Even if you’re wrapping up this summer’s rental season, it’s not too early to plan for next year. Many vacationers are still basking in their Cape and Islands getaway and already thinking about where they’ll stay next summer. If your listing doesn’t show availability and pricing, you could be missing out.
You can always block off certain weeks for repeat guests or personal use later—but don’t let uncertainty keep you from capturing early interest.
Why It Matters
- Focus on Visibility: Listings without pricing and availability are filtered out of many searches. That means less exposure to serious vacationers ready to book.
- Stay competitive: Many homeowners already have their 2026 calendars open. Don’t let your competition get the edge.
- Lock in top dollar: Early bookers rarely haggle on price. Last-minute vacationers often do. The earlier you’re listed, the more likely you are to get your full asking price.
What About Repeat Guests or Family Use?
Some owners wait to hear from past guests or family before opening their calendars—but holding off can cost you bookings. Here’s what you can do instead:
- Pencil in the week for returning guests as “booked” temporarily.
- If another inquiry comes in, check in with your past guest and ask for a commitment or deposit.
- If your family plans aren’t set, open the dates now and block them later if needed.
Being proactive helps you avoid the common scenario of holding a week for someone whose plans end up changing—while turning away potential renters in the meantime.
What do I Charge?
Enter tentative pricing now—you can always adjust later. In fact, doing so gives you insight into how your rates compare with similar listings.
And don’t forget to tier your pricing. Many homeowners price every week the same, but demand varies widely. Peak weeks command higher rates, while early June and late August require lower pricing to attract bookings.
What is Tiered Pricing and Why is it Important?
Charge your highest rates during high-demand weeks and reduce rates for lower-demand periods.
Despite how straightforward this strategy is, a 2025 study showed that 20% of our homeowners are still not using tiered pricing—and it’s costing them bookings. If you're charging peak summer rates for June, late August, or September, you're likely losing out to your competition.
We analyzed the percentage of vacation homes booked each week across Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket from June through September, and the results show a clear pattern: Peak prices of booked weeks occur the week of August 10, while prices taper off notably in late August and into September—especially on Martha’s Vineyard.
Key Takeaway: Prices follow demand!
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Cape Cod: Demand enjoys a steady ramp-up through June and remains strong throughout July and early August. It drops off towards the end of August and shows a notable drop-off after Labor Day.
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Martha’s Vineyard: Starts off quite low in June. Demand picks up in July, getting close to peak. It sees its biggest spike in August, with September trailing much farther behind.
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Nantucket: Like the Cape, increases steadily through June, then reaches its peak in late July and tapers off after mid-August. Like the other areas, demand drops off after Labor Day.
Don't Let Early Bookings Slip Away
Whether you're still hosting or enjoying a break, take a few minutes to open your calendar and enter pricing for 2026.
If your listing expires at the end of the season, you won't appear in searches and you'll miss out on early bird bookings. Read more about the advantages of advertising year round.