The later part of the vacation rental season is a great time for property owners to take a moment to look at their property and update, refresh and improve it for the next year. Here at Williamson Realty Vacations, we pride ourselves on providing our property owners with the best representation and the ultimate customer service to our guests. However, there is a lot of competition in the rental market and often times, it is the little things that make the difference between a great year and an average year of bookings.

Here are some things you should consider if you want to make your property stand out!

Update your property’s details

Your first improvement involves your online presence. In this digital age, guests value trust and transparency. It is easy for guests to shop several properties online, all at the same time. Take some time to review your property’s description on our website. Do you have a unique feature or amenity that you want highlighted? Have you added new amenities or updated the kitchen? Contact our professional staff and we’ll make sure to review your property’s description with you to maximize its impact on our website. We love working with our clients to help them get the most out of their property.

Increase curb appeal

Don’t underestimate the value of curb appeal. Think about how you look for vacation properties. If you were looking to spend your family’s hard-earned money on a beach vacation, you would want it to be at a beautiful location. Ask yourself; does the front of the house look un-kept or cluttered? If so, the off-season is the perfect time to add a few improvements or to update the look of the property. Never underestimate the power of a first impression.

Update your furniture

We all love those lazy mornings with a cup of coffee in hand, sitting on the couch, listening to the waves roll in. However, nobody enjoys old and dusty furniture or worse, furniture with stains.

Take some time this fall and winter to asses your furniture. A good cleaning is relatively inexpensive, freshens up your furniture, and is an easy way to add value to your home.

Need help finding local vendors who can help you brighten your furniture? Give us a call today at Williamson Realty Vacations (800-727-9222)and we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.

Review and update your amenities

Let’s face it – we all love vacation homes filled with great amenities. Guests will notice even the smallest perceived flaws. In this competitive market, it is even more important to provide your guests with the best amenities available.

Take a look at your televisions. Do you have a BlueRay DVD player? Do a quick review of your kitchen appliances and maybe add a grill to your property. After all, everyone loves cooking fresh seafood during his or her Ocean Island Beach vacation. Don’t forget to include WiFi, which is a must in today’s vacation rental market.

Fresh paint makes an impact

A little paint goes a long way. Paint is a simple and very effective way to add value to your vacation home. Fresh paint does a lot of things for a home. New paint can update those outdated colors you chose back in 1989, but it also can eliminate odors. New colors can also make rooms seem larger than they are. If you have small spaces and want to make them appear bigger, try lighter colors or adding a touch of blue in your ceiling paint. The light blue gives the ceiling more depth and to the naked eye, it will appear higher.

Create an exceptional guest experience

Finding unique and interesting ways to help your guests have an unforgettable trip means your vacation rental must also be unforgettable. Awesome experiences are the first step in getting repeat bookings and positive guest reviews. Here are three simple and affordable things you can do:

– Offer a list of local suggestions based on your family’s experience and knowledge.

– Leave a list of rainy day activities for your guests.

– Have USB charging hubs for guests. We all hate not being able to charge our phones.

Give your carpets a good cleaning

Clean carpets make a great first impression, The beach is a beautiful and fun place to visit, but it’s also a harsh environment and rough on your vacation home, especially the floors. Do a quick review of your carpets. Are they worn out or dirty? If so, consider updating the carpet or replacing it with wood, laminate, or tile flooring, all of which are easier to maintain and more durable than carpet. If your carpets are in good shape, now is the time for a good cleaning, which is a key step in maintaining your carpets.