With a vibrant music scene and top-notch restaurants, Austin can be a lucrative place to own a vacation rental. But you'll need to be a top-notch host to keep bookings constant and maintain a solid rating.
What goes into the best practices for vacation rental hosting? Read on to find out!
Prepare Your Property
Before listing your property, it needs to look its best. An underwhelming property won't stand out in a crowded Austin vacation rental business. Guests will expect a vacation rental with:
- Groomed landscaping
- Updated kitchens and bathrooms
- Attractive decor
It's worth the investment in routine landscaping to prune shrubs and keep garden beds in good shape. Fresh coats of paint can improve indoor spaces, as can fun decorative rugs and wall art.
Be sure to make cleaning your property during turnover time a priority, too. A reputable rental property management company can assist with arranging cleanings to ensure your property is spotless for every guest.
Create a Stellar Listing
What makes your vacation rental property the best? When it comes to vacation rental strategies, one of the biggest is to showcase your Austin property effectively.
Plan on creating an online listing that paints a clear picture of your property's strengths. You'll need to include:
- Excellent high-resolution photos
- Video footage
- Clear and crisp description
Photograph top amenities, like an updated kitchen with a spacious island. Use drone footage to capture a stunning backyard deck or view. And choose your words wisely to spotlight details like easy downtown access or walkability.
Make Yourself Available
To get repeat vacation rental bookings, you'll need to be a warm and communicative host. From the moment a guest asks a question on a booking platform, plan on responding promptly. Good communication entails:
- Providing clear pre-arrival information
- Setting expectations for property use
- Offering contact information for easy access
Guests may have questions upon arriving. Or they may need assistance once they're at your vacation rental property. As a host, you can elevate the guest experience by being available at all hours of the day.
Offer Personal Touches
Finally, add small personal touches that can help guests feel at home in your property. For instance, you can:
- Leave a gift basket stocked with local goods
- Offer a hand-written welcome note and Austin restaurant recommendations
- Give guests a journal to capture their experiences
These little extras can add up to a better guest experience. Guests will appreciate the consideration. As a result, guests may be more likely to leave you favorable reviews that result in continued bookings!
Pursue Better Vacation Rental Hosting
Quality vacation rental hosting puts guests at ease while they're enjoying all that Austin has to offer. Make sure your property is clean and updated, and craft a listing that highlights its best features. Be an available host and include personal touches, like gift baskets, to welcome your guests.
At PMI Austin Metro, we bring local market knowledge and experience to our property management services. Trust us with anything from marketing efforts to maintenance coordination to help you maximize your return on investment. Contact us today to learn more!
