We Answer Wednesday - 'Staging' a vacation rental

"My husband and I have a vacation property - we love being there but we aren't up there all of the time since we both still work full time.  We will be renting it out to vacationers but there is a lot of competition in our area - how can we set ourselves apart?"

Great question!  Vacations are what we all dream of ...so your property needs to be that dream.  Regardless of the location of your rental (mountain getaway or beach escape) your rental needs to look it's best!  If you are hoping to rent it for top dollar to make some extra income you will want to spend some money and effort up front to make it that dream vacation spot.   So 'staging' your vacation property for photos and for when your guests arrive is a great way to set yourself apart for the competition - the up front costs will be worth it in the end - you will be able to rent easily, you will get top dollar and you will get repeat renters. Want to be that hot rental spot that people pay top dollar for and book in advance? Follow our tips:



Start by keeping it simple - keep the colours fresh, patterns to a minimum and opt for decor that makes sense for the space.  Stay with simple palettes and some pattern, stay away from wall paper and fussy details

 

A mountain home with some deer head silhouettes and 'log' inspired pieces makes sense plus natural materials like stone, wool, fur and wood - people will be paying for the mountain ambiance.  Warm colour and lots of layered textures give that luxurious and cozy cabin feel. 

 

For a beach house think coastal colours, soft light and airy. Light colours and organic elements really set the tone for the 'beach house' look and feel that vacationers will be looking for.  Drift wood, cotton, canvas and sea shells work beautifully

 


Art pieces and accessories can really add to the cozy factor but don't over do it - don't get too many as it will appear cluttered and don't purchase anything too expensive. Stay away from heavy and/or fussy drapery - especially if you have a view


Add some cute details that vacationers will remember - if they feel like they are welcomed, they really connect with the property and will want to return year after year

 

For bedding and bathrooms, keep it clean like you would see at a chic hotel.  You can't go wrong with white


 

And pay for professional photos.....the lighting and the quality are so much better.   Photos are key here, so some staging techniques will really help. Most (if not all) of your inquiries will come from the Internet so your presence needs to be there and you really, really, really need to have spot-on photos. We know from looking at vacation rentals online how important photos are. Because of the distance your 'renters' will only see your property online, you don't have the luxury of 'maybe it looks better in person'.  

 



Other great ideas:

 - Be helpful - keep a binder with area hot spot - restaurants, movie theaters, shops, maps and more.  Great local hot spots and fun areas for couples and/or couples to check out. Also think about laundry facilities - this is a big help to families especially.  Also leave numbers in case of emergencies

- Amenities and comforts of home, maybe when you are on vacation you want to be 'unplugged' but for some they may need to work a bit so having TVs, WiFi and more are also attractive.Maybe decks of cards and some basic board games, too

- Equipment - stock the kitchen with crockery, cutlery, cooking tools and more are helpful.  Near the beach - maybe have some sand toys for kids.  First aid kits are also a good idea

- Research, find out from a local vacation property manager what vacationers are requesting - hot tub? canoe? kayak? and try to offer those most requested items.  Also get in touch with a rental equipment company since some guests may require special items like cribs or wheel chairs

- Maintenance: make sure the property is clean inside and out!  Grass cut and gardens maintained

- Decor: it doesn't need to be full of expensive pieces but find items that set the scene and the tone.  Choose soft and light colours if by the beach, think nautical tones if lake side and richer and warmer tones for a mountain home.  If you furniture is dated - cover it with slip covers (also easy to clean), old dining table - try paint or adding new chairs.  



Some of my most memorable family vacations were when we could just relax and feel like we were at home.  By creating the vacation property that vacationers dream of you will always have renters, you will be able to charge top dollar and you will be in high demand. 

Vacation Home Decor

You might be one of the lucky ones that has a vacation home like a summer cottage on a lake or perhaps a mountain chalet...

If you are one of the lucky ones you may be thinking about making a more permanent move to the vacation residence or maybe you want to start using it as another revenue stream.

If you are in that position, think about making your vacation home look a little more 'home-like'



I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel to many different places with my husband and my children - Greece, Jamaica, Mont Tremblant QC, Seattle WA, St Simons Island GA and many more.  From my experiences staying in condos, villas and homes in these amazing vacation spots I can say that the overall look played a big role in why we chose the vacation rental that we chose.

Cleanliness and budget were obvious factors but did the home have a comfortable feeling and look? Did it fit the surroundings and reflect the lifestyle?  If you are looking at renting out a vacation home remember you are fulfilling a travel fantasy so play into it.

But how your vacation rentals looks in photos is important.  If someone is spending their hard earned money on a holiday they want it to be the best one and they want a place that will be just that.

A beach house should look like one.  This about the interior paint colours - personally soft tones, like sand, various whites and beach glass are great options.  Natural materials like stone and wood feel organic and calm.  Plush towels in white give a spa like feel.  Other details like local artists' work on the walls, bowls of shells and sand, candles and sea glass accents.  Play with the local flavour - a porch swing and rocking chairs at the home we stayed at in St Simons Island, GA were just perfect for watching the rainstorms and hanging out with family on hot summer evenings.

 

A mountain home always looks great with warmer and a bit darker tones like Cognac leather club chairs, a fireplace, natural elements like stone, wood beams and slate.  Add lots of touchable textures (leather, wool, fur) and blankets for cozy winter nights.  Some great art ideas would be photography or framed maps of the area. Area rugs make a hardwood floor look and feel warmer.  In the winter months, it gets dark early so think about having lots of light (recessed or floor and table lamps)

 

If this is a great spot for families - try having board games, movies and books already there for guests to enjoy.  Kitchen items that they may need - pots, pans, cookie sheets and more...Extra linens for bed and bath.  Take-out menus and recommendations for sightseeing and restaurants.  Make your guests feel and home and they will want to come back again and again.

No matter what type of vacation rental you have, make it a true getaway for guests and yourself.