Owning and managing a vacation rental can be difficult. There are certain things that are learned with experience, but all owners want to avoid negative reviews whether they result in a learning experience or not. On most vacation rental sites, negative reviews can affect a rental’s bookings and even search results placement. Here are 5 vacation rental mistakes to avoid at all costs:
Leaving out important details about your vacation rental can mislead guests. This can lead to negative reviews from guests who had different expectations. Make sure your vacation rental matches your photos and update the pictures if something changes. Include important details like bed sizes, amenities, and special house rules to avoid surprises. Owners should also have detailed instructions for guests once they book the property, how to turn the A/C on, the WiFi password, how to access the pool and gym, etc.
Being slow to respond can cost owners bookings. Potential guests typically browse through multiple options, inquire about a couple of them, and then choose one to book. If the other owners the guest contacted respond first, the guest may go ahead and book with one of them. Make sure to set up alerts for whenever someone inquiries about your listing, so that you can respond in a timely manner.
There are multiple great vacation rental websites out there. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. The most popular vacation rental sites have millions of listings, making it easy for your listing to go by unnoticed unless you pay extra for advertising. Listing with multiple websites can help your property reach more potential guests.
While most vacation rental sites charge fees for owners and guests, there are free listing options owners should take advantage of. HomeEscape allows owners and property managers to list an unlimited amount of properties for free. HomeEscape does not charge any booking fees for guests either, giving them a huge incentive to book with us instead. This is a great way to gain more exposure and additional bookings. Other websites like FlipKey also allow owners to list their home for free, and take commissions only upon booking. This is also an option to gain extra exposure.
Photos can make or break your vacation rental listing. Potential guests rely heavily on photos and visual content when choosing a rental, so high-resolution photos are essential. The best option is to invest in hiring a professional photographer to take photos of your rental. Although this may cost a couple of hundred dollars, the results will definitely be worth it. Make sure your home is clean, decluttered, and bright for the photos. Take some good shots of the exterior of the home and the neighborhood if possible.
Pricing is an important factor for guests when finding a vacation rental. Browse through other rentals in your area and see how your pricing compares. Optimize your pricing for holidays, weekends, and special events. Pricing should be lower during slow season and higher during busy season. If your pricing is the same year round, you could be missing out on some profit.
List your vacation rentals for free on HomeEscape today! Gain more exposure for your rentals and reach thousands of new guests. HomeEscape allows guests to contact owners directly, and book vacation rentals easily, without fees.
