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Thinking of ways to maximize profit from your vacation rental? We at Cabins for YOU want that for you too! It’s important to understand that increasing your vacation rental earnings starts with understanding two basic ideas. First — more bookings secured means more money in your pocket — and high demand for your property drives increased rates and financial gain. So, what’s the second step? Simple: get more reservations and make your property irresistible. Okay…we realize it’s not that simple.
No to worry, our 10 tried and true ways to increase your vacation rental earnings will get the results you crave from your investment.
- Strengthen Online Presence
Making your property’s online presence stronger means more eyes on your vacation rental plus more potential guests clicking on your cabin to learn more, and it starts with updating photos and creating an SEO driven description. Before scheduling a photoshoot, take advantage of this opportunity to upgrade items in the home as well as add any sizzling amenities to attract more guests. When writing the description, be open and honest and don’t forget to include common amenities guests expect. Most importantly, focus on keywords that make sense with your property.
Cabins for YOU employs a professional writer and editor trained in Search Engine Optimization plus an experienced photographer and Design and Media Coordinator, so you can leave the keyword research, 1200+ word description, pro photoshoot, and expert edits to us.
- Showcase the Area
While it’s smart to highlight what your vacation rental offers within, it’s equally important to showcase the area that makes your property so special. Just like when buying a home, it’s all about location, location, location. The same is especially true for vacation properties. Your guests want to know why you chose this spot. What are some unique things to do or sights to see nearby? Highlight this and any other area tidbits you can think of when advertising your property to garner more demand for your rental.
As a partner with Cabins for YOU, your potential guests will have access to an entire library of blogs and articles brimming with information on area attractions, restaurants, and shops, so it’s one less thing you have to worry about.
- Maintain Outdoor Spaces
This one may seem simple, but you would be surprised at how many vacation rentals seem to forget the importance of properly maintaining their outdoor spaces. When guests arrive at your property, they want to be wowed and impressed…not worried. Curb appeal is quite important for guest confidence! Your outdoor spaces should reflect what’s in store on the inside, and if it’s lacking, guests may let you know in an online review. Keep up with the gardening, staining the decks, and clearing trees from obstructing the view. And think about elevating the great outdoors with extras like a hot tub, a gazebo with a swing, or a picnic area to make your property shine.
Having difficulty with your yard person or getting out to your property often enough to maintain deck quality and furniture? Cabins for YOU has you covered with a full maintenance staff plus professional representatives to stay on top of hired hands.
- Opt for Keyless Entry
Lost the keys again? Keeping up with physical keys to your property can be a nightmare. You’re passing the keys through multiple hands, hoping they don’t get lost…or duplicated. Or maybe you have a lockbox at the property that you’re constantly reminding guests and workers to return the keys to. Opt for extra security and more peace of mind when you go keyless. Guests can head straight to the property with a personalized code and without stopping at an office, which is super convenient and ideal when traveling, and you don’t have to worry about the keys disappearing anymore — it’s win-win!
Properties managed by Cabins for YOU have a smart, data linked keypad installed on the front door with our exclusive CFY Advantage Plan, which offers much more for little cost. Reach out to Owner Relations for more details at 1.800.684.7865.
- Provide Bonus Goodies
Who doesn’t love bonus goodies when on vacation? When you provide complimentary extras to your guests, you help make their stay and experience at your property special. A few inexpensive toiletries and essentials goes a long way when building your vacation rental business. And it’s little touches like these that guests will remember and look forward to telling friends and family about, which means more potential repeat guests for YOU.
Cabins for YOU goes the extra mile at no charge to our owners by supplying a starter kit for each stay. A coffee pack, a roll of paper towels, dish soap, a sponge, a kitchen trash bag, and a dishwasher detergent pack is included. Plus, our pet friendly rentals get an additional pet bowl and waste bags!
- Keep It Cozy — Not Costly
One thing that may concern you as an owner is how cooling and heating your home can cost so much with guests leaving doors open and setting different temperatures. There are smarter ways to keep your home cozy for guests without costing you more cash.
- Install a smart thermostat, like a Nest or an Ecobee, that can control the temperature more efficiently and save money on your energy bill
- Add smart tech tools that can alert the home when windows or doors are left ajar to keep the warmth or cool air inside (and it’s an additional safety measure, too).
- Ensure the insulation is up to code and of high quality in the proper areas to ensure your home is easier to heat in winter and keep cool in summer.
- Install pellet stoves, fireplaces, and firepits as additional ways to provide warmth to guests, so the thermostat isn’t the first choice.
- Dress your windows with thermal curtains on the inside and storm coverings on the outside to help keep the spaces sealed and more energy efficient.
Making your property more energy efficient can take time and a lot of work. Let your personal Cabins for YOU owner representative take care of the nitty gritty while you sit back and reap the benefits. - Adjust Rates Reasonably
The temptation to raise your rates to make more money sounds appealing, but without reason, it can turn guests away fast. On the other hand, some owners undersell their properties without even realizing it, losing money in the process. How can you adjust your rates reasonably to make the most profit? Reevaluate your property from top to bottom with a proper inspection of all items, wear and tear, and updates. You may find that your vacation rental is worth more than you think or find the need to make improvements worthy of your current rates.
With Cabins for YOU, we take the hard work out of your hands with property inspectors ready to evaluate your home and put in work orders and recommendations where needed. Not to mention, our Marketing and Pricing team is skilled in dynamic pricing and reasonable rate adjustments to attract guests and get the most out of your investment.
- Create a Virtual Guidebook
When staying at someone else’s home, it’s natural to ask questions (or snoop around) to find what you need. It’s no different when guests stay at your vacation rental property. They aren’t familiar with where everything is, how to work the hot tub controls or start the gas fireplace, or what the community pool code is. Instead of leaving everything to chance, empower your guests with a virtual guidebook that tells them everything they need to know when staying at your property. And by making the overall process easier, guests are more likely to choose your place again.
Hostfully is a genius platform that makes creating your virtual guidebook easy — and owners partnered with Cabins for YOU get this free of charge. We even take care of adding all the details for you.
- Be Available to Help
Guests need support throughout their stay, be it messaging, emails, or phone calls. Whether they can’t find the remote or a water pipe just burst, it’s crucial to be available to help. It shows your guests you genuinely care that their personal stay goes well and builds a relationship. Nothing beats quality customer service with a friendly voice, and assured assistance can bump your property to the top.
The professional call center at Cabins for YOU aids guests with whatever they need into the night, and we have 24/7 emergency assistance for issues like loss of air or water.
- Market Strategically
You can spruce up the place, hire a professional photographer, write the best description, provide bonuses, offer 24/7 assistance, and the like…but it all produces nothing if no one knows about it. That’s why you need to have a strategic marketing plan with targeted ads, email campaigns, and a strong social media presence to get your property to the forefront. Knowing your audience is key to advertising successfully, so be sure to understand your target groups before getting creative.
Marketing campaigns feeling a bit overwhelming? Leave it to Cabins for YOU. It’s our job to determine your audience and cater advertisements accordingly to produce more guests on your page, calls, and bookings!
- Partner with Cabins for YOU
Yeah, we said 10 ways…but owners deserve bonus goodies, too! So here’s a BIG tip to get the ball rolling and increase your vacation rental profit fast. Consider joining a successful vacation rental management company that’s been in the business for a while. With 20 years of experience, Cabins for YOU employees are skilled, trained, and motivated to make your property outshine the rest and attract more reservations — which all leads to increased vacation rental earnings for YOU.
Worried about the commission? We promise it’s worth the trade-off of not having to lift a finger for success. Plus, the majority of our owners see an increase in their personal profit despite a small commission split. At the end of the day, it’s a huge decision, so don’t make it on a whim. Give us a call at 1.800.684.7865 or send us a message first. We’re happy to answer any questions and discuss any concerns you may have. We’re here to help!