During the off season, it's time to think about ways we homeowners can update our vacation rental homes. From deep cleaning, to adding new features like appliances or tiki bars, your guest feedback is a great way to determine where to update and how much to invest in doing so. Fortunately, adding value to your home can be done by removing unnecessary or outdated items to start. When renters go on vacation they expect a clean, modern space that's not filled with clutter like their own home. Here are some items you should consider getting rid of when preparing your home for the rental season. Don't forget to sign up for our Homeowner Tips Newsletter to have tips and tricks delivered to your inbox.
Entertainment Items
Things like puzzles and board games with missing pieces, DVDs, and old books and magazines collecting dust. Board games are a nice feature, but they are not going to be used if they are missing essential pieces. Most also bring their favorite books along with them to read at the beach. Most individuals are using Smart TVs and streaming devices to watch their favorite media so offering streaming devices in your home is key.
Older Technology
Boom boxes, radios, alarm clocks. These items are likely not in your own home, and have been replaced with Smart Phones and Tablets, and Bluetooth speakers. It's better to not include something dated than to have an item that looks like it needs to be disposed of or recycled for parts. Instead think about ways to accomodate newer devices by swapping out old outlets with newer options that include USB ports for example. Dispose of items that likely will not be used, and will collect dust.
Crate Furniture & Mattresses
Crate furniture dates your home and makes people wonder how long that furniture has been in the house. In addition, it's not very cozy to lounge on. Couches, chairs, and mattreseses should be comfortable. If you don't enjoy sitting or lying in it, neither will your guests! Yet still, a common complaint we see in reviews is regarding uncomfortable mattresses. The last thing anyone wants on vacation is a horrible night of sleep. If your mattresses are creeky, uncomfortable, and more than ten years old, consider purchasing new ones.
It's also a nice addition to include baby equipment such as high chairs and Pack N Play's. Just make sure you keep up with recalls and outdated equipment and replace them as needed.
Worn Beach Equipment & Outdoor Items
The salt air that lures our guests to the Outer Banks, as we know all too well, also wreaks havok on our homes and outdoor items. Bikes and grills get rusty, beach chairs no longer fold, or unfold, and beach carts no longer want to roll. Providing these items is a nice touch, however they need to be disgarded when they no longer serve their purpose. These are types of items that may only last a couple of seasons due to the rough salt air, sand, and water and can be easily replaced at a low cost. Your guests will appreciate that they don't have to try to clean that old grill before they can use it, if they can use it at all. Guests take into consideration where to book and what to bring based on the amenities listed with each home. It's important to make sure your listed amenities are all in working order. If not, guests will let you know in an online review, and of course this will affect your future bookings.
Outdated Decor
Do something every year to maintain or upgrade your home. Projects can be as small as replacing worn bedding to freshening up the paint in a room. The larger the project, th bigger the return of course. Any updates made will especially go far with repeat renters who will remember from their last visit and appreciate your investing the time into taking care of the home they have grown to love!
Try not to recycle what you have worn out at home for use in your property. It's more noticable than you realize and shows lack of investment in your guests overall enjoyment of your home. Also remove fake plants as they are notorious for collecting dust, especially if they are in hard to reach places like on top of the kitchen cabinets. Items that the cleaning crew need to spend time on adds up, and guests want nothing more than to enter their homes ASAP, and for them to be spotless. This is hard to accomplish if there are a plethora of items to clean throughout a home. So to make your home easier to clean, consider the "less is more" motto, and consider some updates such as switching out mini/micro blinds for Venetian or panel blinds. This simple update will elevate your home and they are much easier to clean. Aiming for a modern, clean space with minimal decor will save you money and allow the cleaners to clean your home more easily and quickly.
Multiple of Items
Your guests won't use all ten spatulas, pairs of scissors, or extra remote batteries. If you have multiple of an item, consider keeping the extra in your locked owner's closet, so it can be easily replaced if the other item goes missing or is in bad condition.
Anytime you make changes your home's amenities, make sure you let us know so we can update your listing on our website and in our database accordingly and make the information readily available to your future guests.
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