Buying a vacation home is an exciting reward for all of your hard work. If you are only able to enjoy it a few times a year, many property owners have found renting to be a great investment. There are many financial benefits to be gained from renting out your vacation home—that is, if you’re smart about it.

Here are five mistakes you won’t want to make when you rent out your vacation home.
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1. Not thinking about it like a business
Renting out your vacation home is not something you should take lightly. When you get started, failing to think about things from a business perspective can be detrimental. How much thought have you given to the listing price for renting? Are you positive that renting will ensure that you’re breaking even? And how are you treating your customers? Have you considered the benefits of a long-term customer? These are all questions you should ask yourself when you rent your vacation home.

2. Presenting misleading expectations
If you’re listing your vacation home online, it’s best to be completely honest about the condition of it. Be picky about the language you use in your rental listing. The quickest way to get bad reviews on a vacation rental is to make your second home out to a luxury when it isn’t. If your vacation home feels like your actual home, don’t make it seem like it’s a resort. If people will see photos of your family on every wall, be upfront and honest—your guests will appreciate it.

3. Forgetting about maintenance
Can you think of anything more annoying than having to stress out about a broken refrigerator while you’re on vacation? If you’re renting out your vacation home, treat it like you’ll have to use it. Many renters invest in routine maintenance with an appliance protection plan so that the pressure is off of their shoulders. Just remember, it only takes one bad experience for the word to spread about your vacation home. Keeping up with repairs will reap a big financial reward in the long run.  

4. Giving vague instructions about the home
When you’re giving your guests information about the home, make sure to give more detail than you think is necessary. It’s easy to overlook something when it’s second nature to you, but the little details are actually important for someone who has never been there before. Many rentals don’t do this which can be an annoyance that leads to bad reviews and non-returning guests. Perhaps give an all-inclusive welcome guide for your guests, both electronically and at the house. This can be where you list out anything someone might want to know while vacationing—information ranging from how to turn the TV on to your favorite local restaurants.

5. Failing to inform neighbors
If you have neighbors who live in the neighborhood full-time, it’s common courtesy to let them know your plans of renting out the house. If they see strangers in your driveway, they could get concerned. Communicating with those who live in the neighborhood is a great way to ensure that everyone is informed and will prevent any unnecessary worry. You also will have someone to keep an eye out in case your guests are causing problems.

Written by: Emma Cook

Emma Cook is a recent graduate and freelance writer taking time to explore her interests and expand her writing portfolio. She enjoys writing practical pieces on personal finance and the home.  ​

​Guest experiences are important. Typically, guests expect a certain level and manner of service when staying at an Airbnb or another short-term rental accommodation. And they should. Often, guests choose to stay at vacation rentals rather than at local hotels in order to see travel through a more holistic and immersive lens. They want to feel welcomed, they want to feel local, and they want to feel at home. 

Renting out a home on Airbnb is a great way to earn extra cash, but most of the time, people get stuck when trying to figure out how to start. If you don’t know which things should be moved out of sight, what should be locked away, and which items should be available to your guests, here are some tips on organizing your home before the guests arrive.

Make your home clean and tidy. 
Cleanliness translates to guest’s comfort and satisfaction during their stay. Cleaning your home is one thing you should never skip regardless of whether you live there or you rent it out. Clear away clutter such as your family photos if you don't feel like sharing that to them, or you can also leave a few to give your guests an idea of the people who live in the house. Decorations are fine but arrange them properly so guests can put things down without shoving them. You can also put away anything you don’t want broken. You can have magazines but it's best to have just the latest issues available for the guest. You can store away those that you are planning to read soon. For the toys, expect that most kids will play with them on the floor, outside, or anywhere in the house so make sure to put away anything you don’t want kids to play with. Cleaning your Airbnb is no easy task, but a good job will be rewarded with raving guest reviews.
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Creating a listing for your vacation rental isn't quite as easy as it may seem. There are many factors that you will need to keep in mind, as you consider what your upcoming guests will be looking for. Here are some of the things you need to know when building your listing.

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​Having strangers stay in your home is kind of a big deal. Who are they? What are they like? Will they mess up my furniture or go through my things? How will they take care of my property? While you won’t be able to answer all of these questions  before (or even after) letting someone into your home, there are a few tricks  which can help you get a better sense of who it is you’re hosting.

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Reliability, cost effectiveness, and a job well done is what every vacation home owner looks for in a cleaning company. The upkeep of a home isn't an easy task, especially paired with the constant shuffle of travelers in and out. It can be overwhelming  if you're handling this task on your own as an owner. More often than not, vacation home owners seek out a cleaning company they can rely on to make sure the house is clean and cozy for their next guest. If you are looking for a cleaning company, here are a few things to consider when making that decision.

Whether you are purchasing a home in warm weather for winter or a getaway home in the mountains, a vacation home is a good investment. During those times you won't be there, you can make extra income utilizing your home as a vacation rental for travelers. While it does make sense financially and logistically though, there are a few things to consider. Before you choose your vacation home, let us walk you through some things to think about.