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 Is your décor way out of date?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.
Does your Vacation Rental Stand Out From the Crowd Online?
Does your Vacation Rental Stand Out From the Crowd Online?
My vacation rental, Arctic Paradise B&B, is in Seward, Alaska, a place that is unbelievably beautiful and everyone wants to come on their once in a lifetime Alaska vacation.
Does Your Vacation Rental Stand Out form the Crowd?
And so, our market here is saturated with Bed and Breakfasts and other vacation rentals. The season here is about 100 days, so if you have a rental, you want to make sure it is booked every one of those days!
“The market here has become so saturated” said Nicole Lawrence of Seward Properties on a recent interview I did with her on Seward Public Radio’s Market Minute show. “There are so many people doing nightly rentals now. And especially the smaller places. At some point, when you are a customer traveling and checking vacation rental sites such as Airbnb or VRBO, all the vacation rentals start to look the same. There is a bed, there is a kitchen table. People don’t always put a lot of thought and personal choices into decorating their B&B. So it becomes really impersonal. They all start to blend together and at some point you just start looking for the best deal because everything just looks the same”.
So, unless you plan to just compete on price and offer the lowest rates, how do you get the bookings and income you want? And, more importantly, how do you get your ideal customers? They may not be the ones looking for the cheapest price. And you want to get people that will work with your situation, whether the Bed and Breakfast is in your house where you live or in a separate property in a residential area where the neighbors may be impacted if guests are noisy.
“For you, your guests are in your house where you live and interact with them daily. Some of my rentals are above my office, where of course I want guests that are respectful and quiet” said Nicole.
“I heard you talk about this to a group of people before and thought it was really interesting, on how you can attract the type of guests you want and how you can increase your income and bookings” said Nicole. “What kind of tips can you give us on that?”
Tips to Attract Your Ideal Customer and Increase your Vacation Rental Income
Who are you?
Figuring out what makes you and your rental unique and what you have to offer is the key. This is called “branding”. In home staging, we try to do this with the house…figure out what is special and unique about it and highlight that for buyers. So consider: • What makes you special? • What makes your rental special? • What are the things that only you and your rental can offer?
Your ideal customer will be attracted to you and your rental if you let them know who you really are and what you offer. Figuring out your “brand” will help direct the way you update the look of your property, how you portray what you are offering on your website and in your advertising and help your Ideal Customer find you.
For example, I am a retired wildlife biologist, an artist that creates stained glass, jewelry and alcohol ink art, a dancer and musician. I sell my art at my B&B and I also offer private lessons in music, art and dance as part of the experience for guests that want to explore their creative side. My decor has a wildlife theme and I display my art in the room and in my website photos. My ideal customers, call all the time and say, “I love your website because”, and then they mention one of these things.
Highlight your brand with your decor. Home staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and DesignReflect the interests of your ideal customer.Home staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and DesignHighlight things that make you unique in your decor. Home staging by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
What do you want?
How much do you want to make and how much do you want to work? Answering this will help you determine your prices and what you need to do to justify those prices.
What income do you want and how much do you want to work for your Bed and Breakfast. Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash.
I decided I wanted to make more and work less! I would rather have higher prices and less bookings than get bookings because my place was one of the cheapest.
Who is your Ideal Customer and what do they want?
Specific customers are going to be attracted to the brand you project. Is your brand attracting your ideal customer?
Who is your ideal customer?
What kind of place do they want to stay in? Do they want luxury or a more rustic experience?
What activities do they want to participate in? Do you offer them or can you help them find those activities nearby?
I wanted retired professionals with money to spend on a little luxury while still wanting to go on outdoor adventures such as wildlife viewing. I also wanted to attract people that appreciated art, music and dance and might be interested in exploring their creative side while traveling or purchasing one of a kind local art.
Update your Vacation Rental to Appeal to your Ideal Customer
Does the current look of your vacation rental appeal to that ideal customer?
Does the current look of your vacation rental justify the price you are charging in the eyes of your ideal customer?
Home stage it! Home Staging can update the look of your rental to reflect your “brand”, appeal to your ideal customer and justify the price you want to charge.
Here is an example of my Bed and Breakfast before and after home staging. Before, it did not reflect my brand or justify the price I wished. I was not attracting my ideal customers. Instead, I was attracting those looking for a cheaper price. After staging, I raised my prices substantially, and at least doubled my income and bookings.
Before home stagingAfter home stagingBathroom before and after home staging
Market your Property to attract your Ideal Customer
Market your property with great design to attract your ideal customer.
Get professional photos of your beautifully staged rental property.
Highlight your brand and what makes you and your property unique at the top of your home page.
Use your photos on social media them to create a great video.
I hired a professional photographer to get photos that highlighted my branding and updated my website and descriptions to reflect that.
Increase your Vacation Rental Income and Bookings with Home Staging
Did you know that you can increase your vacation rental income and bookings with home staging?
Home staging highlights the positive and downplays the negative aspects of homes for sale. A professional stager creates a look and atmosphere that buyers make an emotional connection with and they want to buy through decorating and market research. It’s the emotional connection that cinches the deal. Sellers then market their properties to attract buyers online with great photos of their beautifully staged home.
The same principles work with vacation rental properties such as Bed and Breakfasts, and other rental units.
“Whether you have investments in multiple apartment buildings, a few vacation properties or a single apartment in your basement, you can’t afford to have vacancies” says internationally recognized home stager Debra Gould, the Staging Diva.
“As a landlord, have you considered hiring a professional home stager to enhance the appeal of your rental units? If you have a property to rent, you should make a call to an expert home stager as soon as a tenant vacates the premises” says Gould in her article “Home Staging Boosts Demand for Rental Properties”.
After deciding who your ideal customer is, Home Staging can update the look of your rental to reflect your brand, appeal to your ideal customer and justify the price you want to charge.
Staging helps you get great photos for your online advertising that attract your ideal guests, increase your rental price and get more bookings.
I staged this property that had been a rental unit for the owner to sell. After listing it, they realized they could make more money by keeping it as a rental and used the staging and great photos to increase their income and bookings instead. After listing it on Airbnb and other sites, it created a buzz and generated more interest than other neighboring properties in the same area, increasing their rental price, income and bookings from what it had previously brought in as a rental unit before staging.
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Increase Your Vacation Rental Income And Bookings Today
I can help you make it happen. Start with a Vacation Rental consultation.
One thing I love about Alaska home staging is that it is a win-win proposal for all involved.
Staging is a Win-Win for Home Sellers
For home sellers, a modest investment in home staging can be transformative. It not only elevates your property’s aesthetic appeal but also gives you a competitive edge in the market. The result? A quicker sale at a potentially higher price. Think of it as turning your house into the market’s standout star. Plus, you can typically deduct your home stager’s fees as advertising expenses during the sale, further enhancing your return on investment. Opting for staging could save you more than what you might concede in an initial price drop. It’s a strategic move for a clear WIN!
Home Staging is a Win-Win for Home Buyers
If you are a home buyer, home staging helps you see the real potential for the property. It helps you look past the clutter, crazy wall colors and the other person’s stuff, and see how you could live there, how your furniture and belongings could fit in the space.
Home Staging is a Win-Win for Realtors
As a realtor, impeccable listing photos can be your competitive edge. With professional staging, your properties will shine during showings and open houses, potentially accelerating sales and, consequently, your commission rate. Not only that, a home stager can handle those challenging conversations with sellers about decluttering, addressing odors, and making necessary repairs. This lets you focus on your primary skill: selling homes. Typically, the seller covers the staging costs, so it’s an advantage without the added expense. By enhancing the home’s appeal, you’re helping potential buyers visualize its value effortlessly. It’s a strategic advantage that leads to a win-win situation!
Home Staging is a Win-Win for Landlords
If you are a landlord, home staging can boost the demand for your rental property by making it look great! This will provide great photos to generate interest in your rental so you rent your place faster and for a higher rental price while attracting your ideal renters! You will make back your investment in no time with a higher rental price and make more money in the future. WIN!
Home Staging is a Win-Win for Vacation Rental Owners
Home Staging is a Win-Win for House- Flippers and Real Estate Investors
Is your business buying and selling real estate? Buying homes and fixing them up for re-sale? Home staging helps your buyers visualize a home they can see themselves living in by furnishing and decorating it so you can sell quickly. After all that hard work and investment, get your money back now and get the most for your investment.
Home Staging is a Win-Win for Home Stagers
If you are a home stager, you can feed your creative passion, help people make more money on their houses, help them sell fast when they may be going through trying times like divorce, job changes, parents dying or many of the stressful reasons people sell. You get to make money doing what you love and when the house sells, everyone is happy! WIN!
It is often hard to find situations that are win-win for all involved. This is a no-brainer. Everyone gets what they want. What are you waiting for? Why not try one of my online home staging services or call me for local, in- person staging services.
Home Staging Service
Are you ready for a win? It all starts with a consultation. Call today.907-362-0065.
Make More on Your Home Sale with the Right Paint Colors
Updated for 2023. Studies show some colors in specific rooms, increased the sales price in homes. Why? Color affects emotion and buyers buy on emotion! This report gives you six specific color recommendations per room to help sell your house for more based on study results, top paint sales and professional experience. Mary Ann Benoit is a certified color expert and color strategist and professional home stager. Download now. Price: $4.99.
5 Steps to Attract Your Ideal Customer and Increase Your Vacation Rental Income
Would you like to attract your ideal customer and increase your vacation rental income? Whether you have a Bed and Breakfast or other vacation rental, it is important to have your property stand out online to attract the guests you want and make the income you want. Learn more by listening to this interview with Mary Ann Benoit on Seward Public Radio’s “Market Minute” with Nicole Lawrence.
These five tips can dramatically increase your Bed and Breakfast or vacation rental income and bookings and attract your ideal guests! I used home staging to make a huge difference at my own B&B and at least doubled my income and bookings. Now my branding attracts guests I love to have stay. Report includes video examples. Download your report now. Price: $4.99.
Attract your Ideal Customer and Increase your Bed and Breakfast Income with Home Staging
Boost Your Bed and Breakfast Revenue with the Magic of Home Staging!
Drawing from my dual experience as a home stager/designer and a Bed and Breakfast owner, I’ve harnessed the power of home staging to elevate my B&B’s appeal and increase revenue, targeting the perfect guests. Initially, when I ventured into the B&B business, I wasn’t equipped with the knowledge of home staging. However, once I integrated the home staging techniques and paired them with savvy social media marketing, I saw transformative results!
Home staging isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about crafting a space where potential buyers form an emotional bond, often becoming the determining factor in their purchase decision. This concept isn’t restricted to homes on sale. When applied to vacation rentals or B&Bs, the results can be equally compelling. By emphasizing a property’s strengths and mitigating its weaknesses, we can create an inviting ambiance that resonates with potential guests.
Want to amplify your vacation rental’s allure? Here are some insights to harness the principles of home staging, paving the way for enhanced guest experiences and increased bookings
Attract Your Ideal Customer with Home Staging and Design
Who are you?
Discovering and highlighting your rental’s unique essence, or ‘branding’, is the cornerstone to attracting your ideal guest. In home staging, the goal is to spotlight a property’s distinct charm and features, making it irresistible to potential buyers. Apply the same approach to your rental:
• Identify your distinctive traits. • Pinpoint what sets your rental apart. • Define the exclusive experiences and comforts your rental provides. • Craft a statement encapsulating the unique character of both you and your rental.
By genuinely showcasing who you are and the exclusive experiences your rental offers, you will naturally magnetize your perfect guests. Defining and embracing your ‘brand’ will guide your property’s aesthetic updates, refine your online portrayal, and ensure your marketing connects with those ideal guests
What do you want?
What’s your financial goal, and how much effort are you willing to invest to achieve it? Your answers hold the key to setting your pricing strategy and defining your business approach. Consider this:
Do you aspire to be the ‘Walmart of Bed and Breakfasts,’ vying for business by offering the lowest rates? Alternatively, would you prefer to command higher prices, allowing you to work less while delivering a top-tier guest experience?
These questions aren’t just about pricing; they shape your entire business model and the level of service you provide.
Who is your Ideal Customer and what do they want?
Your brand has a magnetic pull on specific customers. Is your brand magnetizing your ideal guest?
Determine your ideal guest profile: Are they avid fishermen, families seeking adventure, or retired couples seeking relaxation?
Craft the experience they desire: Do they crave luxury or the rustic charm of your property?
Cater to their interests: Offer or facilitate the activities they seek, enhancing their stay and leaving a lasting impression
Who is your Ideal Customer?
Update your Vacation Rental to Appeal to your Ideal Customer
Does your vacation rental’s current aesthetic resonate with your ideal guest? Moreover, does its design validate the pricing in their eyes?
Home staging is the key to refining your rental’s appearance, aligning it with your brand, captivating your perfect guest, and supporting your desired rate. Consider my personal experience: through home staging, I not only amplified my brand’s allure but also increased my nightly rate and saw a 200% surge in bookings.
Below, witness the transformation: a before-and-after showcase of my space post home staging and design.
Market your Property to attract your Ideal Customer
Showcase your impeccably staged rental with high-quality photographs. Refresh your website, ensuring your brand and property’s unique features take center stage on the homepage. Transform your photos into an engaging video tour. Promote your one-of-a-kind property across:
Social media, starting with a dedicated Facebook page.
Renowned vacation rental platforms.
Your local Chamber of Commerce.
Take a look at the video I curated using photographs post-staging, capturing my brand essence and targeting my ideal clientele. I prominently featured this video and fresh images on my website’s homepage and a business-centric Facebook page. Can you pinpoint my brand essence and identify the ideal customer I’m targeting? Given the choice, which representation of my B&B resonates more with you – before or after staging?
Ready to Bring Your Bed and Breakfast to the next Level?
Get your online vacation rental staging consultation or staging service today. Click on the pictures to learn more. For in person consultations or staging, call for a custom quote.
What message does your home’s color broadcast to the world? Every facade tells a story about its inhabitants. Is your home a reflection of your personality? Does it uplift your spirits daily? Does it warmly welcome guests or potential clients for those with home businesses? And if you’re selling, does your home appeal to prospective buyers? The hue of your home reveals hints of your identity.
When it comes time to paint the exterior, you have a lot of options and some limitations you need to consider.
Limitations when Picking Paint Colors
Let’s start with the limitations. Just as with the interior, you need to consider the “fixed finishes”, the things which rarely change like the roof or stone features. Your wall and trim colors should complement these fixed finishes and each other.
Consider your Environment
Consider your surroundings when choosing colors. Ensure they complement your landscape and local views, and fit within the neighborhood’s color palette. While a vibrant hue might stand out in a neutral area, it could blend perfectly in a more colorful neighborhood.
Consider Guests and Clients
Do you run a business from your house, such as a vacation rental? What image will the colors project to your customers? Is it consistent with your brand? You may be using photos of your house to attract customers online. Will the photos attract your ideal customer?
Selling your Home? Consider the Buyer
Are you selling the home? Consider more neutral shades to appeal to a broader audience. However, a standout front door color can make it memorable and can be easily changed if the buyer prefers.
Make a Statement with your Front Door Color
Your front door color sets the tone for your home. Even neutral homes can pop with a vibrant door. Everyone perceives and feels about colors differently. Consider what emotions a color evokes for you. Do you want your home to relax, uplift, or energize you? Choose colors that reflect your desired ambiance.
Consider how Color Affects Your Home’s Comfort
The colors you choose can impact costs and practical factors. Dark colors might need more paint layers if covering a light base and can absorb more heat, potentially making deck areas too warm in the sun.
Consider how Color can Affect Your Home Based Business
I provided a color consultation for a Bed and Breakfast located in a residential area. The aim was to design a welcoming exterior that resonated with the mountainous and oceanic surroundings and blended with the neighborhood’s mix of homes. The garden was dominated by colorful flowers, especially fuchsia rose bushes. The house had a blue roof and no other fixed elements. I had previously enhanced the interior of this B&B, which increased their bookings and revenue. The target clientele were retired professionals keen on outdoor adventures, wildlife, bird-watching, and art. The brand was vibrant, luxurious yet earthy with a coastal style, reflecting its proximity to the ocean.
A rich teal (Sherwin Williams Moscow Midnight) was chosen for the walls to complement the roof, nearby mountains, ocean, and the neighborhood’s blue-toned homes. This deep shade enhanced the garden’s vibrant flower colors and matched the local greenery.
The trim was painted a warm white (Sherwin Williams Alabaster) to accentuate the teal and echo the natural hues of clouds and snowy peaks. The cedar trim and decks were transformed from their natural color to white for a more cohesive look and to ensure the upper deck remained cooler. This white backdrop makes colorful outdoor furniture and plants stand out, creating a peaceful retreat.
The front and back doors were painted in Forward Fuchsia, echoing the roses outside and offering a welcoming and distinctive entrance.
Arctic Paradise Bed and Breakfast after exterior painting- Photo, color selection, sign and door design by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Exterior painting by Petrosius the Renovator. Photo by Kalani Woodlock.
A sign with a trim-colored background and wall-colored lettering was designed, featuring two fuchsia lines. This subtle sign complements the balcony and discreetly showcases the business name in the residential area. A white metal sculpture of sea gulls, aligning with the brand’s wildlife viewing theme, was placed near the home’s peak.
A new white screen door with full glass was added to showcase the vibrant fuchsia door. Its border features a distinct alcohol ink design, mirroring the door’s colors and emphasizing the brand’s artistic flair. The outdated brass doorknob was swapped for a stylish satin nickel one.
Original alcohol ink art done on the new screen door. Alcohol Ink Art and photo by Mary Ann Benoit of Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Feedback on the new look has been overwhelmingly positive, with descriptions such as “bright”, “cheerful”, “artistic”, and “the most charming B&B in Alaska”. This refreshing transformation has even inspired neighbors to consider updating their own homes, potentially revitalizing the entire neighborhood.
The harmonious trio of colors was meticulously chosen using both artistic intuition and color science, ensuring they complement each other perfectly. If you’re thinking of repainting, consider consulting a certified color strategist. Choose colors that truly resonate with you and leave a lasting impression on everyone who sees them.
Are you ready to paint your house?
Get a color consultation today and get your colors right the first time so you avoid making costly mistakes and really love the end result. I can work with you wherever you live with an online consultation. Learn more.
Here is the crazy story of how I started Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
You never know when inspiration will hit. The question is, will you take action and do something about it?
My inspiration came in a surprising way, from one of those silly “Facebook” quizzes. You know, one of those games that tell you who you were in a past life or what your handwriting says about you etc. One day I played “What is your true profession”. The answer was “Designer”. Whoa! This made me take a step back and think.
I had been working as a wildlife biologist for 25 years at the time, but back in 1980 had gone to school and gotten a B.A. in Interior Design. It was a passion I always had, but after getting my degree decided to pursue traveling and other interests. Life got in the way and I never did alot with it besides a few jobs, designing my own homes or helping friends.
Later, I pursued another degree in wildlife biology because I love animals and the outdoors, and took another path. Although I enjoyed it, I missed being involved in creative work. Working for the government did not encourage or inspire much creative thinking!
Over time, creative pursuits such as dance, music and art took on more importance in my life. Thoughts of starting another business (I already had a Bed and Breakfast) were in the back of my mind without a real idea of what it would be, just that I wanted something that would bring more fulfillment to my life.
When I got “Designer” as the answer to my true profession, I thought about that path not taken and wondered how my life would have turned out if I had chosen that path years ago. I do not know if it would have been the wiser choice, or if everything I had done was just preparing me for that path now, but something about that quiz totally spurred me to action! Why not now?
And while I still worked as a wildlife biologist until December 2018 when I retired, and continued to operate my B&B, I was thrilled to have this new adventure in my life and so glad I took action!!
My business started off focused on home staging, and evolved into adding Interior Design. With my experience running a Bed and Breakfast, I added vacation rental design and staging. I became more fascinated with color, and became a certified color strategist and added color consultations. That evolved into learning Edesign and adding online home staging, Interior design and color consulting.
On my first day of retirement from being a wildlife biologist on January 1, 2019, I discovered fractal art and started creating my own art. Soon I created stores for my art and home decor on Society 6, and Pixels.com. Both stores include art a wide variety art and home decor products.
That evolved into creating wearable art on Le Galeriste.
In each case, inspiration hit, I took action and I am amazed now at all twists and turns, new adventures in creativity and life that have evolved in less than 5 years from an idea inspired by a simple Facebook quiz.
Sometimes you just never know where your path will lead.
What inspires you and have you taken action?
Whether it is to start a new business, change your existing business, start a new path or hobby… I hope inspiration finds you and you jump in with both feet
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.
