Renting out a holiday home can be a great source of income all year round. However, with so many holiday homes available making sure that yours stands out from the crowd is essential if you are to ensure that it’s not left empty for most of the year.
1. Get a glossy brochure printed
One of the best ways to grab people’s attention is to develop a good brochure printing that not only describes the facilities available at the holiday home, but also describes the properties unique selling points, such as facilities available nearby, proximity to key tourist spots and utilities and other interesting content. The brochure also needs to have good photos that showcase the holiday home, preferably both the interior and the exterior, in good light.
People interested in holiday homes are invariably travelers who research and like to take informed decisions. The brochure aids such travelers. In any case, a brochure is indispensible to market the holiday home amidst the other competing accommodation option. It is easy and convenient to post the digital version of the brochure when replying to advertisement made at travel forums or elsewhere.
2. Improve visibility
People who rent holiday homes are invariably short-term visitors. As such, it is important to advertise the holiday home on an almost continuous basis. Good places to advertise the holiday home online are at various travel portals and travel forums. Offline advertising also pays. For instance, the brochure at the popular stores in the nearby tourist spots would increase visibility among tourists. Even if the tourists who pick up such brochures already have accommodation, they may pass it on to their friends or would try it out during their next visit.
3. Use Neutral Décor
Aesthetics and décor play an important role in the saleability of the holiday home, but resist the temptation to spruce up the holiday home with some exotic décor. Neutral décor works best in a holiday home. The guests are invariably short stay visitors who seek to spend the limited time at their disposal exploring the various sights or indulging in the activities on offer, rather than spend time at the holiday home. If the guests prefer to stay indoors most of the time, they would rather book a resort than avail a holiday home.
In any case, a neutral look and colour palette is a safe option should appeal to the widest range of tastes. Any other décor may put off some prospective clients, for personal tastes vary. Rather, seek to make the place look more attractive by complementing the décor with colourful yet simple and standard accessories and quality furniture. It is important to de-clutter the area as well, and opt for a consistent pattern across all rooms.
4. Maintain the facilities
Maintaining the facilities at your holiday home and paying attention to the little details to ensure that everything is taken care of is essential if you want holidaymakers to return year after year. Leaky faucets, lights not working, dirty linen and broken furniture is sure to put off any traveller.
These days reviewing holiday homes online as well as word of mouth recommendations means that you can’t afford to have people dissatisfied with their experience staying at your holiday accommodation. Clean and well-maintained facilities help in positive reviews, increasing the chances of more customers in the long-term.
5. Be flexible
Flexibility in rescheduling dates to the extent possible, providing discounts to repeat clients or long stay clients, offering commissions to agents who bring in clients, providing some additional service such as pick up or drop to clients who make a specific request and more, all contribute to impressing your clients. The best advertisement for a holiday home is a happy customer and as such the holiday homeowner should go to all lengths in meeting all the legitimate requirements of the clients and accommodate their demands where possible.