Don't Make These Mistakes as a Rental Owner

You want to make the most out of your vacation rental property on the Outer Banks. You want to have constant bookings, so you can make a profit. You want to have happy guests, and you want to have solid bookings for the property. Of course, these things do not happen automatically. They are going to require work on your part, and if you are new to owning a vacation rental, there is always the chance that you could be making a mistake, or several, without realizing it. If you make these mistakes you could be headed for failure.

Fortunately, that does not have to be how things pan out for you. In this article, we will be examining some of the biggest mistakes made by vacation rental owners so you can learn from those mistakes and not make them yourself.

Not Treating Your Rental Like a Business

One of the biggest mistakes that people make is that they treat their vacation rental property in the Outer Banks as if it were a hobby rather than a business. Those who have other full-time jobs often make this mistake. However, it could be a big problem!

This is a business, and you are now working in the hospitality industry. This means you need to make sure you are on top of everything associated with the business, such as the marketing, taking care of your customers, and making sure that everything is in good working order in the property. You are the owner and operator, and if you slack off, it is only going to cause more issues for you.

If you would like to have more of a hands-off approach, it is possible. However, you will need to hand over the day-to-day responsibilities to someone who can take care of them. This means working with a property management company. If you go this route, be sure to find a company that can provide you and your customers with stellar service.

Not Responding to Customers Quickly

When people look at your property through the online ads and show an interest, you need to start nurturing that relationship. If they send an email with questions about the property or about renting, you want to get back to them as quickly as possible. Never wait for longer than 24 hours to get back to them. The sooner the better.

After all, these people are not going to wait around forever to book your property no matter how great it might seem. They want to get their answers and book their vacation. If you take a long time responding, they are simply going to go to another property.

You know there are plenty of vacation rentals on the Outer Banks, so they certainly have plenty of competitors from which they can choose.

Not Making Your Property a Standout

Another one of the mistakes that many people make is having a mediocre property and thinking it will still get them plenty of bookings. Sure, there are those out there who are only looking for a place to stay, and there may be times when you are the only place that’s left.

You don’t want to be someone’s last resort, though. You want to have a property that is really something special and that stands out from the others in the area.

Having a property that you care for and that has plenty of excellent features and amenities is important. This will make the property easier for you to market, and it will help to make the place more enticing for all those prospective renters out there.

If you have a yard, a grill, a hot tub, or anything else that can add to the features you offer, it will give you an advantage.

A Poor Listing

Of course, even if you have a great property, if you have a terrible listing, it will never be rented. You will want to take the time to make sure that you have a great listing that truly showcases everything your rental property on the Outer Banks can offer. It should add some personality to your property, as well, to help it stand out.

In addition to the written listing, make sure you also have high-quality photos and videos.

These can go a long way in convincing people to rent from you.

Improper Pricing

How much are you charging for your rental property? You can’t come up with a number out of thin air. You need to make sure you are charging an amount that people are willing to pay, that is competitive, and that still allows you to make a profit. Look at what other comparable properties are charging on the Outer Banks.

The key is to make sure you are looking at comparable properties.

You will not be able to get the same amount for a small one-bedroom condo as someone who is offering a full house for rent with a pool and hot tub, for example.

Not Handling Customer Problems Quickly and Efficiently 

If you have any issues with your customers, it is important to take care of them right away. When they have questions or complaints about the property, you need to respond and deal with them, while trying to remember that the customer is always right – even when they are not right.

This does not mean you need to take abuse from the customers, but it does mean that you will want to err on the side of the customers. If they have serious problems, such as plumbing issues, consider giving them a discount, or a refund, for example. You want them to be as happy as they can be so they leave positive reviews for you, which can help you to get more clients.

Now that you have a better understanding of the mistakes that plague so many new vacation rental owners, you will have a better shot of avoiding those mistakes. This can help to put you on the path to operating a successful rental property.

One of the best ways to make your rental in the Outer Banks more appealing, especially to guests who have stayed with you previously, is by utilizing coupons as a part of your marketing strategy. In addition to helping with repeat bookings, it is possible to use coupons to get new guests to come to your property, as well. Using coupons can also help you to fill up your bookings during slow seasons. We will discuss how to use coupons in this article, so you can start using them for your own rental properties today. It could really help to provide your business with the boost it needs.

Why Do People Love Coupons?

Coupons are effective because people like to save money. Most retailers and service businesses will utilize coupons in some capacity. People have come to expect coupons for many types of businesses, but they do not always realize that it is possible to get a coupon for the place they stay while on vacation. This is particularly true when it comes to staying at a vacation condominium or house. You can provide customers with that added benefit of savings with a coupon, and it can help to increase the chance of getting a booking.

Since people will see that they are saving money by staying with you, thanks to the coupon, they can spend that money elsewhere on their vacation. They are getting more value out of their vacation, and that’s what most people are really looking for when they book a getaway whether they are staying in the Outer Banks or anywhere else for that matter.

What Types of Coupons Could You Offer?

You can create many types of coupons to use for your property, and you may want to have several options that you can choose from based on the situation to the customers to whom you are trying to market. Some of the most common types of coupons are those that offer a percentage discount, those with fixed dollar discounts, and those that provide the customer with free items. Let’s look at just how these will work when it comes to providing coupons for vacation rentals.

For a percentage discount coupon, you could provide a percentage off the total of the visitor’s stay, or off certain nights. For example, if they stay more than four nights, each night after the fourth could be 25% off. Perhaps 15% off a stay of five nights would work for your needs. You could work out the details and the percentages to suit your needs so you are still making money while providing your customers with an enticing discount.

Another option that you can consider it to use a fixed dollar account. With your rental property in the Outer Banks, you might want to offer $100 off a stay of five nights or more, for example. Again, you can work out what amount you could take off and still make money on the visit.

Getting something free for using a coupon is another option that some sellers utilize. While this is not as common when it comes to rentals as it is with other types of services and products. However, you could still try it. For example, you might provide a coupon that will give the visitors a gift card to a restaurant in the area when they stay for more than five nights. Try to find items that will help to enhance the vacation in some way, so there will be more of an incentive for those who are going on vacation.

What Are the Limitations of the Coupon?

You must also think about the limitations that you will apply to the coupon when you are creating it. This helps to provide the “guidelines” to the coupon. A time limitation is a very common type of limitation. Putting an expiration date on a coupon can make people realize that they need to act within a certain timeframe if they want to take advantage of the discount. For example, you might want to have a coupon that is only available during a certain month of the year.

Another type of limitation that you can place on the coupon would be a minimum purchase discount. A visitor would need to book a stay of at least five days, for example, before the coupon would go into effect and they would get the discount.

Other types of limitations you will often find imposed on coupons include limited quantity and members only. A limited quantity coupon for a rental property in the Outer Banks might be something along the lines of “20% off five-night stay for the first five people to respond”. The members only coupon really doesn’t apply in most circumstances.

However, if you would like, you could start a member’s club with coupons and other benefits. Those who do can provide special coupons just to those members, which can help you to get some return visitors to your property. You could also offer some other benefits to membership, and it could be something you want to consider.

Of course, you do not have to use these limitations if you do not want, or if you do not find them useful. Develop a coupon system that will work best for your needs and your customers.

Getting Repeat Guests and Bringing in the New Guests All Year

As you can see, when you start to use coupons for your rental property in the Outer Banks, you have the potential to vastly increase the number of new guests, and to entice your previous guests to come back.

Coupons are just one of the ways that you can increase the number of guests that you have. Keep your property in great shape, have great listings on the right sites, and make sure you are catering to the types of things that your customers will want for their vacation in the Outer Banks.

You want to have success with your vacation property rental in the Outer Banks. You love the idea of making money from the real estate you own, and you know that the Outer Banks is a very popular vacation destination. It stands to reason that it would be a good idea to own a vacation rental here. However, if you are new to renting out real estate as a property owner, you might be wondering just what you need to do if you hope to have a successful rental property. Fortunately, it really is not as difficult as you might think, and the following can help make sure you are on the right path.

Have a Great Property

If you do not have a great property, it is not going to be possible to get a lot of renters. You want to make sure you have a property that others would like to rent for one reason or another. It could be due to the location, for example. This can also be due to certain amenities and features that you provide.

Please keep in mind that there are basic features that are considered essential by most renters today. This includes decent furniture, bedding, dishes, cooking utensils, towels and linens, wireless Internet, and cable television. Providing above and beyond the basics can help to make your property truly stand out, and it is one of the best ways to increase your chance of success and overcoming what the competitors offer.

Have a Pricing Strategy

One of the other things you need to think about when you are trying to create a property that is competitive is the price you will charge for the rent. This is not a number you can pull out of thin air. It’s not just a number that you want to charge either.

It needs to be a price that is competitive for the area when it comes to comparable properties. To determine the best rent, you will want to look at other vacation rental properties in the Outer Banks that are similar to what you have to offer. If you have a one-bedroom condominium, compare it with other one-bedroom condominium vacation rentals. If you have a three-bedroom single-family home, check out the vacation rental prices of single-family three-bedroom homes.

When it comes to pricing, you have to think about features you offer that can help make you different from other properties. For example, if you have a pool in the backyard, it can help you to get a higher rental price. It is possible to keep your prices a bit lower than the competition, as well. This could help you to get more bookings. Just keep in mind that you do not want to undercut the competitors too much. After all, you still want to make decent money on the rental.

Have Help on the Property

If you are not in the Outer Banks area, you will likely need to have some help on the property. This will include having a cleaning service that can come in after each of the guests has left, in order to clean and get ready for the next people who arrive. It may also mean you need a landscaping crew to take care of the front yard and backyard. You might also want to hire somebody who can take care of maintenance when it is necessary. Even if you do live in the area, it is often much easier to have other people take care of this than to do it all on your own. Something you might want to consider doing is working with a property management company. These companies can take away a lot of the hard work that you would normally have to do on your own. Of course, the trade-off is that you have to pay those companies, naturally!

Have a Marketing Strategy

Just because you have a great property, it does not mean the bookings will come automatically. You need to have a method of marketing that helps you reach as many people as possible. In addition to putting up your listing on various vacation rental sites, you will also want to become active on social media and perhaps even start your own website and blog dedicated to the property or properties you own. This way, you can start to build a reputation as someone to trust and someone with good property.

Part of your marketing strategy should be trying to get reviews. You can actively ask your guests to provide reviews for you. When people are looking for a place to stay in the Outer Banks, and elsewhere, they often check reviews to see what other customers have to say. Good reviews are huge for marketing.

Have Perseverance

Getting started in the vacation property business is not overly difficult. However, success does not always happen overnight. Often, it takes time to build a good reputation, to get some good reviews, and get traction. Therefore, one of the best traits to have if you’re going to get into this field is perseverance. When you combine perseverance with the tips and tricks mentioned on this site, you can increase your chance of getting all of the bookings that you want and need.

Have the Ability to Change and Adapt

Another great trait to have is the ability to adapt to new situations and changing technology. Always keep an eye out for new ways to market and to get reviews for your property. Be willing to change up your marketing plan if needed. Be willing to make changes wherever it might be necessary, and you can increase your chance of success.

Now that you have a better idea of what you need in order to improve the chance of success for your rental property, you can get started with a lot more confidence. As you can see, with the right strategies in place and the right help, getting into this business and being successful is quite a bit easier than you might have initially thought.

Over the past few years, it has become much easier to get into the vacation rental business. If you would like to turn your home in the Outer Banks into a vacation rental, you can do it with fewer obstructions than ever before. In addition, it is easier than ever to market your home as a vacation property thanks to the range of sites on the web that allow you to put up your listing. This gives you the potential to have plenty of bookings to make a nice profit on your property.

Of course, you do want to understand the basics of getting started in this field before you jump in with both feet. Let’s look at what you need to do if you want to get started in this field.

Is Your Home Right for a Vacation Rental?

Is your property really a good choice to become a vacation rental home? First, look for other vacation rentals in the area. In the Outer Banks, there is a good chance that you will find quite a few, as this is a very popular spot for vacationers.

However, the location is only part of what you will need to consider. You also have to think about the property itself. Does it have the elements needed to make for a good vacation rental, or would you have to make some changes and additions? Would you be capable of making those changes if needed? For example, are you willing to add cable and Internet if it isn’t already installed? Are you willing to decorate and furnish the property to make it more appealing to vacation renters? These are the sorts of things that people looking for vacation rentals want from their property at a minimum.

If you can go above and beyond, such as having a pool or a hot tub, then this could help your property to attract even more people who are interested in renting it out.

Do You Have the Time?

Another one of the important questions you will need to ask yourself when you are considering starting a vacation rental property is whether you actually have the time needed to run it or not. Will you be able to take care of the marketing? Will you be capable of dealing with maintenance issues, handling the bookings, and all of the other things that come along with running the property?

Even if you answer know to one or more of these things, that does not preclude you from having a vacation rental property in the Outer Banks. All you need to do is determine what you can do, and then get help for the rest.

You can hire professional cleaners to clean up the place after each of your guests have left and before the new ones arrive. You can have landscaping help to keep the place looking fantastic. If you are really strapped for time, or you simply do not want to go through the hassle of taking care of the property – but you still want to make a profit – you can always consider hiring a property management company.

Get the Right Insurance

You will want to speak with your insurance company about getting a policy that will cover your rental property. Let them know the type of rental situation you plan to run, and see what types of options they have available to you. It might be a good idea to speak with a few insurance companies to check on the prices and options available from each of them.

Get the Home Ready to Rent

Before you can rent out the property, you will want to make sure it is in good condition and ready to take on renters. This requires more than just a good cleaning and some landscaping. You want to make sure it is a safe property. Make sure that the railings on any stairways are in good condition, for example. You will want to have smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Make sure that the plumbing is in good working word, along with the electricity. Check the locks on all of the windows and doors, as well.

Décor and Furnishings

We’ve already mentioned that you will need to have furnishings and basic amenities available for your guests. This can include things such as linens, towels, and some basic cleaning supplies, for example. You also need to think about the décor for the home, including the type and style of furnishings you will have. If you already have decent furniture in the home, then you might not need to change anything.

However, you may want to go through and give the place more of a boutique vibe, or even a vacation vibe. You can check out some images from vacation spots and boutique hotels to give you some ideas. You want the place to look nice and inviting, but you do not have to break the bank making that happen.

The Little Touches

You can do some other things that will help to set your property apart from the others out there. This includes providing a gift basket for your guests to enjoy upon arrival at your property, or providing some coupons and a guidebook on all of the things there are to do in the area. Think about some of the things that you would have liked the last time you went on vacation, or some of the things the hotel did for you. What can you emulate to make your guests feel at home when they visit?

Once you have a property that is warm, inviting, and ready to receive guests, the only thing you have to do is market and start getting bookings for your property. Of course, there is a bit more to it than that, but these are the basics. So, do you think starting up in the vacation rental business is something you want to pursue?

One of the best things to have when you are trying to rent out your vacation rental property is a high-quality description. You can learn a lot about writing good property descriptions from looking at real estate sites where people are selling their homes. You will use many of the same techniques, but you will steer the overall description toward those who are looking to rent a vacation property on the Outer Banks.

Many people have a great property, but they are terrible when it comes to writing descriptions that work well to convince people to rent that property.  

The following are some simple and effective tips that can help you.

Be Descriptive

It is important to be descriptive when you are writing your descriptions. After all, it’s right there in the word descriptions! You want to put the potential renter in the vacation property mentally. When they read the description, they should be able to imagine themselves and their family enjoying everything that your property offers.

Something else that you might want to consider doing is mentioning not only the features of the property but also the great benefits of the location. For example, you might be close to the beach. That’s definitely a plus. Perhaps you are close to some of the attractions on the Outer Banks, or some of the best restaurants. This could also be nice to add. It shows people more of what they are getting when they choose to rent your vacation property.

Even though you want to have wonderful descriptions, you do not want to greet the visitor who comes to read the listing with a wall of text. Make sure you break up the paragraphs and that you try to keep everything as short as possible. Be descriptive, list the main features and benefits of the property, use bullet points as described below, and finish off the description.

Use Bullet Points

One of the things you can do to make your description read much easier and to make it easier to write is to use bullet points. You will use bullet points for any of the major things that you want to highlight regarding your property.

Even if you have mentioned them elsewhere in the text, you can put them in the bullet points, as well. For example, in a description, you might talk about just how nice it is to come back to the property after a long day and to sink into the hot tub. That is nice and descriptive.

However, if someone is merely skimming the description to see what you offer, putting the fact that you have a hot tub in the bullet points, as well, ensures they will see it.

Do Not Write in All Caps

There are many out there who, for one reason or another, believe that everything they read on the Internet needs to be in capital letters. Perhaps they hit the caps lock key on their keyboard by mistake once and couldn’t figure out how to turn it off. Regardless of the reason, you don’t want to be one of those people who puts everything in caps.

It is not going to get somebody’s attention more quickly, and it might actually turn them off instead. Many will just skip over the listing entirely.

Check for Typos

This should be one of the final things that you do, and it should go without saying. However, given the number of descriptions online that have some egregious misspellings and similar errors in them, it needs to be said. Sure, there is always the chance for a spelling error or grammar error to be included in a description or article online. It happens. However, you want to do your best to limit this problem. Therefore, before you put up the listing, you will want to read for typos. It is also a good idea to have a second person check for typos as well. Of course, you want to make sure that this second person knows how to spell!

Of course, you want to make sure that this second person knows how to spell! 

Pictures and Video

The written description of your property is important to get right, of course. However, you also have to think about the images that you provide for the property. It’s been said a million times before, but a picture is worth a thousand words. If you have some great pictures of your property that highlight all of the wonderful things that it offers, it can really help to make that property more appealing to renters. You should have photos of all the main rooms of the house, the front, and the back, and any other features that you find impressive and that you know others will, as well. For example, if you have some wonderful views from the backyard or from one of the bedrooms, take a photo of it.

You can also do a video tour of the home. This will give the potential renters a walk-through of the property. However, you don’t have to limit yourself there. You might also want to add some video of all of the things there are to see and do in the Outer Banks. Again, this will give the potential renters a much better look at all of the things they can expect when they come to your property. The photos and video can be major selling points.

However, you really do need to make sure they are professional quality.

Remember the Call to Action

One of the things that many people forget when they are writing a description is that they need to have a good call to action at the end. This is relatively simple to do. At the bottom of the description, simply tell people what they need to do to get in touch with you and to book the property.

Keep the call to action short and sweet, and as long as you have a great description with great photos and video, you can increase your chance of renting your property.

What do you need for a great vacation rental property? Of course, one of the first things you need is a fantastic property. You need to have a place that people want to stay, and that people are willing to pay a fair amount of money for the pleasure of staying. You believe that your vacation home in the Outer Banks is a suitable property, and you might be correct. After all, this is a fantastic place to vacation, and many people come here each year. There always seems to be a need for more places to stay.

You have the potential to run a lucrative business. However, people need to find you. Merely having your rental property listed on a few vacation rental sites here and there is not enough if you want to stand out. You need to be active on social media and you need to have your own website for the property or properties that you own. Think about all of the other businesses out there today. They know the importance of having their own website. Remember, your vacation rental property is a business. If you are treating it as such, this means it is generally a good idea to have a website.

The Look and the Layout

One of the first things you need to think about is the overall look and layout of your website. You want it to be very simple to navigate. You want the fonts to be large and easy to read. It should be easy for the customers to find out everything they need to know about your property, as well as links on where and how they can book it. Think about all the things that you would want to see if you are going to book a vacation. These are the types of elements that you need to make sure are on your site.

It is important to consider the look of the website as well. You want the site to be aesthetically pleasing. It should have a color scheme that is easy on the eyes, and it will certainly need to have plenty of photos of the property, as well as the surrounding area.

The photos that you have should be high quality. If you are unable to take quality photos yourself, it may be in your best interest to hire a photographer to take care of it for you. In some cases, they can even help to stage the property to make the photos even better. You might want to have a video on your website, as well. This can be a walk-through of the property, for example. When it comes to the photos and video that you put on your site, take your time and make it look as professional as possible. Amateur video and photos are obvious, and they do not help to get people interested in your Outer Banks vacation rental.

However, do not limit yourself to just the basics when it comes to the video and photos. In the next section, we will talk more about how you can add some personality to the site with a blog. In the blog, as well as other places on the site, you can take some other types of photos and videos that can help you improve your search engine optimization and that can boost interest in your site.

Add a Blog to the Site

Merely having a static website is not enough. You should also have a blog. Why would you want to have a blog? It will provide your website with fresh content, which has the potential to improve your search engine optimization ranking. This means you will rank higher in the search engines, so more people can find your site and your property. With a blog, you also get a chance to increase the amount of interaction you have with potential guests. The blog and the posts you put up are working for you around the clock as a great marketing tool, too

You can and should get creative with the blog posts that you write. You do not want all of your posts, or even a third of your posts, to be pure marketing. Instead, you want to let people know more about what’s happening in the Outer Banks, why it is a great place to vacation, and the things they can expect to see and do when they arrive. Having some photos of the area in different seasons and during different events, as well as videos, can give potential visitors an deeper look at what is available. Have fun with the posts, and provide some personality.

Make It Mobile

Something you need to remember when you are creating a website, or having one created for you, is that many people utilize their mobile phones or tablets to get online today. Therefore, you need to make sure you have a website that looks good on those devices. Having a responsive site, or a special mobile site, becomes necessary. Fortunately, many of the companies that provide website creation tools, such as SquareSpace, can provide you with websites that are responsive and look great regardless of the device people use to visit.

Just to make sure, you will want to check out your site in several different devices. Make sure everything is easy to navigate and easy to read.

Is It Worth the Investment?

One of the questions you might be asking right now is whether going through all of the trouble of setting up a website and blog is actually worth the investment. When you think about starting a business, you want to put your best foot forward. Having a good website really can help. The site and the blog can help to give you legitimacy in the customer’s eyes. While some might tell you that you do not need to have a site, they really can provide some benefits for you, particularly when it comes to marketing.

Naturally, you want to get more guests to your vacation rental in the Outer Banks. Not only do you want to have more new guests, you also want to have those guests return to your property again and again. How can you make this happen? There are a few things you need to do.

First, you need to have a property that people enjoy. This means you should have plenty of features that people are looking for in a property. You want the basics, such as extra bedding, towels, dishware, cookware, and televisions in the living room and in the bedrooms. You might even want to have a videogame console, as both kids and adults like to play today.

Second, you need to have a good marketing plan in place so you can reach more customers. This includes more than just placing your vacation rental property on a few rental sites. You need to make sure you are active on social media, and ideally, you will want to have your own website.

Something else you might want to consider, which is the focus of this article, is to start a member club. It may be easier than you think, and it could really help you get quite a bit of repeat business.

Why a Member Club?

You can easily start a membership club specifically for your rental property or properties. You do this just like many other businesses do. For example, you might belong to a club that provides you with certain benefits or discounts on purchases. A very simple example of this would be a card that receives a punch every time you go and buy a frozen yogurt. After 10, you get a free yogurt. These are essentially customer loyalty programs.

You can do something similar with your property and receive many of the same benefits. Consider the reasons people like to join these types of memberships or programs. People often like the idea of getting something exclusive or different because they are a member of something. They also like the idea of getting discounts. These are both things you can offer those guests who decide to become members.

How to Start a Simple Membership Club

One of the first things to remember is that you do not want to charge anybody to join the membership club. It should be free for everybody who has stayed with you, as well as those who are considering staying with you. This helps to increase the likelihood of repeat visits, and by allowing those who are thinking about staying for the first time the benefits of the membership, it is a good way to get new customers.

First, you have to think about the types of incentives you are going to offer for the membership. You might want to have a discount available immediately. For example, 25% off every extra day for those who book a stay of more than five days. You will also want to have a method of tallying the total number of days a person stays at your property. If someone were to stay at your property for 10 days, even if they were not 10 consecutive days, you might want to offer them one or two free days on the next visit.

You might also be able to work out deals with some of the local businesses. For example, you could provide special coupons to restaurants or attractions just for those guests who are members.

You can also add a digital component. As soon as somebody signs up to become a member, you could send them a free e-book about all of the wonderful things there are to do in the Outer Banks. This gives them an immediate reward for signing up, and it gets them excited about their vacation.

If you have more than one property, as many vacation property owners do, you may want to consider allowing the benefits to be used at any of your properties. For example, if you have one property in the Outer Banks, and another in another location in the United States, let the customers choose where they want to use their loyalty program benefits. This way, even though you are an individual, it gives you the appearance of being a larger and more powerful business. It might sound silly, but this can engender more trust from the customers.

Before you set up the program, make sure you are happy with the incentives and the rules you have in place. You can eventually change them, but those who become members early on will need to have advanced warning before a change, and you will need to honor the incentive system you had in place at the time they initially signed up.

Never Go “Members Only”

Of course, just because you have a membership club for your rental property, it does not mean you want to have a “membership only” club. You want anybody to be able to rent your property, as long as you believe they will take care of the property, of course. In addition, you might want to provide discount passes that your previous guests can give to their friends and family. Essentially, these are coupons that other people can use if they decide to stay with you. This is a fantastic way to increase the amount of business you have and to have your customers do some of the marketing for you.

As you can see, starting up one of these membership clubs is quite simple. Also, this is merely another type of marketing that you can use in conjunction with the rest of your advertising. People join the club, making it easy for you to market to them and offer them discounts. That’s really all there is to it.

While a membership program or customer loyalty program might not be the solution for everyone, it is an outside- the-box way to market and to get more repeat business. This could work for you.

As a business owner, you want to make sure your customers always have the very best experience possible. Since you are running a vacation rental, this means you want them to have a fantastic time staying with you so they let their friends know, write great reviews, and come again to stay at your property. Having a great property is just the beginning though. Let’s look at the philosophy behind a creating a wonderful experience, and then at some of the things you can do to make your property a real standout.

It Needs to Be More Than Just a Place to Sleep

When you are renting out a property in the Outer Banks, it needs to be more than just a place where the vacationers can rest their head. It needs to be a place that they actually like and that they want to stay. It needs to have the same types of features that help to make other vacation rentals so popular. In fact, it needs to have more than what a typical hotel might provide in many cases.

It needs to be clean, have linens and towels, and all of the “typical” amenities, including televisions in the living room. TVs in the bedroom are often expected, as well. However, that’s just the start of what you should be offering your guests if you expect them to have a great time.

Games for Kids and Adults

Even though many of your guests will very likely be heading out and spending quite a bit of time on the beaches, exploring the lighthouses, and enjoying everything else that the Outer Banks has to offer, they will have some downtime. There are also those days where it might rain, or people just want to stay in and relax. Having some games available for people to play can help to ensure no one ever feels bored while they are at your home.

You can have some cards, as well as board games. It is generally a good idea to have games that can appeal to a wide range of ages. In addition, consider getting a videogame console for the house, as well as some games. These are fun for kids, and for many adults. One of the other nice things about the consoles today is that they can also play DVDs and Blu-ray movies.

Can You Install High-End Features If You Don’t Have Them?

One of the other things you will want to consider when you are trying to improve the experience of your guests is the other features that you might be able to add. What types of features are we talking about? These are the things that go beyond what most of the other rentals in the area offer. People are willing to pay more for a property that has certain features, such as a pool or a hot tub.

These are some of the best options to consider, but they certainly aren’t the only ones. Perhaps you do not have room for a pool, or you do not want to spend the money. Think about some of the other things you could add, such as a nice grill. Consider some of the things that you might like to see if you were on vacation.

Maybe having a telescope in the backyard to look at the stars could be a draw. Perhaps having a porch swing, or some new patio furniture, or even a fire pit could help. Weigh the pros and cons before you make your decision.

If you have been renting for a while, something else you might want to do is put out a survey to your former guests to see what they might have wanted in your property. They might be able to give you some great ideas you’ve never considered before.

Have Bikes and Other Equipment Available

You might also want to buy some other things for the house that the guests can use while they are on vacation. Maybe you could put up a badminton net in the backyard, for example. Get some birdies and racquets, as well. You could also get a couple of bikes that people could use. It would save them from having to rent a bike to get around and tour the area. There are plenty of different types of things that you could get that can give your guests a more enjoyable time overall when they are at your property.

Do You Allow Pets?

One of the other things that you might want to consider is allowing pets at your property. This might not be for everyone, but if you do allow pets, it will open up a whole new group of guests. Many people love to take their furry friends with them on vacation, and they are clamoring for good properties that will allow their animals. One of the other benefits of this is that you can charge a higher amount for the rental, and most pet owners, as long as you are reasonable, will pay.

What Are the Benefits of Making Your Guests Happy?

First, as a business owner, it should always be your goal to make sure the guests are happy. You want them to be ecstatic about their vacation, and you want them to remember the good times they had. This will often prompt them to leave good feedback and reviews of the property, which can help you to get even more guests. In addition, when they have a great time, there is a much better chance that they will come back to your property for their next vacation.

When the customers are happy, it often means more profit for you, and that’s the reason you got into this business in the first place. Now that you have a few more ideas of the types of things you could do for your property, it should be easier to get your home into shape and to please your guests.

When someone is booking a vacation rental property in the Outer Banks, they spend time looking at what feels like countless listings online. They read one after another, and after a while, all those properties and the descriptions seem to run together. This is because so many property owners are looking at what other people are writing about their rental properties and use a similar style.

They often use identical – or almost identical – words and phrases. Therefore, many of those listings look and read the same. Keywords give the customer an idea of what the property offers, however, you also need to inject personality to make your property stand out from the pack. In this post, we will be looking at a few of the things you can do to make that happen with your Outer Banks properties and listings. It’s easier than you might think, and you might even have some fun giving your property a personality makeover.

It Starts With the Property

Giving the property some personality will start with the property itself. You need to make sure that it has all the features that someone would want to have in a vacation rental, so start thinking like a vacationer.

In some cases, this might mean making a few changes and upgrades to the property. If you do not have the money for big upgrades right now, such as adding a hot tub, do not worry. You can do simple things to make the property more appealing in addition to providing all the basic amenities that people want from a rental.

Let’s begin with the basics.

You need to have the amenities that people have come to expect from a vacation property rental. This includes nice furnishings, cookware, dinnerware, towels, clean sheets, wireless Internet, and cable television. You can take things a step further by offering a videogame console, videogames and board games for those rainy days, and other fun distractions around the house.

Nice décor that puts people at ease and gives them the feeling of staying in a boutique hotel, or even of staying at home, can be great, as well. If you have an outdoor space, make sure it is usable and in excellent condition all the time. Keep up with the landscaping, make sure that you make the space as usable as possible for the guests.

This could include having a grill, patio furniture, and even a hot tub or pool in some cases. Even though the ocean is always nearby in the Outer Banks, people will still enjoy having a pool, and they will likely be willing to pay a bit more for it. They will pay more if you have a hot tub on the property, as well, so consider having one installed.

Once you have elements in the home that help to make it a fantastic location for potential vacationers, it is time to make it as appealing as possible in your description. This means giving the description some personality, and having some great photos and videos to go along with it.

Give the Description Personality

Your property is one of a kind. Even though there might be plenty of other locations for rent in the Outer Banks, there is no other that is just like yours. Your property is unique, and you will want to make that apparent in the writing. Consider giving your property a name. Instead of your guests telling people they stayed at “this place in the Outer Banks”, they can tell people, “Oh, we stayed at Blue Haven in the Outer Banks”.

Of course, you would choose a name that suits your property the best. This immediately provides more personality. It will also help to make branding easier for your property. While that might not seem important now, it can be a tremendous help for you with marketing.

Write about what it is that makes your property so special, even if it might seem small. Are you close to a great restaurant that is a favorite with the locals? Are you just a quick walk away from the beach? Do you have a beautiful view of the ocean from your property? Take the time to consider all the things that make your property special, and focus on those things.

The goal of the description is to make the potential visitors picture themselves in your property. The description can let them know just what they can expect when they come to the property for vacation and why it is better than the other options.

Before you put up your listing, give it another look. In fact, have a friend or family member look it over for you, as well. You want to look for several things during your read through. First, you will look for the basics and make sure the spelling and grammar are correct. It is always possible for mistakes to slip through, but you will want to catch as many as you can. Second, you want to make sure it is factual and is an accurate description of the property and what it offers. Third, you want to make sure there are elements of personality that shine through.

More Than Written Descriptions

In addition to the written descriptions, you need to have some photos, and even videos, of your property. These photos should do a good job of complementing your descriptions. What this means is that if you talk about your hot tub in the description, there had better be a photo of it. If you talk about the great views, you can show those off with your photos.

The description needs to be creative, and it needs to provide personality. However, it also has to be accurate. You can talk your property up in the description, but you can’t say that you have items that aren't on the property. That would be false advertising, and it will lead to trouble. Give your property some personality and see how much easier it is to get guests to book.

Buying things online has become very commonplace over the past decade or two. People shop on the web for electronics, books, groceries, and everything in between. They also shop for places to stay on vacation. However, as helpful as the web can be, there is naturally going to be some trepidation with many potential customers when it comes to booking a vacation rental from a private owner through the Internet.

There are have been numerous accounts in the news of schemes and fraud committed against vacationers, as well as homeowners. There is always going to be a certain amount of uneasiness when someone is committing to renting a vacation property on the web. They do not want to be scammed out of their hard-earned money.

Sure, you know that you are not going to do anything that would harm the guests, but they do not know that. You need to think from their perspective. They are going to be concerned about their money. Therefore, you will want to make sure you take some steps to help put their mind at ease and to increase their level of confidence in you and your property. Here are some ways that you can do that.

Full Contact Information Including Local Phone Number

When you are putting up your listing, you want to have all your contact information available. Do not have only an email or fax, or only a toll-free number. When a listing has bare bones information, it looks like a con. Ideally, you will have your name, address – not a P.O. box – and a local phone number.

If you aren’t local, you might be thinking that it is not possible to have a local phone number. There are some ways around this. You can get a cell phone for that area, and have a local number. You could have a contact in the area that can handle your calls, as well. In addition, you might want to consider working with a property manager, who will have a local number.

Having a P.O. box is rarely a good idea. The guests will not usually feel very confident when it comes to sending payment to you if they only have a P.O. box. After all, anyone could set up and rent one of these boxes. If you do not want to have guests sending payments to your home address, or if you do not feel comfortable with them having your home address, you could always have them send it to your business address instead.

Accept Credit Cards

When you choose to accept major credit cards for your rental property, it helps to increase the confidence level your potential renters have in you. The reason for this is simple enough. It typically means that you have worked with a commercial bank to be able to accept these cards, and that means that you have been vetted and are safe. Those businesses that violate policies of the cards they take will have the service revoked from their business by those credit card companies, as well.

Another reason the customers will feel more confident when you take credit cards is the fact that those companies do not generally hold the cardholder liable if they have been defrauded. They do not feel as though they have anything to lose in those cases.

Have Great Pictures of the Property

You will also want to have a lot of great photos of your property. Those who are trying to run a con will often upload just one or two photos, which are often grainy. They have vague descriptions, or descriptions that make the property seem like heaven on earth and full of amenities that do not exist.

Have plenty of quality photos of the property, and be willing to show potential customers other photos that you have in case they would like to see more before committing. With a wealth of photos, all from different angles, it helps to put the minds of the renters at ease. They are more likely to believe that you actually do own the property.

Use Video

Another thing you can do is create a video tour of the property. Again, by putting up a video tour, just as with pictures, it helps to prove that you are the legitimate owner. When you prove this, it can help to ease the minds of the renters. While it is not necessary, you could even appear at the beginning or the end of the video to state your name and speak a bit about the property. This is not necessary, but it could help.

Have a Presence on Various Online Outlets

Something else you can do is increase your presence on the web. If the only thing you have is a listing on a couple of vacation rental sites, you can be sure that there will be plenty of potential renters out there who see it as suspect. You should set up profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites for your rental property. Not only is this a good option for marketing, but it will also help to solidify that you are indeed the real owner. Getting reviews for the property can help, as well. Investing in a quality website and blog, and keeping it up to date, also shows that you are invested in the property.

You Need to Be Careful, Too

Just as the customers need to be careful when they are choosing a rental property in the Outer Banks, you need to be careful when it comes to choosing the renters. Getting bookings is a great feeling, but you do not want to rent to just anybody. Make sure you are renting to those who will respect your property.

As you can see, there are plenty of simple things you can do to help increase the confidence of your guests when they are booking with you. Utilize these methods and it can help you to get more bookings.

Do you want to get more of your current guests coming back to your property for their future vacations? This should always be the goal, and if you have the right amenities on your property, it becomes easier to do that. The guests will be more likely to return to your property, and they will tell their friends and their family about your vacation rental on the Outer Banks, too. This can lead to even more business, and those new customers could become repeat customers, as well. Of course, you need to make sure you have the right amenities. The following are some of the best that can help to increase the number of return guests.

Free Wireless Internet

Today, people are on the web more than ever. Some of your guests will likely bring tablets and even laptop computers along with them. They might want to get some extra work done, they might be working on a novel or a screenplay, or they might simply want to keep connected with friends and family through social media. They will also want to be able to check out some of the attractions in the area.

Sure, most of them will have smartphones. However, they do not want to use up their data if they do not have to. Provide them with wireless Internet in the house, and make sure you have the password available for them to connect and use it. Not only is this appreciated, it has become an essential part of vacation rentals today. If you do not have free wireless Internet, you are behind the times, and your guests will not want to return.

Cable Television

In addition to the wireless Internet, you want to make sure that you have cable television, as well. Even though many of your guests will be out and about during the day, when they come home to wind down for the evening, they might want to sit back, relax, and watch some television. You do not have to go all out with premium channels, such as HBO or Showtime, but you should get a cable package that will have the major channels.

In addition, make sure that you have televisions in the living room, as well as all the bedrooms. You should also have DVD and Blu-ray players, as well as some movies from which they can choose.

Board Games and Videogame Consoles

Sometimes, the guests might have some downtime where they just want to stay at the rental and relax. Other times, they might be waiting out some rain. You want to make sure they are never bored at the property. Having plenty of board games for all ages is a great solution. However, you can also take it a step further and add a videogame console, such as a PS4 or an Xbox One to your setup. These have the capacity to play DVDs and Blu-rays, as well, which can save you some money.

In addition to the consoles, you can also buy some games to go along with it. Make sure that you let the renters know in your listing that you have these consoles available along with the names of the games that you have for them. This way, they can bring along some of their own.

You might be thinking that the cost of consoles and games is too high, but it does not have to be. Consider buying the consoles used, and the same goes for the games. Through Amazon and GameStop, you can find some great deals on used games and consoles.

Outdoor Activities for the Kids, and the Adults

Having some nice outdoor activities that the kids and adults can enjoy is also a good idea. A playset, such as a swing and a sandbox in the backyard is good for the kids. If you have a porch, a bench swing might be nice for the adults. Consider some outdoor games, too, such as horseshoes or even badminton. These are games that never go out of style, and they provide the guests with some exercise.

Washer and Dryer

Nobody likes the idea of having to go out to a laundromat to do their washing and drying when they are on vacation. Instead, you should have these appliances in the home, as long as you have the hookups for them. It is a simple convenience, but this amenity is sure to be appreciated.

Pool, Hot Tub, or Fireplace

If you have a fireplace in your home, it should certainly be a part of your marketing. If you don’t, then do not worry. If you have a backyard space, you can buy a fire pit that your guests can use. Just be sure to have a supply of wood for them. Some of the other large amenities that guests will appreciate and that will make them want to book your property again include hot tubs and pools.

A Welcome Basket

If you really want to impress your guests, you should make sure that you provide a welcome basket. It can include things such as snacks, some sunscreen, puzzle books, coloring books for the kids, wine or champagne, and similar goodies. Leaving a personalized note shows that you really care. They are not as expensive to make as you think as long as you are buying items in bulk. With some items, such as the coloring books, you can often get them through the dollar store.

When you have some or all these amenities, you really can increase the number of bookings you have with repeat visitors. However, you will also find that they are going to appeal to new visitors, too. Do your best to add the amenities that are in your budget now, and then, consider adding others later. In addition, you should listen to the things your guests say when they are giving feedback. Do they wish that you had provided a certain type of item? Consider adding it, because you can be sure that others will be just as interested in it. Take time to reevaluate your property and see what you can do to increase your return rentals.

If you want your vacation rental to be a success, you need to do everything possible to treat you guests right. You want to give them the 5-star treatment, even though you have just a single property. Fortunately, you will find that providing this treatment is easier than you might think when you follow some of the tips provided in this post.

Why Is Creating Great Relationships So Important?

When your guests are happy, they are more inclined to leave glowing reviews of your property. Good reviews are seen by others who are looking for a place to vacation in the Outer Banks, and it can increase their likelihood of booking your place for that vacation. In addition, the guests that you have already had are more likely to come back during their next visit to the area. Good relations are good for your bottom line. Let’s look at some of the ways that you can do this.

Provide Great Service

Often, it really is as simple as doing your job and making sure the guests have what they need. Make sure that it is easy for them to get the keys to the property or have locks with a code on them so they can get inside. Make sure the property is nice and clean, and that it is inviting. You could even offer a gift basket as a welcoming gift for them coming to stay at your vacation rental in the Outer Banks.

Providing some things to do in the house on those rainy days is a nice option, too. Consider all the “little touches” that you would like to have when you are on vacation, and make sure you provide those for your guests. This gives them a much better overall experience.

When they have a good time, they are going to want to tell their friends and family about the place, which can result in more bookings. They will talk about it on social media, and they may even write a glowing review for the property. All of this can be accomplished when the guests are cared for the right way.

Deal with Problems Immediately

Whether you or a property manager handles guest issues and complaints, it is essential that you take the time to deal with their problems right away. Even if it takes a few hours to solve the issue, contacting them immediately and letting them know that it will be resolved can help to allay their fears and give them a better impression of how you run your business. Depending on the size and severity of the problem, you might even want to consider doing something to compensate the guests for their inconvenience. It might be a gift card to a coffee shop or restaurant, or perhaps a bottle of wine.

Remember Your Former Guests

Just because the guests walk out the door and head home after their vacation, it is no reason for you to forget about them. You should follow up with the guests and make sure that they had a good time on vacation. Ask them for a review, and even offer a discount if they decide to come back and stay at your property in the future. This shows that you care about their experience, and it benefits you by creating a better relationship with them.

Consider a Guest Book for the House

This can be a fun idea, and it can make the guests feel much more connected to the property. You could add a guest book and tell the guests that they can keep a diary of their adventures in the Outer Banks and at the property in the journal. This can be helpful to future guests, and it gives you a better idea of the strengths and weaknesses of your property that you could improve in the future. You could even ask the guests if you could use excerpts from the guest book for testimonials for your site.

Consider Being Pet Friendly

Many people really like the idea of bringing their pets with them when they go on vacation. You may want to think about opening your property to different types of pets, as it has the potential to increase the number of guests that book your property. You might want to set certain restrictions on the size of the animals or the number of animals allowed on the property. You might also have instructions that you want the guests to follow, such as not allowing the dogs to be on the beds or the couch.

Of course, having dogs and cats on the property is not something that all owners will want to do. It does mean that the cleaning can be a bit more difficult, and you do not want to have future guests with allergies complaining about dander that the cleaning company did not get.

Be Social on Social Media

Having a social media page for your vacation rental in the Outer Banks can be a good idea, as well. Even if it gets just a small amount of traffic, it can still be worthwhile. You can tell your guests about your social media page or pages, and ask them if they might want to follow you. Provide more than just information about your vacation property on those pages. Include items about the surrounding area, along with some photos. Ask questions and get the people who follow you to respond. It can start a nice conversation between past guests and those who might be guests in the future.

If someone asks a question through your social media sites, be sure that you answer them as soon as possible. After all, social media needs to be social.

When you follow some simple tips and you are actively trying to create a better experience and better relations with the guests, it will happen. It takes some work, but the results are well worth the effort that you put into it.

Most of the time, you will have fantastic guests who come to your rental property in the Outer Banks. They will be thrilled that they are on vacation and that they have a place to stay where there is privacy, so they can feel at home. However, there will also be occasions when something goes wrong. It could be an issue that you should have taken care of, or it could be something that you have no control over. Other guests, rare as they might be, will complain about anything in the hopes of getting a discount or even a free stay.

So, how do you deal with guests that are upset? The following are some tips and guidelines that can help you to make things right.

What Types of Things Can Make a Guest Upset?

First, let’s consider some of the biggest problems that cause guests to get upset or angry in the first place. If they arrive at the destination and they have no way of getting into the house because you did not provide a method for them to get the keys or an access code, you can be sure they will be upset. They just finished traveling, and they want a place where they can relax for a bit. They do not want to wait for you or the property manager to get there.

This is an easy fix, so you never need to deal with this type of problem. If you have a lock with an access code, provide this to them when they book the trip. If you have keys, have them available as soon as the visitors arrive. You could even get a lock box with a punch-in code that contains the keys. This way, no matter when the guests arrive, they will be able to get the keys and get into the property.

A second reason that guests will sometimes be upset is if they walk into the home and find that it is messy. Any part of the home that has not been cleaned properly, whether there are dishes in the sink or hair in the sink in the bathroom, is unwelcome. This is a problem that stems from the cleaning company that you use, or yourself, if you are the one who is doing the cleaning before each guest arrives. If you are in the area, or if you have a property manager, it is always a good idea to do a walkthrough of the property before the new guests get to the place.

A third issue that could cause the guests to have a bad time and that could make them upset is having something in the home that doesn’t work properly. This could be anything from windows that do not open and close, a washer and dryer that are out of commission, a hot tub that does not work, or problems with the plumbing. Everything in the home should work, as this is what the guests expect and what they are paying for.

A fourth problem would be not being transparent with all the fees that the visitor will need to pay for the rental. Always make sure the guest knows exactly what the charges will be, and when they will be charged. If there are discrepancies, you can discuss them with the visitor.

These are just some of the biggest complaints that can come from guests. Fortunately, they are relatively easy to counter before they become a problem, so long as you are running a good business.

Listen to What They Say to Determine What They Need

When a renter calls you with a problem, you need to make sure you do not get overly defensive. Listen to their issue and put yourself in their shoes. You wouldn’t want to go on vacation only to find out that the place you are staying has plumbing problems. Listen to what they say to figure out what they need and what you can do to make things right for them. It might be as simple as restocking some supplies, such as cleaning products, that were missing from the cabinets. It might involve calling an emergency plumber. Find out their issue, let them know you are working on it, and then solve the problem. In most cases, this will help to calm them down.

Never Engage With Anger

Sometimes, guests can become angry and belligerent. This is true whenever dealing with customers in any type of business. At that point, it becomes very tempting to become just as angry and to take out your frustrations on them. This is the wrong approach to take, of course. You want to do your best to stay as calm as possible. In some cases, it might mean politely telling them that you will call them back after you’ve both had a chance to gather yourselves. Whatever happens, stay calm and take the higher road.

Dealing With Negative Reviews

Even when you do your best to provide the customer with a solution that takes care of their problem, there is the potential for them to leave you with a bad review. When this happens, try your best to take it in stride. Read the review and respond to it calmly and professionally. Address the problems, try to turn the negative into a positive, and let them know that you are working to correct, or have corrected, any issues that have occurred on the property.

This shows the reviewer, and others who are looking at those reviews when making their decision, that you are listening and that you care about their experience. By showing the potential renters that you are proactive, and that you are professional, even negative reviews do not always have to have negative implications for your business.

By following the advice here, you will find that you have a much better chance of reducing the number of problems at your vacation rental in the Outer Banks, and that you can handle any problems that come your way.

During the peak travel season, it might be quite easy to get bookings for your property on the Outer Banks. However, you might be struggling trying to get enough bookings to fill up the shoulder season, the time between the peak and off seasons.

Fortunately, there are some things that you can start doing right now so you do not have to worry as much about getting those bookings during the shoulder seasons.

#1 Consider Reducing the Price

Naturally, one of the best ways to entice more people to stay at your property during this travel period is to provide a lower price than what you charge during your peak season. However, before you decide that you will lower the price, consider the demand for properties in the Outer Banks during this time. This way, you will not lower the price too much. After all, you still need to make money on your rental rather than just breaking even, and you never want to lose money on your rentals.

To get an idea of what a good rental rate is during this period, spend some time looking at the competing properties in the area that are comparable to yours. This will give you a good sense of what you should be charging if you want to be competitive.

#2 Reduce the Minimum Stay Requirements

During the peak season, you might have certain requirements for a length of stay. If you require that there is a minimum seven-day policy, reduce it to three days for a weekend getaway, for example. Even though you might not be making as much as you would during a seven-day stay, you are still going to make money, and you will find that many more people might be interested in this option, and this can help you have consistent bookings.

#3 Remember the Weekdays

You should also make sure that you consider making weekdays attractive to travelers. Even though weekends tend to be the bread and butter of vacation rentals, some people may want to travel during the week. You might want to consider having a special for those who decide to stay during the middle of the week. You could give them three days for the price of two, for example. This can provide them with more of an incentive to book.

#4 Add Something Extra

Another good idea to entice people to stay at your property during the shoulder season is to offer them something extra for staying. This does not have to be overly expensive, but it should be something nice enough that it will make people want to stay in your property. You could offer a free bottle of wine that will be awaiting them in the property. You might want to offer them a meal at one of the nice restaurants in the area. If there are any local events happening, consider providing the visitors with two free tickets to the event.

#5 Highlight the Benefits of the Shoulder Season

During this season, fewer people are traveling, and that can mean some nice advantages to your guests that you can highlight. The restaurants and attractions in the area are not going to be as busy, which means they will not have to fight through crowds to enjoy all that the Outer Banks offers.

#6 Consider a Hot Tub

This can be especially effective for those who cater to couples who are looking for a romantic vacation, but it can be quite nice even for families. If you have the space on your property, consider adding a hot tub. This is a nice choice for evenings and whenever the temperatures start to drop. This is a fantastic amenity that will help you to attract more guests during the shoulder season, but you will find that it can attract more guests at any time of the year.

#7 Get in Touch With Past Guests

Your past guests might just be in the mood for another vacation. Now that you have reduced the minimum stay for the season and have deals for the middle of the week, your property might just interest them again. They might be looking for a quick getaway, and if they’ve already stayed at your property and enjoyed the experience, they know what they are going to get. Still, you can provide these guests with the same perks that you would new guests, such as those extra touches mentioned earlier.

#8 Ask for Referrals from Past Guests

If the guests you contacted were not able to visit the property for a vacation now, they can still help you. They might have friends or family members who are looking for a place to stay, and they could provide you with some great referrals. Of course, you want to give them an incentive for referrals. When they send these referrals your way, let them know you appreciate it with a small gift. A bottle of wine, some nice chocolates, and other little treats are a great option.

#9 Contact People Who Did Not Book

You will likely have some people who have expressed interest in your property, but who did not book for one reason or another. Now is a good time to contact them again. Let them know about the deals that you are currently offering and see if they might be interested. This does not always mean that they will book with you right now, but it is always good to keep marketing to those potential customers, which leads us to our next tip.

#10 Keep Marketing

Just because it is the shoulder season does not mean it is time to slow down on your marketing. You can and should still be active on social media, your blog, and your other marketing outlets. Make sure that you present the deals you are offering, talk about the benefits of coming to the Outer Banks during this season, and make it as attractive as possible to people.

When you start implementing these tips, you will find that it starts to become much easier to get the bookings you need.

When people are looking to book a vacation rental in the Outer Banks, they are trying to find a property that is ideal for their needs. Since most people will be looking at your listings online, a good description of the property and the amenities is certainly important. However, as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. You need to make sure to have plenty of fantastic photos that really capture the potential renter’s imagination.

The photos need to be as perfect as they can possibly be while capturing the reality of the home and what makes it special. This might sound like a tall order, but it is certainly possible. The photos that a person sees provides them with their initial impression of the property. If the photos are lackluster, they will not have enthusiasm about your rental, and they will simply look for another in the area.

Simple Staging Tips You Can Do on Your Own

One of the most important things to remember when you are staging your vacation rental property is that it needs to be an accurate depiction of the property. Do not bring in new furniture that will not be there when the guests arrive just because you think it looks good in the photo. Your photos need to do a good job of showing the guests what they can expect. This includes things such as bedding, furnishings, cutlery and dishes, and even the curtains and any artwork that you might have. Of course, adding some flowers or a bowl of fruit might be a nice touch. Your guests will not expect you to have the same flowers when they arrive, so do not worry!

You also need to make sure that you have removed all the clutter and personal items from the photos. Remember, the guests want to imagine themselves living there, and if you have a pile of your old running shoes in the corner, it just won’t look very professional. It is always a good idea to keep the property free of clutter, not just when you are taking photographs.

When removing the clutter, be sure that you get everything off the shelves in the bathroom and the kitchen. Hide the garbage cans, as well. They might be a fact of life, but you do not want them making a cameo in your photos. Walk around the house and remove any personal items that you might have. This includes things such as family photos.

You should also make sure that you have proper lighting. This does not mean you need to bring in a professional lighting rig, of course. Sometimes, simply turning the lights on in a room will give it the light that it needs. If you feel that a certain room might benefit from having some additional light, you can bring in a lamp or a clamp light. Just make sure it is kept out of frame.

When you use natural light, it will look better than relying on the camera’s flash. In addition, if you do not have plenty of light, it can cast shadows in the room that make it appear dark and dismal rather than bright and cheery.

Make sure the items in the room look perfect. This means you want to make certain the bedding is nice and straight, and that you want to check the artwork on the walls to ensure nothing is crooked. Anything that looks out of place or askew can draw attention in the photo. You do not want the guests thinking that you don’t know how to keep your frames straight on the wall, after all!

Also, make sure that you remember to take some exterior shots of the property, as well as views from the property, if you have one. If you have a backyard area, be sure to include photos out there, too. Some nice shots of the surrounding scenery can help to give the potential buyers a much better picture, pun intended, of what your property can offer.

Should You Hire a Professional Photographer?

This is not an easy question to answer, as it will depend on a range of factors. One of the concerns people the most is the budget. Do not let the cost of a professional photographer scare you away. In some cases, they can even stage the home for you for an additional fee. This relieves you of much of the hard work, and you can be sure the photos will look great.

You can make up the money spent on a photographer relatively quickly, and since the photos will be in your listings for a long time, they end up more than paying for themselves in the end.

However, if you want to take the photos yourself, it is possible. Use the tips provided earlier in the post, and make sure you have a quality camera to take the photos. One of the nice things about taking photos today is the efficiency of digital cameras. You can take plenty of photos, play around with the lighting, and make sure everything is perfect without wasting film. Keep the photos that work and delete the ones that do not.

Here’s a bonus tip. Never rely on the small screen on your camera to let you know whether a photo is good or not. You need to see it larger and on a computer screen so you can make sure that it looks as appealing as it does on the smaller screen of your camera.

Easy and Effective

Photos are vital when it comes to renters making decisions online. If your photos are not up to par, they will pass you over and move on to one of the other homes in the area. With some work on your part, or the part of a professional photographer, you can stage your photos to make your home just as perfect in the photos as it is in real life.