How to Transform Your Home into a Successful Vacation Rental
Guest Post by Cherie Mclaughlin
Renting out homes to vacationers has become an extremely popular and profitable business among homeowners. According to a recent survey, two-thirds of people who own a second house rent these out with the aim of covering housing expenses or turning a profit. Homeowners often use this extra cash to help pay off their mortgage.
Nashville is the ideal place to set up your vacation rental. Turnkey notes that this vibrant city boasts a collection of unique neighborhoods, each with different characteristics and numerous activities for vacation-goers. Vacation rentals are a hot commodity in areas like Music Row, The Gulch, and Broadway. Any one of Nashville’s sought-after neighborhoods will be an excellent location to set up a lucrative vacation rental.
However, turning a home into a vacation rental requires a little elbow grease. You’ll have to make some changes to get your place in shape for guests and stand out among the competition. Here are some profitable home upgrades that will attract guests and increase the ROI on your vacation rental.
Declutter and Depersonalize Your Space
Cleaning, decluttering and depersonalizing your home will help guests feel comfortable in your space. Excess clutter — like shelves lined with knick knacks — may give guests the impression that your space is unclean. On the other hand, an organized and minimalist space appears bright, clean, and refreshing. When decluttering, store away your family photos. Your guests may have a hard time feeling at home if they’re surrounded by pictures of strangers. It’s also a good idea to designate a locked closet in the home for storing all of your personal items for now. If you lack the time to take care of the decluttering, hire a professional organizer like Nest Home Organizing, so your rental can be spotless and ready for the next occupancy.
Upgrade Your Bed and Bath
Once your house is tidy, consider making a few low-cost upgrades. Concentrate on the bedrooms and bathrooms — you can easily transform these into luxury rooms with just a few simple changes.
In the bedrooms, install blackout curtains, invest in comfortable mattresses, and purchase some breathable linens so your guests will sleep well. To give the rooms a relaxing atmosphere, purchase some dimmable bedside lamps. Be sure to check out ELLE Decor for several more elegant bedroom ideas.
When it comes to the bathrooms, consider hanging some fluffy bath towels and minimalist artwork. Also, bright lighting and a large mirror will make the rooms appear larger. These upgrades can really give the bathroom a spa feel!
Create an Attractive Outdoor Area
Another area of your home that can benefit from some attention is your backyard. Do some simple landscaping to create an inviting lounge area for your guests. Include a table and chairs for mealtimes or reading sessions. Most importantly, ensure this space offers privacy from neighbors and the street with deliberately-placed hedges, trellises, or attractive shrubs. HGTV has plenty of other great tips you can use when transforming your outdoor space into a welcoming retreat.
Tackle Cosmetic Repairs
Before taking photos to advertise your home as a rental, tackle a few cosmetic repairs. Fix cracks in the crown molding, holes in your drywall, and any carpet stains. You may even want to repaint the walls in neutral hues if they’re overly dark or colorful. In the kitchen, consider replacing the cabinet hardware to instantly modernize the room.
Upgrade Your Security
Finally, consider upgrading your home’s safety features with smart tech. You want your guests to feel secure while staying on your property, but you also want to protect your investment from theft and damage. Set up a home monitoring system so you can keep an eye on who is coming and going. A smart lock is also extremely useful, especially if you'll be offering self-check-in to your guests. Speaking of smart, you could even install a smart thermostat to keep your energy bills low!
Paying attention to your home’s cleanliness, decor, and amenities will boost the value of your vacation rental. Often, it’s the small, thoughtful details that keep guests coming back — these touches further encourage guests to recommend your rental to others. Think about how you can go the extra mile to make your rental really stand out. A fresh bouquet of flowers on the table or a couple basic breakfast items in the fridge can go a long way! And remember, you can always enlist the help of a professional so you can focus on other aspects of rental management. Contact Nest Home Organizing to book a virtual or in-person decluttering session today!
Photo via Pexels