5 Updates to Consider for Your Rental Property
Spring has sprung and rental property owners all over Brunswick County are busy preparing their homes to welcome vacationers this summer. If you find yourself looking for easy, cost-effective ways to prep your property this season, we’ve got you covered!
Stock the Kitchen
Access to a kitchen sets vacation rentals apart from hotels. When traveling, the phrase “the more the merrier” does not apply to luggage or items you must pack. Guests want to pack light, and they expect to have everything they will need at the property they’ve rented. While many choose homes that come with fully stocked kitchens, all they really want is enough to accommodate them during their stay. In other words, if your property advertises an occupancy of 12, make sure you have enough plates, bowls, glasses, cutlery, etc. for at least that same number of guests. Provide additional items in case something accidentally breaks or becomes unusable due to wear and tear.
Pro Tip: Provide your guests with all of the tools they could need during their stay. These tools can include can openers, wine bottle openers, specialty knives, larger pots, and pans to accommodate the number of servings someone may cook in your home. Even further, think about providing items like updated smaller appliances like an air fryer, blender, or smoothie maker.
Spa-like Bathrooms
Bathrooms tend to be one of the “make it or break it” aspects of a rental property. Generally smaller in size, these high-traffic areas of a beach rental can get overwhelmed by products, wet beach towels and so much more. De-clutter your countertops, shelves, and cabinets to streamline the space and eliminate the chaos.
Pro Tip: On the other hand, you should provide smaller storage options. Mount hooks for hanging towels, bring in baskets and install small, open shelving options.
Bright & Airy Spaces
Lighting can completely transform the feel of a room. Properties that lack sufficient lighting can look smaller in size or feel cramped. Brighten your rental by adding lamps at different levels throughout. Give guests the option of an overhead light or a bedside lamp.
Pro Tip: Add reflective surfaces around your property. Additional mirrors or reflective fixtures amplify the light in a room, making it feel larger and brighter. Consider adding dimmers or mood lighting for added effect.
Get Outside
Prospective guests often form their first impression of a home within a few seconds of seeing pictures of the property's exterior. Make your property more appealing with simple landscaping actions. Sign-up for regular lawn maintenance like MRA’s Lawn Maintenance Program and trim any bushes or branches. Feel free to plant beautiful flowers and put down fresh mulch.
Go beyond the yard by taking a look at your property’s exterior, its porches, and its decks. Consider pressure washing to remove any build-up or dirt, refinish your decks, and consider painting older furniture for a fresh look!
Pro Tip: Just like the plates in the kitchen, provide enough outdoor seating for the advertised occupancy of the property. If your property welcomes 8 guests, assume that all 8 will want to sit outside together at some point during their stay.
Surprise, Surprise
There’s nothing better than walking into your beach rental for a week away to find unexpected amenity items. Again, no one wants to go on vacation having to pack pool or beach supplies, or to have to then rent them when they arrive. Providing your guests with items like bicycles, kayaks, beach toys, and boogie boards will be a welcomed surprise.
Pro Tip: For areas like Oak Island, North Carolina that have implemented paid parking, consider providing your guests with items like beach carts, rollable coolers, and large beach totes that can make a walk to the beach access a bit easier.
Prepare Your Property for Summer
While many consider home improvement projects a hassle, they don’t have to be. Oftentimes, property owners can implement simple, cost-effective changes which will make their vacation rentals feel brand new to guests. Just keep in mind, you don’t have to break the bank to wow your guests.
Are You Ready for A Change
If you’re looking for yet another way to wow your guests this summer, hiring a professional property manager like Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® is the way to go. Our story is one of award-winning customer service and unparalleled attention. We provide our property owners with valuable annual programs and services to keep your vacationers happy and your property top of mind.
Are you a property owner looking for a fresh start with a new property manager? Or, are you considering renting your property on a short-term, vacation rental, or long-term rental basis? If so, we’re only an email or phone call away.
