Are you ready for back-to-back bookings as Florida’s peak season picks up?
This is a part of the country that enjoys year-round tourism. But we all know that there are specific times when things get busier. And, you want to make sure you’re prepared.
The upcoming season is a great opportunity to build and grow your rental business. By providing a great experience to all of the guests you receive, you’ll build a positive reputation and gather glowing reviews.
But only if you and your property are ready for guests.
We help manage short-term vacation rentals as well as long-term leases all across Southwest Florida. These are the best tips we have for preparing your vacation rental.
Make Sure Your Booking Systems is Up-to-Date
What kind of calendar are you using to keep track of who is arriving and who is departing?
The right booking system will make a big difference when you’re gearing up for the busiest time of year for your vacation property.
It’s important to be organized so you prevent double bookings, surprise guests, and stays that are longer or shorter than expected. When things get busy, you could find yourself hosting several different guests over the course of a single week. So, make sure your calendar can be trusted and you know who you can expect and how long they’re staying.
There are so many different systems and platforms available to vacation property owners. Look for something that keeps not only your calendar but also your pricing up to date. Always ensure that your availability is current, so that guests know when they can book your property. Set clear pricing that is competitive with other rentals in your area, taking into account the rise in busy season rates. Update prices when necessary, to attract more bookings.
Monitor those incoming booking requests, too, even if they aren’t for a while. If someone gets in touch to inquire about dates or prices, don’t leave them hanging for several days. Respond right away so they know you’re accessible and helpful. It’s easy to let communication slip when you’re managing the existing guests and preparing for new ones. But you don’t want to fall behind. The right booking system can help.
Now Is the Time to Upgrade and Update
Have you been thinking about a new mattress in the primary bedroom or maybe some bunk beds for a more family-friendly feel in a second bedroom? Are the towels starting to look a bit worn or the outdoor patio set starting to rust?
This is the time to be making improvements and aesthetic upgrades. You don’t want to be rushing around to deliver new furniture between tenant stays when things are busy. When you have a bit of downtime before the busy season, make the repairs you’ve been thinking about. Switch out the aging furniture for new pieces. Make sure the kitchen is stocked with coffee, tea, sugar, and bottled water.
Before things get more chaotic, give the property the fresh paint it needs. Re-seal the back deck if necessary. Taking the time to do these things ahead of your most active weeks and months will give you less to worry about when turnover time is tight.
Conduct regular maintenance to address any issues before those seasonal guests begin to arrive. Check out your plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems so you’re not rushing to respond to breakdowns and problems during the high season.
Don’t forget the safety features.
Always ensure to check if the property is safe and secure with a vacation rental safety checklist. We recommend that your checklist include:
- Smoke detector functionality.
- Carbon monoxide functionality.
- Check doors and windows to make sure they open, close, and lock.
- Look for potential hazards, such as loose hand rails or flooring that’s coming up.
- Potential storm threats. This is Florida, so we hope you have your hurricane-proofing in place and up to date.
- Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys.
- Post rules around things like Jacuzzis, pools, fire pits, and any other amenities.
Also, consider switching energy-efficient bulbs that will save costs and ensure to check appliances if they are in good working condition.
Give Your Vacation Rental a Thorough Cleaning
Perform a deep cleaning, addressing all areas, including bathrooms, kitchens, and common spaces. We know that you’re keeping up with cleaning between guests anyway, but as the serious season starts, you want to do a deep clean that includes all the details. Steam clean the carpets and power wash the exterior. It will make a difference and also give your cleaning crew a little less to worry about between guests when they’re trying to make the home look brand new again.
Don’t forget preventative touches like landscaping and pest control.
Make Marketing a Priority Now
If you’re completely booked for the busy season, you might feel like it’s reasonable to take a break from your marketing.
We advise against that. This is exactly the time to show everyone just how popular your property is.
Good marketing ensures that your rental home will easily stand out from other competitors in the area. So, start with a bit of competitive research. Keep an eye on what other rental properties are doing, whether their prices are higher or lower than yours, if they’re offering value-added services, and if they’re managing to stay booked or if they’re struggling to find guests.
This is a good time to review guest feedback, both private correspondence and public reviews. Find out what your property has that really grabs the attention of your renters, whether it’s a backyard pool or a well-quipped kitchen.
Don’t be afraid to refresh your marketing at this point. Upload fantastic photos. Write descriptive text that explains why your property is the best property to stay in for a vacation. Be detailed about the amenities, the furniture, and the attractions located nearby.
This is a good time to adjust your nightly rates, especially if there are festivals or special events taking place at specific times during the season. Think about incentives. Offer discounts for repeat stays. When you’re attracting people to your property, you’re increasing its profitability and ensuring you’re not left wondering why your busy season isn’t so busy.
Look for Ways to Improve Efficiency and Automation
You know you’ll be busy, so make sure you’ve gathered all of the tools and resources that will help you do more things even with less free time.
During the peak season, any vacation property owner’s to-do list will seem like it’s a never ending cycle of the same systems and processes. Be efficient and simplify what you can to save time and eliminate stress. When you leverage technology to automate tasks, you find yourself with more time to think strategically and far fewer headaches.
Improve efficiency by automating tasks such as correspondence that confirms stays, reminder emails for guests preparing to check in, and emails that request reviews from recent guests. If you’re not already using smart locks, this might be the best time to start. That way, you do not have to meet every guest at your property when they arrive. You give them the freedom, privacy, and flexibility to check in on their own and get their stay started.
When payments are automated and cleaning schedules are pre-set, you don’t have to manage quite so many details during your busiest time of year.
Managing your own vacation rental can also seem especially difficult during these busy times. If you’ve ever thought about turning things over to a professional management company, this is the time to do it. We can take care of all the details, from bookings to marketing to guest satisfaction to inventory. There’s less for you to do, even when your property is fully booked.
Prepare to Offer Guest Services and Support
Unless you have a property manager doing this for you, it’s important to remain available and accessible to your guests. As the season picks up, guests will arrive with high expectations for their stay. When inquiries and complaints come in, it’s crucial that you respond to them as quickly as possible. If something is wrong, make it right. You want your guests to know that you’re there for them, and that you care about their needs.
You want them to have an excellent experience.
That does not mean you can’t set boundaries. Provide guests with a set of house rules in advance to help answer guests’ concerns or questions. This might save you a lot of time. Leaving instructions on how to take the trash out, for example, can mean one less emailed question. Sharing directions to local grocery stores, restaurants, and attractions will make your guests more relaxed when it’s time to venture out.
Think proactively, and you’ll not only provide a good experience for your guests, but also save yourself from having to answer the same questions over and over again.
We know that this can be a stressful time of year, and that’s why we’re here. Our team can support you and your vacation property. Contact us at Realty Group of Southwest Florida. We’re managing vacation homes in cities like Naples, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, and Cape Coral.
