Do you own an OBX Home and rent it weekly? Are you satisfied with your weekly rentals? Does your house sit “empty” during any prime weeks?
FEAR no more…we can help.
First, ask yourself:
When my renters drive up to their badly needed vacation….what do they say?
O.M.G…. Do we really get to stay here this week? If that is NOT what they say…ask yourself, “WHY NOT”? Take a picture of your house and sit and stare at it a bit. If this was YOUR vacation spot….even if the ocean is close by….how excited would you be? Start with color…..shape of exterior siding….is the yard manicured….how inviting does the front look? Anything warm to welcome them? Could be as simple as a cool brightly colored sign screwed to the exterior to a hanging planter…something welcoming, a palm tree to suggest they have arrived in the their own little “caribbean”? Many of these grow quite well on the Outer Banks with minimal care but speak volumes!
Second…when they walk in…WHAT do they see? Furniture that says…ahhhhhhhh…faaaagetttttaboutit…Sit back and CHILLAX to the MAX On the Banks~ or I’d rather stand? Is the seating comfy and is there enough of it? If the furniture colors are not light and airy…could you add a throw or a pillow to brighten things up? Could the walls be painted something brighter to open things up? Most guest come to our little island expecting LIGHT, AIRY, OPEN cottages to relax in for their stay. If you have a bunch of knickknacks lying around….take them home…keep it simple…sweetie~ Know how relaxing it is to even sit in a drab hotel room that does NOT feel cluttered….picture that tenfold and start thinking CLEAN AND FRESH AND SIMPLE. Simple does NOT have to be boring…adding color and sexy…rocking things….even two or three throughout the house can liven things up so much. Take down any wallpaper or not so nice wall coverings and brighten things up! Throw in something you would never put in your own home but when you make the purchase make sure it is NOT only fun but usable….like a shoe shaped lounger? How about a Teddy Bear Chair for two? Remember the old Romantic Vacation Spot – The Poconos (in PA) selling pitches? Heart, shaped red tub….a ceiling draped in night lights? People want to be somewhere besides their own home and they want adventure….
Make sure you display a few of your family photographs so your renters get the feel that someone does own this house and would appreciate them taking good care of it. They help. NOT too many…just one or two throughout the house.
Consider tossing the carpet and particularly the vinyl and replacing with ceramic tile. It holds up so much better to abrasive sand and dirt. If you must have carpet…choose a color that goes well with both of these abrasives.
Check out your reviews. What are people looking for? What are they missing? How can I turn their negatives into positives? Sometimes it only takes a little to turn out a lot. Find a way to get your renters to post reviews for you on line. Even though your rental company manages your home for you….would they allow you to make a call to your renters asking how you can make their vacation stay with you a little better? What could you add or take away to accomplish that? These things take only a minute and the results are often very worth while. Keep track of your repeat renters.
Can you add a room? Can you change the shape of a room to get more use out of it? Are your kitchen cabinets hanging even and closing properly? Could they be painted or even a new front added? Should you change the color of your counter-tops to something bright and bold – be brave? Add a new trash can, flower pot, throw pillow or something in a bright color? Inexpensive things can make a difference. Do you need another bathroom…is there an access where the cost might be minimal but your rentals would SOAR?
Take a long hard look at the area where the families will be cooking out or hanging out after a long day at the beach? Plenty of comfy seating? Shade? If you have a pool….could you get use out of a Caribbean Tiki Bar with electrical outlet for palm tree lights and a blender? A place where they can cook, serve and eat while in the shade and experiencing an awesome vacation memory? A place where they feel they are their own bartender complete with nooks for the wine glasses. Can you paint your deck pickets a color that may help them day dream a bit? Could you string some lights and make the area, big or small….look cozy and inviting? How about building a frame and adding linen drapes to add privacy and create a “just me and you” and the beach affect.
ANY or ALL of these things will raise your renter’s vacation experiences to a new level.
We at SEA THRU CONST INC are the cottage concierges’ AT YOUR SERVICE. We love adding our customers FUN QUOTIENT for their home away from homes while INCREASING their rental revenue; it’s what we do best!
These are only a FEW of our ideas. Stop in and see us. Let us come to your home and offer suggestions at no cost. We are only a phone call or an email away. Our promise to you…..NEITHER YOU NOR YOUR RENTERS WILL BE DISAPPOINTED.
Call us today
