VR 101

December 02nd, 2009

Real Reviews: Make or Break your Business

Posted by: jess|2 comments

TripAdvisor Travelers are depending more and more on reviews. In fact, reviews have become so important that not understanding the weight that reviews have on traveler purchasing decisions can prove a major disadvantage to any business.  Recently ehotelier.com interviewed the owner of an up and coming hotel in Buenos Aires, asking her how she survives in such a heavily saturated tourism market.  Her answer? Reviews on TripAdvisor.

Mariquel Waingarten of the Tailor Made Hotel recounts getting acquainted with TripAdvisor and what it has done for her business:

In the beginning, when we were on TripAdvisor I was scared, because you’re very exposed to good reviews and bad reviews. Fortunately, we’ve been able to get very good reviews, and the bad reviews that we received were actually really helpful. They tell us what to correct, and we like to take care of that. Sometimes people don’t tell you what’s wrong, and then it’s a surprise for us when they write it down on TripAdvisor.

Reviews, positive or negative, give vacationers piece of mind that they are not walking into a lion’s den.  Hearing evaluations from other travelers who have been in their situation will reassure them that yeah, maybe there’s no hairdryer but the service is unbeatable or that your property really is on the ocean…

Click here for the full article!

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November 24th, 2009

Vacation Rental Deal Breakers: What not to Include in Your Online Listing

Posted by: jess|3 comments

Listing your property on FlipKey and TripAdvisor allows you to market your property to millions (literally) of travelers who are looking to getaway and possibly stay in your vacation home.  With so many options out there for potential guests to choose from, it is essential that you take full advantage of your online listing and get booked!  The following is a list of the biggest mistakes that home owners make when listing their property…so go ahead, learn from their mistakes and get booked!

Vacation_rental_listing

No Reviews: Guests love to hear about your property from fellow travelers.  Sure, they like to hear what you have to say about your property because, afterall, who knows it better than you?  But having three or four reviews about your property will make travelers more confident that it is what you say it is, even if a negative one slips in here or there.

Blank Calendar: What’s more frustrating than finding the vacation property of your dreams but checking out the availability only to find that the calendar is completely blank or nonexistent! Plus our widgets allow you to post your FlipKey calendar on your personal website, so you only have to update one calendar.

Less than 5 Photos: Photos are essential to travelers when making a decision about where to stay.  Not only do they legitimize your description but they allow guests to visualize themselves staying in your property.  Plus FlipKey allows you to upload unlimited photos… so click away, and remember a picture is worth a thousand words.

No Amenities: To bring towels or not to bring towels?  That is a question that guests should now have to ask themselves.  When filling in your listing, list anything and everything that your property has.  Not only does this makes it easier for guests to pack, but it is enticing to see the long list of supplies that they can walk home to!

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November 19th, 2009

How to Score Last Minute Holiday Bookings

Posted by: jess|2 comments

If you find that your vacation rental‘s calendar has upcoming vacancies, you could be missing out on some serious revenue. With the holidays fast approaching, many travelers have their plans set in stone and are eagerly awaiting a lovely holiday break.   Meanwhile, some travelers purposely wait until the last minute so they can snag the best deals around, and that could mean your rental property!  We’ve compiled a list of some tried and true best practices to get your home booked at the last minute! holiday_bookings

Use that Headline:  When perusing a list of properties, travelers who are looking to snag a last minute deal have one thing on their minds: great value.  By including a few words regarding your open availability for the holidays, or the fact that you’re running a special Holiday Deal, these travelers are more likely to book your property!

Reduce Your Rates:  Since it is last minute you shouldn’t expect to charge peak season rates, even if it is the holiday season.  Offer 15-20% less than your typical rate or offer a free night if travelers stay for 3 nights.  Be creative and be fair!

Include a Freebie:  To further entice potential guests into staying at your home for their last minute getaway, offer to include a gift certificate to a local restaurant, free with their stay!  This is especially attractive to the chef of the household, as it will alleviate the stress of cooking for one evening.

Enticing Photos:  Your thumbnail photo is the perfect opportunity for you to grab attention to the fact that your home will make a charming setting for a family’s holiday getaway.  Change the photo to a picture of your dining room table-set for a family.  Or try inserting a smaller graphic in the bottom of your thumbnail picture that calls attention to your discounted rate.  At the bottom of your photo, insert a graphic that reads “20% Off for the Holidays.”  Happy Bookings!

Categorized as: Advice for Owners and Managers, Community, VR 101 Read more →
October 06th, 2009

Winterize your Vacation Home in the Off Season

Posted by: jess|1 comment

So the leaves are falling, scarves are wrapped tight and the kids are planning their Halloween costumes, but before you dive right into the joys of fall, take a moment and get your vacation home ready for the off-season. We’ve put together a check list for second home owners to ensure your home will hibernate safely during the winter months.

winterize_vacation_rental

Security:
• Alert the post office that you will be gone so that your mail can be forwarded.
• Hire someone to check on the home every few days or every week to make sure there are no incidents.
• Make sure your alarm system is working properly.
• Hire a snow plow service to shovel after snow falls as snowy sidewalks are a giveaway that no one is home to burglars.
• Make sure you have a few exterior and interior lights on timers so it looks like someone is home at night.

Keeping Your Home safe in the Cold:
• Clean out gutters and install leaf blockers over gutters- this will help keep water away from your home.
• Prune any overhanging limbs that could cause damage during a storm.
• Remove screens and put up storm windows.
• Close swimming pool and store lawn furniture as well as the grill.
• Keep your thermostat at a cool 55 F, cool enough to not waste heat but warm enough so that pipes will not freeze and burst (!!)
• Prep your pipes by putting antifreeze down drains and toilets, wrapping pipes and leave water dripping ever so slightly out of a few faucets (make sure the drains are open!) to keep water flowing and prevent frozen pipes.
• Caulk holes around windows and weather strip around frames to make sure that no drafts get through.

One thing to consider before you go through the measures of winterizing is to try and find a long-term renter for the off-months, however long that may be. This way, you can still make some easy money on your second home while someone else can have the pleasure of enjoying it! If this is not a possibility, it’s never too early to start finding guests for the next season, so start advertising and putting the word out there about your vacation home.
But whatever you decide to do, make sure that your home is ready for the chill!

Categorized as: Advice for Owners and Managers, VR 101 Read more →
October 01st, 2009

Spruce Up Your Vacation Home with Seasonal Decor

Posted by: jess|3 comments

With the holidays quickly approaching, many people are looking to spend their precious family time in a different setting, perhaps enjoying the fall foliage of New England or getting one last Vitamin-D fix before the blanket of winter stifles out the sun. While your listing is filling up, there are certain things you can do to make sure your guests have a festive and happy stay at your rental, whilst (hopefully) snagging an annual booking.
Fall_Foliage

There are many simple things you can do transform your property into an ideal holiday retreat that will ensure your guests feel right at home in you rental. Not only will your home emanate a jolly spirit, but guests will truly enjoy the effort to make their holiday as special as ever.

Consider adding the following decorative items to your property to welcome autumn and new Guests:
• Fall/Winter decorations like carved pumpkins and wreaths
• Cinnamon potpourri or candles throughout
• Fall scented soaps like pumpkin or cranberry spice
• Festive dishcloths and place mats
• Fleece sheets and lots of blankets

We’ve already emphasized our love for welcome baskets to make the best first impression (who doesn’t love getting gifts?!) Consider tailoring the gift basket so that it suits the season.

For the fall include:
• Pumpkins and carving tools
• Seasonal recipes that incorporate local harvests
• Local foods that are at their prime in the season (think apple pies, jams, fresh pomegranates)
• A list of fun seasonal activities in the area- apple picking, ice skating or festivals
• Trail maps to mountains, parks or hiking trails that are particularly special this time of year

Of course feel free to put your own twist on these ideas, but your guests are guaranteed to appreciate the welcoming gesture as well as the festive spirit.

Categorized as: Advice for Owners and Managers, VR 101 Read more →
September 16th, 2009

Pet-Friendly: What it Means for your Vacation Home

Posted by: jess|4 comments

Pet_Proofing
So, you’re trying to get a leg up over the competition by labeling your property as ‘pet-friendly.’ Before you commit to the claim, be sure you and your home are ready for the lovable abuse that an animal brings into the mix.  We’ve included a few quick tips on what to do to make your home ready for furry friends…

Pets, especially puppies and dogs are curious.  Whether it’s what’s hiding behind the cupboards or whizzing past on the street- they want to know what is going on.  Puppy gates on the doors to prohibited areas are a must.  Also, consider investing in a few clamps, so that prying noses can’t get into anything dangerous behind cupboards and in toilets.

Chemicals, medicine and garbage, oh my! Any of these things left splashed on the floor or uncovered is not only fair game to our critters but can be lethal. After your cleaning crew comes through and makes your home nice and shiny, it is important to ensure that any cleaners are thoroughly cleaned up.  One lick of bleach and…well you get it.

Finally, put plants and cords out of reach.  Many common household plants (lilies, azaleas, geraniums…) can cause severe sickness and even death. Really.  Check here to see if your plant poses a threat. Puppies and kittens love to nibble (read: mangle) anything in their sight.  Be sure that electrical cords are tied up or covered with tape.
Don’t forget the fun stuff.  Dogs especially love to play.  Have a Frisbee and a couple tennis balls stashed so that the pups get their fun time on vacation in too.

These are just a few, basic suggestions to get your house ready for guests of all types.  It is important that you list what type of pet-proofing you have on your house so that guests with young animals can plan accordingly.

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August 06th, 2009

Stand Out Amongst the Competition: Baby Proof Your Vacation Rental

Posted by: jess|7 comments

When planning a vacation with an infant or toddler, young families are often faced with limited lodging options due to the special needs of their little ones. Not being able to travel with all the necessities that babies require significantly restricts travel lodging options. By keeping a supply of baby proof materials on hand, you can help make the choice for traveling families.

This FlipKey Aruba Cottage Rental has the right idea. Check out this excerpt from their listing details “For younger guests: a wide selection of toys, baby crib, toddler bed, bed rails, bouncer, changing table, high chair, soft floor mat, playpen, car seats and beach-proof stroller” [are available]. With such a vast array of baby proof amenities, this property is a no brainer for a young family with infants and/ or toddlers.

Mischevious Child

Consider having the following on hand at your rental property so that any young couple could instantly feel safe letting their little one crawl around while they kick their feet up and enjoy their vacation.

1) Baby gates. Supply enough baby gates to block each set of stairs. This will not only protect any children from having a dangerous fall but will also put any visiting parents’ mind at ease.

2) Cabinet locks. Curious kids love to climb in cabinets and create potentially catastrophic messes. By providing temporary cabinet guards for bathrooms and the kitchen, you will keep the kids out of dangerous nooks.

3) Table Edge Guards. Keep a healthy supply of corner guards handy so parents can line sharp furniture edges in rooms where their kids will be. Cover pointed corners in the living room and kitchen area so that high traffic areas are less likely to see any accidents.

4) Outlet Caps. It’s amazing what toddlers can find to stuff into plugs. Protect not only a precious child but also the circuitry of your house by having a healthy supply of these outlet caps on hand.

5) Crib or bed railings. When traveling, most people cannot manage to bring a crib on top of all of their vacation supplies. Help ease your guest’s worries by providing a crib or bed railings. This will go far in the eyes of a visiting parent.

6) Changing Table. Your guests will appreciate this safe haven to lay their precious cargo down. Not only does it safe guard wiggly tots, but it also protects your furniture from abuse.

7) High Chair. A perk of staying in a vacation home is the ability to cook meals at home. By providing a high chair, you’re reinforcing the fact that vacation homes (especially yours!) are a huge comfort.

8 ) Knob Covers. Provide a handful of knob covers so that little ones won’t find their way into places they shouldn’t be, allowing your guests to rest at ease.

9) Twist Ties. Kiddies love to yank on anything hanging. By tying electrical cords into neat bundles and placing window cords out of reach, you’ll guarantee that toddlers stay safe

10) Child Toys. Ensure your guests have ultimate relaxation by providing a handful of child toys, books and movies. This will not only occupy the tiny tot but allow the adults time to unwind.

Categorized as: Advice for Owners and Managers, Family, VR 101 Read more →
July 08th, 2009

Is a vacation rental really a better value than staying in a hotel?

Posted by: jess|1 comment

While rentals are often cozier and have the added benefit of private amenities, it’s natural to wonder if those comforts come at a higher price. To address all of these questions, our partners at TripAdvisor have created a calculator that helps you compare the costs of renting a vacation home to staying in a hotel. It works by comparing their own database of hundreds of thousands of hotels to FlipKey’s database of over 90,000 vacation homes based on location and number of travelers. Putting your mind (and wallet) at ease.

Is renting a home more economical than a hotel?
Weigh the prices of staying in a home vs. a hotel wherever you decide to travel. We found that a family of 5 could spend 4 nights in Orlando, Florida for $860 less than a hotel. It would cost about $230 per person to stay in a hotel while renting a home would only be around $106 per person for the entire stay. Unlike hotels, in most cases, the more people you bring along the more economical it is to rent a home, which is great for a family vacation.

What are my savings if I cook and dine out?
The calculator will take your dining plans into account when figuring out the cost of your stay. The same family of 5 vacationing for 4 nights in Orlando can save an additional $240 by cooking a few meals at home while still managing to treat themselves to a dinner out. Or cook all of your meals in your private kitchen and stretch your dollars even further.

Wondering where to relax?
Use this tool to compare prices of regions to see what works for you. For example, if you can’t decide between Cape Cod or Martha’s Vineyard, the calculator will give you an estimate of prices at a glance, so choosing is easier. A quick comparison proved that a family of 5 can spend 5 nights on Martha’s Vineyard for $1,900 less than a hotel, while renting a home on the Cape would save $900 over a hotel. You can rest assure that you are getting the best prices, wherever you end up.

The TripAdvisor Calculator is a great resource for anyone looking to plan or budget a vacation. But don’t take our word for it, spend a couple minutes with it and see how much you can save.

Categorized as: Ask FlipKey, Community, Travel Tips, VR 101 Read more →
October 20th, 2008

Travel Insurance Providing Benefits At All Touch Points of the Vacation Rental Value Chain

Posted by: Max|4 comments

It’s no secret that the Travel Industry performance trends closely with economic factors at a local, national and international level. Poor economic conditions lead to lower consumer confidence, which leads to decreased spending. Personal travel – being a luxury – is one of the more obvious places to trim fat from a budget. It’s during uncertain economic times that taking on a travel insurance policy becomes an increasingly wise investment.CSA

At Rezfest last month CSA spoke about Travel insurance issues specific to the Vacation rental industry, and explained how Rental Insurance can benefit not only guests, but property managers and rental owners as well. We’ve touched on the value of travel insurance from a consumer perspective in an earlier post, but one service of particular importance is the reimbursement of reservation costs in the event of a cancellation. The option to cancel a future trip is immensely valuable, as it allows a traveler to hedge against economic uncertainty.

For homeowners and property managers, Travel insurance provides several benefits. In general, Travelers who purchase insurance policies do so during the reservation process. Because of the added security and upfront cost, these vacationers are substantially less likely to cancel a reservation. For managers specifically, Travel Insurance can represent an additional revenue stream, as many travel insurance companies (CSA included) will offer performance incentives to managers who encourage renters to purchase insurance.

How can property managers incorporate vacation rental insurance into their reservation process? Ultimately this depends on local markets, and how reservations are booked, but CSA offers the following general advice:

  • Know how your competitors pricing and booking process, and apply this knowledge to your business
  • Always encourage upfront payment for bookings
  • Build insurance into the cost of your rentals or into optional components of an invoice
  • Use touch points such as a final payment reminder to encourage the purchase of a policy
  • For reservations made through the web, add travel insurance options to the booking process.

If you’re interested in learning more about vacation rental insurance, purchasing a policy or signing up as a vacation rental insurance affiliate, vacationrentalinsurance.com has some great resources to get you started.

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