Converting a home into a Vacation Rental

These are the steps to create your home into a short term rental

So you want to convert your home into a vacation rental? It’s not as easy as it may seem. You will need to understand that people don’t want to rent YOUR home, they want to rent A home. This means they do not want to feel like they are in someone else’s life, but rather they are in a blank slate where the memories are completely theirs. You will also need to prepare your home in a way that lifts up the experience and caters to the clients every need. This is our detailed list of must-have amenities and options in your property when renting out your home.

Basic Conditions of the Property

• Furniture should be comfortable, practical, and tasteful.  

• King Size Beds are bedding of choice with at least one being able to have the option of converting to twins.

• Adequate seating both inside and out for maximum guests allowed in villa

• Interior walls and floors should be clean and free of stains or damage

• Exterior should be kept clean and freshly painted

• Landscaping kept trim and all debris removed

• Outdoor furniture should be kept clean and in good condition.  Prefer wood rather than plastic.   Seat cushions and umbrellas are critical. Need to be fresh looking and not tired.

• Outdoor cooking grill.  Extra propane tanks.  Grilled needs to be cleaned prior to every check-in.  Cooking utensils mandatory 

• Proper ventilation at all times.  Keep air conditioning running along with dehumidifier to reduce musty smells

• Plenty of good lighting including exterior.  Especially around entrances and stairs.  Light switches labeled.  Good supply of spare light bulbs for all lights (including pool)

• As little clutter as possible.  Simple, but tastefully furnished.  No personal items or photos

• High Speed Internet available through-out villa

• Two Sets of Keys for guests

The Pool at your Vacation Rental

• Pool Size should be in proportion with the size of the villa. Guests prefer large pools.

• Ease of access is important.  No ladders.  Steps are preferred.

• Infinity edge is a style of choice...with step ledge around the perimeter.

• Heated is a plus.

• Facing west to see sunsets is ideal

• Adequate shade is required

• Plenty of pool furniture including lounge chairs, end tables, and sitting chairs.

• Wood furniture with fresh cushions is preferred over plastic

• Adequate lighting around and in the pool.

• Pool water must be kept clean at all times with the proper chemical balance

• Non-slippery tiles or surface around pool.

• If the environment is prone to heavy winds around the pool provide some protection

• Flotation devices are welcome

Add these features to your Living Rooms

• Flat-screen large television sets with high-quality picture

• Cable Television

• Instructions for use of Television

• Great entertainment music system with indoor and outdoor speaker system

• Adequate number of seating options that can accommodate the entire group

• Furniture should be inviting and comfortable.  It also must be resilient.

Add these Kitchen features to your short term rental

• All appliances must be clean and in good working order.

• Refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, ice maker, stove, oven, microwave, and coffee maker should be minimum.

• Adequate pots and pans for guests

• Plenty of cooking utensils

• Matching flatware to accommodate the entire group

• Dishes should match and include enough inventory to serve three full meals per day without doing the dishes.

• Extra supply of matching inventory of dinnerware and glassware.

• Plastic cups and plates for serving out by the pool.

• Plenty of serving trays to carry food to the pool area.

• The coffee maker should have extra filters if required.

• Tupperware or plastic food containers to keep food fresh in the refrigerator

• Plastic food storage bags and tinfoil

Bedrooms are important to your guests

• Parity in size and furnishings is recommended

• King Size Beds are preferred with at least one having the option of converting to twins

• Comfortable mattress - if guests don’t sleep well they will be very unhappy

• Five Star Hotel Quality Linens.  No fraying, holes, or stains.  One of the best areas to invest in.

• Flatscreen TV's

• Plenty of closet space, wooden hangers, and shelving. No plastic of wire hangers

• Luggage racks - keep luggage off beds -

• Extra pillows and blankets

• Safes

• Iron & Ironing Board in every bedroom

Bathroom features you don’t want to ignore

• Private ensuite bathrooms for each bedroom; extra bathrooms off living rooms and or pool.

• Spacious showers - Outdoor showers are in high demand.

• Double sinks with plenty of counter space

• Hairdryer

• Good lighting around mirrors

• Nonslippery floors

• Walls & Floors kept extremely clean and free of stains and mildew

• Fresh and clean towels, hand towels, and face cloths.  Make sure these aren’t tired looking or have stains.

• Bathroom Toiletries to be included...soap, shampoo, and conditioner.

• Good ventilation

• A good supply of toilet paper

• Toilet bowl plunger & toilet brush

Adding these Toiletries can impress your rental guest

• High End supplied toiletries sends a strong message of quality

• Stay away from drug store supplied brands

• Suggested brands include ...Molton Brown, Aveda, Bvlgari, The White Company, Bliss, or other equivalent luxury brands.

Air Conditioning is a must-have in your home

• Air conditioning at minimum in bedrooms.  Separate controls is preferred.

• A bonus would be to have air conditioning in the kitchen, living, and dining rooms

• Ceiling Fans throughout the villa in each room.  House cleaning must remember to clean blades.  Fans should be quiet

• Screens are an added plus to keep Mosquitos out

• Air-conditioners should not be placed over the head of the bed, but rather on a wall that would send the cooler air across the bed. Guests tend to leave the a/c on and then open the windows and doors. The A/C units will work hard and eventually freeze up and shut off. The ice form on the A/C unit will then melt and drip right on the pillows of the bed in the event the A/C Unit is placed over the head of the bed. Not only will the pillows and sheets be wet, but the mattress too. Then where do the guests sleep?

Add these Cleaning & Household Items

• Washer & Dryer along with laundry detergent

• Dishwashing detergent (tablets preferred)

• Garbage bags

• Paper towels

• Toilet paper

• Sponges

• Dish soap

• Dishcloths

• General cleaning solutions

• Brooms & Dust Pans

• Vacuum Cleaner

• Fire Extinguishers - kitchen and out by gas grill

• Iron, Ironing Board, and spray starch

• All closets should have adequate wooden hangers.  No wire or plastic.  Including ones for pants.

• Security Safes in all bedrooms

• Flashlights spare batteries & Candles with Matches

Additional Items for your rental you may not have thought of yet

• Guest books for feedback 

• Welcome Provisional Supply:  bottled water - both flat & bubbling, beer, wine, fresh fruit, cheese, bread, and coffee

• Welcome Binder providing helpful information about the villa, contact information, island information, restaurant recommendations, and suggested list of activities.  Favorite places such as beaches, breakfast places, lunch places, evening dinners, and nightlife.

• Plenty of High-Quality beach towels - fresh fluffy towels are a must!

• Bug spray

• Maps of the island or destination

• Beach Chairs

• Cooler

• Alarm Clocks in all bedrooms

• Available floor plan with square footage provided for each room

• Plot plan showing the size of the lot, the position of villa on plot, and directional indicators

These are all our suggested amenities that can be added to your home to make sure the guests have an incredible stay which will increase your revenue and make sure the reviews are positive!