“There is a growing number of tenants on the lookout for environmentally friendly rental properties, and this trend is expected to continue with new developments.
By greening up your short-term rental, not only is your property more attractive for potential renters, but its market value can also increase. This is good news for real estate investors that are looking for an edge in the market.
Short-term rental platforms have been on the rise in recent years, and smart investors are taking notice. Tapping into this market has delivered above-average returns for many investors, but now the competition is heating up and you need to find ways to stand out.
Here are 12 ideas for making your property more eco-friendly to keep your short-term leases filled and encourage return visitors. https://www.youtube.com/embed/cgiXP1vrghc?rel=0
Australians consume nearly 3 million coffee capsules a day! That is a lot of coffee and a ton of excess landfill. Plungers are a more eco-friendly alternative to a coffee machine, but if you already have one on your property consider reusable pods.
Crema Joe is one example of a progressive coffee brand that is making pods environmentally friendly. Their SealPod Nespresso compatible capsules will out-live your coffee machine!
Heating and air conditioning can be a major drain on utility bills, not to mention repeated maintenance repairs. Look to upgrade buildings with energy-efficient models that can work smoother, save money and provide more comfort to residents. Maintaining the evaporator coils and drainage channels will extend the life and depreciation cycle.
A well-lit parking lot and walkway give renters a sense of security, but those lights are not cheap to operate. Switch out pole lighting, porch lights and low walkway beams with energy-efficient solar fixtures. They can be designed to automatically come on during dark hours and go out during the day.
Some older buildings were not designed to keep drafts at a minimum. An inspection of how well your buildings are insulated could point to needed upgrades. Get a professional opinion on the energy loss that can be prevented through new insulation, replacement windows and caulking up leaks.
An Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) or a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) should be established in every rental unit. They can indicate problems from tree limbs or standing water that will cause surges of electrical power. Repeated surges will indicate that an electrician needs to be contacted. They also prevent renters from overloading outlets.
Technology has come a long way in providing more energy efficient standards for water heaters. Everything from cutting back on unit size to installing on-demand hot water can cut energy costs by as much as 30% per unit.
Toilets are water hogs. This can amount to a substantial water bill when multiple residents are housed. Ultra-low-flow (ULF) toilets can reduce water usage by up to 7 liters per flush. By changing out old toilets, you will also find that maintenance is decreased from parts wearing out. Replacing showerheads and faucets should also be considered. Make sure your water pressure is checked and set to the appropriate stream.
Instead of stocking up your bathroom amenities with tiny plastic bottles, look to install big containers that last longer. Not only will this reduce the changeover time when you are cleaning the property for the next guest, but it will also prevent all of those little plastic bottles ending up in the ocean.
Take this way of thinking into the kitchen too. Use big glass jars for sugar, tea, and other kitchen amenities. And for sauces, oils, and other replaceables, buy them in bulk and make the most of cute looking refillable containers. Bulk buying will also save you money.
If your guests are environmentally inclined they will appreciate the little extra touches. There are lots of great chemical-free and organic products available on the market that you can use to re-stock amenities. Sure they’ll cost a little extra, but that 5-star rating will be worth it!
Tenants look for money-saving devices when considering a short-term rental. Being able to control the heat or air in a unit is a big factor. Adjusting temperatures through apps on smartphones is a new technology that many renters look for in comfort and control.
Another way to keep your short-term rentals greener and more impressive is to use plants and trees for exterior landscaping. Trees are nature’s air filters for providing pure air and natural beauty. Use watering mechanisms that control the timing and flow of water for conservation.
Being eco-friendly doesn’t all have to fall onto you as the property owner. Get your guests to help out and make a difference.
For example, encourage your guests to recycle and sort their waste by providing recycling bins and showing them where they are. You could also suggest to them to take public transport instead of driving everywhere, and provide a transport card they can top up as they go for the next guests.
Creating a reputation for having a functioning short-term rental with energy-saving devices will bring back renters time and time again.
If you want to take your eco-friendliness to the next level, consider working with a short-term property management service like MaisonNets to help out!”
“Little things usually mean a lot when it comes to catering for short term guests.
Utility is paramount for them to enjoy their stay, leave you positive reviews, and inevitably tell their friends about their experience.
The amenities should be a reflection of the rental property location, the type of guests you expect to stay, and the experience you want them to have.
Most importantly, there are some things that your guests want (and need) to know about in order to make their stay a memorable one, here are six of them.
Every property (and neighborhood) has its own set of rules and subtleties that may be unspoken. To make sure your guests enjoy their stay and don’t cross any boundaries, it is helpful to outline the do’s and don’ts of staying.
For example, you may have a dodgy electrical switch that trips the whole property if someone uses it, or your neighbours may be particularly sensitive about noise on the balcony after 10pm.
Of course you don’t want to come across as a dictator, but a few rules and regulations will help your guests enjoy their stay in peace. After all, they want positive guest reviews too!
It’s common for short-term guests to check-in with their host, especially if they encounter a problem during their stay. And it’s no surprise that people expect a prompt and helpful response from the property owner or manager when they do.
Most online booking platforms provide a portal for communicating with your guests, whether it be via the web or on a smartphone app. But you should take communication one step further than this. Leave your guests a welcome note with a list of emergency contacts if they need them. Of course you will be one of those contacts, but if you are unavailable, then who should they get in touch with?
The easier you make it for your guests to contact someone when they need to, and solve the challenge they are facing with your rental, the better their experience will be.
The expectation of short-term guests for fast, reliable, and easy to access internet is growing by the day. Just about everyone has a laptop, tablet or smartphone on hand when they stay at your property, and they don’t want to chew through their whole data plan to make the most of their stay.
With that being said, you probably should create a closed Wi-Fi network that is protected by a password, so that not just anyone can jump on and use it. In this case, ensure your guests have the login details and have no trouble getting online. They will thank you for it.
When sites like Airbnb first came onto the market, guests had lower expectations for things such as amenities and clean linen. But as the short-term rental market continues to grow, your guests are more discerning and expect more.
They probably don’t expect a full spa treatment when they stay at your home, but they do expect clean linen, hair appliances, and replacement amenities such as toiletries and fluffy towels.
You may choose to mount shampoo dispensers and soap on the walls of the shower including body lotion, hair conditioner, and mouthwash – these are easy to replenish and lower your environmental footprint. You could also invest in a set of towels that are easy to switch and stock when a new guest arrives.
It may be your home, but guests want to feel like they are getting the service of a hotel.
Which electronics do you have in the house that your guests may want to use?
Things like your TV or stereo are the basics, but you may offer additional perks such as a DVD collection or Netflix subscription. All of these things can add to the experience of your guests, but you need to provide adequate information to make sure they can get everything working.
Some other items you may like to provide to your guests are phone chargers, overseas adaptors, an iron, a hair dryer and any other gadgets that will make their stay that little bit more relaxing.
Some of the more popular vacation rentals are equipped with an array of different knick-knacks that make a guest feel right at home.
These include a fully stocked kitchen and fridge, cookware, blenders, silverware, mugs, glasses, cups, and plates for example. Also, bottle and can openers, or wine glasses are a nice touch.
If you’re going for superhost status, you may like to ask your guests whether there are specific supplies they would like to see at your place.
Want some help creating a 5-star experience for your guests?”
“A second property can be an excellent way of earning additional income, but it does take a little bit of maintenance and know-how.
Without proper management, it can easily go from ‘additional income’ to ‘drain on finances’. If it doesn’t generate enough interest, then you’re stuck paying utilities and taxes on a property that is mostly empty.
The good news is there are several ways in which you can maximise the effectiveness of your Airbnb listing in order to generate new and return customers.
Here are our three tips on how to do so.
You might think that Airbnb is where just about everybody goes to find short-term rentals. In reality, while many people do flock to the popular website, there are still many more who use different websites to scout for staycation properties.
By listing on multiple websites, you will be able to cast the widest net possible for customers and generate interest from different demographics you may not have even considered. As you receive more interest in your property, you will also gain greater freedom to screen for the best tenants, reducing your chances of a no-show or a tenant who leaves your place a mess – it is rare, but it happens!
You will also be able to increase the amount of time your property is rented for throughout the year, increasing your profit and maximising your rental ROI. Those taxes and utility bills we mentioned before? They will go right down when you rent your place out more often: the surest way to guarantee this is by covering all your bases when it comes to listing your rental.
If you are trying to boost the popularity of your short-term rental, one of the most powerful resources at your disposal is your previous renters. Word of mouth is a timeless, unbeatable marketing tool, and offering incentives can often entice people who were previously reluctant to leave reviews to come forward.
Referral incentives can work in one of two ways. You can extend an offer to previous renters, promising a discount if they book a stay with you within a certain time frame or date range, which will incentivise them to come back and visit your property. If they enjoyed their first stay, they are very likely to want to return!
You can also offer referral incentives as a way of enticing previous renters to encourage others to rent your property. For example, if a previous renter refers a friend who books a stay, you could offer them a free night’s stay, a complimentary service, or a booking discount. This is simple yet incredibly effective way of growing your network and maximising the value your short-term rental listing.
Social media is one of the most powerful tools you have in your property owner’s arsenal. If you haven’t already, create social media pages for your property, and update them regularly with news, informative tips and stunning photographs.
Encourage engagement with your posts by asking viewers to like, share, comment, and rate your property. As many people book short-term vacation rentals online, reviews are the metaphorical bread and butter of many property owners’ livelihood.
Invite your previous tenants to write positive reviews on social media, and you will see a massive uptick in traffic and interest.
When all is said and done, the best way to promote your short-term vacation rental listing comes down to utilising your existing network and thinking beyond promotion on one single platform. Realistically, the more eyes that view your listing, the more chance you have of renting out your property more often.
By listing on multiple sites, offering discount-based incentives to customers, and effectively harnessing social media, you will be well on your way to the status of property tycoon.”
