About 36% of vacation rental properties are owned by private individuals, who manage them themselves. Vacation rental hosting is an attractive business model for those who want to be a boss and have a flexible schedule.
However, being a successful vacation rental property owner requires a lot of work.
You must advertise your properties, handle the accounting, and manage all the details of running a rental business. But if you have the right tools and resources, it can be a very lucrative business to pursue.
If you are wondering how to master the art of hosting a vacation rental in the Miami, Florida area, this short and simple guide is for you.
Research Your Competition
Start by searching for listings on sites like VRBO, Airbnb, and HomeAway. These sites have extensive databases of the Miami, Florida area vacation properties.
Use these sites to find out what property listings are currently available, their rates, the legal considerations, and more.
While researching, look for properties like yours and see how they compare. If there is something you like about their business model, like offering breakfast or being pet-friendly, try adding it to your listing.
Develop a Professional Marketing Plan
You can't just put up a sign in the yard and expect people to come knocking at your door. To maximize your rental property's exposure, be smart about how you advertise it.
Create a professional marketing plan that includes everything from how you list a property to the way you manage inquiries. Follow this plan, and you can increase your chances of renting out your property quickly.
Hire a Home Cleaning Service
The first impression a guest gets about your property is partially based on how clean it is. Hiring professional cleaning services ensures that your Miami, Florida area property looks its best all the time.
The right cleaning company will have a checklist of the tasks they need to complete regularly and stick to it.
They'll also be able to provide you with a cleaning log so you can see what work has been done and when. This will help you maintain your property, and save money and time.
Stay in Communication
If you want to get return customers and positive reviews, it's vital to have a great relationship with your guests. This means communicating with them regularly and responding to questions or problems they may have.
Do this through phone calls, texts, email, social media, or whatever works best for both of you. This can be a lot of work, but it will help you build long-lasting relationships with your guests.
Follow These Vacation Rental Hosting Tips to Be a Five-Star Host
If you're looking to make your vacation rental hosting business a success, it's important to follow these tips. When you do this, your guests will have a great time, you'll become known as a fantastic host, and your vacation rental business will make money.
PMI Magic City is a property management company that helps vacation hosts manage their properties. Contact us today to learn how we can help!