Have a rental property? Here is what you need to know this season!

It’s the little things that make you the most money and fill your booking schedule! 

Over the years, I have tried a variety of things to get my personal rental properties rented and for the highest dollar. With years of experience in real estate, I have obtained various feedback from renters and have been exposed to their real complaints and compliments. 

One thing stands true: a clean home is the number one thing that renters want! (Now, we all know summer brings ants to beach homes, even the most luxurious ones...so disregard that.) Let’s dive into what clean really means to renters for each area of your property:

Carpets

If you MUST have carpet or large area rugs – make sure they are stain-free. Replacing carpet with a solid surface floor is always preferred by renters.   

Kitchen

Organize your kitchen cabinets and pantry. By Labor Day, the kitchen cabinets are often missing the pivotal frying pans, crab pots, and key utensils, but renters will leave a variety of things behind thinking the next guest may want to use it. Things such as miss matched Tupperware, ketchup, and plastic grocery store bags, tend to pile up. After each renter, be sure to clean those out and reorganize for the next guest. Remember, simple is best.

Bathrooms

Once you are done with the kitchen cabinets, head to the bathroom! Leftover shampoo, soap, and toothpaste also tend to build up. No one wants to use another renter’s toiletries. Also, be sure to keep cleaning products in your house at all times. Most guests will clean during the week if the tools are there. 

Here are some additional thoughts that are sure to make your rental stand out…  

• Consider getting a pool table, foosball table, ping pong table, or other games to keep your guests entertained on those rainy days or late nights.   
• The more beds you have the better the rental. Bunk beds are always a great addition. If you can fit two single beds in one room, likely you can fit 2 sets of bunk beds. But watch the ceiling fans! Also, having a sofa sleeper is another way to increase the number of beds at your rental. 
• Nice linens and pillows. Guests will come back year after year if your beds are comfy, linens are clean and updated. I like to use cotton throws that can be easily washed. Duvet covers do not seem to work as well in rentals. 
• Offering bikes, beach umbrellas and beach chairs is another plus! Remember this saves the renters a lot of space when packing for their vacation. 
• Nice plastic dishware. Porcelain, glass, and other dishware may initially look good, but they are not practical in the rental world. Good-looking plastic dishware and wine glasses will last a long time!

Best of luck and here is to a successful rental season!