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Renting out your Vacation Villa – Tips for Success

If you have a vacation villa and you are looking to rent the villa out during periods that you may not be using the premises, the following serves as a guideline for you to achieve success in this renting out procedure.

•   Continue to invest in your property:

A well maintained property kept in shape will always attract a tenant before a shoddy place would. Although this may have a baring on your profit, it is well worth it as the rental market in terms of these villas is very competitive and the condition of your villa will determine the success of occupancy and bookings. Besides the short term benefits of the aforementioned, the continual maintenance of the unit will ensure that large amounts do not have to be forked out later.

•   Do not expect to make a profit:

As per the above tip, the property will cost money to maintain and keep in good condition. Rather rest assured that your property will most likely appreciate in value over time, whereupon you can sell it for a profit or use it as a retirement home.

•   What do your guests want?

Think about what would add value to your vacation villa, for the people that rent it from you. Would any extensions to the villa or the addition of shade areas make the guests stay more comfortable or pleasant or perhaps even increase the marketability of the unit?

•   Repeat bookings.

By ensuring that the guests have had a good time in a well looked after property, the chances are that they will be back, or provide you with very valuable referrals. This reduces the advertising marketing costs and requirements of getting new clients. The continual maintenance with touch ups here and there will ensure that the guests will keep coming back.

•   Property management

If you are not close by enough to keep an eye on your property then one should appoint a suitably qualified property manager to ensure that things run smoothly in an around the property. This is necessary so that the place is kept orderly and well managed.

•   Décor and furnishings

Do not go overboard with the furnishings and décor, as your taste may not be that of potential tenants. Ensure that the villa is sufficient furnished and equipped with necessary items that are finished off stylishly. Middle of the road is key here in that you will not have to worry about accidental breakages, and your guests won't be disappointed if the place is well equipped and suitably furnished.

•   Marketing Website

By having a presence on the net you will effectively have an electronic brochure available for 24 hour viewing, by interested people. This will save on marketing costs, and people can be referred to the site for further information. Try and include as many pictures and details of the property so that the potential client can get a visual impression of your property.

•   Sole mandates

Do not leave the fate of your rental property with one specific company, unless of course they have proven themselves in the past. Rather allow many companies to market your property to increase the chances of the property achieving good occupancy levels.

•   Low season – spring cleaning

Utilize the quiet times in the vacation industry to conduct a deep cleaning on your unit, such as carpets, fans, screens and so forth. This will allow the property to be in top condition for the next busy season.

•   Stand out above the crowd

Ensure that there is something unique about your property, this can be done by studying the competition. Use the uniqueness of the property in your marketing efforts and look for ways that you can extend an advantage over competing holiday villas.

•   Your guests are your customers

Run your villa like a business, appreciate and look after your customers by going the extra mile. This will ensure that the guests have a positive experience and will most likely be back, or at the very least refer others to your property.

One should continually think of unique and creative ways that you can enhance your guests stay and experience at your villa, without being overly intrusive. This will give you an edge over the competition and ensure a high occupancy rate.