Yes, it's time to get your home ready for the rental season. We've created a list of 15 tips to help you prepare and spruce up your rental, from replacing some tired or worn kitchen items and bed linens, to jazzing up your home decor. Although some expense may be required, the cost is usually minimal relative to the advantages. Read our Homeowner Blog post.
Other popular posts on our Homeowner Blog:
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My greatest fear was double booking a week, and the Booking Management tool prevents that. I love that I can add freeform notes -- their professions, what they like to do, the ages of the kids. That way I can refresh my memory before we meet them and make sure that everything is in order, like a bottle of wine for an anniversary celebration or some beach goodies for the kids.
Brigitte D. |
Our Booking Management feature allows you to track vacationer bookings and communications throughout the rental season, including the lease, security deposit, rent, keys, etc. You can record all vacationer bookings, even those that come from other sources. You can also receive email reminders and alerts notifying you when booking items and monies are due and overdue.
You can access this feature through your Homeowner Center page. Log in.
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The new design of your listing
By now, you have probably seen your listing's new look. If not, check it out! The new format has been enthusiastically received by vacationers as it significantly enhances the visual appeal of your listing, and the all-on-one-page design is even easier to navigate.
We urge you to do the following to assure that your listing remain competitive:
- Pictures: To display pictures in nearly full-screen size in the new Photo Slideshow, you may need to upload bigger photos. Log in and read more about the new Photo Slideshow and how you can determine if you need to upload larger versions of your current photos in order to take advantage of the pop-up slideshow.
- Map options: All listings now display a map indicating the approximate location of your property. To allow the map to pinpoint your exact location, however, go to the Map Options section of your "Enter & modify description & amenities " page.
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Cape Associates, Inc. is one of the largest custom builders on Cape Cod offering additional services in home remodeling, property management/property watch and painting. We have offices in Eastham and Yarmouthport, MA where we proudly serve the communities of the Cape and Islands.
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Mayflower Homemakers
Serving Bourne to Brewster since 1993, we clean carpets, power wash decks, and remove gutter tiger stripes. We do spring and fall cleaning, weekly, summer rentals, winter property watch and lock box installation sales and service. "Mayflower Homemakers - You have more important things to do."
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Best business practices for handling tentative bookings
What do you do between getting a verbal commitment for a rental and receiving the signed lease and deposit? Even though you might be tempted to show the week as booked on your availability calendar, we urge you to wait for the signed lease and rental deposit. If the prospective tenant changes his mind, and you've already blocked off the week as booked, you may have lost a chance to rent it to someone else.
Read our Homeowner Blog post for more info.
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 Social networking is a powerful tool that can help you rent your home. You have a "Share" button and a "Like" button on your listing. The "Share" button allows you to share your listing via Twitter, email, and more. Clicking on the "Like" button will post a link to your property listing on the news feeds of your Facebook friends. These are terrific ways to spread the word about your home.
Every month, thousands of vacationers come to our site via Facebook. We want your listing to be a part of this HUGE, free advertising opportunity. Learn more.
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We invite you to pick up a free lawn sign ($20 value) in Brewster or Wellesley. A lawn sign is a great way to promote your rental. Prospective renters who drive or walk by will see your property ID and be able to easily find your listing on our website.
With every lawn sign order, we will include a WeNeedaVacation.com recyclable grocery tote filled with goodies.
If it's more convenient, we will UPS a sign to you for a $10 shipping and handling fee. Please see the Lawn Sign link on your Homeowner Center page for more information.
To arrange for pickup in Brewster or Wellesley, contact becky@weneedavacation.com.
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This is a win-win-win! Support a great local organization, provide inexpensive welcome gifts, and create a positive first impression for your rental guests.
Cape Abilities employs close to 70 Cape residents with disabilities to fill over 30,000 beach buckets with snacks, maps, beach toys, coupons, restaurant guides, and other goodies. WeNeedaVacation.com is contributing a Frisbee, grocery tote bag, and postcard to the buckets and bags that we distribute.
You can pick up the buckets in Hyannis or Brewster, and this year Cape Abilities can ship the bags to you! Distribution and pick-up starts May 25.
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Lower Cape Home & Garden Expo
Join us at the Lower Cape Home & Garden Expo in Harwich on Saturday, April 6 from 10am - 4 pm at the Cape Cod Regional Technical High School (exit 10 from Rte. 6).
Please stop by our exhibitor booth to say hello and pick up a homeowner gift! Visit www.lowercapeexpo.com for more details about Home and Garden presentations, demos, and booths.
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Click on your area:
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| Reminders |
| Take Pictures & Video of Your Home |
Refer-a-Friend |
Add Guest Reviews |
Spring is the perfect time to take pictures and video of your home. If you would like help, contact Becky Fischer.
She will provide details about our photography and consultation services.
Learn more.
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Refer a friend and receive 2 free months if you list for a year or more, or 1 extra month if you list for 6 months!
And, don't forget: referring a Vacation Planner or Home Services business counts, too! |
We recommend that you add guest reviews to your listing. Go to the Guest Reviews section in your Homeowner Center. From there, you can either enter guest reviews from your guestbook, or you can email prior tenants to solicit feedback by clicking on the "Request Form" tab near the top. It's easy for you and for your tenants.
Learn more.
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