooms & Bathrooms.
Designing the perfect bedroom and bathroom takes a little more work. You want to have at least one master bedroom with a king or queen size bed. The rest of the rooms should be set up with appropriate bedding, and at least one room with two twins or bunk beds to appeal to those traveling with children.
The mattresses should be comfortable and of high quality, and you’ll want to make sure you have at least two sets of sheets and linens for each bed. Keep in mind that your duvet cover and pillowcases will see lots of time in the wash, so rotate them often to reduce wear and tear.
Plan to stock plenty of travel-sized toiletries in the bathroom and ensure there are plenty of towels and toilet paper within reach. You can make your bathroom extra luxurious by retiling the floor or shower wall (you can expect to pay $2,000 on average for installing ceramic or porcelain tile in your shower). Before hiring a contractor for this work, request multiple price quotes, read reviews, and ask for references.
Cleaning & Maintenance.
Once your rental is up and running, it must remain impeccably clean and tidy. Plan to do it yourself, but remember that cleaning after each guest often requires deep cleaning, not just a simple touch-up. Better Homes & Gardens offers plenty of advice on how to deep clean each room.
Property maintenance is likewise a priority, and this includes everything from ensuring the bulbs work in every fixture to making sure your rental is outfitted with an appropriate number of smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
Whether your goal is to turn a profit or simply break even on your own vacation property, if you don’t want your rental to sit vacant it needs to be properly prepared and equipped. If you are still unsure of everything your rental needs, spend some time looking at local listings to see what appeals to you the most and emulate those features.
Words by: Erin Reynolds
Erin Reynolds is single mom who taught herself how to do home improvement projects and repairs to save money. Read more of her tips on her site DIY Mama.