Whether you’re fully booked for the season yet or not, it’s time to line up your service providers including trash pick-ups, turnover cleanings, landscapers, and linen rentals. These businesses are part of the team we homeowners rely on to assure a successful rental season. And don’t dilly-dally -- good, dependable service providers can run out of availability as the season nears, particularly on turnover Saturdays.
|
|
Other popular posts on our Homeowner Blog:
|
|
|
|
|
One key to assuring that your tenants will have a positive experience in your home (critical to your happiness as well!) is to manage their expectations before their arrival. You do not want them to encounter any unexpected, negative surprises, which can set the tone for the remainder of their visit (possibly resulting in your receiving a devastating guest review afterwards).
Be sure to communicate with your tenants before, during and immediately after their stay to avoid misunderstandings and show that you are a caring and concerned homeowner. An ounce of prevention...
For more advice, read our Homeowner Blog post, "Managing your vacation rental tenants' expectations."
|
|
|
|
|
| This newsletter is sponsored by the following Home Services |
|
|
Conducting business with respect to our community and the environment. Year round and seasonal services are our specialty. From Rubbish removal to portable toilets, we've got you covered.
|
|
 |
|
Auntie Vi's Rentals
Let us help you make a great impression. Auntie Vi's linen service will make your properties easier to rent.
You and your guests will be very pleased not to have to worry at all about linens! Call us today for linen supply and other services for your properties.
(508) 548-4075 - Info@AuntieVis.com - AuntieVis.com
|
|
 Browse All by Service Category or Location |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
If not, take a look at our recent Homeowner Blog post offering some creative and often simple suggestions to improve your home’s first impression. Remember, you can only make a first impression once!
Be sure to take a new picture for your listing afterwards. That first picture is so critical to the success of luring vacationers to click through to view your full listing.
|
|
|
|
|
Spring has sprung -- get out your camera!
Great pictures are vital to the success of renting your property! Many of you who have listed your home for years are unaware of how dated and inadequate your pictures may have become compared to those of other listings, which offer higher quality, larger, digital photos. It’s free and easier than ever now to take and upload photos. And remember, our new listing design enables you to display your pictures in nearly full-screen size! So be sure to replace any that are small, regardless of how attractive they are.
Obviously, it’s challenging to take pictures during the drab and dreary off season, but now that things have “greened up” a bit, do what you can to replace any wintery-looking pictures with more colorful, summery-looking ones.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Homeowners are always searching for ways to cut down on energy bills. Cape Light Compact has some ideas for low-cost projects that can help make your home more energy efficient. They will also conduct a free home energy assessment for any home on the Cape or Martha's Vineyard.
Read our Homeowner Blog post for tips from Cape Light Compact.
|
|
|
|
|
Dealing with international inquiries and bookings
Not sure how to handle inquiries from overseas vacationers? Even before you receive an inquiry, it might be wise to establish your policies for communication with the vacationer and the payment methods to use. As with all inquiries, we recommend that you have a phone conversation with the vacationer. It's possible that they've never even been to the Cape or Islands, so a phone conversation can help to set their expectations and answer their questions.
Read our Homeowner Blog post for information about payment method options and other things to consider.
|
|
|
|
|
Click on your area:
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
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 and beach bags in Hyannis or Brewster, and this year Cape Abilities can ship the bags to you! Distribution and pick-up starts May 25.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Reminders |
| Contact Former Tenants & Inquirers |
Refer-a-Friend |
Booking Management |
Have you contacted past tenants to see if they'd like to return this summer?Or vacationers who have inquired about your home in the past but did not end up renting it?
For an easy way to do this, go to the "Email Inquiries" link in your Homeowner Center. Select the "Send email" link to create your target list, and compose your email. The system allows you to send multiple, personalized emails to prior tenants or past inquirers.
|
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! |
Track your tenant 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.
Access this feature through your Homeowner Center page.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
