covered park grill
Ready for five more tips that will help you stand out in 2010? In our last post we discussed five easy ways you could improve your chances of repeat renters and overall occupancy. These things, while not difficult to do, are often overlooked in the big picture. If you have ever had to sit down with a disgruntled renter, then you will know that it is the LITTLE things that really count.
Here are another five things that can help you stand out from the Outer Banks Vacation Rental crowd:
1) Painted Walls – You might be saying to yourself, What? When I say “painted walls” I mean with a color. Think about it, people are on vacation at the beach. When you think of the beach what comes to mind? For me it’s blue oceans and skies, sand, and swaying sea oats. Incorporate some color in your home on the walls, even if it is one accent wall. If you need help choosing a painter, check out Beach Painting Contractors.
2) Good Mattresses – I don’t know how many times I have heard that the “house was great, but the beds were horrible”. What do you love about hotels? I bet one thing is the unbelievably comfortable beds some provide. If you mattresses have seen there better days, then please consider investing in new ones. You can find pretty good deals if you know where to look. Check out Outer Banks Furniture, they just opened a new mattresses store.
3) A Thank You Gift – This does not mean you have to buy a $100 gift basket for every guest. We had one owner that used to print t-shirts with the house logo and the year on them, and would ask us to hand give them to the guests for every stay. If you buy these in bulk, it can be pretty cheap, and an awesome way to build your home’s brand. Check out Flying Fish Screen Printing for some ideas!
4) A Quality Grill – This is one of the more frustrating aspects of being a homeowner in a beach community. Everyone wants to grill out while on vacation, but our environment is terrible on Grills. There are only two options in my book. Buy a inexpensive (not “cheap”) gas grill and plan on replacing it every year, or a COVERED park style grill and install it in an area with ample room to set up tables and chairs. These types of grills can last 3 to 4 years or longer. Do not, I repeat, do not buy the UNCOVERED park grills, they are disgusting. Here’s an example of a Covered Park Grill.
5) Ceiling Fans – This, again, is not a big deal, but you would be surprised how many homes do not have ceiling fans in the bedrooms and living areas. People love the Ocean Breezes, but hate the humidity. While this may be a non-factor for some guests, I’ll bet it would make a difference if they weren’t there! Home Depot usually has a good variety.
