How to Maintain a Dreamy Short-Term Rental

A dreamy short-term rental is one that makes a renter feel at home and at ease from the minute they step through the front door. Of course, there are things that you’ll need to keep in mind when making your property legally habitable, but what else can you do to boost those levels of comfort and tenant happiness?

Make the “Getting There” Process Simple

There’s nothing worse than getting lost or locked out of a rental property before your real vacation even begins. Make sure to give guests clear directions to your property, and make sure to give clear instructions on how to enter the space.

Cleanliness is Close to Godliness 

Everyone decorates interiors to their own taste, but no matter if you’re a modern minimalist or an eclectic maximalist, one thing is sure to make a guest feel at home—a clean, easy to use clutter-free space. Although short-term guests are likely to realize that a rental property won’t be as perfectly cleansed as a hotel room, they do expect clean amenities and easy to access goods. Between visitors, make sure you deep clean bathrooms and bedrooms, keep closets free of unnecessary clutter, and of course, make sure that fresh toiletries are in their designated areas. 

Let Renters Know What to Expect

There’s some fun in renting a home-based solely on pictures on Instagram or a website. There’s a bit of adventure in that. But, if you want to make your short-term rental one that not only receives great reviews but is one that people return to, make sure that any advertisements for your property show what they’re getting into clear. 

This means going beyond basic descriptions and high-quality photos. After all, anyone can do that. Instead, try to tell the story of the home. Talk about what makes this space truly special and worth the stay. Describe the neighborhood, nearby walkable areas, and whatever else you think adds to the appeal and charm of the home. It’s easier for a potential guest to say “yes to the rental” if they feel attached to it right off the bat.

Make Sure It’s a Looker; Inside and Out

It’s no question that the interiors of your rental property are highly important to the overall experience of a potential rental. After all, most renters base their decision on the look and “feel” of a space they get directly from images. But although creating a cozy or luxurious space is a give-in, you should neglect the exteriors of your property either. In fact, if you think about it this way, the exterior of the short-term rental happens to be the first thing a renter lays eyes on. Although it’s always good to never judge a book by its cover, that’s often not the case when it comes to rentals.
Curb appeal is a huge factor in creating an ideal short-term rental space. So, make sure windows and siding are washed, weeds are weeded, and try to maintain some “life” in the front and back yards. You don’t have to have a green thumb to keep gardens and grassy areas looking nice, either. There are a plethora of low-maintenance plants you can use in the grassy area. And if you get your soil to do half the job for you, you likely won’t have to spend every day of the week caring for an immaculate lawn.