One of the hardest parts of renting out your property is knowing when and if you need to give your home a refresh. Lucky for you, we’re here to provide a cumulative list of signals that your property is in need of a facelift. Whether it’s a quick fix or a full reno, we’re here to offer advice on when you may want to jump into updates… and quick ways to read the room for when you do.
Visual Appeal
Your property’s appeal starts and ends with the visuals you’re providing guests. Great photography only brings a property so far. If your guests book your clean, light and bright property with updated furniture just to arrive and notice it’s none of the above… that becomes a major problem. Keeping up with that “natural wear and tear” every season is astronomically important to keeping your property booked and busy for seasons to come.
Interior Wear and Tear
Paint is the number one indicator of a well-loved property. Whether it’s scuff marks from luggage or paint chips from kids at play, it's good to regularly buff out marks and repaint each season. Be wary of stains on carpets and keep your property updated by cleaning and replacing outdated and rundown rugs as they take a beating season after season.
Curb Appeal
First impressions are everything, and your properties curb appeal means more than you may think. Some of the best property marketing is keeping your exterior well maintained, manicured and landscaped, so those in the area or driving by can see that your rental generally looks like a lovely place to stay. Make sure you have regular landscaping scheduled, and are constantly accounting for needing leaves picked up in the fall or pollen power washed in the spring.
Functionality and Maintenance
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that if the functionality of your property starts falling off, it’s probably time for an upgrade. Oftentimes it’s as simple as blinds no longer closing or doors having trouble locking, but even these simple breaks or issues can impact a guest's stay astronomically. Pro Tip: Test your property. Stay a night and see if there’s any potential fixes that need to be taken care of before a new renter drops in.
Issues for Guests
No matter the problem at hand, it’s good to live by the mentality that the guest is always right. Whether the issue is as simple as outlets being dead or as tricky as the water not getting warm in a timely manner, your guests should not be constantly complaining about fixes and issues while they’re staying at your property. Staying on top of feedback from guests and providing quick fixes during and prior to other stays will make a massive difference in your reviews and future bookings.
Regular Maintenance Requests
If you’re regularly getting feedback from guests and property managers that the property is out of date, non-functional, and has ongoing maintenance requests each month, it may be time to do a full scale upgrade. If you have constant small repairs, it’s only a moment before these become full-fledged appliance replacements and elaborate renovations later on down the line.
Market Positioning and Feedback
The biggest tell that your property needs an update will be the diminishing bookings and the declining ratings in reviews. At the end of the day, your property is defined by those that stay there… and those that choose not to. Maybe your rates are too high despite the outdated furniture or maybe your reviews have dissipated into 3 star territory after the property begins showing wear and tear. Whatever it may be, these indicators will tell you everything you need to know about ways to upgrade your stay.
Diminished Bookings
If you’re noticing that your neighbors are getting booked all season long but your property is remaining empty, that’s a big tell that you may need an update or an upgrade on your property. Analyze the market rate, and if you can’t get bookings at a similar rate to comparable properties around you, it may be time to look into refreshing your property and offering updated amenities to beat out the competition.
Guest Feedback
Your guests' feedback is going to be the biggest indicator of what and when you need to refresh your property. Any information on updates, improvements and fixes will come directly from the source. No matter the problem, your guests have a right to feel safe and relaxed when on their trip! They’re the ones living in the property for days at a time, and they’ll be the ones to notice all the small details that could be improved for future guests. Take their word for it, they’ll be your biggest help in keeping your property up to date and luxurious for guests in the future.
How To Get Started
If you’re ready to take the next step and want reliable support to make your home a vacation five-star rental, Sweetgrass Properties is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about how we can take care of your Charleston vacation rental and help you get the most out of your investment.