Long Island tourism has bounced back, and it doesn't look like it's going to dip back down anytime soon. If you own a Long Island vacation rental, you should anticipate having many guests this year.
Vacation rental hosting isn't as easy as it looks, but it's also not hard to be successful if you know how to start. We're here with a few helpful tips for new vacation rental hosts that can help them succeed.
Read on to learn more.
Do Local Research
When you decide to become a host of a Long Island vacation rental, you should start this new journey by conducting some local research. Look into other vacation rentals and hotels in your area to see what people are accustomed to and what prices are currently standard.
You want to make sure that you're fitting the standard or going above and beyond if you want people to rent your property. Local research should be a continuous process as you'll want to continue improving your rental and adjusting your prices as the seasons change.
Set Clear House Rules
Never underestimate the importance of your house rules. They can protect your property, keep your guests safe and happy, and keep your neighbors happy as well.
When you set your rules, make them reasonable. Try to imagine yourself as a vacationer. For example, you wouldn't want to set a strict curfew because a vacationer would never have one at a hotel, but a reasonable quiet hour makes sense.
Make sure that the rules are accessible as well. Put them in the listing, in the welcome message, and somewhere on the actual property where the guests can see them (like on the fridge).
Offer Desirable Amenities
What amenities will you offer in your Long Island vacation rental?
When people stay in vacation rentals, they expect hotel-like amenities. After all, you're competing with local hotels! Vacation rentals have the added benefits of having more space and a place to cook, but what else will you offer?
We recommend providing some cooking tools and utensils for guests to use. It's also a good idea to provide basic toiletries and a first-aid kit. Hosts should also expect to provide linens and towels.
Beyond that, you can get creative. Some hosts will provide special things like books and toys for kids, streaming services, and more. Your amenities may change over time as you earn more money and you're able to reinvest more into your rental.
Start Your Vacation Rental Hosting Journey
Vacation rental hosting can be a great side hustle for anyone with a second home. If you're lucky, it can even turn into your "main hustle." These tips can help you turn your vacation rental into a success.
A good short-term property management company can also help! A vacation rental management company can help you turn your rental in Long Island into almost-passive income.
If you're ready to work with property management pros, reach out to PMI Eastern Long Island for a free consultation today.
