Being the proprietor of short-term rental properties and vacation rentals is, in and of itself, a business venture. Both require diligence and concentration in order to succeed. John Island investors hold to the view that short-term rentals or vacation properties are automatic sources of passive income. The truth, however, is that short-term and vacation rentals are often even more hands-on than long-term rental homes. As a result of frequent changes in tenants, short-term or vacation rentals need to be supervised closely and properly.
As far as management is concerned, there are fundamental differences among short-term rentals, vacation rentals, and other long-term rentals. But rather than being different tasks, managing short-term and vacation rentals simply requires more: more marketing (and more often), more tenant screening, and more cleaning and preparing the rental property for the next tenant.
If your idea of an entrepreneurial venture is that of managing short-term rentals or vacation properties, you will need to have excellent organizational skills and an enthusiasm for responding to tenant inquiries. If so, you will need to fill a few key roles to keep your rental property alive and well.
Unless you are living in the immediate vicinity and are skilled enough to professionally clean your rental property yourself, consider hiring a house cleaning service. A reliable housekeeper will help you make sure that all the necessary preparations for your property are made for every guest. This person can help you identify potential problems early and address them before they become expensive repairs.
On the topic of repairs, it would be wise to get a good handyman, as well. This person will have to live close to your property and can swiftly respond to guest complaints and maintenance issues. If your short-term rental or vacation property has a pool or spa, you will need someone to keep it clean and to regulate the chemical levels.
In order to ensure a job well done, go ahead and hire one person or different individuals, if necessary. The key to good maintenance is consistency. Besides, tenants will leave poor reviews if the property condition is not ideal, which can make it harder to rent your property in the future.
Furthermore, you should prioritize communicating with tenants and getting your property on their radar, aside from caring for the property itself. A successful short-term or vacation rental begins with effective advertising. There are multiple websites and app platforms online that can market your property for you. All you have to do is add yours to the list. A dedicated website for your rental properties will make it easier for tenants to find them. Setting up a website for a vacation home, in particular, is inexpensive and very effective. Make sure to include lots of photos and a fact sheet about your property so that the tenants get as much information as they can prior to contacting you. You can also allow your guests to view availability, request reservations, and to pay their rent and deposits online. This makes it possible for your tenants to see that you are ready to cater to their needs.
Yet, nothing beats good communication. As the property owner, you will need to respond quickly and effectively to inquiries, tenant complaints, and more. If other matters restrict you from being available at a moment’s notice, a good option may be to hire a property management company to handle your tenant relations for you.
The right John Island property manager can offer a high level of professionalism and customer service, making it significantly easier for you to sit back and enjoy what you’ve already worked hard for. Short-term and vacation rental tenants need their space and privacy, and that means that you should give them an experience worth remembering. Anything you can do to help them feel satisfied with their stay in your rental house can help keep your properties fully leased month after month, year after year.
If you’re looking for professional property management, this is it right here. Real Property Management Distinguished Care has a team of John Island property management experts willing to provide insight and assistance to you. From filling vacancies to handling maintenance, we’ve got you covered. Contact us online or call us at 828-342-9683 today.
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