When I say, “Up your Game”, I mean take care of all the things that you have not had time for in the past because you were too busy with customers. You know, things such as maintenance, painting and re-decorating. Why? When things open back up, people will likely be more than ready to want to get and travel, visit new places or family in other areas. Many vacation rental owners may be running special deals, trying to make up for lost income. You want your vacation rental to stand out from the crowd and your competition.
While you may be reluctant to spend any money on your vacation rental right now, if it is possible for you to do, it could reap future rewards and then some. I know from experience. See my article, Does Your Vacation Rental Stand Out from the Crowd Online for some tips.
Bed and Breakfast Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Re-designing your Vacation Rental Can Reap Big Rewards
Double your bookings and income
Attract your ideal customer
Create listing photos that give you a competitive edge online.
Things to Consider Before Redesigning Your Vacation Rental
Who is your ideal customer? What do they want? What kind of activities do they enjoy? Are they looking for budget accommodations or something more luxurious?
Take an honest look around. Is your décor way out of date? You may be used to seeing it this way but that shows up loud and clear in your listing photos.
What kind of comments have you received in customer reviews about the comfort of your space? Have you taken action to address every single negative comment?
Have the bedspreads, pillows, blankets, sheets or towels seen better days and need replacing?
Are the colors in the room conducive to providing a calm and restful atmosphere?
Is everything in perfect running order? You know, no sticking toilet handles, loose drawer handles or lights that need replacing? Are all your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors up to date and working with fresh batteries? Fire extinguishers inspected and ready to go?
Do your online photos look better than your competitions photos? Are they professional photos?
Does your website not just talk about the room details, but portray an “experience”? If so, is that experience what your ideal customers are looking for?
Are you charging a price that is within the budget of your ideal customer, and are you providing the experience, amenities etc. that they want and expect?
Are you charging enough? Do you want to charge more? How can you increase the value in terms of looks, comfort and experience so you can charge what you want?
Have you considered what new procedures you plan to implement to deal with keeping yourself and guest safe from the virus? We know it will still be present in a most countries for quite some time.
Bed and Breakfast Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
How Interior Design Can Really Up Your Game
Update your color scheme to create a mood and atmosphere that will appeal to your guests.
Update your furnishings, accessories, lighting and bedding so it looks current, fresh and new.
Consider whether your current layout could be re-arranged to provide more space or ease of movement, which is really important in a small space.
Attract your ideal customer. We all have our perfect guests. Wouldn’t you like to attract those people all the time?
Create an atmosphere and “experience” that will attract guests more than just a nice looking, comfortable room.
Increase your nightly price and overall bookings. I increased my price by $40 per night and more than doubled my bookings after re-designing my Bed and Breakfast.
Set your property up to get great professional listing photos. Your online photos should be more appealing and better quality than your competition.
Improve your customer reviews.
Bed and Breakfast Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
I started my Bed and Breakfast over 20 years ago. After I became an Interior Designer, Home Stager and Color Strategist, I learned a lot of things that I was able to use to make a huge difference in my Bed and Breakfast business that I had never considered before. Every year, I had always made improvements to make my business better. Of all the things I tried, redesigning the way it looked to appeal to my ideal customers had the greatest impact by far.
Shop the Look
Bioluninescence Framed Art Print. Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design at Society 6. Bioluninescence Framed Art Print. Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design at Society 6. Bioluninescence #3 Framed Art Print. Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design at Society 6. Bioluninescence-2-rectangular-pillow. Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Caspian Table Lamp
Need Help Desgigning Your Vacation Rental or Bed and Breakfast?
Why not try my online Vacation Rental Consultation. Find out everything you need to do to create a beautiful space that attracts your ideal customer and gives you great photos for your online marketing. I also offer website reviews and social media advertising.
7 Things to Consider Before You Rent Out Your Home to Vacationers
Some families own a second home that’s rarely used, and others travel frequently enough that renting out their residence can become an income source. With numerous websites available that give you access to millions of vacationers and short-term renters, there’s a high chance that you can find someone to rent your property while you’re away. To attract visitors to your home and get the best return on investment, you should consider upgrading and sprucing up your place. Here are a few upgrades to include, as well as other considerations to make during the process.
First things first: Can you even rent out your place? Some areas won’t allow you to rent out your property, and those that do might only allow longer rentals, such as gated communities that require a six-month minimum lease for renters. Check on the rules about short-term vacation rentals in your area before you consider going this route.
Location
Location is a big part of why renters choose to stay somewhere. If you’re looking to buy a vacation property, focus on areas that are central or in proximity to the city’s hottest tourist attractions and hippest neighborhoods. If you already own a home, highlight the best of what the neighborhood has to offer. Your listing should emphasize things to do nearby and walkability to restaurants and shops.
Photo courtesy of Pixaby
Pricing
Figuring out how to price your property is tricky because you want to attract visitors who are looking to spend less than they would at a hotel, but you also want to profit from the arrangement. It’s not just the mortgage that you need to recoup, but HOA fees as well. When your listing is still new, it’s important to have an attractive price for renters who are unsure about a new property with no reviews. As you build up a solid reputation, you can price your property higher.
Listing
When renters search for homes to stay in during their vacation, they first look at the location, number of bedrooms, and price. Beyond that, there’s more that can draw renters to your listing. Be sure to make your listing stand out by posting quality photos taken in good light and showcasing the best features of your place. Five-star reviews can also go a long way toward getting renters to trust you. The happier your first guests are, the more likely they’ll leave good reviews so that your listing gains popularity and you can charge higher rates in the future.
Amenities
Renters want the comforts of a home away from home. A nice fridge, dishwasher, laundry in the unit, A/C, heater, parking spots, and high-speed internet are attractive features that make guests enjoy their stay. If your place has a pool and/or hot tub, then you’ll have an even easier time attracting guests.
Design
Unless you’re renting out a rustic cabin in the mountains, you’re probably better off with a clean, modern design inside your home. Potential upgrades include new wood flooring and panels, countertops made of granite, quartz or marble, upgraded lighting fixtures to replace old lamps, new doorknobs and faucet handles, and a fresh paint job. Great design and color are key to attracting your ideal guests and increasing your income and bookings. Know who your target market is, what they want and decorate to attract them. You can also opt to redecorate the home by settling on a theme or style and choosing design elements that complement that style. Enlisting the help of a professional designer or color consultant can make a big difference in getting the results you want.
Mind Your Business
An important part of gearing up to run a vacation rental is setting up the proper business structure. There are many different business structures, but the one that typically works best in the vacation rental industry is a limited liability corporation (LLC). An LLC is more flexible and protective than a traditional corporation, it can be used for property purchases, and any debts will belong to the business solely. If you opt to set up an LLC, a formation service can quickly and easily guide you through the step-by-step process to put your mind at ease.
If your home is sitting around unused for part of the year, why not make some income from it? The key is to own property that’s comfortable for you while being inviting for guests. With the right upgrades — in addition to enlisting the help of a home stager like Northern Lights Home Staging and Design — your home will become a desirable rental property.
Written by guest blogger Dennis Kane of the WinterizeGuys. Dennis and his brother Ron are experts on what it takes to protect your home and family from winter weather and they created their website and new book to help keep you warm!
Need Help Desgigning Your Vacation Rental or Bed and Breakfast?
Why not try my online Vacation Rental Consultation. Find out everything you need to do to create a beautiful space that attracts your ideal customer, increases your income and bookings and gives you great photos for your online marketing.
With our current situation, things are uncertain about how many people if any will be traveling now and through the fall. If your Bed and Breakfast or vacation rental will be open, or you are just setting it up now, there are things you can consider to design and manage your Bed and Breakfast to help keep your guests and yourself as safe as possible.
I am not offering medical or health advice, just passing on what I plan to do at my own Bed and Breakfast in case you might find it helpful. I am updating this post as new information comes out. (Updated 3-27-20).
Design and Photo by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Listen to the Experts
I plan to to listen to the experts and to follow all guidelines coming from the federal, state and local governments in my community. I do not get information from social media, which can be false or misleading.
Determine Your Own Safety Policies and Let Customers Know
It is important to let your guests or future customers know how you are considering their safety when staying with you. Have you thought of how you are going to keep them and yourself safe? How you might change your cleaning procedures? How you will handle it if someone shows up and they are sick or get sick while visiting? How you will design your Bed and Breakfast to adapt to the current situation?
Here are the policies that I plan to implement in my own Bed and Breakfast. I have posted this on my Facebook business page and also on my website, so guests know what to expect. You may need to adapt as new information comes out.
“Hi future B&B guests! Just wanted to let you know that your (and my) safety are my priorities. I am implementing some new safety procedures which include having you leave your shoes at the door (as always), using hand sanitizer available at the door when you arrive, providing masks for anyone that has a cold to wear, extra sanitizing wipes in the bathroom and room for your use, running an air purifier during your visit. I will be doing complete cleaning of all surfaces between guests and removing items from the room that cannot be cleaned or washed. I only have one room at my Bed and Breakfast which also eliminates your exposure to other guests. Let’s stay safe, healthy and happy by working together. Look forward to meeting you.” Mary Ann
Photo by Moyo Studios
Design Tips
While of course we want our Bed and Breakfast to be beautiful and comfortable, and to provide an experience that is perfect for our ideal customers, we may need to adapt some things during this time.
Throw Pillows –Consider items that are hard to clean after each guest such as throw pillows. If they can’t be washed after each guest, consider removing them from the room or using removable pillow covers on them that can be washed. Another option is to get Lysol spray in a nice scent such as “Linen” for use after each guest. I have heard this works and smells great. I have been unable to find it online or at the grocery store right now so for now plan to remove these items.
Bedding- Can all of your bedding including bedspreads be easily washed after each guest? If not, consider replacing them for now with something that can go in the washing machine like duvet covers.
Bed pillows- Pillows should be washed after each guest or sprayed with Lysol spray (nice smelling scents of course). If you have down pillows or types that don’t handle a lot of washing well, consider replacing them with a different type for now.
Rugs- Wash rugs that are washable. For carpeting vacuuming should suffice. Have your guests leave their shoes at the front door.
Decorative accessories- Keep in mind that you will need to clean everything in the room after each guest, so consider removing excess accessories and replacing with just a few things that are beautiful and easily cleaned.
Stock the bathroom with lots of beautiful soaps, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. Put them in a beautiful box or basket so they look great but are easily available.
Design by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Photo by Kalani Woodlock Photography
Cleaning After Guests
My plan is to wear a face mask and disposable gloves when cleaning the room and to use cleaning products with bleach or disinfectants. . Wash your hands immediately after using the gloves.
Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, sinks) with household cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectants that are appropriate for the surface, following label instructions.
In addition to things already mentioned, some booking sites offer additional recommendations for hosts. These recommendations come from AirBnB.
1. Ventilate rooms before you clean. Allow fresh air to circulate for at least 20 minutes. If possible, leave all windows open during the entire cleaning process.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after each cleaning. Use soap and water, and wash for at least 20 seconds. If that’s not possible, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Learn more about proper hand washing
3. Clean, then disinfect. Use detergent or soap and water to remove dirt, grease, dust, and germs. Once the surface is clean, spray with a disinfectant. Let it stand for a few minutes, then wipe—and if you’re not using paper towels or disposable wipes, it’s best to use a new cleaning cloth for each guest.
4.Use the right disinfectant. You don’t need any hard-to-find cleaning products—most common household disinfectants registered by the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as cleaning solutions with diluted household bleach or at least 70% alcohol, are believed to be effective against the coronavirus. Pay special attention to frequently touched surfaces, like light switches, doorknobs, remote controls, and faucet handles. (See our full list of surfaces to disinfect at the bottom of the page.)
5. Don’t forget about sofas, rugs, drapes, and other soft, porous surfaces. Carefully remove any visible dirt or grime, then clean with the appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. If possible, machine-wash items according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Wear disposable gloves while you clean. Gloves should be thrown out after each cleaning. And make sure to wash your hands immediately after gloves are removed.
7. Don’t reuse microfiber cloths, mops, and sponges when cleaning your space for a new guest. Consider stocking up on supplies that you can throw away after each cleaning. If you prefer to clean with reusable products, make sure to machine-wash them at the highest heat setting that’s appropriate for the material.
8. Wash all linens at the highest heat setting recommended by the manufacturer. That includes bed sheets, mattress covers, hand and bath towels, kitchen towels, and blankets. Remember to wear gloves when handling dirty laundry.
9. Clean and disinfect laundry baskets and hampers. If possible, consider using a liner that is either disposable or that you can throw into the washing machine.
10. Empty the vacuum cleaner after every cleaning. You should wipe down the vacuum cleaner with disinfectant, along with appliances like your dishwasher and washing machine.
11. While restocking your supplies, take a moment to check expiration dates. And remember to never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleaning solution that can release toxic gases that are dangerous to inhale.
Design by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Photo by Kalani Woodlock Photography
Laundry
Will doing laundry kill the virus. From my understanding, No.
Basically, washing bedding, towels etc. will clean them, but won’t disinfect them.
Even if your washer and dryer have sanitized modes, those are unlikely to kill the virus. During the wash cycle, the agitation and detergent will likely scrub the virus off the infected clothes and flush it out with the wastewater.
If you have a cloth laundry hamper liner, toss it in the wash when you do the laundry. As mentioned above, wash laundry on the warmest setting your clothes and linens can handle, and avoid shaking dirty laundry, which can spread virus through the air.
And when you’re done handling dirty clothes and towels, be sure to wash your hands. If you aren’t using gloves when handling dirty laundry, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands afterwards.
Other Considerations
Consider whether your Bed and Breakfast normally includes common use areas such as living rooms. Mine does not but I do allow guests to use my living room if they ask at times. This might be a good time to not have common areas open to all guests for safety and to reduce the spaces that will also need deep cleaning.
I usually tell guest they can put their dirty breakfast dishes next to the sink in my kitchen after they are done eating so their dining table in their room is clear for their use. I plan to now have them leave dishes in their room, so it reduces the chance of spread of the virus into my kitchen.
I normally greet guests at the door, shake hands and then help carry all their luggage. Now I plan to stay 6 feet away and allow them to carry their own luggage.
Think about your own usual ways of doing things and how you can adapt to make things safer for both you and your guests.
Need Help Desgigning Your Vacation Rental or Bed and Breakfast?
Why not try my online Vacation Rental Consultation. Find out everything you need to do to create a beautiful space that attracts your ideal customer and gives you great photos for your online marketing. I also offer website reviews and social media advertising.
