Still have a few stubborn vacancies for the coming summer season in your vacation rental?
While it depends on how motivated you are to rent, lowering your vacation rental prices
sooner rather than later—ideally by mid-June—is usually a smarter pricing strategy.
Waiting until the last minute often lowers your chances of booking and may force you
to offer steeper discounts on rental rates. Swallow your pride, even if you know your
vacation home is worth the original rate, and fill those remaining dates to maximize revenue!
How to Promote Your Lowered Vacation Rental Prices Effectively
If you reduce your rate, make it visible on your listing. Nothing draws attention and
motivates vacationers more than a clear price drop. Everyone loves the prospect of
saving money, and a discounted rate may be the reason a guest chooses your home over
a competitor’s. For tips on updating your listing, check our
vacation rental listing checklist
.
Leverage Owner Specials for Last-Minute Vacation Rental Discounts
The Owner Special
is free and gives you 100 characters to craft an enticing offer. It not only highlights
your property but also makes it stand out among other listings. For even better results,
pair it with our
Last-Minute Availability Alert
(fee-based), which has proven very effective in securing last-minute bookings. Learn about
rental tools and broader strategies.
Don’t Worry About Already Booked Tenants
Some homeowners hesitate to lower rates, fearing it will upset tenants who booked at
higher prices. In reality, your regular rate is fair, and most current guests are happy
they secured their dates. Lowering your rate for remaining weeks rarely affects them.
According to industry surveys, only about 5% of guests request refunds for price
drops—focus on clear communication instead to maintain positive relationships.
Do a Little Research
Check competing rentals in your area to see how other owners are pricing or discounting.
Often, it’s less about how much you reduce your price and more about simply offering a
discount to attract attention. Compare listings easily with our
Cape Cod vacation rentals search.
Your Decision, Your Circumstances
The choice to reduce prices—and by how much—depends entirely on your goals. Some
homeowners may prefer to keep a week open for personal use rather than rent it at a
bargain. Others want to fill every vacancy. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but
strategic discounts can help you maximize bookings and revenue.
- Pros of lowering rates: Increased bookings, higher overall revenue from filled vacancies.
- Cons of lowering rates: Potential perception of lower value; consider minimum discounts (e.g., 10–20% off-peak).
FAQ: Common Questions on Vacation Rental Pricing Strategies
- When is the best time to lower vacation rental prices?
Ideally by mid-June for summer vacancies, but monitor trends like off-peak
seasons (e.g., fall) where discounts of 15–25% can fill gaps quickly.
- How much should I discount short-term rentals?
Start with 10–15% for early adjustments; go up to 20–30% for last-minute
deals, based on competitor rates and your occupancy goals.
- Will lowering prices hurt my vacation home's perceived value?
Not if done strategically—use promotions like Owner Specials to frame it as
a limited-time offer, preserving your premium branding.
💭 What’s your experience with seasonal pricing strategies?