4 Vacation Rental Mistakes to Avoid

Getting started in the vacation rental industry is a unique and rewarding experience. When it comes to vacations, you aren’t simply selling a room for board. You’re helping families create memories that will last for a lifetime. In order to achieve this, however, you need to learn as much as you can about the business. As with any other venture, there are several mistakes you can make when starting out. The following article will help you avoid these pitfalls. Before long, you’ll have regular guests that can’t wait to return year after year.

At Kingfisher Vacations, we have all kinds of gorgeous vacation rental properties available in Sanibel and Captiva, FL. Truly, there’s nothing travelers love more than a Florida beach. We encourage you to browse our selection of rental units here to begin your search.

1. Going Too Far Over Your Budget

   It can be tempting to go “all out” with your first vacation rental. It’s exciting to choose a location, find a wonderful property and furnish it to your liking. However, you also need to consider your ROI (return on investment). If you spend too much at the start, it could take a long time to recoup your expenses. Most vacation rental owners use their vacation properties as a way to earn supplementary income. That means they live and work elsewhere. If you already own a home, purchasing and maintaining a second property is a major commitment. Take a close look at your finances to determine if you can afford the full cost of owning a vacation rental. You should have plenty of savings ready as you won’t see profits accrue overnight.

2. Forgetting the Small Details

   Some vacation rental owners make the mistake of doing the bare minimum. They keep the place clean and maintain it well, but in the end, it’s somewhat forgettable. Guests love small details that they can look back on fondly. For instance, consider starting a guest book. While reviews are highly important, guest books provide a more personal touch. Travelers love being able to share their experiences with you and look back on other guests’ comments. This gives them the chance to discover new activities nearby and interact with you in a meaningful way.

3. Ignoring Reviews

   Think about some vacations you’ve booked in the past. More than likely, the first thing you did was check out the reviews. One or two negative reviews might not have had a huge impact on your decision, as long as the owner responded. Responding to reviews gives vacation rental owners the chance to mitigate the situation, apologize and provide a solution. It’s inevitable: you will probably receive a negative review at some point. Miscommunications and simple mistakes happen, and it’s best to be prepared when they do. When you receive a review that isn’t as great as you’d like it to be, take action. Never argue with the individual. Instead, be as friendly as possible and try to resolve the issue.

4. Not Using an Experienced Management Company

   Owning a vacation rental is hard work, especially if you have another job or live out of the area. If you can’t maintain your property, guests won’t be happy and neither will you. At Kingfisher Vacations, we take the difficult tasks off your plate. Our experts list, market, rent, clean, inspect, and maintain your property with care. Furthermore, we communicate with all of our clients throughout and manage your online reputation daily. When you’re new to the business, you want to make sure you start off on the right foot. Contact us today to begin your journey!

Invest in a Vacation Rental with Kingfisher Vacations Today

Our experts at Kingfisher Vacations are here to assist you in finding the ideal property in Sanibel and Captiva Islands. We have over 56 years of experience and can offer you the absolute best service given our vast knowledge of the area. Our gorgeous private properties have heated pools, hot tubs, stunning ocean views, delightfully bright décor, and boat docks. We provide you with everything you could ever want for your property.Continue Browsing