It’s Time to Refresh Your Vacation Rental Property

Have your occupancy rates dropped? With so many vacation rental properties listed on booking websites like Vrbo and Airbnb, it’s time to make your vacation rental stand out. How can you make your short term rental property stand out from the competition? Here are three quick questions to evaluate your chances of achieving investment property success.

Does my short-term rental property lack visual appeal?

Unfortunately, when it comes to short term rental properties, people do judge a book by its cover. When potential clients shop online, they skim the listings for photos that catch their attention. They usually don’t even read the description if the images don’t capture their interest! So, if your photos are bland, it doesn’t matter what amenities you include or how well your descriptions are written. Ensure you have great photos that are as impressive or more impressive than the competition. You have first to attract people with pictures that stand out – after that, you can seal the deal with your amenities and other selling points.

But maybe it’s not the photographer's fault …

Your property may be outdated. If so, make a few simple upgrades to help amp up visual appeal. Consider adding some exciting colors. If you have builder-grade “neutral” paint throughout, pick a few key walls and add a pop of color. This is such an inexpensive way to add personality and spark to space, and the transformation can take place in a couple of days for a few hundred dollars.

Next, refresh and replace your soft goods, such as throw pillows, curtains, blankets, and rugs. If you have not done this in the last three seasons, then it is time to invest money in this area. It’s such an easy and inexpensive way to increase your visual appeal.

After these visual updates are complete, take updated photos and refresh that listing.

Does my vacation rental have amenities my guests expect or appreciate?

What amenities could make your listing stand out? 

Nearly all short term rental properties are stocked with basic amenities like TV’s , coffee makers, Wi-Fi, cooking utensils, and pool towels. These things are not special. They don’t inspire people to click on your listing or book a stay.

You need to choose some special amenities that will wow potential clients.

The location of your vacation rental somewhat influences this decision. For example, in Branson, Missouri, vacation rental clients often expect family-oriented amenities such as hot tubs, pools, arcade games, fire pits, and outdoor gathering areas.

Look at your competitors. What special amenities do they use to reel in bookings?

Decide on a budget and which amenities your target guest would appreciate most. These investments could make a big difference to your bottom line.

I own a Vacation Rental Interior Design Service in Branson, Missouri. Our team designs, remodels, and outfits short term rental properties both in the local area and remotely for clients nationwide. Recently, we were updating a vacation rental with an oversized laundry room. Working with the owner, we decided to add a small home gym in that space. This is a feature many travelers would be willing to pay extra for. It could boost this vacation rental property over other listings because travelers know they can squeeze in their workouts while on vacation.

Do you have a recurring theme in your guest reviews or comments?

Guest feedback is very valuable information. If you see a pattern of concerns or complaints from guests, it’s time to offer new solutions. If a guest mentioned the mattresses are uncomfortable, it might be time to change those out. 

For example, our interior design team refreshed a set of vacation lodges in the Branson area, and the owner asked us to incorporate a second refrigerator in the design plan because guests complained about running out of refrigerator space.

Think back to what your guests have said in the past. If there is an issue you can address efficiently and cost-effectively, then by all means, do it!

You can do it. We can help.

Once you have made these changes to your vacation rental, update your listing’s description and pictures ASAP!

Not sure where to start or don’t have time to handle the upgrades?  Feel free to contact our vacation rental interior design team to help tackle the job. We can review your listing and work within your budget to make the appropriate changes to help you get more bookings. Schedule a call today!